Profiles
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CAR COLLECTOR
Volume 3 • Issue 14 • March-April 2014
The Scoop: Profiles
CORVETTE
1967 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE L88
$3.9m / Barrett-Jackson
A new record price for a
Corvette sold at auction
— Michael Pierce
Page 48
GM
2002 CHEVROLET
CAMARO ZL1 COUPE
$83k / Russo and Steele
A low-production street
terror with rising value
— Patrick Smith
Page 50
FoMoCo
1968 FORD MUSTANG
“BULLITT” FASTBACK
$88k / Bonhams
It’s McQueen’s Mustang,
but it’s also a replica
— Tom Glatch
Page 52
MOPAR
1970 PLYMOUTH
HEMI ’CUDA
$170k / Gooding & Co.
Top-dog Mopar muscle
at a mid-level price
— Tom Glatch
Page 54
AMERICAN
™
Cover photo: 1968 Ford Mustang
“Bullitt” fastback tribute
Pawel Litwinski, courtesy of Bonhams
8 AmericanCarCollector.com
Keith Martin's
Page 7
HOT ROD
1929 FORD DICK FLINT
ROADSTER
$578k / RM
Big-money vintage rod with
all the right stuff
— Ken Gross
Page 56
AMERICANA RACE and TRUCK
1972 WINNEBAGO BRAVE
CUSTOM RV
$12k / Barrett-Jackson
A “Brave” buy on a hot-rod
Winnie
— Jay Harden
Page 58
THE “SNAKE & MONGOOSE” COLLECTION:
1970 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA, 1972 PLYMOUTH DUSTER,
TWO 1967 DODGE D700 HAULERS
$990k / Barrett-Jackson
One buyer had the chance to collect all four
— John L. Stein
Page 60
The “Snake & Mongoose”
Collection; profile, p. 60
Jim Pickering
March-April 2014
9
Page 8
The Rundown
EXPERTS’
COLUMNS
12 Torque
Big money in the Arizona desert
— Jim Pickering
42 Cheap Thrills
The cheapest buys of Arizona
2014 — B. Mitchell Carlson
44 Horsepower
The best American collector
cars by decade — Colin Comer
46 Corvette Market
The credo of do no harm
— John L. Stein
122 Surfing Around
Must-have automobilia
— Carl Bomstead
FUN
RIDES
26 Good Reads
American Motors Corporation:
The Rise and Fall of America’s
Last Independent Automaker
— Mark Wigginton
28 Desktop Classics
2006 Ford GT — Marshall Buck
36 Scottsdale 2014
Making sense of Arizona
auction week — Tony Piff
40 Carspotting
Cool rides seen in Arizona
114 Our Cars
Randy Zussman’s 2000 Dodge
Viper GTS
SERV
DEPA
16 What’s
Collector events of note
18 Crossing the Block
Upcoming auctions, plus
highlighted star cars
26 Parts Time
Nifty parts to keep your car
on the road
28 Cool Stuff
A five-ton jack that fits in your
hand?
32 Your Turn
Lambrecht’s economics, and
the Type N/W
74 Quick Take
1989 Pontiac Trans Am 20th
Anniversary Edition coupe
— Chad Tyson
AUCTIONS
70 Barrett-Jackson — Scottsdale 2014
Scottsdale’s biggest sale gets even bigger, and 1,401 of 1,405 cars make
a combined $110m — Dan Grunwald
80 Leake — Dallas 2013
Dual auction lanes lead to $9.4m total and 365/588 sold — Cody Tayloe
88 Russo and Steele — Scottsdale 2014
484 out of 735 cars find new garages, and the total breaks $21m
— Joseph Seminetta
96 Silver Auctions — Fort McDowell 2014
Not far from the Scottsdale bustle, 191 out of 328 cars sell for $3.3m
— B. Mitchell Carlson
104 Roundup
American vehicles from coast to coast — Dan Grunwald, Joseph Seminetta,
B. Mitchell Carlson, Cody Tayloe, Carl Bomstead, John Baeke, Adam Blumenthal,
Michael Leven, John L. Stein, Donald Osborne
10 AmericanCarCollector.com
108 Glovebox Notes
2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited
116 The Parts Hunter
Rare parts and pieces
SUV
on the market
118 Showcase Gallery
Sell your car in ACC’s
classifieds section
118 Advertiser Index
120 Resource Directory
Get to know our advertisers
Background photo: Usually, the
raging bulls at Barrett-Jackson are
just Lamborghinis, but the auction
house added a rodeo this year in
Arizona (see feature, p. 36)
Tony Piff
Page 10
Torque
Jim Pickering
New year, new records
B
THE ARIZONA AUCTIONS AGAIN KICKED OFF WITH A BANG,
WITH 2,381 CARS BRINGING $253M
ig money, big cars and big crowds.
That’s what the Arizona auctions
in January are all about. They’re
some of the highest-grossing car
auctions in the United States, and
as they happen right at the start of the new
year, they tend to set the pace for the next 12
months.
This year’s numbers didn’t disappoint.
In total, at Barrett-Jackson, RM, Gooding,
Bonhams, Russo and Steele, and Silver,
2,381 of 2,813 cars sold for a combined
$253m. Compare that with the $225m total
for 2,263 cars sold last year. It’s a 12%
bump, or about a $28m boost for what
basically amounted to 125 more cars sold,
and it was an all-time new high-water mark
for these auctions. Also, for the first time in
Arizona auction history, the overall average
sold price per car crept past $100k.
Of course, none of that should be much
of a surprise to anyone who’s been following
the market recently. It’s been pretty vibrant
for several years now, with high buyer
and seller confidence helping to bring a
lot of rare and expensive cars to auction.
’67 Corvette L88s — the Holy Grails of
production Corvettes — are a great example.
These cars rarely sell on the open market,
but two of the 20 built sold at auction over
the past five months. Mecum offered one in
September, which made $3.4m. The most
recent sale was at Barrett-Jackson, and
it set a new record price for L88s and all
Corvettes in general when it sold for $3.9m
(it’s profiled on p. 48). Record prices aside,
simply seeing these cars offered for sale says
a lot about how comfortable sellers are in the
market right now.
In addition to that, Arizona results also
indicate that the middle market is still doing
well, too. Average sold prices for lots sold
under $1m were up $2k compared with 2013,
which is a great sign that either confidence
remains high among these more mainstream
buyers or that car quality was slightly up.
Actually, I think it’s a case of both — more
numerous nice cars bringing better money,
thanks to increased market confidence.
Thinking bigger
All that is great, but for me, the most in-
teresting thing about this year’s Arizona sales
12 AmericanCarCollector.com
Jim Pickering
Crowds, cars and craziness launch the collectors’ year in Arizona
wasn’t the overall totals or other sales metrics.
It was the in-your-face expansion over years
past, specifically at Barrett-Jackson.
The company’s massive, all-new building
was filled every time I was there, and The
Guinness Book of World Records certified
their tent as the largest nonpermanent
structure in the world. I walked it a couple
of times on the hunt for profile cars for this
issue, and I can definitely vouch that it is
almost a mile long.
In addition to Barrett-Jackson’s sprawl-
ing growth, their TV coverage spanned
several networks this year, with a much
broader reach than in years past. That, too,
was big news for the industry, as it drew in
a lot more eyes that otherwise may not have
known a collector-car auction, let alone six,
were even going on.
A changing market
That growth was the basis for the ques-
tion we asked for our “Insider’s View”
section in this issue. With this much physical
expansion and hundreds of thousands of
spectators either walking through the gates
of auctions such as Barrett-Jackson or tuning
in on TV, it’s safe to say we’re seeing a lot of
new potential bidders getting exposed to the
hobby. And those potential bidders are looking
at this market – and the consignments
available in places like Arizona — with
fresh eyes.
If and when these people become buyers,
what will they be interested in buying? Will
they prefer traditional original muscle cars,
or will they be interested in modern ones?
Further, will modern muscle cars ever have
the same general appeal that the originals do
today?
Those are all tough questions to tackle,
especially considering how many factors
built the current muscle-car market and
helped develop its love for Shelbys, Hemis
and Ram Air cars.
But if you ask me, I think it’s safe to say
that original muscle and modern muscle
share more similarities than differences,
and both are just flat-out cool. I wouldn’t
be surprised to see the newer cars grow in
both interest and value over time, especially
as old-school collectors gain more respect
for them, and as a new generation of bidder
— one who grew up on 5.0 Mustangs
and fourth-gen Camaros — flows into the
market. Realistically, I think we’re already
starting to see it start on the rarest and most
powerful examples of the new generation.
The GM profile car in this issue, the GMMG
ZL1 Camaro (p. 50), sold for $83k at Russo
and Steele, is a great example.
But that’s just one opinion. ACC’s read-
ers had a lot to say on the subject, and you
can check it out starting on p. 34. A
Page 14
WHAT’SHAPPENING
Spring Carlisle — you might think you can do it in a day ...
Spring Carlisle
Spring is finally here, and that means it’s time for Spring Carlisle, a giant swapmeet, car corral and auction in Carlisle, PA, from April 23 to
27. This is one of the biggest events of the year on the East Coast, and it’s a great way to shake off winter and start the car year. We’re talking
150 acres and more than 8,100 vendor booths, so this is The Place to find that unobtanium part.
More than 2,000 cars will look for a new home in the car corral, where you can dicker with the owner for a price that makes everyone happy.
The Carlisle Auction at the Carlisle Expo Center will run more than 300 cars across the block. www.carsatcarlisle.com (PA)
Hot rods invade the AACA
Yes, the Antique Automotive
Automobile Club of America — a temple
of car originality — is celebrating tireburning,
highly modified hot rods and
customs.
Hot rods and custom cars from the
Goodguys on the road
Goodguys is making tracks all over the United States during March and April.
The Goodguys fifth Spring Nationals takes place March 7–9 in Scottsdale, AZ, and the
fourth Spring Lone Star Nationals rumbles to life in Fort Worth, TX, from March 14 to 16.
The 32nd All American Get-Together is March 29–30 in Pleasanton, CA, and the Goodguys
Meguiar’s 14th Del Mar Nationals is April 4–6 in Del Mar, CA. No excuses for those lucky
enough to live in California during the early spring. www.good-guys.com
talented hands of George Barris, Ed “Big
Daddy” Roth, Boyd Coddington and other
prominent names take center stage at “The
Art of the Build: Rods & Kustoms” at the
AACA Museum in Hershey, PA, through
April 27. Don’t ask why — just go.
The AACA Museum is open daily
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission
is $10, seniors get in for $9, kids ages
4–12 are admitted for $7 and younger
kids get in for free. For more information,
call 1.717.566.7100 or visit www.
AACAMuseum.org. (PA)
Charlotte AutoFair
This year’s Charlotte AutoFair — April 3–6 — will fill the giant Charlotte Motor Speedway with 10,000 vendors, an Antique Automobile
Club of America National Car Show and 1,600 cars for sale in car corrals. This car-crazed event is giant — it spills out of the speedway onto the
surrounding parking lots. North Carolina weather is world-class in April. www.charlotte-autofair.com (NC)A
16 AmericanCarCollector.com
Page 16
CROSSINGTHE
Upcoming auctions (Images are courtesy of the respective auction houses unless otherwise noted)
MArCh
BLOCK
by Tony Piff
1965 Shelby GT350 r at rM Amelia Island
1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427/425 at Gooding Amelia Island
Gooding & Company — The Amelia Island Auction
Where: Amelia Island, FL
When: March 7
Web: www.goodingco.com
Last year: 69/71 cars sold / $28.2m
Individual Custom convertible sedan by Dietrich ($900k–$1.2m);
and a 1941 Packard Super Eight 180 convertible Victoria by Darrin.
This upscale auction offers an assortment of blue-chip collectibles
from around the world, and there are always a handful
of American classics and muscle cars in the mix. Sales totaled
$28.2m among just 69 cars last year, which works out to an average
price per car of $408k. The American headliners for Amelia
Island 2014 are a 1909 Alco; a 1957 Dual-Ghia, beautifully restored
by marque specialist Joe Morgan (Gooding estimate: $350k–
$450k); a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427/425 convertible, finished
in rare Mosport Green with factory hard top and knockoff wheels
($140k–$180k); and a 1967 Shelby GT350 fastback ($100k–
$125k).
Hollywood Wheels — The Amelia Island
Select Motorcars & More
Where: Amelia Island, FL
When: March 7–9
Web: www.seeyouontheblock.com
For this “luxury lifestyle event and auction,” Hollywood Wheels
has partnered with Festivals of Speed. Headlining the inaugural
sale are two Ford GTs — a 2005 with less than 500 miles and a
2006 Gulf Heritage edition with less than 100 miles — plus a 1953
Cadillac Eldorado convertible and a 1961 Imperial Crown convertible.
RM Auctions — Automobiles of Amelia Island
Where: Amelia Island, FL
When: March 8
Web: www.rmauctions.com
Last year: 81/88 cars sold / $26.9m
2005 Ford GT at Auctions America Fort Lauderdale
This is the official auction of the Amelia Island Concours
d’Elegance, and it will be RM’s 16th annual Amelia Island sale. A
1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Walker-LaGrande convertible coupe
sold here was the most expensive car of Amelia Island 2013 at
$4.5m. American highlights this time around include a 1965 Shelby
GT350 R, referred to as the “winningest” Shelby ever (RM estimate:
$900k–$1.1m); a 1934 Duesenberg Model SJ convertible
sedan by LeBaron ($1.5m–$1.75m); a 1932 Packard Twin Six
18 AmericanCarCollector.com
Auctions America — Fort Lauderdale 2014
When: March 14–16
Where: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Web: www.auctionsamerica.com
Last year: 369/515 cars sold / $17.5m
AA will offer a strong selection of rare, desirable, low-mileage cars
at this annual three-day sale, including a 2005 Ford GT with just 346
miles; a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition with 81 miles; a 1967 Chev-
Specialty Auto Auctions
Where: Loveland, CO
When: March 8
Web: www.saaasinc.com
This will be Specialty’s first sale of 2014. The sale takes place in
northern Colorado at the newly remodeled Ranchway Feeds building
at the Larimer County Fairgrounds — known as “The Ranch.”
Memorabilia is offered first, and then the vehicle auction starts at
10 a.m. Look for a nice selection of classic drivers at affordable
prices.
Silver Auctions — Arizona in the Spring
When: March 14–15
Where: Fort McDowell, AZ
Web: www.silverauctions.com
Last year: 78/162 cars sold / $1.2m
Silver’s well-established Fort McDowell sale in January has
gained a springtime sibling. Look for Silver’s usual strong selection
of quality collectibles at four- and five-digit prices. Classic American
performance cars and customs take center stage, with plenty of
cool pickups and luxury cruisers, too.
Page 18
CROSSINGTHEBLOCK
rolet Corvette 427/435 coupe with 5,900 miles; and a 1954 Chevrolet
Corvette with 1,370 miles. Also look for a 1935 Hudson Terraplane
used in the 2009 Johnny Depp film “Public Enemies,” a highly original,
well-documented 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, and a freshly restored
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 with Super Cobra Jet 429 engine.
In 2013, the auction realized $17.5m in sales, with a strong 72% of
lots sold and an average price per car of $47k. AA predicts more than
400 cars this time around.
Dan Kruse Classics — San Antonio 2014
Where: San Antonio, TX
When: March 29
Web: www.dankruseclassics.com
Last year: 90/183 cars sold / $1.8m
AprIL
Collector Car Productions — The Toronto Spring
Classic Car Auction
Where: Toronto, CAN
When: April 4–6
Web: www.collectorcarproductions.com
1954 Chevrolet Bel Air custom at B-J palm Beach
The star cars at this twice-annual sale are a 1969 Pontiac Trans
Am Ram Air III with 4-speed and PHS documentation, offered at no
reserve; a Cretors Model C Popcorn Wagon in authentic working
condition; a restored 1952 Chevrolet ice-cream truck with working
freezer; a restored 1969 Plymouth Barracuda “Mod Top” with build
sheet, fender tag and original engine; a 1931 Packard Standard
Eight five-passenger coupe (CCCA Full Classic); a 1968 Chevrolet
Chevelle Malibu, all original with 8,600 actual miles; and a documented
1971 Pontiac Trans Am with a 455 HO V8.
Mecum Auctions — Houston 2014
Where: Houston, TX
When: April 10–12
Web: www.mecum.com
Last year: 738/993 cars sold / $25m
A very important 1963 Corvette convertible will cross the auction
block at Mecum Houston: the Bunkie Knudsen GM styling car. Last
year’s sales totaled $25m among 738 cars. One thousand cars are
slated for the 2014 auction. All the action will be broadcast on NBC
Sports Network.
Silver Auctions — Portland Spring
Where: Portland, OR
When: April 11–12
Web: www.silverauction.com
Last year: 96/197 cars sold / $857k
ACC staffers are looking forward to Silver’s spring Portland sale,
which takes place just 15 minutes from our headquarters. The selection
tends toward the affordable end of the spectrum, with sold
cars averaging just under $9k last year. There are sure to be lots of
souped-up performance and muscle cars, vintage pickups, low-mile
luxury rides, and a few hot rods.
The Branson Auction
Where: Branson, MO
When: April 11–12
20 AmericanCarCollector.com
Barrett-Jackson — Palm Beach 2014
When: April 11–13
Where: West Palm Beach, FL
Web: www.barrett-jackson.com
Last year: 422/431 cars sold / $20.5m
Web: www.bransonauction.com
Last year: 118/190 cars sold / $2.5m
Prices averaged about $21k at the Branson spring sale last year,
and a 1960s-style Batmobile replica sold for a whopping $173k. The
offerings often include such eclectic fare as well as pre-war classics,
ground-pounding Detroit iron, and the occasional woodie. The auction
takes place at the Hilton Branson Convention Center on the Lake
Taneycomo waterfront in historic downtown Branson, MO.
Prices averaged $20k per car at last year’s San Antonio sale.
Expect to see a wide array of American muscle, hot rods, pickups
and cruisers, from driver-grade to sparkly show-car.
Notable no-reserve star cars at West Palm Beach are a nutand-bolt
restored 1930 Ford Model A pickup, finished in dark
maroon with black fenders; a 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air custom convertible;
a 1971 Oldsmobile 442 convertible; and a 1967 Chevrolet
Corvette 427/435 coupe.
Mecum Auctions — Kansas City Spring
Where: Kansas City, MO
When: April 24–26
Web: www.mecum.com
Last year: 446/699 cars sold / $9.5m
Heartland American muscle reigns supreme at Mecum KC.
About 750 collector cars are expected. A 1936 Ahrens-Fox BT fire
truck was the most expensive lot last year at $133k, and the average
sold price was $21k.
Leake Auction Company — Dallas Spring 2014
Where: Dallas, TX
When: April 25–26
Web: www.leakecar.com
Leake builds on the popularity of their fall Dallas auction with
this brand-new Dallas Spring sale. Their dual-auction-block format
sells double the cars for double the auction intensity. At their November
Dallas sale, sales totaled $9.5m among 365 lots, and sold
cars averaged $26k, with a 2006 Ford GT on top at $218k.
Specialty returns to the Adams County Regional Park Fairgrounds
to celebrate its 13th year at this location and their 28th
year doing auctions in Colorado. They expect 150 vehicles, with a
focus on classics, antiques, uniques and muscle.A
Specialty Auto Auctions
Where: Brighton, CO
When: April 26
Web: www.saaasinc.com
Page 20
CROSSINGTHEBLOCK
ST R CARS
Highlighted vehicles at upcoming auctions
1963 Shelby Cobra
The 23rd production Shelby Cobra built,
CSX2023, will cross the block at Auctions
America Fort Lauderdale. The 1963 car
has 4-speed transmission and was upgraded
to 289 power early in its life. Other
desirable features include a Moto-Lita
steering wheel, Ray Brown three-inch lap
belts, an original Ford clock, wind wings
and sun visors.
1958 Oldsmobile Super 88
Collector Car Productions will offer a
1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 at their April
4–6 Toronto Classic Car Auction. The exceptionally
well-restored car features rare
tri-carb J-2 371-ci V8, pushing 312 hp and
410 ft-lb of torque. It is finished in Festival
Red and Alaskan White with matching twotone
interior. It even has the rare optional
Trans-Portable radio.
1954 Chevrolet Corvette
Roadster
A 1954 Chevrolet Corvette roadster
leads the lineup at Barrett-Jackson’s April
11–13 sale in Palm Beach, FL. The car
has been professionally restored to NCRS
specs by Noland Adams — author of the
definitive The Complete Corvette Restoration
and Technical Guide — and is offered
without reserve.
2014 Ford Mustang Super
Cobra Jet
At Leake’s April 25–26 sale in Dallas,
the early headliner is a 2014 Ford Mustang
Super Cobra Jet, equipped with 5.0 V8,
Whipple supercharger, safety cage (NHRAcertified
to 8.50 ET), Weld Racing Cobra
Jet wheels, and Cobra graphics.A
22 AmericanCarCollector.com
Page 22
Publisher’s
Note
Keith Martin
CAR COLLECTOR
Volume 3, number 2
March-April 2014
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
Kevin Coakley
John Lyons
Norm Mort
Phil Skinner
Contributors Carl Bomstead
Colin Comer
John Draneas
Michael Pierce
Jay Harden
Mark Wigginton
guess that 50% of the most perfectly restored cars in the world are at
B-J every year.
This year, during our shoot, there was one car that stole my heart:
I
a 1967 Firebird with a 400-ci engine. It was just a driver. It had an
automatic tranny with aftermarket Hurst wheels, and was gold with
a black interior. The car was straight and honest, and sold for a fairmarket
$33,000 including commission.
Having just gone through a nut-and-bolt restoration on our 1964
Nova, which we sold there (see more about this on page 30), I have
some new insights on what I’m looking for in a car.
No more show cars for me. The next ACC car will be a driver that
anyone on the staff will feel comfortable jumping into and taking to
lunch. It can be an automatic, with power steering, power brakes and
a/c. Why punish ourselves just because we want to be in a vintage
car?
The Firebird was hardly the nicest, rarest or most desirable car at
Barrett-Jackson. But it tugged at my heartstrings, partly because it
didn’t try to take my wallet and devour it in a single gulp like a more
rare variant might do.
After all, here at ACC, it’s all about the driving, and a car like that
Firebird would look awfully good sitting in our garage. A
The car I wanted
at Barrett-Jackson
’ve been going to Barrett-Jackson for 26 years, and for a car
junkie, it’s as close as you get to heaven in Arizona.
This year, I spent sun-up to sun-down from Wednesday
through Saturday in the big tent, shooting episodes of “What’s
My Car Worth,” which will air on Velocity in July.
A part of Barrett-Jackson has always been about excess. I would
Information Technology Brian Baker
Lead Web Developer Marc Emerson
SEO Consultant Michael Cottam
Advertising and Events
Manager Erin Olson
Financial Manager Cheryl Ann Cox
print Media Buyer Wendie Martin
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American Car Collector magazine (ISSN# 2164-1323) is published bimonthly by
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pOSTMASTEr: Send address changes to American Car Collector, PO Box 4797, Portland,
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a variety of reliable sources. However, we disclaim and deny any responsibility or liability
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Copyright registered with the United States copyright office. PRINTED IN USA
24 AmericanCarCollector.com
AMERICAN
JOIN US
Daniel Grunwald
Jack Tockston
Pat Campion
Dale Novak
B. Mitchell Carlson
Ken Gross
Tom Glatch
John L. Stein
Marshall Buck
Dale Novak
Keith Martin's
Page 24
GOODREADS by Mark Wigginton
American Motors Corporation: The Rise and Fall of America’s Last Independent
Automaker by Patrick R. Foster, Motorbooks, 208 pages, $32.89, Amazon
“Hi, my name is Mark, and I once owned an AMC Hornet.” “Hi, Mark.”
You get the drift. Church basement, folding chairs, coffee and cookies… and a lot of people
with serious regrets. I was one of those.
You never think you are going to have an AMC problem. You
think you can handle it. But somewhere along the way you find
yourself telling total strangers that the Gremlin X design package
“really gave the little Gremlin a very sporty look.” Or how the
Metropolitan was going to save the company, or how the “fastest
American sedan for 1957 was the fabulous Rambler Rebel.”
Or at least you do if you are Patrick Foster, author of this look
back at American Motors (a company born, in horse-breeding
parlance, out of Nash, by Hudson). This is not his first Rambler
Rodeo; Foster is prolific. He has run out of fingers to count his
various AMC books, and his toes should be worried.
He takes a look at AMC from the end of the Nash era, the
series of mergers and marriages, from the ill-fated synergy experiment
with Packard (“We’ll buy your engines, you buy sheet
metal; no, really, it will be great, but only if you buy the sheet
metal; come on now, buy some steel, dammit”), to the “glory” years of cross-the-pond creativity
engendered by boatloads of Renault cash.
Along the way, in Foster’s book every car is a winner, just held back by (plausible excuse
here). Actually, once you get into the spirit of the exercise, it winds up being a sad tale, where a
lot of people tried really hard to sell cars that never spoke to a large enough slice of the American
consumer. It was a company constantly under-capitalized, chasing survival that remained just out
of reach.
And the only good memory I have of that car, an ill-handling 6-banger automatic hatchback,
involves an impressive Midwest thunderstorm, a young lady and lightning both in and out of the
car.
“Hi, my name is Mark, and it has been 110,595 days since I owned an AMC Hornet.”
PARTSTIME by Chad Tyson
New products to modernize your street machine
1963–67 Buick riviera fender emblems
Original Parts Group Inc. now offers ultra-high-quality, exact
reproductions of the long-discontinued factory emblems used on the
front fenders of the 1963–67 Buick Riviera and on the hood of the
1967 model Riviera.
In keeping with the original GM factory part, each OPGI Riviera
emblem is produced with a zinc alloy die-casting process that
ensures a durable finished product in bright chrome plating that
promotes long life. Sold individually, each emblem also features
the factory-correct, GM-style studs to fit the original mounting
ODREADS by Mark Wigginton
American Motors Corporation: The Rise and Fall of America’s Last Indepen-
dent Automaker by Patrick R. Foster, Motorbooks, 208 pages, $32.89, Amazon
“Hi, my name is Mark, and I once owned an AMC Hornet.” “Hi, Mark.”
You get the drift. Church basement, folding chairs, coffee and cookies… and a lot of people
with serious regrets. I was one of those.
You never think you are going to have an AMC problem. You
think you can handle it. But somewhere along the way you find
yourself telling total strangers that the Gremlin X design package
“really gave the little Gremlin a very sporty look.” Or how the
Metropolitan was going to save the company, or how the “fastest
American sedan for 1957 was the fabulous Rambler Rebel.”
Or at least you do if you are Patrick Foster, author of this look
back at American Motors (a company born, in horse-breeding
parlance, out of Nash, by Hudson). This is not his first Rambler
Rodeo; Foster is prolific. He has run out of fingers to count his
various AMC books, and his toes should be worried.
He takes a look at AMC from the end of the Nash era, the
series of mergers and marriages, from the ill-fated synergy ex-
periment with Packard (“We’ll buy your engines, you buy sheet
metal; no, really, it will be great, but only if you buy the sheet
metal; come on now, buy some steel, dammit”), to the “glory” years of cross-the-pond creativity
engendered by boatloads of Renault cash.
Along the way, in Foster’s book every car is a winner, just held back by (plausible excuse
here). Actually, once you get into the spirit of the exercise, it winds up being a sad tale, where a
lot of people tried really hard to sell cars that never spoke to a large enough slice of the American
consumer. It was a company constantly under-capitalized, chasing survival that remained just out
of reach.
And the only good memory I have of that car, an ill-handling 6-banger automatic hatchback,
involves an impressive Midwest thunderstorm, a young lady and lightning both in and out of the
car.
“Hi, my name is Mark, and it has been 110,595 days since I owned an AMC Hornet.”
PARTSTIME by Chad Tyson
New products to modernize your street machine
1963–67 Buick riviera fender emblems
Original Parts Group Inc. now offers ultra-high-quality, exact
reproductions of the long-discontinued factory emblems used on the
front fenders of the 1963–67 Buick Riviera and on the hood of the
1967 model Riviera.
In keeping with the original GM factory part, each OPGI Riviera
emblem is produced with a zinc alloy die-casting process that
ensures a durable finished product in bright chrome plating that
promotes long life. Sold individually, each emblem also features
the factory-correct, GM-style studs to fit the original mounting
ll
ll
for
ODREADS by Mark Wigginton
American Motors Corporation:
S by Mark Wigginton
American Motors Corporation: The Rise and Fall of America’s Last Indepen-
dent Automaker by Patrick R. Foster, Motorbooks, 208 pages, $32.89, Amazon
“Hi, my name is Mark, and I once owned an AMC Hornet.” “Hi, Mark.”
You get the drift. Church basement, folding chairs, coffee and cookies… and a lot of people
with serious regrets. I was one of those.
You never think you are going to have an AMC problem. You
think you can handle it. But somewhere along the way you find
yourself telling total strangers that the Gremlin X design package
“really gave the little Gremlin a very sporty look.” Or how the
Metropolitan was going to save the company, or how the “fastest
American sedan for 1957 was the fabulous Rambler Rebel.”
Or at least you do if you are Patrick Foster, author of this look
back at American Motors (a company born, in horse-breeding
parlance, out of Nash, by Hudson). This is not his first Rambler
Rodeo; Foster is prolific. He has run out of fingers to count his
various AMC books, and his toes should be worried.
He takes a look at AMC from the end of the Nash era, the
series of mergers and marriages, from the ill-fated synergy ex-
periment with Packard (“We’ll buy your engines, you buy sheet
metal; no, really, it will be great, but only if you buy the sheet
metal; come on now, buy some steel, dammit”), to the “glory” years of cross-the-pond creativity
engendered by boatloads of Renault cash.
Along the way, in Foster’s book every car is a winner, just held back by (plausible excuse
here). Actually, once you get into the spirit of the exercise, it winds up being a sad tale, where a
lot of people tried really hard to sell cars that never spoke to a large enough slice of the American
consumer. It was a company constantly under-capitalized, chasing survival that remained just out
of reach.
And the only good memory I have of that car, an ill-handling 6-banger automatic hatchback,
involves an impressive Midwest thunderstorm, a young lady and lightning both in and out of the
car.
“Hi, my name is Mark, and it has been 110,595 days since I owned an AMC Hornet.”
PARTSTIME by Chad Tyson
New products to modernize your street machine
1963–67 Buick riviera fender emblems
Original Parts Group Inc. now offers ultra-high-quality, exact
reproductions of the long-discontinued factory emblems used on the
front fenders of the 1963–67 Buick Riviera and on the hood of the
1967 model Riviera.
In keeping with the original GM factory part, each OPGI Riviera
emblem is produced with a zinc alloy die-casting process that
ensures a durable finished product in bright chrome plating that
promotes long life. Sold individually, each emblem also features
the factory-correct, GM-style studs to fit the original mounting
ll
for
Maradyne
Maradyne pacesetter
6-volt fans
Just because your car runs on
six volts doesn’t mean you have to
put up with an insufficient, powerrobbing
cooling setup. Rip out (or
unbolt) that mechanical fan and replace
it with a new electric fan from
Maradyne. They designed these fans
to operate with the vehicle’s existing
6-volt electrics and fit into smaller
engine bays.
You will need to install a manual
toggle switch to operate the fan,
unless you also purchase one of their
recommended wiring harnesses.
MSRP is $79.99 to $99.95
depending on the size (12-inch to
16-inch). The new fans are available
wherever Maradyne products
are sold. Tech service is available
at 800.537.7444. Visit www.
maradynehp.com for additional
information.A
26 AmericanCarCollector.com
Lineage:
Patrick Foster knows his stuff,
he is well regarded as an automotive
journalist and historian, and his
specialty is the independent car companies,
of which AMC was the longest
survivor. His collection of photographs
and research helps him in creating the
many titles to his name.
Fit and finish:
It’s a nice, simple design, well
printed, and chock full of publicity
photos from the era.
Drivability:
There are plenty of fans of the
products of AMC, starting with those
coming from Nash. Your mileage may
vary. As a fan book, it’s just swell.
But journalism is journalism, and
one of the most common mistakes
in automotive books is unabashed
enthusiasm, while history appreciates
a more, uh, nuanced look at the
creations of a company and the men
(mostly) who put their heart and soul
in the products. This look at American
Motors is filled with superlatives. And
that’s not a good thing.
is best
Page 26
COOLSTUFF
Sign language
So you’re decorating your garage, and your name is Jim. How about a neon sign that says
“Jim’s Garage”? Nights of Neon can fabricate anything you can imagine. How about a fullscale
3D Lincoln Continental four-door convertible? They’ve done that. They also maintain an
inventory of over 10,000 pieces, available to rent or buy. www.nightsofneon.com
Five-tool player
Summit’s 5-in-1 Jumpstart Box is a really
No m
keyc
The K
Gold-plated
It’s time to get your 2014 Bloomington
Gold commemorative plates. These plates
are issued by the state of Illinois and are
street-legal within the state from May 2 to
June 29, 2014. Any plates unsold after May
15, 2014, will be destroyed. Prices vary by
number. Corvette model years, horsepower
and engine-size numbers are $105. Other
numbers are $55. www.bloomingtongold.com
was on
ite gad
2013. W
the rele
of version
2.0,
it’s
lighter, thinner, available in more colors,
and they’ve brought the base price down to
$29. Smaller than a Tic-Tac box, it has six
slots for keys ($4.99 apiece, $25 for modern
“chipped” keys), bottle opener ($5.99), memory
stick ($39.99 for 32 gb), and/or flashlight
($9.99). Ordering online is surprisingly easy,
or locate a dealer at www.keyport.com.
handy item — it offers a jump whenever you
need it, as well as an on-board air compressor,
two 12-volt plugs, two USB plugs, and
a lighter plug. It’s the official battery reviver
of American Car Collector. In fact, I used it
yesterday to jump my pickup. $139.97 from
www.summitracing.com
Tools for your toys
Maintain
your model-ca
collection like
a professional
with these
scale garage
accessories
from Genuine
Hotrod Hardware.
There’s a 1:18 4-post lift ($39.97) and
a 1:24 five-ton engine hoist ($9.97), plus
1:24 accessory sets with jacks, tool cabinets,
creepers, gas cans and more ($9.97). www.
genuinehotrod.com
DESKTOPCLASSICS by Marshall Buck
2006 Ford GT
Some of my all-time favorite cars are the original
Ford GT40s, and since obtaining one of those is out of the
question, maybe someday I’ll be able to swing one of the
2005–06 Ford GT production cars, which would also be a
lot more usable!
Several years ago, HPI Racing, a hugely successful
manufacturer of R/C vehicles, briefly branched out into
the production of high-quality model cars. They mostly
produced race cars, but they also made some sports cars. Unfortunately, HPI closed their
model-car division late last year.
They made highly accurate models of the production Ford GT and earlier concept cars,
both in various colors. The GTs are made up of numerous parts and have a wealth of perfectly
miniaturized detail. Paint finish is a flawless high-gloss job, windows are crystal-clear, and
both the comprehensively detailed interior and engine can be seen through them. Look on
eBay and buy one if you can.
28 AmericanCarCollector.com
by Tony Piff
Detailing
Scale: 1:43
Available colors: Red, white, yellow, matte black,
Gulf colors, and more
Quantity: Unknown
Price: $150 to $200-plus
Production date: 2011
Web: Not on website any longer, so you’ll need to
hunt eBay
Ratings
Detailing:
Accuracy:
Overall quality:
Overall value:
is best
Page 28
SNAPSHOTS
ACC’s Scottsdale Insider’s Seminar
CONTRIBUTORS PICKED ONE CAR TO OWN FROM EACH GENERATION
On January 15, several hundred ACC
readers gathered at Barrett-Jackson in
Scottsdale, AZ, for ACC’s first Scottsdale
Seminar, presented by Barrett-Jackson, Mid
America Motorworks, Reliable Carriers and
Meguiar’s.
Keynote Speaker Colin Comer kicked
things off with a look at the muscle car market
and how it’s changed since the financial
crash of 2008, and he shared his insights on
where things are headed in the future. He
was joined by ACC contributors B. Mitchell
Carlson, John L. Stein, and me for our panel
discussion.
We were each tasked with picking one
car we’d like to own — just one — from
each of the following generations: 1950s,
1960s, 1970s, 1980s and ’90s, and 2000s
to today. The idea was to select a car that
would be both fun to use and a good investment,
considering the current market. Picks
ranged from 1953 Ford F100s through 1965
Shelby GT350s and Chevrolet Impala SS
396s, 1972 Corvette LT-1 convertibles,
Chad Tyson
ACC Editor at Large Colin Comer shares his insights with the crowd
1980s Saleen Mustangs, and more. The one
car we all agreed upon? First-gen Dodge
Vipers, both in RT/10 roadster and GTS
coupe form. As production was limited and
its performance was well known, it’s a great
buy both in terms of fun factor and future
investment potential.
— Jim Pickering
Wanna go? ACC will be hosting another seminar in Scottsdale 2015, and we’ll likely be hosting others throughout the year as well.
Admission is always free to ACC subscribers. Watch this space for more, and sign up for ACC’s Insider’s Newsletter, published every other
Wednesday, for up-to-date information as it becomes available. Find it at www.americancarcollector.com.
ACC’s no-reserve project
wagon finds a new home
Bucket seats, a V8 rumble, and a 4-speed. All muscle car es-
sentials. But it’s not something you usually find in a wagon. So
that’s what ACC built.
This 1964 Nova Wagon had been with the company quite a while
— in fact, it had been a part of the Sports Car Market garage longer
than ACC’s been around. Our publisher, Keith Martin, bought it back
in 2009 as a project, but it was a good one with no rust and pretty
much all of its original components, all the way down to its factory
283-ci V8 and 3-speed on the column. It was ratty from years of use,
but it was a rare 400-series top-level Nova and was mechanically
sound, and that made it a pretty cool starting point.
The project took several years and included a complete repaint,
an all-new interior with buckets out of an SS coupe, a 4-speed on
the floor, and an SS gauge package with a tach. A raspy set of glasspacks,
an Edelbrock intake and carb, and some polished aluminum
wheels finished it off. It had a cool could-have-been-stock look in
its factory white and blue, and it turned a lot of heads when we
cruised it to events. It served a lot of purposes for us, from show
car to booth and magazine hauler, and never gave us any trouble.
But the time had come for ACC to move on to something else, so
we consigned it to Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale event this January.
30 AmericanCarCollector.com
Jim Pickering
It sold at no reserve on January 16 for $26,400, including commission,
to a bidder in the back of the room.
As with most project cars, we had more money in it than we
got out of it, but several other similar wagons sold in Arizona for
similar money, so I’d say it brought a market price for what it was
on the day it sold.
It went to a good home, too. Ken Lingenfelter, a car collector
and owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, was that
buyer in the back of the room, and the car is now a part of his unbelievable
muscle and exotic car collection in Michigan. “It looks
pretty good in the muscle car room,” he says, where it sits among
original Z/28s, Trans Ams, big-block Corvettes, AAR ’Cudas, and
more — the perfect home for a muscle wagon.
— Jim Pickering
Page 30
YOUR TURN
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
A Type what?
I enjoyed reading the current article on
the 1970 Ford Torino Type N/W recently
(January-February 2014).
I’m a longtime Ford enthusiast, and I
thought I knew about every area-specific Ford
dealer “special order” limited-edition car, but
this one was new to me.
I would have to say the 1970 Mustang/
The Lambrecht Collection — behind a great story was a baffling business model
Tony Piff
How’d he do it?
For all the coverage you gave Lambrecht’s
Collection (featured in the January-February
2014 issue), no one has asked the fundamental
business question.
How could a dealer afford to keep hun-
dreds of cars on the books for decades? The
economics make no sense in any dealership
and he wasn’t, as far as I know, a wealthy
man subsidizing his car business.
I did hear one rumor that during World
War II he saved the life of a man who became
a GM executive. The GM exec is rumored
to have simply sent Lambrecht the cars free
out of gratitude. It certainly could have happened.
My hunch is that in pre-computer days
inventory controls could have been easily
circumvented and GM was making so many
cars that these just fell through the cracks.
Whatever the answer, I’m surprised no
one asked the question. This kind of quirky
ain’t free!
— Jackson Dell Weaver, Kirkland, WA
Jim Pickering, ACC Editor, responds:
That’s a good question, and it’s one we
wrestled with when putting together our
coverage of the event. B. Mitchell Carlson
touched on it briefly in his truck profile of
the Cameo — going any further than we did
would have been pure speculation on our
part, since there just wasn’t any real info
out there about it beyond rumors, and Ray
Lambrecht wasn’t available for comment. I
hadn’t heard about the free cars from GM,
and while I doubt that was the case, it probably
isn’t out of the question, either.
Overall, I think we can all assume that
it took some clear motivation to stack
32 AmericanCarCollector.com
up unsold inventory the way Lambrecht
Chevrolet did for so long, and it couldn’t
have made much business sense; otherwise,
other dealers would have probably done the
same thing, and I think we’d be seeing their
collections pop up in the wake of the media
blitz that surrounded the VanDerBrink sale.
So far, that hasn’t happened. Lambrecht
could have been building a collection for
the future, as the family suggested. Or the
cars could have been treated as a business
expense for tax purposes. Maybe he just
liked them and didn’t need to sell them to
stay afloat. We simply don’t know.
Whatever Ray Lambrecht’s motivations
for saving the cars were, financial or
otherwise, I’m just glad he did it. For us, the
motivation behind the story was less important
than the fact that it actually happened,
and that they were for sale at a public
auction that drew the world’s attention. It
was probably the biggest automotive story of
the decade, and I think people will be talking
about it for years to come.
Torino Twisters that were part of the Kansas
City-area Ford dealers’ special promotion
were as good as it ever got in terms of
production numbers and a drivetrain that
was seriously devoted to performance. With
either a 428 Cobra Jet or a 351 Cleveland, it
was so much more than a decal and a spoiler
package, and its popularity and desirability
continues to remain high, as reflected at auctions
over the past five years.
I’ve noticed with the Torino Type N/W,
only one car actually came with the 429CJ
motor. The other five that you mentioned
in the article as having a 429 motor must
have had the Thunderjet 429, not necessarily
known for their performance prowess, and
they were usually found in Thunderbirds and
other large Ford products. Other than the 15
351-ci Type N/W Torinos, the remaining 374
Torinos were fitted with the standard 302-ci
motor (non-Boss 302).
Taking all of this in to consideration, I
would venture to say that the feature car
(429CJ Type N/W) in your article is the
only one that would be considered highly
collectible ($66k) and the remaining 394
cars, although in one sense can be considered
“rare,” probably won’t be considered as serious
collectibles or command big money.
The other issue is that the Torino Type
N/W cannot be verified per VIN, and I’m
assuming any documentation used for verification
purposes would have to come from
the dealer at the time of the original sale.
The 1969-71 big-block CJ Torinos have been
underrated for years and are finally receiving
the notoriety they have deserved as wellconstructed
American muscle cars.
— Mark DellAcqua, Millersville, MDA
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
1970 Ford Torino 429 CJ Type n/W
Page 32
INSIDER’S VIEW
Is modern muscle collectible?
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.
The ACC question: Muscle cars died a pretty horrible
death in the mid-1970s, and the 1980s, aside from a few shining beacons
such as the Grand National, 5.0, and ZR-1, weren’t much better
for performance.
But muscle has come back with a vengeance, with modern 400-hp
Camaros, Mustangs, and Challengers again roaming the streets, just
like they did back in the late ’60s and early ’70s.
But will this new group of muscle cars, with their a/c and airbags,
ever have the same sort of collectible appeal that their older counterparts
have today?
2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Readers respond:
Jim Hill, Houston, TX, via email: Although there will always be
collectors, no, I don’t think today’s generation cars will have the same
appeal as yesteryear’s cars. I believe it’s because of four factors:
1. The supply is much greater today due to efficiencies in manufac-
turing and economies of scale. Simply put, there are many more cars
available.
2. Like the baseball-card phenomenon of the ’80s, car owners
have become aware of the potential value of quality, well-maintained,
collector-worthy cars. As a result, there will be more available “down
the road,” reducing the overall value.
3. The current generation has many
more distractions available to them
— cars have less interest due to the availability
of technological entertainment.
4. Modern cars and their plug-
© General Motors
wanted one when the high-horsepower cars were introduced.
Bill Hummel, Boerne, TX, via email: I do not think modern
muscle cars will be as desirable 40 years from now as the ’60s and ’70s
muscle cars are now.
Today’s young drivers are not nearly as passionate about cars as
their fathers and grandfathers were. The mystique is gone. Young men
don’t work on cars after school anymore. They’d rather play with Xbox
and Facebook.
and-replace components do not lend
themselves to as much “tinkering” as the
previous generation, therefore fewer sons
are working alongside their fathers in
their garages, building their passion and
creating memories that will be revisited later in life.
“My 21- and 24-year-old
sons didn’t want my old
cars, but they do love their
late-model 2009 ’Vette
and 2013 Mustang GT”
Charlton Young, Springfield, IL, via email: It will take another
government/fuel/insurance “car-killing” storm similar to what happened
around 1973. Sadly, people won’t miss and demand the modern
cars until they’re gone. As a muscle fan, I’ve seen the modern 600-plus
hp promised land, and I don’t want to give it up — although I’m still
saving to buy one.
Don Little, Campbellford, Ontario, Canada, via email: I think
they will be to a generation now riding bicycles or tricycles. My first
car was a 1949 six Oldsmobile, and then on to Fords. These were nice
cars, but in the 1950s and ’60s, we never thought of them as collector
cars, and what a mistake that was.
I do know that youngsters coming to car shows I participate in seem
to pass by our treasured ’50s and ’60s cars and stop to look at a new
Mustang or Camaro that some guy has brought.
Kevin McCormack, via email: Low-production new muscle cars
will be as collectible as ’60s muscle cars, but it will take 20-plus years.
History shows us that everyone likes to get a piece of the (their) past, so
these cars will be appealing in the future to those who owned them or
34 AmericanCarCollector.com
Jim Hunter, St. Petersburg, FL, via email: The modern muscle or
“hot-rod” cars from various manufacturers
deserve consideration in years ahead
for value and collectible significance.
A new Viper, or ZR1 Corvette will
dust off any 1970 Duster, ’Cuda, or GTO
and almost park to enjoy coffee by the
time the older “muscle” finishes their
run.
Care to run your $300,000 Hemi
’Cuda or Boss 429 for titles? Not in
any sane person’s mind. You can buy
all three — a Viper, a Shelby GT500, and a ZR1 Corvette — for the
same amount of money as one Boss 429 Mustang changes hands for in
Scottsdale (about $300,000). “Yesterday’s muscle” is just a nice old car.
In the future, how will current values hold up? Who knows for
certain? But one thing is known today — a ZR1, or Z06, or Viper, or
Shelby GT500, or new Z/28, is one true hot-rod muscle car.
Fastback Johnny, Smyrna, GA, via email: You know, sometimes
guys like me (64 years old) like to relate our girlfriends, wives or both
to the old classic cars we drove. Staying with that analogy, I guess the
’55 Chevys and Chevelles and Chargers were our Natalie Woods and
Ann-Margrets.
The newer cars are the Madonna and Miley Cyrus cars of the
future. Regardless, our old rods were extensions of our personalities
and the times back then. The fins, skirts, lake pipes etc. The new stuff?
They still all look like imitations to me.
Dave R., BC, Canada, via email: Modern muscle cars will defi-
nitely be collectors’ items in the future. They have all the essential ingredients
— raw power, great styling, and they can even turn corners.
Toss in all the creature comforts and low production numbers, and they
Page 33
are can’t-miss collectibles.
Some cars, like 1998–2002 WS6 Trans Ams, 2004–06 GTOs and
2003–04 Mach 1s, have already bottomed out on pricing and seem to
be on the way up for low-mile originals.
I had to sell my 2000 WS6 convertible for family reasons about
five years ago, but first chance I get, I’m buying one back. Hopefully
they will still be affordable.
Nick Fantasia, via email: The modern muscle cars of today will
absolutely be the collector cars of tomorrow.
If you look at the escalating value on cars like Collectors Edition
and Grand Sport Corvettes, the 1LE and SLP Camaros and Firebirds,
and the Cobra Mustangs, it is clear the 30- to 45-year-old car guys are
starting to spend some money on what they couldn’t buy when they
were young.
What I am not looking forward to is witnessing when someone
drops the first $40k–$50k at an auction on a CRX-Si or 4-cam Toyota.
Mike, via ACC Blog: All 2000–02 GMMG Camaros and Trans
Ams, especially the ZL-1 Supercars, Dick Harrell Wide Bodies, and
Pontiac Blackbirds will be collectible.
Alohajohn, via ACC Blog: I think there will be buyers for both:
older guys who want the cars of their youth and guys (and gals, too)
who want a modern high-tech muscle car with all the latest technology
as well as heaps of go!
Chuck Wegman, via ACC Blog: Of course they will become
collectible, but the time interval will probably be longer. It has taken
at least 50 years for collecting to reach current levels. So a 2014
Corvette may start appreciating around 2044.
There will be fewer cars available to collect, due to the efficiency
of modern recycling. I bet the overall percentage of people interested
in collecting will be considerably less. I see a large demographic
now of 16- to 30-year-olds who aren’t interested in cars and are not
emotionally involved with transportation like we of the ’50s, ’60s and
’70s are.
Rich F., via ACC Blog: Newer cars might be collectible to the
next younger generation. They will probably want the cars that they
grew up with and not the ones we wanted or had when we were
younger.
Let’s face it — the older cars look much nicer, but they are not
safe and reliable. The newer cars are. Many of the younger kids will
want the “Fast & Furious” imports. Well, come to think of it, they
might want Chargers and GTOs like the ones in the movie. Even my
21- and 24-year-old sons didn’t want my old cars, but they do love
their late-model 2009 ’Vette and 2013 Mustang GT.
Dean Prevolos, via ACC Blog: The fact that most buyers today
buy off the lot rather than order their car with specific options makes
a new car very generic. Prior to 1980, the car-buying experience let
you choose the unique combinations of options, colors, engines when
ordering a car, and that is what created the collector car, as well as the
car collector.
Henry Mann, Huntingdon Valley, PA, via email: I have lived
through both eras. In the ’70s there were a limited number of really
hot cars, and availability and dependability were a problem. Now
there are so many choices, and a less-than-four-second car that does
125 in the quarter is commonplace.
I say stock up! Who cares if they are collectible? We didn’t know
what was collectible in the ’70s and we don’t know what’s collectible
now. Buy them while you can. A
March-April 2014 35
Page 34
FEATUREARIZONA AUCTION WEEK
Tony Piff
Custom 1966 Mercury park Wagon at Barrett-Jackson
Bye-bye reality
THE ONLY THINGS THAT MATTER HERE
ARE CARS, MONEY AND HAVING A BLAST
by Tony Piff
“I
wanna build something like that,” says 20-year-old Cameron Ward of Scottsdale, pointing
to a modified 1966 Mercury Park Wagon. The car sits long and low on modern 20-inch
alloys. Under the lights of the Barrett-Jackson auction tent, the custom silver paint gleams
in bold contrast against two-tone wood paneling. There’s a surfboard on the roof. Ward is
digging the whole thing.
Eyeing a nearby Stingray, he briefly waxes reverent, saying, “A nice Corvette like that
should stay original. But something like that Ranch wagon…” He smiles. “Build it, do stupid
stuff. Any car that I have will not stay stock.”
Ward represents the next generation of gearheads: kids who, when they weren’t spinning
wrenches in the garage, were spending thousands of hours driving the cars of their dreams —
in video games.
And when those real-life cars come to Arizona for one week in January, that fantasy
becomes reality.
“This is heaven,” he says. “I shook hands with George Barris and Don Prudhomme today.”
Ward’s dream car? “A ’69 or ’70 Boss 429.”
“I think it’s fun to look,” says Hailey S. (18, from Phoenix), strolling down the row with her
mother, Darla. “I just want to touch everything, but you can’t do that.”
Says ACCer Charlie Johnson from Denver, “It’s an event, it’s a media circus. Still, the hard-
core people are here. I went to four auctions today.” Johnson owns “12 or 13 cars, something
like that. They’re all either Ford hot rods or GM. I come to see what the cars are worth.” He
figures the recent rise in prices is just investors “hedging against inflation.” (Spoken like an
informed ACCer, Charlie. — Ed.)
“We come for ideas,” says Jennifer Haroldson of San Diego. She stands nearby as her
husband preps an immaculate orange ’66 Chevelle custom in the Barrett-Jackson staging
lane. The couple builds custom cars to show, race, and sometimes sell. The Chevelle finds a
new owner on the auction block at $105k, but Haroldson says, “We don’t sell our cars just to
sell cars. This is a hobby for us. We do take our cars to shows, and we’re passionate about it.
Anything we build will be perfect.”
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A 1956 Cadillac custom turned heads — and fl
Page 35
“This is Heaven”
Tony Piff
flipped a wallet, to the tune of $132k
Two black
“barn-find” 1939
Fords caught
the eye of
B. Mitchell Carlson
Kenny Forrest of
roswell, nM. “I
want ’em both,”
he said. “If I buy
’em, they’ll never
change.” he
was outbid on
the restored car
(right) but won
the original (left)
at $15k
Barn finds and hot rods
Kenny Forrest of Roswell, NM, did not come to Arizona in
search of perfection. Thirty minutes outside Scottsdale at Silver’s
Fort McDowell sale, Forrest is evaluating two black “barn-find” ’39
Fords brought from Auburn, CA. One car conceals a “frame-off”
mechanical restoration beneath its heavily weathered paint. The other
is described as a fully original runner. “They were the main reason I
came here,” Forrest says. “I want ’em both. If I buy ’em, they’ll never
change. My goal is to have a museum one day.”
Forrest always makes sure to get to Barrett-Jackson “for the
awesomeness” (he walked 9.5 miles there in one day, according to his
pedometer), but Silver’s laid-back atmosphere is more in line with his
shopping habits.
He ultimately loses the restored car to another bidder at $22,750,
but he scores the original at $15,300. “I set my limit at $15k apiece,
March-April 2014 37
Page 36
Tony Piff
A 1970 plymouth hemi Superbird crosses the block at Barrett-Jackson, selling for $143k
“You meet people from multi levels of wealth,
but everybody seems to connect”
but my lovely wife talked me into the other $300 — so she wouldn’t
have to listen to me complain.” Forrest’s collection includes original
and restored cars, but everything is pretty much stock. “I’d like to
have a street rod some day,” he says, “but I’ll have to buy one already
done, ’cause I don’t have the heart to cut one up.”
At Russo and Steele, Steve Kormondy spends 20 minutes razor-
blading sticker residue off the windshield interior of the “Root Beer
Coupe” before it crosses the auction block. The ’32 Ford boasts 600
horsepower from a bored-out 1963 Z11 Impala 427 V8, and it once
graced the cover of Rodder’s Journal. “People aren’t here at Russo for
the hype and circus,” says Kormondy’s friend Steve Nanny. “They’re
here to buy cars.”
The Root Beer Coupe ultimately sells for $160k — strong money,
but nowhere near the car’s unimaginable build
cost — but as Nanny puts it, “You don’t build
these cars to make money.”
ACCer Phil Bishop came to Russo from Spruce
Grove, Alberta, Canada, representing his shop,
Bluenose Auto Repair. “Sold two, bought two, so
we’re even,” he says, adding, “There’s a strong
Canadian market. It’s just an eight-hour flight,
same time zone. Lotta buyers come down here.”
Supercharged connections
The confluence of cars and dollars attracts not
just buyers, sellers, aspirers and oglers. There are
business opportunities in the margins, too.
Sean Schwagler of Drew’s Garage in Phoenix
mans his company’s booth at Barrett-Jackson.
The garage does high-end restorations and custom
builds. Schwagler is spending the week marketing
his shop’s talent to anyone willing to listen. “You
meet people from multi levels of wealth,” he says,
“but everybody seems to connect.”
Late Saturday night, the Barrett-Jackson stag-
ing tent is a beehive of activity. Bidders and tirekickers
swirl through the slowly advancing grid
38 AmericanCarCollector.com
of cars. Heads turn as the whining blare of a supercharger drowns out
the country rock soundtrack, and a yellow ’56 Cadillac emerges from
the dark, its triple bird-catcher blower towering above the roofline.
Everyone seems to have a beer. There are a lot of cigars. There’s a
rodeo under way in the next building. The Caddy sells for $132k.
Off to the side, Luba Petrovich, 35, is observing the chaos. “Oh,
you don’t want to talk to me,” she says with a flirtatious smirk. “I
snuck in here.” Luba says she has loved cars all her life (“I drove my
’66 Mustang into the ground”), but tonight she’s doing research. “I
work in marketing and product development for men. I’m here for
product inspiration.”
What better place to glean insights into the human psyche than this
ultimate distillation of Americana? A
Tony Piff
The haroldsons’ custom 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle, which sold for $105k
Page 38
CAR SPOTTING
by Tony Piff
Interesting rides seen at the Arizona auctions
1958 Chrysler Windsor
1955 Cadillac Eldorado convertible
1930s Studebaker Indy racer
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air post
1955 Studebaker pickup custom
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air post
1951 Chevrolet
1941 Buick Special
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Page 39
1965 Chevy pickup resto-mod
1964 Dodge Dart convertible
1961 Chrysler Imperial four-door hard top
1956 Mercury Monterey convertible
1972 Jeepster
March-April 2014 41
Page 40
Cheap Thrills
B. Mitchell Carlson
CHEAP FUN
Mike Maez, courtesy of Gooding & Company
1941 Cadillac Series 60 Special
4-door sedan
Gooding & Company Lot 153, VIN 6341936, sold at $40,700
Not surprisingly, the most expensive of the cheapest cars was the
only CCCA Full Classic and was sold at Gooding.
When Cadillac introduced the Series 60 Special in 1938, it was a
styling sensation. It had a well-balanced look that carried well with
the overall styling themes of 1938. By 1941, when Cadillac went to
a more upright and massive frontal appearance, this changed the
dynamic of the Series 60 Special. It now came off as being taller and
more of a formal car. Some loved it more than the previous years,
some were put off by it. This is still true for enthusiasts today.
In the 21st century, these cars are better appreciated if they’re
equipped with the then-new option of Hydra-Matic drive automatic
transmission, which this car had. When equipped this way, these cars
are effortless Full Classic touring cars, and that drives their value in
today’s market. Don’t let the auction estimate of $60k to $80k fool
you; this was offered at no reserve, and the market spoke. Still, not
bad for a car that most car guys will scoff at as having two doors too
many.
Cheap:
Thrilling: Well-bought factor:
1959 Imperial Custom Southampton
2-door hard top
RM Auctions Lot 65, VIN M617106651,
sold at $33,000
From the catalog description: “This is an original California car
that has received a ground-up restoration.” A bit of an oxymoron if
you ask me, but regardless of whether you call it original or restored,
it was still a pretty nice example of one of the rarer variants (one of
1,743 built) of Chrysler Corporation’s flagship line. The auction gods
must have shined kindly on big-fin Imperials, as they seemed to be
everywhere this year.
While well sorted out, this one was not of AACA National Award
42 AmericanCarCollector.com
Courtesy of Russo and Steele
1967 Pontiac Firebird coupe
Russo and Steele Lot TH385, VIN 223377U613867, offered
without reserve, sold at $16,600
Russo has a diverse enough catalog that it’s hard to pick a winner
in the lowest-selling category ahead of time.
Sure, this Firebird had a big honkin’ Chevy 454 under the hood (all
but guaranteed to not get brownie points at a POCI National meet),
but I pegged this as a $20k car. It was pretty well screwed together,
with minimal and tasteful mods beyond the powertrain.
in the Valley of the Sun
LOW-BUCK BUYS AT THE BIG-TIME ARIZONA AUCTIONS
while everyone else is looking at the top end of the market, I elected instead to look to the bottom and review the cheapest domestic-built road
car sold by each of the auction houses. So here we go, from the most spent to the least (
Everyone in the collector-car world is analyzing the data from the Arizona auctions in January to figure out this year’s coming trends. But
is best):
Hugh Hamilton ©2013, courtesy of RM Auctions
caliber, due to a few subtle mods such as a satellite stereo incorporated
into a custom center console and modern air conditioning. At
least it wasn’t rolling on a set of polished aluminum 24s.
Still, the non-stock inconsistencies hurt this car at this auction,
as it was generally surrounded by a lineup that could well be called
a concours with price tags. As such, the lack of reserve on the Imp
meant that it did all it was going to do here or at any other venue.
This is still a great way to live large, “Mad Men”-style, with every
luxo-barge styling cliché you can think of, from a fake spare tire on
the trunk lid to tailfins bigger than Montana.
Cheap:
Thrilling: Well-bought factor:
Page 41
Then again, pretty much everything built in the 1960s looks good
on a set of TorqThrust wheels — even if they are plus-2-sized fitments.
This selling price just confirmed what I see in Camaros versus
Firebirds — or any body platform that also has a Chevy in the lineup:
the Chevy will bring more money, even if it’s not necessarily the better
vehicle. If this were a Camaro, it would’ve been $25k to $30k; as
a Firebird, someone got a good buy to play with and not to flip. Still,
you may actually come out ahead if there’s a GTO 400 V8 sitting in
your garage looking for a new home and one of your Chevy buddies
just tossed a rod in his ’70 Chevelle.
Cheap:
Thrilling: Well-bought factor:
B. Mitchell Carlson
that the small block under the hood has about 200k left to go before
you need to be concerned about it — and then, a Gen-III LT1 all but
falls off an engine stand into one of these.
Put a set of 16-inch TorqThrust Ds on it (like I did on mine), dual
exhaust, and you’ll have the coolest surfboard hauler around — even
if it is in Kansas. This was the best buy of bottom feeders for the
weekend, in my highly biased opinion — and not tainted by MGD,
either.
Cheap:
Thrilling: Well-bought factor:
B. Mitchell Carlson
1949 Crosley Hotshot roadster
Bonhams Lot 169, VIN VC10131, offered without reserve,
sold at $13,200
Crosleys certainly haven’t been depreciating in the market. Indeed,
they are one of the few domestic cars that have pretty much defied the
circa 2008 “market correction.”
Sure, Gooding’s Monterey auction also had one as their lowest-
selling car, but that car made almost double what this example did
— even if it did have documented racing history.
I’ll echo my views of these as I related them in regard to that car;
they hop up well and can even have the suspension set up respectably
as well, making them as much of a hoot to drive as your first go-kart.
There was very hollow reference in this car’s description regarding “a
competition provenance,” most likely regarding the make as a whole
rather than a hidden SCCA logbook under the seat.
Even the more pedestrian-body-style Crosleys have brought what
this real-deal Hotshot did, so it’s hard to go wrong here.
Cheap:
Thrilling:
1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
Well-bought factor:
4-door station wagon
Silver Auctions Lot 248, VIN 1G3BP8373NW300390,
sold at $1,728
This one gives me a lot of satisfaction, as I used to own the evil
twin to this wagon — and auction correspondent Stuart Lenzke still
does and still uses it at 235k miles. Since I have personal experience
here, I’ll be the first to tell you that these are sleepers in the market,
plus they will haul almost as much as a Suburban with better performance
and mileage. On top of that, ’92 is the best of the two years for
this generation of Custom Cruiser, as they were better sorted out and
had the throttle-body fuel-injected 350 V8 as an option (which this
car has).
Granted, I could’ve done a better job painting the right side of this
car half lit on a twelvie of MGD in the dusty parking lot of the trailer
park I stayed at while down here; yet the well-kept original interior is
enough to not get too worried about the crappy rattle-can redo. Enjoy
it for a while, reshoot it when you get a chance, and revel in the fact
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
1981 Cadillac Seville
4-door sedan
Barrett-Jackson Lot 1, VIN 1G6AS6998BE683089,
sold at $1,100
Surprisingly, B-J has the bottom-up winner this year, and with
their very first car out of the gate, no less. Actually, this was the first
car to sell at any auction in Arizona this year — so all bidders were
stone-cold sober. And when you think of cars from 1981, you might
need a stiff drink since you’re looking at the low ebb of the auto
industry.
When it was launched in 1980, the second-generation stand-alone
model Seville was a love-it-or-hate-it car with no middle ground. And
it suffered from being built out of the corporate parts bins during
GM’s learning-curve years of front wheel drive.
While the 1980 powertrain offerings were a milquetoast Olds 350
and the smelly Olds 350-based diesel, 1981 will be forever noted as
the year Cadillac pioneered variable displacement engines. Looking
into the future that is today, variable displacement does work.
However, that’s with modern computers.
Prudent owners disconnected the system and let it run like a nor-
mal V8. Over the long haul, they were the smart ones. Left to its own
devices, the V-8-6-4 picked up the nickname of the V-8-6-4-2-0 and
helped the Lincoln Town Car become the stellar sales success of the
1980s. It’s fitting that the car offered here has a rebuilt title.
All keepers of a make’s flame tend to keep notable parts from their
past — good, bad and ugly. As such, there will always be Cadillac
collectors who’ll want one of these for their collection just for the
sake of having one, but heaven forbid to drive. As such, they will
almost always be collectible to a certain extent, but at the back of the
bus.
Cheap:
Thrilling: Well-bought factor: A
March-April 2014 43
Page 42
Horsepower
Colin Comer
Can you pick
JUST ONE?
THE CHALLENGE WAS TO CHOOSE THE SINGLE COLLECTOR CAR
THAT EACH PANEL MEMBER WOULD OWN, BY DECADE
a hard hit (along with everything else) during
the global economic crisis of 2008–10, and is
now recovering quite nicely with values that
are approaching, and in some cases exceeding,
those of 2007 again.
That said, while I strongly discourage any-
body who views cars as pure investments, there
are still opportunities to be had — sleepers, if
you will. That led us to our panel discussion
and Editor Pickering’s one question for us all:
“If you could have just one American collector
car, what would it be?”
My picks
The panel was asked to pick one car for
1957 Corvette “Airbox” — a $310k sale at Mecum Dallas in 2013
witnessed many changes. The number of auctions has multiplied considerably,
as has the number of cars and the number of days they sell them.
With six auctions now fighting for market share, and all of them with
their own unique flavor, there truly is a venue and a car for everybody.
But the one thing that has remained constant through the years
F
is the buzz leading up to the auctions. Which cars will fall short and
which ones will ring the bell? Where will the bargains be?
Big money
This year’s auctions were stronger than ever, and the future contin-
ues to look bright for our hobby. One big reason for this is buyers are
taking every opportunity to get educated and seek out not just cars but
also cars they want to own and use. In other words, the good cars are
finding good homes.
During auction week I was happy to be the keynote speaker for the
first ACC Insider’s Seminar at Barrett-Jackson, and also be a panelist
along with ACC Editor Jim Pickering and fellow ACC Contributors
John L. Stein and B. Mitchell Carlson. My keynote focused on the
muscle-car market, specifically the run-up that peaked in 2007, took
44 AmericanCarCollector.com
ew events in the collector-car world are scrutinized more
closely than the Arizona auctions every January. Considered
to be the barometer of collector-car prices for the upcoming
year, they are also an institution for many of us.
Over a few decades of Arizona auction attendance, I’ve
each of five eras. Taking the question to heart,
and looking at it as truly just ONE collector
car in the garage that I’d enjoy for a variety of
uses (everything from hardware-store runs to
tours and track days), my choices were all highperformance
cars, and that should surprise
nobody.
1950s
I chose a 1957 Corvette “Airbox.” While they may look like any
other ’57 Vette, the “Airbox” cars are all business under that striking
exterior. Fuel injected with the cold-air intake after which they are
named, big brakes, big wheels, big tach, quick steering, and the best
sounding cam ever put in a production car — I swear at idle it says
“duntov...duntov…duntov.” The best part? They only built 43 of them,
so demand always outstrips supply. Cost: $350,000.
1960s
My pick was a 1965 Shelby
GT350. This car makes every
drive seem like a bank-job getaway.
It’s loud, crude, rough and
simply wonderful. If driving one
of these doesn’t make you smile
like a kid at Chuck E. Cheese, you
aren’t into cars. Shelby built 521 of these, all by hand, in an airplane
hangar at LAX. Sure, there are also 36 competition versions, but the
one with the carpet, windows, and a place for a passenger to sit is the
one I vote for. It’s $600k less and it does everything as well as the race
car with the benefit of being street-legal. Hardware store, remember?
Cost: $350,000.
Page 43
1970s
I went with a 1970 Trans Am RAIV 4-speed, with the 1973 T/A
Super Duty 4-speed being a close second. They made 29 RAIV cars
and 72 SD-455s, so both are hen’s teeth. These F-bodies not only run
like nothing else from the ’70s, they also steer and stop incredibly
well. I’d be thrilled with either one. Cost: About $250,000 for the
RAIV, and about $200,000 for the Super Duty.
1980s
(Note: We were supposed to
pick only one car for the 1980s
and 1990s, but as a child of the
’80s I refuse to combine my
decade with the 1990s, so you get
two picks here.)
I picked Fox-body Saleen
Mustangs. Steve Saleen took 5.0L
Mustangs, every kid’s dream car as it was, and made real track-ready
performance cars out of them. Sound familiar? These are the 1965–66
Shelby GT350s of my generation. These are low-production cars that
have more than stood the test of time, with strong club support, and
real racing pedigree. They are ridiculously cheap right now. If there is
a no-brainer on this list, it is one of these. Cost: $20,000.
1990s
1992 Dodge Viper. Yes, fine, they had a ton of flaws, and the later
cars, especially the GTS coupes, were far better machines. But the
1992 was the first, all of them hand built in Dodge’s off-site “Team
Viper” skunk works in Detroit. Just 285 were produced, and 85 of
those were for export — so just 200 were sold in the U.S. At the time,
they were heralded as the second
coming of the Cobra, and ol’ Shel
was even on the committee that
got them built. There were other
great performance cars in the
’90s, yes, but did any make this
big of a splash or create a whole
genre? Nope. As an interesting
side note, every panelist picked a Viper in one form or another.
Hmmm. Cost: $45,000.
2000s
A 2005–06 Ford GT supercar:
Ford simply nailed their homage
to the original 1960s Ford GT,
and in the process created an
“instant collectible” that actually
is. Ford built a lot of GTs (4,038),
but values started around $100k
over sticker when new, dropped to about 20% under sticker in 2007 or
so, and have been going up ever since. The GT is again approaching
$100k over its original MSRP as a used car today. So how has it defied
all established collecting logic? Simple. Beyond the numbers, it’s just
a fantastic car. 200-plus mph out of the box, you can drive it daily, and
your local Ford dealer can fix it. Plus, it has styling that stops people
in their tracks. If you want a modern supercar from Detroit, well, here
it is. Cost: $225,000.
So how did I do? If you had to pick just one car, what would it be?
And, for those of you who were in Scottsdale this year, what tripped
your trigger, and did anything follow you home? Drop me a line at
colin.comer@americancarcollector.com.A
March-April 2014 45
Page 44
Corvette Market
John L. Stein
DO NO HARM
CAREFUL DECISION-MAKING DURING LONG OWNERSHIP CAN EASILY
ADD $5K TO $20K TO YOUR CORVETTE’S VALUE ON THE DAY YOU SELL
our car’s value stalled
while others soared.
While owning
Just a couple of quick tweaks and it’s back to original, right?
you’re also traveling down life’s road with a partner. Only this time,
the fidelity being tested has more to do with parts than curves.
In the old days, before originality became a priority, the first things
M
to be swapped were the stock wheels and factory exhaust system,
usually replaced by period-cool mags and glasspacks for an improved
growl. Next came flared fenders and custom paint, and maybe metalflake
for added dazzle. Chromed engine parts, diamond-tufted seats
and maybe even wood interior trim completed thousands of streetmachine
Corvettes, Mustangs, GTOs and Road Runners.
Once cool, now cruel
When the value pendulum swung back to originality, suddenly all
these “improvements” became liabilities — and the bigger the mods,
the worse the penalty. My friend Scott Young and I owned a heavily
chromed, tube-axle, Butch Brinza-painted ’64 Sting Ray that proved
that customizing can go too far for recovery. Although highly unique,
46 AmericanCarCollector.com
arriage and Corvette ownership are a lot alike. The
minute you say “I do” and slip on that gold band,
every temptation that may arise during poker night
with the boys becomes a test of devotion to your vows.
Similarly, when you enter into Corvette ownership,
and driving a classic
Corvette never
requires this kind of
butchery, it always
requires servicing
and maintenance,
and such work is
sometimes impossible
or impractical to do
with NOS parts. (For
instance, who’d want
to drive to Key West
in July with 50-yearold
radiator hoses
and belts?) I therefore
adopted a simple
operating philosophy
that walks the line
between purity
and performance.
Actually, I flat-out
stole it from the physician’s
Hippocratic
Oath: Do no harm.
No harm, no foul
In the world of medicine, do no harm means just that — don’t
amputate a patient’s foot when the problem is an ingrown toenail.
Similarly, I believe that the same oath can correctly guide your
fiberglass fidelity through however many years you will keep your car.
Need new brake shoes or pads? Fine. Get nice safe ones that will slip
right in. Ditto for radiator hoses, spark plugs, air filters and even master
cylinders and piston rings. Buy quality parts that do the job for you.
Here are a few real-life examples from friends. In one case, Jeffrey
Barteet updated his ’64 300-horse coupe’s drum brakes with ’65 discs
for a safer drive experience — a bolt-on operation — and saved the
old parts. In another, Orwin Middleton installed a Rochester fuelinjected
350-ci small-block in his ’61 — likewise a bolt-in exchange
— so he could go hunting for modern 911s, and also kept the original
engine. And John Shockley replaced his ’67 327/350 roadster’s stock
water pump with a lighter and higher-output Edelbrock part. Like the
others, he threw the original in a box to save for the next owner.
I approve because all these guys made their cars work better for
them, and nothing was altered that couldn’t be undone later. Or as
the movie credits might say, “No Corvettes were harmed during the
making of this film.”
Page 45
A few don’ts
So although the do-no-harm approach is
flexible, it is also cautionary. Because while
normal service items can be replaced anytime
with date-coded NOS bits if your ’Vette suddenly
gets a Pebble Beach invitation, certain
other modifications are difficult to undo. And
that’s where you should take your commitment
seriously.
First, don’t repaint a car unless there is
nothing left to save of the original paint — or
unless it’s already been repainted. Lee Clark
at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
says, “Our long-term goal is conservation.
We only restore something after it’s too far
gone to be conserved.” And if you do repaint,
you’ll benefit financially by choosing the exact
original color.
Second, don’t drill, cut or weld anything
Bonhams sold this virginal 1963 327/340 coupe for $165k this year in Scottsdale
on the body, chassis or interior — unless it’s to fix something that’s
already split, torn or broken. The exception is when you’re going racing
or building a resto-mod from a pile of loose bits.
And finally, don’t throw out OE parts. If you have space for a
Corvette in your life, you also should have space for a few boxes of
takeoffs, from that original master cylinder to shabby seat covers and
the original hoses, plugs and wires. I know this sounds like packrat
mentality, but keeping these parts with the car improves its value by
proving originality. And what would you give today for the RPO 579E
airbox that someone destroyed in 1964 when they turned your future
’57 into a drag racer? Someday, genuine original C4 seat covers and
door panels might be rare, too.
In reality, when you finally sell your Corvette, not every buyer will
care if it has a numbers-matching distributor or correctly date-coded
alternator diodes. But careful decision-making during the long trajectory
of ownership can easily add $5k to $20k to its value on that day.
So taking an oath to do no harm now can also bring great benefits in
the future. A
March-April 2014 47
Page 46
PROFILE CORVETTE
1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE L88 COUPE
A road and auction powerhouse
This car set
an all-time
new price
record, and
not just for
L88s, but
for any other
Corvette
ever sold at
auction
VIN: 194377S115791
by Michael Pierce
optioned with the L88 427 HD engine, M22 4-speed,
J56 heavy-duty brakes, J50 power brakes, F41 suspension,
K66 transistor ignition, G81 4.56 Positraction
and shoulder harnesses.
This is the only 1967 L88 to have attained an NCRS
T
48 AmericanCarCollector.com
48 AmericanCarCollector.com
98.2 Regional Top Flight award (2001), 98.4 National
Top Flight (2001), a Regional Performance Verification
Award, and the ultimate award for Corvette restoration
or preservation, the NCRS Duntov Mark of Excellence
Award (2001). Equipped just as the documentation
indicates, this L88 is the best of the best.
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 5035, sold for a record
$3,850,000 at Barrett-
Jackson’s auction in Scottsdale, AZ, on January 18,
2014.
Here we go again… the continuing Corvette L88
story. In the November-December 2013 issue of
American Car Collector, I wrote on the ex-Piscitello
1968 black roadster that sold for $856,000. Also mentioned
in the article were a Lynndale ’67 at $3m and a
maroon ’67 sidepipe roadster at Mecum that made a
then-record $3.4m.
But the sale of Barrett Jackson’s Lot 5035 set an
all-time new record, and not just for L88s, but for any
other Corvette ever sold at auction. It’s the new highwater
mark.
his vehicle is the only known 1967 red/red
L88 produced; it has GM documentation
in the form of a legible Tank Sheet (Order
Copy) that has been validated by the GM/
NCRS Document Validation Service. It’s
This car was the only 1967 red/red L88 coupe
produced. The 12-mile ex-Judski ’67 L88 coupe was
red/black and sold in a private deal for a reported
$2.8 million. The ex-Herrin maroon sidepipe roadster,
sold through Mecum several months ago, brought $3.4
million. These sales all seemed to be bell ringers at the
time, but the cars now seem to be very well bought in a
tide that’s rising.
What makes an L88?
First of all, GM used Regular Production Option
(RPO) number-letter sequence codes for each of their
specific options. In 1967, ’68 and ’69 only, the RPO
L88 was offered in the Corvette line. It was the street,
drag strip and road racer’s dream come true for extremely
heavy-duty, high-performance, out-of-the-box
American muscle. In the simplest terms, the L88 was
a fire-breathing 427-ci V8 with 12.5:1 compression,
aluminum heads, and a whole lot more grunt than its
430 hp rating led buyers to believe.
That single option added almost 40% to the base
price of the Corvette, and the cars were purpose-built
with weight reduction in mind — no radios or heaters.
Few were actually ordered: 20 were built in ’67; 80 in
’68, and 116 in ’69.
Up and away
Values of the original 216 1967–69 L88s have
grown exponentially over the past 10 years. Overall,
the rarer ’67s have typically maintained a 3:1 value
ratio over the ’68s and ’69s, and there are a couple
of good reasons for that. First, 1967 maintains its
position as the greatest year in Corvette styling/
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
Page 47
ACC
Digital Bonus
performance history even though that year was
actually meant to be a Shark year (C3), not a
mid-year. Chevrolet meant to introduce the
Shark body style for ’67, but they had trouble
with the fiberglass production as well as some
other engineering challenges that delayed
the launch. So the mid-year cars continued
through ’67, but with some fantastic options
not seen before, such as the L71 435-hp TriPower
427, and the top-dog L88.
Second, in the world of L88s, the ’67s are
simply the most scarce, and that drives value.
It was not an easy task to get an order for one
of these through your Chevrolet dealership,
as GM wanted them to go to racers to help
promote the brand. You almost had to be
“known” by someone at GM to get your hands
on one. That, along with their high price, kept
production low.
This car’s history
This red L88 was ordered through Mike Savoie
Chevrolet on Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, MI
(Zone 44, dealer 405). With help from a well-placed
GM executive, a friend of the dealership owner’s family
got this car even though the dealership had been
in business only one year. Immediately after getting
the car (which was equipped with 4:56 gears; only five
were so ordered out of 23,000 Corvettes built in ’67),
it went to the local drag strips and ran unbeaten for
three years.
It had to run in the modified class since camshafts
from the car’s sponsor, General Kinetics, were used
and replaced weekly to provide and maintain its
record-setting ETs and speed through the traps.
After three years of running at 10/10ths of redline,
the motor blew up, and the car was sold to its second
owner.
The third owner was Maxie Reamer, an automo-
tive instructor at a vocational school in the Detroit
area. At some point, the brakes became an issue, and
when the dual-pin calipers were removed, he noticed
they were unique. Reamer took them to his friend
Werner Meier, a GM engineer. Meier suggested that
Reamer drop the gas tank to view the build sheet and
determine what else came on this car. He did so and
discovered it to be one of the 20 L88s.
It changed hands for the fourth time at about
$175,000. This seller provided a next-to-impossibleto-find
motor to go with the car: a complete, GM,
across-the-counter, L88 long block from Chevrolet.
Every casting date, casting number and date code
preceded the build date of the red car. It was the
perfect replacement and new in every respect. The pad
Detailing
Year produced: 1967–69
Number produced: 20 in
1967
Current ACC Valuation:
$2,400,000–$3,300,000
Original list price: $6,600
(approximate)
Tune-up: $1,000
Distributor cap: $350 (NOS
original)
VIN: Stamped into frame on
driver’s side rear
Engine #: Stamped on engine
pad in front of right hand
head
Club: National Corvette
Restorers Society (NCRS),
Bloomington Gold
surface was stamped “IT,” indicating the purposebuilt
designation for the L88. I’ve dealt with a lot of
Corvettes, and I’ve never seen a factory long block
like this before or since.
The VIN number of this red car (15971) was
purposefully NOT stamped on the pad, as is usual and
customary from the factory; it remains in that state
today.
At this point, the car was sold again (for the fifth
time) to Gary and Ken Naber for Ray Norvell, their
client from Nevada. Some of the finest, most unusual
Corvettes ever built have passed though Ray’s hands.
It was at this point the car was meticulously restored
by the Nabers Brothers and subsequently taken to
Bloomington Gold.
“Corvette Mike” Vietro also counted Ray as an
excellent customer, ended up acquiring the car from
him and selling it to a significant Ferrari/car collector
in the San Diego area (the car’s sixth owner).
After a year of ownership, the San Diego collector
ended up selling it for about $320,000 to a seventh
owner in the Eastern U.S., where it remained until
its new owner bought it at Barrett-Jackson for
$3,850,000.
Again, that’s a big number. But if the car had still
been fitted with its factory-installed L88, it would be
worth even more.
Where are they going from here?
This wasn’t the only L88 sold at Barrett-Jackson
this year. In addition, an original well-documented
and papered blue ’68 L88 convertible with less than
14,000 miles sold for $880,000 as Lot 1318. This preceded
Lot 5022, a Kevin Mackay-restored full-racespec
’69, known as the #57 Rebel. It was described as
one of four lightweights built, and had Daytona and
Sebring race history in its provenance. It was sold at
$2,860,000, the second-highest sale at B-J. The ’68 set
a new record price for L88 street cars, and the ’69 did
the same thing for ’69s, both street and race cars.
Prices like these are tempting to long-term owners,
and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more good L88s
come to market in the near future in hopes of capitalizing
on the trend. And while these prices may seem
over the top, just like the $3.4m sale of the Mecum
’67 might have a few months ago, I’m willing to bet
it won’t take long before we’re seeing them in a new
light. With that, I’d call this ’67 a deal, even at its
record price.
(Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-
Jackson.) A
March-April 2014
49CC
49
1967 Chevrolet Corvette
L88 convertible
Lot S125, VIN
194677S109097
Condition: 1
Sold at $1,325,000
Mecum Auctions, Monterey,
CA, 8/13/2010
ACC# 165709
More: www.ncrs.org; www.
bloomingtongold.com
Alternatives: 1966 Shelby
Cobra 427 S/C, 1948
Tucker Torpedo, 1971
Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda
convertible
ACC Investment Grade: A
Comps
1967 Chevrolet Corvette
L88 convertible
Lot S123, VIN:
194677S118414
Condition: 2+
Sold at $3,424,000
ACC# 227206
Mecum Auctions, Dallas, TX,
9/5/2013
Lot 270, VIN: 194677S109097
Condition: 2+
1967 Chevrolet Corvette
L88 convertible
Not sold at $1,550,000
RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ,
1/19/2007
ACC# 44077
Page 48
PROFILE GM
GMMG’s Cobra killer
2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 COUPE
The objective
of the ZL1
Camaro was
to give Cobra
owners
serious
headaches,
and it worked
VIN: 2G1FP22G22156255
by Patrick Smith
1970s, GMMG quickly forged an outstanding reputation.
Focusing on the fourth-generation Camaro and
Firebird, GMMG created a new generation “supercar”
with durability, reliability and modern technology.
Clearly echoing the Baldwin-Motion, Berger, Dick
Harrell, Fred Gibb, Nickey and Yenko dealer-tuned
Chevy supercars of the past, the GMMG Camaro was
available through selected Chevrolet dealers.
Over 25 individual tweaks were made to the
C
50 AmericanCarCollector.com
GMMG cars, covering everything from the powertrain
and performance to appearance, with the accent on
performance-easy 11-second quarter-mile times with
outstanding handling and braking to match.
With fewer than 1,000 actual miles from new
and fastidiously maintained, this 2002 GMMG ZL1
Camaro is car number 7 of the 69 produced.
ACC Analysis This car, Lot S705, sold for
$83,000, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Russo and Steele’s auction in Scottsdale, AZ,
on January 19, 2014.
reated by Matt Murphy in 1999 to build
specially tuned Chevrolet high-performance
cars that were emissions-compliant,
modern versions of the famous dealermodified
Chevys of the 1960s and early
After years of carrying the pony-car torch, shrink-
ing sales and the high cost of a needed redesign led
GM to cancel production of the Camaro and Firebird
after the 2002 model year. It was a sad loss for muscle
car fans, but several special editions were created to
end the run on a high note.
When Camaro Brand Team member Scott Settlemire
and GMMG, led by Matt Murphy, collaborated to
bring back the magic of late-’60s supercar creations,
they chose the ZL1 name for a special run of 69
Camaros equipped with LS6 400-horsepower engines.
The ZL1 supercar was a nod to Fred Gibb Chevrolet,
which had conceived the original Camaro ZL1 in ’69.
Matt Murphy was no stranger to Chevy supercar
creations. In 2000, he teamed up with Berger
Chevrolet to produce the Special Berger Camaro, a
380-horsepower limited edition of 31 cars, which sold
out instantly. This was followed by the Dale Earnhardt
“Intimidator” SS Camaro, a limited run of 82 cars.
So when Chevrolet decided to wind up Camaro
production and word came out of Ford issuing a new
Cobra R Mustang, Murphy decided Camaro needed a
proper sendoff with a real warrior — a car that was
emissions-compliant, dealer-friendly and fast enough
to eat Mustang’s lunch. With that, the GMMG ZL1
Camaro was born.
Courtesy of Russo and Steele
Page 49
ACC
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How fast do you want to go?
The basic 2002-era GMMG ZL1 Camaro was a
high-spec car out the door, using many GM-sourced
parts. These included Corvette Z06 brakes and
wheels, a high-flow airbox, 4.10:1 rear axle, and
7500-series Penske adjustable shock absorbers with
drag, autocross or road settings. A billet flywheel
joined a 6-speed manual transmission topped with
black or white Hurst shifter ball. Inside, you got silverfaced
gauges with the ZL1 logo and a plaque stating
the level of tuning and horsepower.
The Phase 1 package included a 400-horsepower,
5.7-liter LS6 engine. GMMG also offered a Phase 2,
which added to the mix tubular coated 1¾-inch headers,
extra compression, and hotter cam and tuning
mods to bump horsepower to 475 and torque to 440
lb-ft.
Phase 3, which is what our profile car is, delivered
600 horsepower using an aluminum CR5 race 427
block and a group of special parts, including a Callies
4340 forged-steel crank and billet steel connecting
rods, JE lightweight pistons with file-fitted rings, CNC
ported LS6 heads, big valves with titanium springs and
retainers, numbered Wilson ZL1 intake manifold, and
1 7/8-inch headers with three-inch-diameter collectors
and an electric cut-out switch.
Top dog
The Phase 3 GMMG ZL1 was a low-production
beast, with only 37 made. It was blisteringly fast, with
low 11-second ETs possible. The original objective
was to give Cobra owners serious headaches, and it
worked pretty well — a ZL1 can shut down a supercharged
Mustang SVT Cobra “Terminator,” which
was a mid- to high-12-second quarter-miler in stock
form. In fact, behind the wheel of a Phase 3 car, you
can confidently line up with early generation Vipers
and even some entry-level exotics.
When it comes to ranking fourth-gen Camaros,
the Phase 3 ZL1 is near the top of the list. The Dick
Harrell Edition sits on top of the pile, with more
tuning tricks to squeeze 630 horsepower from its
engine. The calling card of the Harrell Edition is
the wide-body package, which was exclusive to the
series. The widened side panels aren’t available in
the aftermarket and compliment the Dick Harrell
quarter-panel graphics nicely. Only 32 were made.
If and when one comes up for sale, the transaction is
usually into six-figure territory. Like the ZL1 Camaro,
the Dick Harrell cars were distributed through Berger
Chevrolet from Grand Rapids, MI, following conversion
by GMMG.
What’s it worth?
Phase 3 ZL1 Camaros don’t appear often at auction.
These cars have a strong fan base of ready buyers, so
transactions tend to occur privately.
A lot of these cars were bought and put away
when new as instant collectibles, and while resale
reality is sometimes harsh on cars pickled this way,
the GMMG cars are actually doing pretty well in the
market. When new, a basic Phase 3 car sold for about
$80,000. Another example like our subject car sold
at Mecum’s sale of the Bob McDorman Collection for
$97,500 in November 2010. That car had some nice
extras including houndstooth interior and custom
Silver Metallic paint with red stripes. A special Nickey
Edition ZL1 Camaro was also offered at Mecum’s
Kissimmee event in January 2014 with pre-auction
estimates in the $100,000–$125,000 range. Bidding
reached $95,000 before closing as a no-sale.
Looking at the big picture, we’re witnessing what
appears to be an accelerated appreciation curve for
GMMG-built fourth-gen Camaros. At the 12-year
mark in the usual 20-year depreciation / appreciation
curve, mint-condition ZL1 Phase 3 Camaros are
already selling right around what they retailed for
when new. How many C4 Corvette ZR-1 owners wish
they could say that?
But it’s important to remember that the GMMG
Camaros aren’t ordinary cars — they’re limitededition
state-of-the-art muscle cars with performance
to match, much like the Baldwin-Motion, Yenko and
Nickey cars were back in the day. What we’re seeing is
the floor price being established for a good example of
a Phase 3, and very likely a smooth and long ramp for
future growth in value.
This example is #7 of the 69 produced by GMMG. It
is one of eight with the digger 4.56 gear and is dressed
in Hugger Orange with houndstooth upholstery. The
car was preserved rather than stored, and the engine
is virtually new. In the world of GMMG cars, especially
ZL1 Camaros, it doesn’t get much better than
that. I’d call it well bought at a market price. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Russo and
Steele.)
March-April 2014 51
Detailing
Current ACC Valuation:
$65,000–$90,000
Year produced: 2002
Number produced: 69
Original list price: $80,070
Phase 3 base package,
options extra
Tune-up, major service:
$300
Distributor cap: N/A
VIN: Base of windshield
on driver’s side; special
GMMG plaque inside
Engine #: Special inscribed
intake manifold
Club: www.GMMGRegistry.
com
Alternatives: 2002–03
Mustang Cobra SVT,
1997–2001 Dodge Viper
GTS, 2000 Ford Mustang
Cobra R
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
2002 Chevrolet Camaro
GMMG ZL1 Phase 3
Lot S136, VIN:
2G1FP22G122158997
Condition: 1
Not sold at $110,000
Mecum Auctions, St. Charles,
IL, 10/3/2008
ACC# 117962
2002 Chevrolet Camaro
GMMG ZL1 Phase 2
Lot 4588856178, VIN:
2G1FP22G422159772
Condition: 2
Sold at $65,000
eBay Motors, Henderson, NV,
August 2006
ACC# 41636
2002 Chevrolet Camaro
GMMG ZL1 Phase 3
Lot F19, VIN:
2G1FP22G822159239
Condition: 1
Sold at $92,400
Mecum Auctions, St Charles,
IL, 10/31/2003
ACC# 36613
Page 50
PROFILE FOMOCO
Modern-made movie Mustang
1968 FORD MUSTANG “BULLITT” FASTBACK
Pawel Litwinski, courtesy of Bonhams
The engine,
transmission,
suspension
and
brakes are
thoroughly
modern, but
this Mustang
carries all
of the visual
cues of the
original
movie cars,
right down
to the license
plate
52 AmericanCarCollector.com
52 AmericanCarCollector.com
VIN: DRMVB0000157695M0
by Tom Glatch
• Visually accurate re-creation with modern
updates
• Owned by Chad McQueen, son of Steve
McQueen
• Documented on “Celebrity Rides” TV show
• Titled as a 1968 Ford
• Ford Racing 347-ci V8 engine
• 450 hp
• 5-speed manual transmission
• RRS front independent suspension, rear RRS
three-link setup
• 4-wheel RRS disc brakes
• Portion of proceeds to benefit Boys Republic
school
ACC Analysis This “Bullitt” Mustang replica,
ing buyer’s premium, at Bonhams’ auction in
Scottsdale, AZ, on January 16, 2014.
After all these years, Steve McQueen is still “The
King of Cool.” He was just 50 years old when he
died of cancer in 1980, but he left a legacy that has
endured. Gearheads think instantly of the movie
“Bullitt” and the famous chase scene, but Steve
McQueen, and “Bullitt,” were so much more.
McQueen’s tough, cool persona was no act — he
spent much of his teenage years living on the street —
but time spent at California’s Boys Republic reform
school give him purpose, and a stint in the Marines
gave him direction and discipline. He raced motorcycles
on the East Coast in the early ’50s while studying
acting, often with another aspiring actor, Robert
Lot 101, sold for $88,000, includ-
Culp. He moved back to California in 1955 to pursue
his acting career, and the rest is history.
“Bullitt”
McQueen had a number of important leading roles,
and one Academy Award nomination, before he slid
behind the wheel of that green Mustang. But it was
“Bullitt,” released on October 17, 1968, that cemented
his stature in Hollywood.
More than just a crash-’em-up action flick, “Bullitt”
was a detective story with a complex storyline and
carefully developed pace. Critic Roger Ebert enthused,
“McQueen is great in ‘Bullitt,’ and the movie
is great, because director Peter Yates understands the
McQueen image and works within it. He winds up with
about the best action movie of recent years.”
It was the fifth-biggest box office draw in 1968, later
winning the Academy Award for Best Film Editing
thanks mostly to Frank P. Keller’s work on the chase
scene. By 1974, Steve McQueen was the highest paid
actor in the world.
Making a Mustang legend
But it’s the chase that defines “Bullitt” for most
of us, a brilliant automotive ballet in and around
San Francisco. Steve McQueen did about 10% of the
driving in filming the 10-minute, 53-second chase, in
only those close-up shots where he was clearly visible.
Stuntman Loren Janes did the rest of the Mustang
shots, while Bill Hickman drove the Charger and Bud
Ekins drove some of the other vehicles.
Loren Janes told The Wall Street Journal, “We
Page 51
ACC
Digital Bonus
had three identical green 1968 Ford
Mustang fastbacks and three black Dodge
Chargers in the movie. Many writers have
said two, but there were three of each.
We needed the extra cars in case one was
damaged. The movie’s shooting schedule
can’t be slowed for dents and things like
that.” Max Balchowsky, of “Old Yeller”
race-car fame, reinforced the cars to
withstand the pounding they endured.
Steve McQueen told Motor Trend,
“Remember that banging going down?
That was about 100 mph. I was bangin’
into Bill. My car was disintegrating. Like,
the door handles came off, both the shocks
in the front broke, the steering armature
on the right front side broke and my slack
was about a foot and a half. The Mustang
was really just starting to fall apart.”
No wonder one of the Mustangs had to
be scrapped due to structural damage caused by the
leaps and landings on the San Francisco hills.
Chad McQueen, Steve’s only son, was 7 years old
at the time, and witnessed much of the filming of the
movie. “Dad had to find a car that made sense for the
movie,” Chad told the LA Times. “A really neat car
for the character to drive, something a detective might
afford on his salary. My dad hit that one right on the
head. Still to this day, people know what that car is.”
Ford recognized the power of Steve McQueen’s
image and the status of “Bullitt” in automotive circles,
licensing the “Bullitt” name for the 2001 and 2008–09
“Bullitt” Mustangs. As part of the agreement, Chad
was given the first 2001 “Bullitt,” and also owned the
first 2008 “Bullitt.”
The McQueen factor
The whereabouts of the actual movie Mustangs
is unknown. One may have been sold to a Warner
Brothers employee after filming ended, and it’s
rumored to survive but has not been seen in decades.
That’s too bad, because anything Steve McQueen
touched commands top dollar today. Bonhams made
national news in 2007 when it sold McQueen’s 1964
Ferrari 250 Lusso for $2.31 million.
Motorcycles from McQueen’s collection are equally
valuable, such as the 1938 Harley-Davidson WLD
Solo Sport that sold at Mecum’s Anaheim sale last
Detailing
Years produced: 2009
Number produced: One
Original list price: Unknown
Current ACC Valuation:
$75,000–$100,000
Tune-up/major service: $250
Distributor cap: N/A
Chassis #: VIN plate on the
driver’s side instrument
panel behind windshield
Engine #: N/A
Club: Mustang Club of
America
More: www.mustang.org
Alternatives: 1968 Dodge
Charger R/T 440 (“Bullitt”),
1932 Ford 5-window
Deuce coupe (“American
Graffiti”), 1955 Chevrolet
150 sedan (“American
Graffiti”)
year for $137,500. Even McQueen’s 1952 Chevrolet
3800 camper reached $70,000 last year without selling.
On a budget? In 2009, a framed monochrome photograph
of McQueen with his Ferrari sold for $2,440
at a Bonhams auction. That’s right, a photograph.
A real replica
But our feature Mustang? It’s a nice tribute built in
2009 for Chad McQueen by Gateway Classic Mustang
(GCM) of St. Louis, MO. The body shell is a new 1967
Mustang reproduction by Dynacorn, updated to 1968
trim. The engine, transmission, suspension and brakes
are thoroughly modern, but the Mustang carries all of
the visual cues of the original movie cars, right down
to the license plate. The construction of the car was
documented on TLC’s “Celebrity Rides” show.
It’s a great performance car, no question, with a
classic look but modern feel. But even though Chad
McQueen has had a career in racing and in the movies,
his connection with this car adds little celebrity
value. It’s also not unique, since GCM continues to
build the “1968 Steve McQueen Signature Mustang,”
although the estimated price for one is $150k.
Desirable? Sure. Collectible? I don’t think so. Keep in
mind, while it looks the part, this is a totally modern
build — even most of the sheet metal is reproduction
on this particular car.
Personally, I would rather own the first 2008 Ford
Mustang “Bullitt” that Chad McQueen
also sold at this auction. As Lot 102, it
brought $49,500. Why would I want that
car over the ’68? Simple. Job One always
carries a certain mystique. There can
only ever be one “number one,” and that’s
what the 2008 car was.
But all that doesn’t mean this car wasn’t
a good deal at the price paid. While it may
not be a real car from the movie, or even a
real Ford-built car from 1968, at least the
buyer got it for a fraction of its build cost
at GCM, and it still carries with it one hell
of a cool factor. And to top it all off, part
of the sale went to Steve McQueen’s favorite
charity, the Boys Republic. So with
all that in mind, I think it’s safe to call this
both well bought and well sold.A
(Introductory description courtesy of
Bonhams.)
March-April 2014
53CC
53
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
1967 Ford Mustang
“Bullitt” replica
Lot 188, VIN: 7T02A146296
Condition: 2
Sold at $78,270
Silverstone Auctions,
Birmingham, U.K.,
11/17/2012
ACC# 214619
1967 Ford Mustang
“Bullitt” replica
Lot 659, VIN: 7F02S138610
Condition: 2Sold
at $61,940
Coys, Woodstock, U.K.,
7/18/2009
ACC# 130793
1967 Ford Mustang
“Bullitt” replica
Lot 219, VIN: 7F02A138051
Condition: 3+
Sold at $27,030
The Branson Auction,
Branson, MO, 10/19/2006
ACC# 43401
Page 52
PROFILE MOPAR
1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA
Mopar’s King of the Hill
Brian Henniker, courtesy of Gooding & Company
Exceptional
original
Hemi ’Cuda
coupes
are almost
as rare as
those sevenfigure
Hemi
convertibles
VIN: BS23R0B146640
by Tom Glatch
• The most celebrated Mopar muscle car
• One of only 284 4-speed examples built for 1970
• Highly optioned and finished in classic Rallye Red
• Just three California owners from new
• Carefully maintained in unrestored, original
condition
ACC Analysis This Hemi ’Cuda, Lot 31, sold for
$170,000, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at the Gooding & Company auction in
Scottsdale, AZ, on January 17, 2014.
Pony Cars were originally based on compact cars
intended to be powered by thrifty sixes or small V8s.
But throughout the 1960s, the buying public was hot
for horsepower, and the Big Three were tasked with
cramming ever larger engines into places they were
never designed to go. Chrysler was able to stuff the
huge 383 and 440 “raised block” engines into the
Valiant-based Barracuda, but there was no room left
for power steering, power brakes, or air conditioning
— all nice things to have.
Then there were the truly massive engines that no
assembly line could handle. When Ford forced the 429
“Blue Crescent” monster into the Boss 429 Mustang
to meet NASCAR production requirements, they had to
turn to one of their favorite race-car contractors, Kar
Kraft, to build the heavily modified street machines.
Likewise, Chrysler had to turn to Hurst Industries
to build the limited-production 1968 Hemi Dart and
Hemi Barracuda for NHRA Super Stock drag racing.
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
Building it bigger
The 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, and its Dodge
Challenger sibling, had a different approach.
Basically, Chrysler engineers took the width and
height of the fabled 426 Hemi and worked around
it. Instead of starting with a compact car, Chrysler
engineers reworked the mid-sized “B-body” platform.
The Plymouth GTX/Road Runner and Dodge Coronet/
Charger already housed the Hemi just fine, thank you,
so they morphed the Barracuda/Challenger from this
architecture. Nine inches from the floorpan, a few
inches off the cowl, a bob of the tail, a new roof, and a
whole new beast emerged — the “E-body” platform.
Low and wide
Wrapped around that skeleton was one of the pret-
tiest bodies to come out of Detroit during the musclecar
era. John Herlitz, who was only 27 years old at the
time, is credited with much of the Barracuda’s style.
Years later, Herlitz told Muscle Car Review magazine:
“I wanted to pull the rear quarters as high as possible
and spank the roof down as low as possible and just
get the very high-hunched look in the rear quarters,
allowing the front fenders to become the long, leading
design element that ran out past the power plant to
give a very dynamic thrust.”
Early in the car’s development, things didn’t
look quite so promising. Elwood Engel, the head of
Chrysler design at the time, was notorious for walking
through the design studios on weekends to view the
progress of projects. Apparently Engel didn’t like the
Page 53
ACC
Digital Bonus
Detailing
Years produced: 1970–71
Number produced: 781
Original list price: $5,361.85
Current ACC Valuation:
$150,000-$235,000
Tune-up/major service: $300
Distributor cap: $22.58
Chassis #: VIN plate on the
driver’s side instrument
panel behind windshield
Engine #: Pad located on
the right side of the block
to the rear of the engine
mount
Club: Plymouth Barracuda
Owners Club
s of the ’70 Barracuda. “I came
n a Monday morning, and there’s
et in the side of the car, the
) model. And that was not a good
” Herlitz said. But by the time the
cuda neared production, Engel
eliever.
membered,“Elwood was the first
e of the early prototype cars off
hird floor of Building 128. And
en Hemi ’Cuda. And he got it
he hallway that led down to the
nd he nailed that car on this
t left these two black tracks down
early 500 horses under that long
e him?
Big-money Hemis
By 1970 the performance-car market was clearly
waning, yet Barracuda sales were almost double
that of the previous year. Brock Yates summed it up
well: “It was a breakout car for Detroit and certainly
Chrysler. They were slick, fast and cute.”
But the Hemi ’Cuda was an expensive car — the
engine option cost $871 on top of the ’Cuda’s $3,164
base price, and that, along with being a little late to
the muscle-car party, meant that few were ordered.
Of course, that has only made them more desirable
to today’s muscle-car collectors — especially those
in the market for what’s considered to be the baddest
Mopar ever built.
Today, good ’Cuda 340 and 383 cars can bring
$60k or more, while ’Cuda 440 cars can cross $90k,
especially the Six Pack models. But the Hemi ’Cuda
takes love to an extreme.
Only 14 Hemi convertibles (nine automatics, five
4-speeds) were built in 1970. One sold for $2,160,000
at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale sale in 2006 (ACC#
40279), another at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale sale
in 2011 for $1,705,000 (ACC# 168636).
In total, 652 Hemi coupes were produced in 1970:
368 automatics and 284 4-speeds. Barrett-Jackson
sold a high-quality restored Hemi 4-speed in prerecession
2006 for $486,000 (ACC# 40389), but as
recently as 2009, Russo and Steele sold a similar
Hemi, albeit with some celebrity ownership connections,
for $440,000 (ACC# 119315).
Originality and options
Our feature Hemi ’Cuda is a heavily optioned
example dressed in code FE5 Rallye Red with the preferable
4-speed gearbox. It’s also equipped with power
front disc brakes, bucket seats, center console, elastomeric
bumpers, Trak Pak rear end, Rallye instrument
cluster, rear-window defogger, and a solid-state radio
with stereo tape deck.
The long list of factory options required two data
plates in the engine compartment and resulted in a
then-staggering $5,361.85 sticker price. It’s had just
three California owners from new and showed 49,537
miles at auction time.
What’s not to love about this Hemi car? Compared
with other ’Cuda coupes that have sold for stratospheric
prices, this car, to me, is so much more desirable.
It was claimed to be
unrestored and original with
great documentation, and
exceptional original Hemi
’Cuda coupes are almost as
rare as those seven-figure
Hemi convertibles.
With Hemi ’Cuda clones
still selling for over $100k,
I think the final price of this
red 4-speed car was under
the money, considering its
paperwork and condition.
The buyer got a great deal
on a piece of Mopar muscle
legend with a lot of curb
appeal. Call it very well
courtesy of Gooding &
Company.)
March-April 2014
March-April 2014
55
More: www.pbcoc.com
Alternatives: 1970–71 Dodge
Challenger Hemi, 1974
Pontiac Firebird Super
Duty, 1969–70 Ford
Mustang Boss 429
ACC Investment Grade: A
Comps
1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda
Lot S740, VIN
BS23ROB146640
(Subject car)
Condition: 2-
Not sold at $200,000
Russo and Steele, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/20/2013
ACC# 214972
1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda
Lot 133, VIN:
BS23R0B349154
Condition: 2
Sold at $220,000
Dragone, Westport, CT,
5/19/2012
ACC# 201654
1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda
Lot F198, VIN:
BS23R0B292572
Condition: 2
Sold at $145,220
Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis,
IN, 5/17/2011
ACC# 179364
bought.A
(Introductory description
Page 54
PROFILE HOT ROD & CUSTOM
1929 FORD DICK FLINT ROADSTER
Best of the best defines its era
Michael Furman ©2013, courtesy of RM Auctions
There aren’t
a lot of
hot rods
that have
big-name
builders,
vintage
magazine
coverage,
race history
and fantastic
looks. The
Dick Flint car
is one
of them
56
AmericanCarCollector.com
VIN: 1825841
by Ken Gross
• 1952 Hot Rod magazine cover car
• Clocked at 143.54 mph at El Mirage dry lake
• Class winner at the Grand National Roadster
Show
• First in Class and Dean Batchelor Award at
the 1999 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
D
ick Flint and a friend stop at a crosswalk,
watching a voluptuous coed pass in front
of them. Dick’s friend leaps out of the
car as she haughtily turns away from the
boys’ arresting red roadster.
This was the iconic scene captured on the cover
of the May 1952 issue of Hot Rod magazine. The
magazine’s founder, the late Robert E. Petersen,
remembered it as “the first issue where we sold over
half a million copies.”
The Dick Flint roadster is an icon, not just to car
guys but to the legions of young men whose imaginations
it set afire.
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 125, sold for
$577,500, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at RM Auctions’ Art of the Automobile sale in
New York City on November 21, 2013.
Provenance in the vintage hot rod world mostly
depends on a car’s original builder, its looks,
engineering, racing history, authenticity and major
features in period publications. And when it comes to
valuing these cars, all those factors are vital in bringing
top-market prices.
There aren’t a lot of hot rods that tick all of those
boxes, but the Dick Flint car is one of them.
The history
Dick Flint worked at Alex Xydias’ original So-Cal
Speed Shop in Burbank. A member of the SCTA racing
Glendale Sidewinders, he attended the first Bonneville
meet in 1949, with the So-Cal Speed Shop team.
For this car, Flint salvaged the best parts of three
Model A roadster bodies to make one. He then channeled
the basic body shell over a considerably modified
Model A frame, and commissioned a local man to
weld the chassis. The Z-framing, done to further lower
the car, was poorly finished, but with a limited budget,
Flint went with what he had.
The car then went to Valley Custom in Burbank,
CA, run by partners Neil Emory and Clay Jensen.
They fabricated most of the body with advice from
Dean Batchelor, a dry-lakes racer and noted author
who later became the Editor of Road & Track. Besides
a full belly pan, Valley Custom fabricated the sleek
race-car-style nose and hood, complete with inverse
louvers, and a generator-clearing side blister.
Flint bored and stroked the flathead to 286 cubic
inches. He then installed a Winfield Super 1A camshaft.
Internal mods included Johnson adjustable
tappets, three-ring racing pistons, a full balance job,
Page 55
ACC
Digital Bonus
plus port, polish and relief work. The original engine
finish wasn’t pretty, but it worked — on the dash is
A timing tag attesting to an El Mirage run of
mph.
From spotlight to project
t ran his ’29 at the lakes in 1951 in both
a Timing Association and SCTA meets before
mbling it for plating and paint. The completed
s featured in the original pocket-sized Hop Up
ne in the November 1951 issue, and again as
r car in Hop Up (now full-sized) in June 1953.
esented the NHRA at several events, and won
s at the Oakland Roadster Show and Petersen’s
d Los Angeles Motorama. Although some think
oadster depicted on the initial NHRA badge
s the Bill Niekamp ’29, it’s generally
believed to be Dick Flint’s roadster.
Dick Flint kept the car until 1961.
Duane Kofoed, a member of the LA
Roadsters, acquired it in the early
1960s. It was photographed and
filmed at shows and rod runs. But
the weak frame became weaker;
Duane says the doors would
pring open if the car traversed
a steep curb. When Kofoed disasmbled
the ’29 to rebuild it, he
was dismayed at the condition of
the frame, and stymied by the extensive
work required to make the roadster right.
So it sat, in pieces, for years.
Making it new again
Thirty years later, Don Orosco, a
vintage racer and hot-rodder, was on the
hunt for a vintage ’32 hot rod. Former Rod
& Custom Editor Neal East suggested there
might be a significant ’29 roadster available
for restoration. Orosco contacted Kofoed,
and after several years of talks, he was
finally able to buy the car.
Unfortunately, Kofoed had swapped the original
flathead and the Ford driveline for a small-block
Chevrolet and an Olds rear in the 1960s, and the
original frame had bowed and sagged. It was unusable.
So Orosco had a new flathead and a new chassis
built using construction techniques and materials that
could have been available in 1950–51. “We looked at
the work of a number of period guys, including Frank
Kurtis,” Orosco recalls. “We wanted to encapsulate
the construction methods of that era into something
Detailing
VIN: N/A
Engine #: On bellhousing
Clubs: Goodguys, National
Street Rod Association
(NSRA), Early Ford V-8
Club of America
Year produced: 1929 / 1950
Number produced: One
Original list price: N/A
Current ACC Valuation:
$500,000–$700,000
Tune-up / major service:
$300
that could have been done back then, if the
builder had the requisite skills.”
The new frame was strong and func-
tional — and “legal” according to Pebble
Beach restoration rules at the time the car
was shown, which permitted some judicious
re-engineering, if the work could have been
done when the car was built. Orosco insists
it would have been cheaper to build the car
from scratch than restore it. Dick Flint confirmed,
“It was the way I would have done it,
if I could have done it over.”
Accolades and dollars
The Dick Flint ’29 was one of nine road-
sters present for the historic hot rod class
at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
in 1999. With Don Orosco and Dick Flint
aboard, the slick roadster blasted up the
ramp to receive First in Class, along with
the Ford Motor Company-sponsored Dean
Batchelor Memorial Trophy for the most
significant hot rod present.
Iconic hot rods are just beginning to
seriously appreciate, with a core group of buyers
willing to pay solid prices for the right cars with
the right histories. Among these cars is the ex-Tom
McMullen ’32 Ford roadster, which sold at Mecum
in Anaheim for $742,000 in November 2012 (ACC#
213966). For what it’s worth, that car had a replacement
chassis as well.
RM’s lavish $62 million New York City sale last
November presented a star-studded cast of cars and
was the most successful Gotham sale ever. This ’29
was the perfect car to represent the historic-hot-rod
genre alongside vintage Ferraris, Gullwing Mercedes,
and other top-level collectibles. Pennsylvania-based
collector Don Bernstein was the buyer. “I’ve always
wanted a hot rod,” he said, “and the numbers seemed
reasonable on this car.”
Kirk F. White, who has bought and sold historic hot
rods for decades, noted, “The Dick Flint ’29, a car
made legendary by that Hot Rod magazine cover, was
sold right on the money for today’s market. Cars like
this are entering solid collections, and few will return
with any haste to the secondary market.”
Beautifully restored, with great history and prove-
nance, the Dick Flint ’29 is one of the most influential
hot rods ever built, and this sale was an unrepeatable
opportunity. Call it a market price, but I’d also say it
was very well bought, too. A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.)
March-April 2014
57
1932 Ford Highboy,
ex-Tom McMullen
Lot S109, VIN: 18152025
Condition: 1Sold
at $742,000
1932 Ford Highboy,
ex-Walker Morrison
Lot 132, VIN: 1874450
Condition: 1
Sold at $225,000
Bonhams, Carmel, CA,
8/16/2013
ACC# 227288
More: www.good-guys.com,
www.nsra-usa.com
Alternatives: Most periodbuilt
Ford hot rods with
both race history and
magazine coverage —
examples include the Tom
McMullen ’32 roadster
and the Jim Khougaz ’32
roadster
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
Mecum Auctions, Anaheim,
CA, 11/14/2012
ACC# 213966
1932 Ford roadster,
ex-Jim Khougaz
Lot 241, VIN: 18155453
Condition: 1Sold
at $385,000
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA,
8/17/2007
ACC# 46256
Page 56
PROFILE AMERICANA
1972 WINNEBAGO BRAVE CUSTOM RV
A hot-rod Winnie, bought bravely
It may not be
destined for
any national
parks, but
anywhere
potbellied
men shave
the number
3 into their
chest hair,
it will be
welcome
58 AmericanCarCollector.com
58 AmericanCarCollector.com
VIN: M39CG2S530969
by Jay Harden
I
f there is such a thing as a Hot Rod RV, this is it.
Mother Nature has provided “just the right patina”
on this unit’s original exterior, with the builder’s
unique imagination performing the rest.
This RV is powered by Mopar’s 318 V8 with
Sanderson custom headers, Flowmasters and dual
exhaust with an automatic transmission. The customfabricated
suspension places the unit lower than
Winnebago engineers ever dreamed possible, making it
handle like no other.
All-new, hand-crafted cedar wood interior is deco-
rated appropriately, including re-upholstered old theater
seating, new futon bed, plaid driver’s and passenger’s
seats and no shortage of wall art.
ACC Analysis This 1972 Winnebago Brave, Lot
81, sold at Barrett-Jackson’s
Scottsdale auction for $12,100, including buyer’s premium,
on January 14, 2014.
Crazy awesome
Where am I supposed to start with this one? With
the builder? What type of person thinks gutting and
lowering a used-up old Winnie is a meaningful use of
their time, money or talent? A crazy person? Maybe. A
genius? Perhaps. A party animal? Most definitely.
Crazy-genius party animals rank high on my list of
favorite personas, and whoever built this thing was
definitely speaking my language. With a face only Mad
Max’s mother could love, this Winnie has character
for days. That upturned nose, the crumpled brow, the
“chalky” exterior... It’s enough to get any true grease
monkey a little hot and bothered.
The exterior is just the beginning, though, because,
as Momma said, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
In this case, all of the original Winnebago appointments
have been exorcised in favor of what may best
be described as a local-watering-hole-style remodel.
Although that means the new owner will have to live
without the original Apple Green appliances, Antique
Avocado drapes, and 40-year-old plumbing, it also
means there is simply less, uh, crap to deal with.
Hot-rod Winnie?
I’m sure some will argue that an RV without a cook-
top or a toilet is as purposeful as a screen door on a
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
Page 57
ACC
Digital Bonus
submarine, but there is purpose aplenty
here. It may not be destined for any
national parks or yacht-club shindigs,
but anywhere potbellied men shave the
number 3 into their chest hair, it will
be welcome. Anywhere brats are rolled
over hot coals, and anywhere the sweet
aroma of race gas and burnt rubber
hangs in the air, it will make friends.
In fact, anyone who has ever
ventured to any of the great shrines of
automotive bravado knows that strutting
around the pits behind the wheel
of a vehicle like this one is surely the
next best thing to being on the track.
The thought of guiding this great beast
into the infield at the Daytona 500, or
onto the salt at Bonneville, with a giant
cooler full of tall boys and an interior
packed with buddies, makes my palms sweaty.
Overall, there’s not much here that I can find to
complain about. The only real gripe I have is that the
auction literature touts the Winnie as a “hot-rod RV.”
This Pooh bear’s stance is great and it has serious
curb appeal, but any self-respecting hot-rodder knows
a stocker 318 simply will not abide, especially in
something this big. But in this case, I’m almost willing
to look the other way.
The hot-rodder label gets thrown around a little too
carelessly these days, but I think it was tacked on here
because the seller knew we hot-rodders are probably
the only ones crazy enough to shell out the cash and
dedicate the parking space to a tubby brick on wheels.
Ringing the bell
So what about the buyer? What kind of person
shells out big bucks (relatively speaking) for a slightly
askew motorhome? Well, shortly after the sale, rumors
quickly began to swirl that Mike and Jim Ring of
Ringbrothers fame were the unlikely duo that plunked
down the cash necessary to take the Winnie home.
If you haven’t heard of the Ringbrothers, then
you haven’t been paying attention. They build cars
with industry-shaping creativity and detail, and are
absolutely deserving of the hype. I’ve picked through
more high-end hot rods and muscle cars than I care
to remember, and the work of the Ringbrothers is up
there with the best of ’em. With that knowledge in
mind, I simply could not resist the temptation of giving
them a call to get a bit more insight on their motivation
to land this Winnie. Mike and Jim were happy to
share their story.
We bought that?
So what was it that motivated a couple of guys with
an eerily acute — some might call it Hannibal Lecterlike
— attention to detail to shell out 12 grand on a
wonky motorhome with no porta-potty? These guys
are true motorheads, who, as they told me, just “love
old stuff,” and buying the Winnebago was a decision
fueled by impulse, not investment. Sometimes, that’s
all the reason one needs.
The Winnebago was first pointed out to them by a
friend who thought the old RV would be right up their
alley. As predicted, their interest was piqued, but the
Winnebago was selling on Tuesday, and they weren’t
arriving in Scottsdale until Wednesday. A second
friend was contacted and asked to bid on Lot 81 if the
Detailing
Year produced: 1972
Number produced: About
15,000 (total production for
the year)
Original list price: $6,995
Current ACC Valuation:
$3,500–$10,000
VIN: On the frame facing
outside, above right front
leaf spring
Engine #: Stamped pad on
front of engine, above
water pump housing
Club: Classic Winnebago
Club
More: www.classicwinnebagos.com
Alternatives: Any early ’70s
RV from Winnebago, Pace
Arrow, Travco, GMC, etc.
ACC Investment Grade: D
Winnie looked decent and “was going cheap.” When
Mike and Jim finally made it to Scottsdale, they found
themselves $12k in the hole and heavy one old RV.
Climbing behind the wheel of the stubby coach left
them with two distinct impressions: fear for their lives
and an instant case of buyer’s remorse. That’s what
a brake pedal that goes straight to the floor will do to
you. It’s fitting that the word “Brave” is plastered in
faded text, right on the side.
However, this Winnie seems to simply have a way
with people, and the overwhelmingly positive response
they received convinced the brothers to steel their
commitment. As Mike and Jim explained to me, “We’ve
won the Mothers Shine Award several times, but we’ve
already gotten more recognition for buying that old
Winnebago! It’s just crazy!”
Now that they have it home in Spring Green, WI,
work is already under way to fulfill the promise of that
“hot-rod RV” moniker. An LS3/Bowler transmission
combo is on the way, and, in typical Ringbrothers
fashion, they are already getting a little carried away
with the details. They promise, however, that the
exterior will remain untouched.
Chalky billboard
At first glance, $12k may seem like a lot of scratch
for something like this, but that’s awfully cheap to
drive home a rolling party. It is particularly cheap
when you consider that the Ringbrothers now have
an unmistakable rolling business card that provides
an unexpected glimpse into the characters of the men
behind the wheel.
There aren’t many vehicles out there that you
can line up beside the Winnie and analyze apples to
apples. This was an unusual sale in unusual circumstances,
and is a perfect example of an individual oddball
vehicle taking on a personality all its own. A stock
Winnebago Brave of the same make and model in your
local Craigslist will likely cost you about 25% of the
price paid here, but Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale sale
does funny things to people.
Considering just how much buzz this old tank has
created, it’s awfully difficult to argue that it wasn’t
worth the money. It sounds like the Ringbrothers are
planning to drive the wheels off this ol’ Pooh bear, and
I’m willing to bet they’ll enjoy every mile along the
way. I know I sure would. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-
Jackson.)
March-April 2014
59CC
59
Comps
1968 Ultra Van
Lot 310.1, VIN: 368
Condition: 4Sold
at $1,375
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/15/2012
ACC# 191467
1964 Crown Super Coach
conversion
Lot U154, VIN: 34852
Condition: 3-
Not sold at $60,000
Mecum Auctions, Belvidere,
IL, 5/23/2007
ACC# 45422
1976 GMC Palm Beach
Lot 641, VIN: TZE166V103096
Condition: 3
Sold at $13,515
The Branson Auction,
Branson, MO, 10/19/2006
ACC# 43433
Page 58
THE “SNAKE & MONGOOSE” COLLECTION
1967 DODGE D700 HAULER and 1972 PLYMOUTH DUSTER
Collector pulls in quite a haul
For the price
of one
Cobra 427,
the new
owner has
enough
hardware
to fill a
drag-racing
museum
1970 Plymouth ’Cuda VIN: 1190020
1972 Plymouth Duster VIN: 10016
1967 Dodge D700 “Snake” truck VIN: 1781751293
1967 Dodge D700 “Mongoose” truck
VIN: 1781731248
by John L. Stein
ACC Analysis These four lots, the ’70
configured and painted to match. In a time when most
cars arrived at the track on flatbed trailers, these
transporters were the height of professionalism. That
the big Dodges also offered four doors, a sleeper
compartment and room for a spare engine, transmission
and other essentials was a valuable bonus.
Painting one yellow to match Prudhomme’s ’Cuda
and the other red to match McEwen’s Duster made the
program even more spectacular.
Naturally, Mattel immortalized the cars with die-
Barracuda and ’72 Duster drag
cars and the two ’67 Dodge D700 ramp trucks, were
sold together for $990,000 as lots 5040–5043 at
Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale sale on January 18, 2014.
Next to Don Garlits in “Swamp Rat,” “TV” Tommy
Ivo in his four-engine rail or Wild Willie Borsch onehanding
his winged Fuel Altered, for me there’s no
more exciting drag-racing history than the epic Don
“The Snake” Prudhomme vs. Tom “The Mongoose”
McEwen wars of 1970–72.
Sponsored by Hot Wheels, these duels pitted
Prudhomme’s Plymouth Barracuda and McEwen’s
Plymouth Duster Funny Cars against each other on
dragstrips nationwide. They also made hundreds of
appearances at toy stores and other retailers. It was a
publicity juggernaut previously unheard of in racing.
Prudhomme and McEwen had one Funny Car
apiece (with an additional “Snake” ’Cuda built
for Plymouth Rapid Transit dealership tours), and
each had a crew-cab 1967 Dodge D700 car hauler
60
AmericanCarCollector.com
cast Hot Wheels miniatures for kids to sling along the
now-iconic orange track. Unquestionably, “Mongoose
& Snake” was sheer marketing brilliance, and for a
couple of years the entire product line — including
the Funny Cars, fuel dragsters, transporters, track
sets and even animated models with sound effects —
was among Mattel’s most successful. “There were
certainly hundreds of thousands, and maybe even
millions, of Mongoose and Snake toys made,” said
former Mattel executive Tony Miller. “And along the
way, Mongoose and Snake helped Hot Wheels become
the undisputed most successful boys’ toy of all time,
with more than five billion sold to date.”
Lost, found and sold
Once Mattel’s Mongoose & Snake program ended
in 1972, the cars and transporters scattered in the
winds, with the Dodge trucks sold to other racers and
two of the three cars destroyed by other teams. In fact,
the yellow Barracuda seen here is not Prudhomme’s
Page 59
n Grunwald
actual race car, but Plymouth’
Dan Grunwald
actual race car, but Plymouth’s Rapid Transit System tour car, while
the red McEwen Duster is a more recently built display car. However,
the trucks are real, as Prudhomme located both of them in Southern
California, and then bought and restored them over several years.
The rigs even retain their old California black-and-yellow plates.
On January 18, at primetime on Saturday at the Barrett-Jackson
auction at WestWorld in Scottsdale, AZ, the whole group went under
the hammer as one lot (despite being individually cataloged as Lots
5040–43). The reserve for the package was set at a reported $1 million,
and it was surprising that bidding didn’t quite get there. After
all, at the same auction last year, the original George Barris-built
Batmobile fetched $4.62m (ACC# 214858). Granted, way more folks
probably know Batman than Mongoose and Snake — but for most car
guys, I would wager the twin Funny Cars have more pull.
1970 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA and 1967 DODGE D700 HAULER
Nonetheless, no one stepped up to meet the reserve, and as the
hammer dropped, the cars and trucks were a no-sale. Afterward,
they did sell for $990,000 backstage — a tidy $247,500 each when the
total is chunked into four pieces. For the price of one Cobra 427, new
owner Rick Hendrick now has enough hardware to fill a drag-racing
museum.
Slicing and dicing
This Drag Racer’s combo of one running Funny Car, one static
Funny Car and two real transporters is so varied that BarrettJackson’s
breakout of exactly $247,500 apiece isn’t how anyone
would value the individual vehicles. So how would you value them to
total $990k? Here’s my assessment:
The Don Prudhomme ’70 ’Cuda Funny Car: $450,000. This is the
most valuable piece in the collection because it’s one of the three
original Ronnie Scrima-built cars from the Mongoose & Snake program,
and as such it has true historical value. Even if it never raced,
it was there.
The display Mongoose Funny Car: $90,000. This number is a
guesstimate for a tube frame and running gear, a ’glass body, dummy
engine and the rest. Absent any historical status, I’d value the
Mongoose Duster replica at a bit over the sum of its parts and labor
— in short, about one-fifth the value of the period Snake tour car.
The Prudhomme Snake transporter: $240,000. This is
Prudhomme’s real-deal truck from back in the day, found and restored
by his team. It’s unquestionably authentic, and is also drivable
and useful as a car hauler today — as long as you like attracting
crowds.
The McEwen Mongoose transporter: $210,000. Nearly the same
pedigree here, except that the McEwen and Mongoose names aren’t
quite as famous as Prudhomme and Snake.
Considering all that, I think $990k was right on the money for this
Jim Pickering
group in today’s market — especially for a collector who grew up
watching the cars race, played with the Hot Wheels set, and simply
wanted to collect all four. A
March-April 2014
61
Page 60
Straight from The Snake’s mouth
“We never staged a race. It was dog-eat-dog.”
ACC had a chat with The Snake himself, Don Prudhomme.
Here’s what he had to say about the “Snake & Mongoose” days:
ACC: Was the “Mongoose & Snake” program your inspiration
or Mattel’s?
Prudhomme: The concept began by Tom and me both having
nicknames, although I had mine first. We had become pals at
Lions Drag Strip and started racing together, and before long, a
local paper said, “Snake and Mongoose are coming.” So the names
already existed when we took it to Mattel. Tom said, “I am going
to Mattel and take them this idea.” We went and sat with them, the two of us, and
all it took was about one meeting. All Tom and I cared about was one year; we just
wanted a sponsorship. We didn’t know about rights and residuals or anything like
that, and Mattel didn’t know much about racing. But Art Spear at Mattel said, “Let’s
do it.” And right away the design guys had the cars all drawn up.
SNAKE
ACC: Where did the cars come from?
Prudhomme: There were different guys building
dragsters — I ran Don Long, Kent Fuller and other
chassis. But when it came to Funny Cars, it was different.
Ronnie Scrima was the guy, and that’s how we got
introduced. He built all three of the Hot Wheels cars.
They were state of the art at the time.
ACC: Were the trucks part of the original tour idea?
Prudhomme: The trucks came in because Tom
and I were aware that we needed a nice setup — ramp
trucks like the Pettys, Sox & Martin and the Landys
used. The most natural thing to do was paint them in
the same colors as the cars. So the very first time we
ran the cars they were on the trucks.
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
Lot 5040
Don “The Snake” Prudhomme’s
1970 Plymouth Barracuda Funny Car
This restored yellow 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Mattel Hot Wheels
“Snake I” Funny Car is the only one remaining from the original two
ever produced. The car made appearances on Plymouth’s 1971 Rapid
Transit Tour.
Many years later, Prudhomme acquired the car and began an
extensive in-house restoration (personally overseen by Prudhomme
and with longtime employee Willie Wolter as project manager), which
was finally completed in 2008.
Originally built by Ronnie Scrima at Exhibition Engineering in
Van Nuys, CA, the restoration features the original 446-cid motor
(running on 85% nitromethane), original body and original rolling
chassis. It also includes an original 6-71 blower, original front Cragar
and rear Halibrand wheels. Additional equipment includes a B&Mequipped
TorqueFlite automatic transmission, Dana 60 3.90:1 rear
axle, and Hurst-Airheart disc brakes.
Lot 5042
Don Prudhomme’s 1967 Dodge D700
Hot Wheels Transporter
This is Don Prudhomme’s frame-off and fully restored 1967 Hot
62
Wheels ramp truck, which famously transported his Funny Cars during
the 1970s match-racing era.
Prudhomme purchased the 1967 Dodge D700 crew cab Hot
Wheels cab and chassis from the Greensboro, NC, dealership where
previous owner Richard Petty had traded it in 1969.
The ramp truck went into service beginning in 1970 as an
integral part of Mattel’s legendary Hot Wheels Mongoose & Snake
promotion. In 1970–72, photos of the ramp truck appeared in many
magazine articles, news stories and packaging for Hot Wheels toys,
models and track sets. Prudhomme sold the ramp truck to a buyer in
California upon conclusion of the Hot Wheels promotion at the end of
the 1972 season.
Thirty-five years later, Prudhomme wanted to locate, purchase
and restore the ramp truck in order to have a complete original touring
package. Using the original VIN and some assistance from local
law enforcement, Prudhomme tracked down the truck in early 2008.
Prudhomme personally oversaw its complete, frame-off restora-
tion over a period of two years. Also included with the sale are the
original bill of sale from the dealership to Prudhomme, the original
work order for ramp modifications, an original spare 1966 426-cid
stock Hemi cast-iron motor, and Prudhomme’s original driving suit,
helmet and uniform.
(Descriptions courtesy of Barrett-Jackson)
Page 61
MONGOOSE
Lot 5041
Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen’s
1972 Plymouth Duster Funny Car replica
In 2005, Mattel celebrated the 35th anniversary of
its Hot Wheels brand’s Mongoose & Snake promotion,
which began in 1970 and continued through the 1972
season. With the original Mongoose car no longer in
existence, Mattel commissioned the build of this show
car.
Lot 5043
Tom McEwens’s 1967 Dodge D700
Hot Wheels Transporter
In 1967, Plymouth ordered
MONGOOSE
MONGOOSE
MONGOOSE
Lot 5041
Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen’s
1972 Plymouth Duster Funny Car replica
In 2005, Mattel celebrated the 35th anniversary of
its Hot Wheel
E
Lot 5041
Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen’s
1972 Plymouth Duster Funny Car replica
In 2005, Mattel celebrated the 35th anniversary of
its Hot Wheels brand’s Mongoose & Snake promotion,
which began in 1970 and continued through the 1972
season. With the original Mongoose car no longer in
existence, Mattel commissioned the build of this show
car.
Lot 5043
Tom McEwens’s 1967 Dodge D700
Hot Wheels Transporter
In 1967, Plymouth ordered
Martin.
Martin. After this team finished with it, the truck
was sold to Tom “Mongoose” McEwen in 1970 and
modified to match Don Prudhomme’s own yellow
‘67 D700 for the beginning of Mattel’s Hot Wheels
Mongoose & Snake promotion.
Forty years later, after completing the
restoration of his own yellow D700 ramp truck,
Prudhomme searched for and ultimately located
the Mongoose truck as well. After a lengthy search
it was found in a backyard in Riverside, CA, where
it had been neglected for several years. Although
the Dodge had been repainted from red to yellow,
Prudhomme was still able to verify its identity
by an original Chrysler vehicle-identification
Certicard naming Sox & Martin that was in the
glovebox. He then oversaw its framey
MONGOOSE
GOOSE
Lot 5041
Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen’s
1972 Plymouth Dus
t 5041
Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen’s
1972 Plymouth Duster Funny Car replica
In 2005, Mattel celebrated the 35th anniversary of
its Hot Wheels brand’s Mongoose & Snake promotion,
which began in 1970 and continued through the 1972
season. With the original Mongoose car no longer in
existence, Mattel commissioned the build of this show
car.
Lot 5043
Tom McEwens’s 1967 Dodge D700
Hot Wheels Transporter
In 1967, Plymouth ordered
Martin. After this team finished with it, the truck
was sold to Tom “Mongoose” McEwen in 1970 and
modified to match Don Prudhomme’s own yellow
‘67 D700 for the beginning of Mattel’s Hot Wheels
Mongoose & Snake promotion.
Forty years later, after completing the
restoration of his own yellow D700 ramp truck,
Prudhomme searched for and ultimately located
the Mongoose truck as well. After a lengthy search
it was found in a backyard in Riverside, CA, where
it had been neglected for several years. Although
the Dodge had been repainted from red to yellow,
Prudhomme was still able to verify its identity
by an original Chrysler vehicle-identification
Certicard naming Sox & Martin that was in the
glovebox. He then oversaw its frame-
y
Distributor
Distributor cap: N/A
VIN: N/A
Engine #: None
Years built: 1970, 1972
Number built: Three
were built for Snake &
Mongoose, but many
others were built in-period
Original list price: N/A
Current ACC Valuation:
$50,000-plus, depending
on history and condition
Tune-up / major service:
$5,000
Detailing
Funny Cars
Club: Wally Parks NHRA
Motorsports Museum
More: www.cacklefest.com
Alternatives: Slingshot
dragsters, multiple-engine
dragsters, Fuel Altered
cars
ACC Investment Grade: C
D700 Trucks
Years built: 1962–77
Number built: N/A
Original list price: N/A
Current ACC Valuation:
$10,000–$240,000,
depending on history and
condition
Distributor cap: $10
VIN: Plate on driver’s side
door lock pillar
Tune-up / major service:
$250
Engine #: Stamped on pad at
front of block
Club: Antique Truck Club of
America
ACC: Were the transporters self contained with
fuel, tires, tools, spares, or did you have additional
vehicles?
Prudhomme: My yellow transporter was all
trimmed out. It carried a spare engine and transmission,
and it had nitro tanks built under the ramp. The
only thing we didn’t have was a tow truck. We’d get to
a dragstrip and say, “Does anyone have a tow truck?”
There were always lots of people willing to help.
ACC: How many Mongoose & Snake matchups
were there?
Prudhomme: I would say hundreds, and there
were times we’d race three places on a weekend. It
was coast to coast — that’s how we made our living,
barnstorming across the country.
ACC: Did you and Tom share wins, or was it
always anybody’s race?
Prudhomme: We never staged a race. It was dog-
eat-dog, and there were some very hard feelings from
time to time. “We’re going to kick your ass when we
get to the next strip,” that kind of thing. Sometimes
we would not even caravan down the road together
because we weren’t even talking. We were like two
brothers who wouldn’t talk to each other because we
were pissed off.
ACC: What eventually happened to the cars?
Prudhomme: There were three cars total — one
Barracuda and one Duster that we raced, and another
show ’Cuda that went on the Rapid Transit System
tour. We never raced that car, but I later drove it in the
Mongoose & Snake movie. When the program ended,
we sold the race cars off and they got scrapped. The
one we did manage to get back was the show car.
ACC: How long did it take you to assemble this
group of four vehicles?
Prudhomme: I found the yellow Rapid Transit car
in Ohio about 10 years ago. It had a Chevy in it. Then
I found my yellow truck about five or six years ago.
What got us excited about building Tom’s car was the
Mongoose & Snake 35th anniversary. That was about
2½ years ago, and the Mongoose car was built about
the same time as the red truck was found and restored.
ACC: What was the most unusual thing that hapJim
Pickering
pened during the Hot Wheels program?
Prudhomme: Mongoose beat me once!
— John L. Stein A
2007 Tommy Ivo “Showboat”
replica dragster
Lot 260, VIN: N/A
Condition: 2
Sold at $176,000
RM Auctions, Los Angeles,
CA, 9/26/2009
ACC# 143231
63
1966 Ford SC500 Super Duty
truck
Lot 153, VIN: N50CU906509
Condition: 4
Sold at $66,000
RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ,
1/18/2008
ACC# 48644
More: www.antiquetruckclubofamerica.com
Alternatives: 1967–72
Chevrolet C-70 & GMC
70, 1967–72 Ford F-750,
1962–78 International
Loadstar 1700
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
Page 64
MArKET OVERVIEW
For complete results of each auction
covered in this issue, scan this code
or go to http://bit.ly/YLyfw2
TOP 10
sales this issue
1. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette
coupe, $3,850,000—B-J,
p. 74
2. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette
racer, $2,860,000—B-J,
p. 76
3. 1963 Shelby King Cobra
racer, $1,650,000—B-J,
p. 76
4. 1968 Chevrolet Corvette
convertible, $880,000—
B-J, p. 74
5. 1953 Chevrolet Corvette
roadster, $660,000—B-J,
p. 72
6. 1970 plymouth Superbird
hemi 2-dr hard top,
$550,000—B-J, p. 78
7. 1971 Chevrolet Corvette
Zr2 coupe, $495,000—
B-J, p. 76
8. 1920 Stutz Series h
Bearcat roadster,
$341,000—Bon, p. 104
9. 1968 Shelby GT500 Kr
convertible, $308,000—
B-J, p. 78
10. 1965 McKee Mk
IV Can-Am racer,
$260,000—r&S, p. 94
BEST BUYS
1. 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
Z/28 coupe, $52,000—
AA, p. 107
2. 1956 Chevrolet nomad
wagon, $50,050—Lke,
p. 82
3. 1959 Chevrolet 3100
Apache nApCO 4x4
pickup, $36,575—Lke,
p. 82
4. 1966 Chevrolet Impala
SS 2-dr hard top,
$13,910—Mec, p. 107
5. 1954 pontiac Chieftain
Eight 2-dr sedan,
$3,780—Sil, p. 98
66 AmericanCarCollector.com
Buy and sell cars and get your bull-riding fix at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale
by Tony Piff
equates to overall growth in sales of 12% over last year’s
$225m. The overall average price per car was $106k.
Over half of those 2,381 cars sold at Barrett-
O
Jackson. Barrett sent 1,401 of 1,405 consignments home
to new garages and hit its usual 99.7% sales rate. Average
price per car nosed up to $79k from $77k, and sales grew
by 8% from $102m last year to $110m — eclipsing their
record $107m achieved in 2007. Five American cars
surpassed $1m, with two important Corvettes taking the
high-sale spots: a 1967 L88 at $3.9m, and the 1969 L88
“Rebel” racer at $2.9m.
n n n
Growth at Russo and Steele was even better than
the week’s overall growth of 12%. Russo’s totals shot
forward by 19% to $21.2m, up from $17.8m last year.
The auction house sold 484 out of 735 cars (66%).
Strong growth and an average price of $44k (up from
$39k last year) shows that the middle of the market is
doing just fine. A 1963 Pontiac LeMans Super Duty
Lightweight was the top American car at Russo at
$336k, and a 1971 Dodge Hemi Challenger (profiled
on p. 54) was close behind at $317k.
ver the course of a single week in January,
2,381 collector cars found new owners.
Those cars and dollars were spread among
six auctions in the vicinity of Scottsdale,
AZ, for a combined $253m. That total
n n n
At Silver’s Arizona sale, held just outside of
Scottsdale in Fort McDowell, prices have held steady
at about $17k since 2009, and totals tend to hover between
$3m and $4m. This year, Silver sold 191 out of
328 cars (58%), and sales totaled $3.3m. The top three
American lots were a 1948 Cadillac Series 62 convertible
at $76k, a 2009 Dodge Viper coupe at $71k, and a
1958 Chevrolet 283/245 Corvette at $70k.
n n n
In this issue, we also take a close look at Leake’s
year-end sale in Dallas, TX. Leake saw their totals
grow by a formidable 43% this year, to $9.4m from
2012’s $6.6m. Of 588 consignments, 365 changed
hands (62%). Average price was $26k, up from $20k.
The top two high sales were both American: a 2006
Ford GT at $218k and a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado
Brougham at $193k.
n n n
In the Roundup, you’ll find American highlights
from the other three Arizona auctions — Gooding,
RM, and Bonhams — as well as McCormick’s in
Palm Springs, CA; Branson in Branson, MO; RM in
Hershey, PA; Auctions America in Carlisle, PA; and
Mecum in Anaheim, CA, and Kansas City, MO. A
Steady as she goes
ONE WEEK IN ARIZONA, 2,822 CARS, $253M
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
Page 66
Anatomy of an ACC Market Report
A HANDY GUIDE TO 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 one of the untouched Lambrecht dealership cars
in Pierce, NE, from the VanDerBrink sale in September 2013.
Lot number
assigned
by auction
house.
General
description
of vehicle
as observed
by reporter,
with VIN
number,
color and
mechanical
specifications
listed
first.
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.
#1L-1964 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr
hard top. S/N 41847S267633. Ermine
White/red vinyl. Odo: 4 miles. 327-ci V8,
4-bbl, 3-sp. Per the window sticker still
attached 49 years later, equipped with 250horse
327, standard 3-on-the-tree, tinted
windshield, full wheelcovers and whitewall
tires. Covered with a half-century of dust,
dirt, and grime. Paint and chrome very well
preserved, thanks to ambient oil mist in the
shop. Nobody makes a reproduction interior
that looks as good as this one. Under
the slight mustiness, you can dectect a hint
of new-car smell inside. Full complement
of new owner paperwork in glovebox.
Chassis untouched and not rusty, showing
some undercoating. On MSO. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $78,750. If there was one car
that really deserved to be cleaned up out
here, it was this one. Having spent the past
49 years exclusively in the dealership—
with Ray Lambrecht constantly declining
offers to buy it—this was one of the finest
cars here. The famous collector who
picked it up has the resources and good
taste to give it the care it deserves. And no,
it wasn’t Leno.
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
68 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 68
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
Barrett-Jackson — Scottsdale
THE TOP TWO CARS HERE WERE BOTH CORVETTES: $3.9M FOR A
1967 L88 COUPE AND $2.9M FOR THE 1969 “REBEL” RACE CAR
Report and photos
by Dan Grunwald
Market opinions in italics
A
s the line from “Field of
Dreams” goes, “If you build it,
they will come.” Well, Craig
Jackson built it, and they came
in droves. The WestWorld
complex in Scottsdale has been completely
redesigned, with the auction podium and
main entry area now housed in a permanent
building. In total, it was almost a mile’s walk
from the front to the back of the new building
and auction tents that made up this year’s
event. Barrett-Jackson even hosted a rodeo
under the same roof on Friday and Saturday
night. Outside, the sprawling acreage of tents,
food carts and promo booths is now paved. I
saw more and better food vendors this year to
keep the crowds energized.
Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale, AZ
January 12–19, 2014
Auctioneers: Assiter & Associates:
Tom “Spanky” Assiter, lead auctioneer
Automotive lots sold/offered: 1,401/1,405
Sales rate: 99.7%
Sales total: $110,439,505
high American sale: 1967 Chevrolet
Corvette L88 coupe, sold at $3,850,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold
prices
1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 coupe, sold at $3,850,000
And to match the improved and expanded
space, the crowds themselves seemed endless.
An estimated 300,000 attendees passed
through the Barrett-Jackson gates this year —
that’s 82,000 more than the entire population
of Scottsdale. The logistics of putting this
event on are incredible, and through it all the
parking shuttles moved smoothly and efficiently
in both directions with little waiting
even at peak periods. Kudos to the BarrettJackson
organization for their efforts.
While this year’s sale offered a huge selec-
tion of muscle cars, many of the top-level
headliners from the “Salon Collection” were
pre-war classics from makes such as Packard,
Duesenberg and Cord. While these cars have
remained in style for nearly a century and
still command six- and seven-digit price tags
today, their overall market appeal is relatively
narrow. So it’s great to see them making a
comeback at a venue like Barrett-Jackson.
Presenting these cars alongside muscle cars
and hot rods is a great way to introduce them
to collectors who might never have considered
putting a Big Classic in the garage.
A 1929 Duesenberg Model SJ LeBaron
dual-cowl phaeton was the most expensive
pre-1955 car at $1.4m, but Barrett-Jackson’s
top two selling cars here were both Corvettes:
$3.85m for a 1967 L88 coupe (see the profile,
p. 48) and $2.86m for the 1969 “Rebel” race
car. Another Corvette, a 1968 L88, seemed to
fly under the radar until bidding started and
soared to $800k ($880k with commission).
The highly anticipated “Snake &
Mongoose” drag cars, offered with their
transport trucks as a set of four, initially
failed to sell on the podium at the milliondollar
level, but were later listed “sold” at
$990k (see the profile, p. 60). Lot 5063 was
a 1963 Shelby Cooper Monaco King Cobra
with extensive documentation and a recent
quality restoration. It sold for $1.65m, and just
looking at it would quicken the pulse of any
Shelby fan.
If you still haven’t been to a Barrett-
1969 Chevrolet Corvette “rebel” racer, sold at $2,860,000
70 AmericanCarCollector.com
Jackson Scottsdale auction but have always
wanted to go, now is the time. Reservations
are made up to a year in advance, so get on
VRBO and lock in a nice condo for next year.
It will be a week you’ll never forget. A
Page 70
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
CLASSICS
#5016-1931 MARMON V16 HOT ROD
roadster. VIN: 16654. Maroon/black cloth/
tan leather. Odo: 8 miles. Immaculate build
by John and Hayden Groendyke. Freshly
built with only 8 miles on the odometer.
Golf-club door on passenger’s side. V16
topped by three deuces with chrome bellshaped
intakes protruding through the top
of the hood. Some yellowing starting on
chrome header pipes. Cond: 1.
both A-pillars. All chrome and trim show
excellent. Some door gaps look a bit wide
and variable. Front bucket seats in new interior
and 4-speed with Hurst shifter. New
carpets, drum brakes all around and SS
gauges. Cond: 2.
at Mecum Indy in May 2013 (ACC#
223971). My guess would be that the odometer
has rolled over once, but the car still
has nice colors and looks very clean. From
the era when 442 was a Cutlass option
package rather than a stand-alone model.
Well bought and well sold. Everyone should
be smiling.
NOT SOLD AT $275,000. Huge wheelbase
for a hot rod and 16-cylinder engine. Not a
normal hot rod and not a normal classic car
left this car searching for a rare pair of bidders
today. A quality build that failed to
attract the desired money and went back
home with its owner.
GM
#359-1963 CHEVROLET CORVAIR Greenbrier
van. VIN: 3R126S114184. Turquoise
& white/turquoise cloth & vinyl. Odo: 80,247
miles. 145-ci I6, 2x1-bbl, auto. New recent
mid-level paint. The camper optional benchseat
interior looks pretty good. The dashboard
top surface needs paint. Some visible
surface rust on right side vent pane frame.
Dull hubcaps. No visible oil drips under the
engine. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $26,400. Nicely done and looks
to be a reliable and fun driver with familyhauling
capabilities. The buyer—famed collector
Ken Lingenfelter—got a nice car with
all of the work done at a very reasonable
cost. Well bought, and a great addition to
the collection.
#1002-1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
Malibu SS 396 2-dr hard top. VIN: 138177K198773.
Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl.
Odo: 23,783 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
New yellow paint with black lower belt-line
stripes and a new vinyl top. The passenger’s
door gap is a bit wide. Tinted glass all
around, with one chip on the right-side window.
Power brakes, steering, windows and
tilt column. Cond: 1-.
#1044-1969 PONTIAC GTO Judge 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 242379Z120520. Orange/
white vinyl. Odo: 32,199 miles. 400-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Passenger’s door fits wide at
rear. Rechromed rear bumper shows some
pits. Side glass scratches. No trim rings on
the wheels. Hurst shifter. Hood tach. Includes
build sheet and PHS docs. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $107,800. Last seen at Mecum
Indy 2010, where it sold for $30k (ACC#
164380). This was a well-done and documented
Ram Air III Judge, and it sold above
market. Well sold.
CORVETTE
5
SOLD AT $66,000. Well restored with title
history and sales documents included. Sold
fairly.
SOLD AT $16,500. Who needs a VW bus?
Buy this, save money (lots of it), go faster
and be different. Sold at the top end of the
market, but you will look long and hard to
find another one as nice.
#684-1964 CHEVROLET NOVA 400
wagon. VIN: 40435N212167. White/blue
vinyl. Odo: 68,380 miles. 283-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. The ACC hauler. Recently restored
with logo stickers on the glass. Decent
newer paint is ground bare on the front
edge of the driver’s door. Cracks in paint on
72 AmericanCarCollector.com
#117-1967 OLDSMOBILE 442 2-dr sedan.
VIN: 338077M351351. Yellow/black. Odo:
14,964 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. New
paint with visible mask lines on some trim.
Good chrome and trim. Tinted glass all
around with a couple of light stone chips on
windshield. Wide fender-to-door gaps on
both sides. Redline tires. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $660,000. Sold as a pair with
#5039, a 2003 Corvette with the matching
VIN #181. The ACC Price Guide pegs a
good #2 ’53 at $173k–$301k, but this car
will always set the bar, and the 2003 that is
thrown in may have helped a bit. I still call it
well sold.
SOLD AT $31,900. Recently sold for $31k
#5024-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
“Asteroid” coupe. VIN: 30837S111775.
Copper flake/white & orange leather. Odo:
#5038-1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. VIN: E53F001181.
White/red vinyl. Odo: 7,262 miles.
235-ci 150-hp I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. The Chip
Miller Corvette, probably the most original
’53 on the planet. Some age showing on
paint with edge chips and cracks visible.
The dash top shows cracks as well. The
chrome looks very good, as do the seats
and steering wheel. Displayed in the Bloomington
Gold Special Collection. AACA Senior
award. Cond: 3.
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Page 72
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
QUICKTAKE
1989 Pontiac Trans Am 20th
Anniversary Edition coupe
SOLD at $31,350
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, January 14–19, 2014, Lot 111
1989. But don’t discount the ’89 T/A as a boring commuter car without any real performance
because it didn’t have that V8. No, this version got the boosted heart of its blacked-out Buick
cousin. That’s right — the Grand National’s Turbo 3.8 V6.
Pontiac made a few changes
Pontiac built the Trans Am without V8 power for one year only:
to that V6. They cross-drilled
the crankshaft, fitted different
heads (to help squeeze the unit
into the Firebird’s engine bay)
and added stainless headers
and the GNX intercooler. When
they were done, the 3.8-liter
SFI, turbocharged V6 was rated
(conservatively) at 250 hp at
4,400 rpm and 340 lb/ft at 2,800
rpm. It ran 0–60 in 5.5 seconds,
had a quarter-mile ET of 13.5
seconds at 103 mph, and pulled
0.86 g on the skid pad — not
exactly typical 1980s numbers.
In total, Pontiac made 1,555 1989 TTAs, five of which were pilot cars.
It isn’t difficult to find these in remarkable condition. There were two other 20th Anniversary
Trans Ams at B-J during Arizona auction week. Lot 700 sold for $27,500 and had only 677
miles. Lot 689 sold at $29,700 with less than 7k miles. All three at the sale were minty fresh —
they all looked like they could have just been unloaded of the GM
dealership delivery truck in 1989.
The seller said this car comes from the Pontiac Historical
Society Collection — noted in the Pontiac Division log as car
number 80. It was also one of the cars actually used on the track
of the 1989 Indianapolis 500 Festival. And that little V6? Well,
for the first time in history, this pace car didn’t need any performance
modifications to perform its duties.
When the hubbub finally dies over the ’70s Bandit Trans
the top of the market. But I don’t think it will be too long before I’ll be calling it well bought. A
— Chad Tyson
Ams, I think these cars will take over as the penultimate T/A
model. For right now, consider this one well sold at a price near
SOLD AT $3,850,000. Last appears in the
ACC Premium Auction Database in 2000,
when it no-saled at $320k at RM Phoenix
(ACC# 2758). Comes with lots of history,
judging sheets and documentation, plus
NCRS Mark of Excellence award. A new
record price for a ’67. (See profile p. 48)
S414479. Blue/black canvas/blue vinyl.
Odo: 13,658 miles. 427-ci 430-hp V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Visible paint chip and nicks, and what
looks like a couple of battery-acid drips that
ate the paint on the top of the left fender.
Some light pitting on the front bumper and
heavy pitting on the door-handle flaps.
Heavy and large delamination spots on
windshield. Said to be a original-mile survivor
L88, complete with the Bill of Sale, tank
sticker, and Protect-O-Plate. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $880,000. Last sold at BarrettJackson’s
2003 Scottsdale sale for $135k
4
#1318-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 194678-
74
AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $187,000. Built as a Barris custom
using a brand-new Corvette in 1963 for
Bob Nordskog, who was a boat racer.
George Barris was on the podium with the
auctioneers when the selling took place,
and he is still a bundle of energy and
marketing. Well bought and sold.
#5035-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 194377S115791.
Red/red vinyl. Odo: 11,808 miles.
427-ci 430-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A couple of
light scratches on the rear window. Originally
ordered with J56 big brakes, off-road
exhaust, power brakes, heater- and radiodelete,
L88, transistor ignition and F41 suspension.
One of only 20 L88s built in 1967,
and this is the only known one that is red/
red. A faultless restoration. Cond: 1-.
1
12,565 miles. 352-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Full-on
Barris custom with super copper metal-flake
paint, custom interior, sidepipes and wheels
different on each side of the car: chrome
wires on right side and mags on left; full
sidepipes on right and shorty on left. Cond:
1-.
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Page 74
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
$968 option in 1970. Inside rear-view
mirror losing silver. One of 25 built in 1970.
Cond: 1-.
from the SEMA suppliers. Should be a joy
to own and drive. Bought at a fraction of the
build cost, which is to be expected nearly a
decade later.
(ACC# 30054). A pretty amazing car that
brought a pretty amazing price here. Looks
very original with possibly some paint touchup
and just maybe some work done on the
exhaust system, but if so it was very well
done. The vast majority of it looked completely
original, and the paint exhibits good
gloss and very little cracking or aging.
Watch for the Keith Martin evaluation on
TV’s “What’s My Car Worth” and see if we
agree. Strong price, but there were a lot of
expensive C3s here.
#5022-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
racer. VIN: 194679S713635.
Red, white and blue/red hard top/
black vinyl. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Recordholding
#57 “Rebel” racer impeccably restored
to its 1972 Sebring trim. Originally
purchased (in Daytona Yellow) through the
GM “buyer’s key” program in 1969 by
Tampa businessman Or Costanzo. With
open chamber heads, radio delete, M22
trans, J56 HD brakes, transistor ignition,
F41 suspension and an MA6 HD clutch.
Great history from Daytona, Sebring and
Watkins Glen. Iron-clad history, documentation,
Bloomington Gold Special Collection
status, American Heritage Award. Displayed
at National Corvette Museum. Cond: 1-.
2
SOLD AT $220,000. Originally delivered to
Ontario, Canada, as documented in the
original warranty book. ZR1 supposedly
stands for “Zora Racer One.” The “Zora”
option with documentation makes this
particular car worth about three times a
standard LT-1.
#5018-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ZR2 coupe. VIN: 194371S118181.
Green/green vinyl. Odo: 5 miles.
454-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Looks factory-fresh
everywhere, with some weak silvering
on the “egg crate” side louvers. LS6
engine with 425 hp and 475 ft-lbs of torque
when a base Corvette was listed at only 270
hp. Originally delivered to Toronto, Canada.
Cond: 1-.
7
white/black vinyl. 289-ci V8, 4x2-bbl, 5-sp. A
beautiful and correct restoration of a truly
historic and rare Shelby race car, recently
completed by noted Shelby collector and
restorer Rand E. Bailey. A very impressive
documented history and timeline including
personally signed letters from Shelby attesting
to its authenticity. The aluminum body
looks smooth and straight—much more so
than when it was raced. It’s not easy to
grade the condition of race cars because
there was so much variation when new, but
I really need to call this a #1-. Cond: 1-.
3
#5063-1963 SHELBY KING COBRA
racer. VIN: CM363. Blue &
SOLD AT $495,000. Last of the Zora ArkusDuntov
“Z” cars. Said to be one of only 12
built. Another Corvette within a breath of the
half-million-dollar mark. Well sold.
FOMOCO
SOLD AT $2,860,000. In 1969, GM was in
the midst of the car manufacturer’s official
ban on motor racing. However, much like in
a spy novel, if you owned and raced an L88
Corvette in that time, you might find a plainclothes
GM engineer at your door with a
very special part (camshaft, carb or whatever)
that you might like to “evaluate” in
your next race. This car may still have some
of those one-off parts installed. An amazing
car with an amazing story, and an amazing
record price.
#5009-1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
ZR1 coupe. VIN: 194370S413942. Red/
black vinyl. Odo: 81,385 miles. 350-ci 370hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Good paint, chrome and
interior. LT1 350/370 with ZR1, which was a
76 AmericanCarCollector.com
#1124-1932 FORD MODEL B SEMA roadster.
VIN: DMV52553NV. Red & black/black
leather. Odo: 258 miles. All-steel Dearborn
Deuce body built to commemorate the 40th
anniversary of the SEMA Show in 2006.
Lightly used since. Still shows as-new with
the exception of heavy bluing on the chrome
SOLD AT $1,650,000. Shelby ordered six
Cooper Monacos, sold two to Comstock
Racing, fitted V8 Ford engines and 4-speed
gearboxes to his remaining four cars, and
went racing. Dave MacDonald captured the
U.S. Road Racing Championship in this car
in 1964 in Kent, WA. It was also driven by
Kent Miles, Parnelli Jones and others
before Shelby sold the car after the 1964
season. Price seems market-correct for an
impossibly rare and important Shelby.
#374-1966 FORD BRONCO roadster. VIN:
V13FL748881. Turquoise/silver vinyl. Odo:
360 miles. 170-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. New paint
inside and out. New chrome bumpers. Locking
hubs and three-on-the-tree. New interior
with rubber floor mats. Some rewelding is
visible at the rear of the door panel.
Cond: 2+.
headers. SEMA logo on seats, gauges and
hubcaps. 302 V8 with a/c. Cond: 1-. SOLD
AT $121,000. Built with all the best stuff
SOLD AT $33,000. Not a hard restoration:
Pull the seats and paint everything; no doors
or windows to worry about or align. This
truck appeared well built and very attractive.
No a/c, but no doors either. Might be the
perfect Arizona car. Sold very, very well.
TOP 10
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Page 76
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
9
Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 20,672
miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. “As-new”
paint, chrome, and interior. Chrome windshield
header trim is misfit in the center.
Trunk lid gap appears a bit wide. Said to
have a verified odometer reading. Cond: 1-.
#5010-1968 SHELBY GT500 KR
convertible. VIN: 8T03R206115.
documentation, factory build sheet, dogdishes
and Redlines. What’s not to like?
Well bought and sold.
#5017-1968 PLYMOUTH HEMI BARRACUDA
Lightweight fastback. VIN: B029M8B390659.
Red, white, & blue/black vinyl.
426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. This factory lightweight
was originally sold to Bill Vanwey in
Ohio. Eventually, Ronnie Sox purchased
the car and campaigned it on the drag circuit.
Chips, cracks, prep flaws, rub-through
and some quick bodywork are all evident.
Poorly fitted body panels and trim also visible.
Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $308,000. One of 517 GT500 KR
convertibles. Comes with a Marti Report
and original build sheet. Another Shelby
“well sold.”
MOPAR
#1344-1933 PLYMOUTH SPEEDSTER
racer. VIN: PC4503. Cream & green/tan
vinyl. Odo: 2,110 miles. #33 from Campbell
Taggart Racing. Flathead 6 and 3-speed
manual transmission. Wire wheels and hydraulic
brakes. Looks like it was built yesterday.
Some age shows on the leather
sidemount straps. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $198,000. Yes, it has flaws, but
it’s a documented Sox & Martin drag car!
What else can I say? Well bought and sold.
#1069.1-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA
replica convertible. VIN: BS27N0B298882.
Yellow/black cloth/black leather. Odo:
65,645 miles. 426-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Rotisserie-restored
with newer 426 Hemi and
shaker hood on an original 383 ’Cuda with
4-speed. Leather interior. Steering wheel
shows some scratches. Cond: 2+.
pear wide (although that doesn’t seem so
unusual on these cars). Good paint, chrome
and interior. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $550,000.
A custom Superbird “tribute” car sold for
charity at Barrett-Jackson’s 2009 Scottsdale
sale for $551k (ACC# 125415). That was
technically $1,000 more expensive than this
one, but for a non-charity car, this is a world
record. Expensive, but this would be the car
to do it.
#327-1979 DODGE 150 LI’L RED EXPRESS
pickup. VIN: D13JS9S210211.
Red/black vinyl. Odo: 92,322 miles. 360-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Mid-level paint has prep
flaws and orange peel. Good chrome and
nice refinish on all of the oak-wood trim.
New oak bed wood. Wide door gaps and a
large star crack on the windshield. Heavy
wrinkles on the driver’s seat. Power steering
and a/c. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $19,040. Second year of the Li’l
Red Express truck. In 1979 these trucks
would eat up stock Z/28s. Sold quite fairly
for both sides. Maybe just slightly bargainish.
AMERICANA
SOLD AT $41,800. From the John Hendricks
Collection at The Gateway Colorado
Auto Museum. Lots of interest, and this car
always had a crowd around it admiring it. I
will call it a fair sale to both parties.
#5028-1968 DODGE HEMI CORONET R/T
convertible. VIN: WS27J8G212214. Blue/
black vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 51,147 miles.
426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Looks to be a recent
high-level restoration. Zero visible
flaws other than some discoloration on the
top of the dashboard. All-new paint, top,
interior, and all-new weatherstripping. Much
attention to detail. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $79,200. With just 18 Hemi ’Cuda
convertibles built for 1970, price for a real
one starts around the million-dollar mark.
That certainly puts this strong price in context.
Well sold, but should be a blast.
RM23ROA162319. White/black vinyl/black
& silver vinyl. Odo: 44,457 miles. 426-ci V8,
2x4-bbl, auto. Galen Govier-documented to
have a numbers-matching engine and
transmission with original VIN tag and
fender tag. Listed in his registry as #25 of
78. The inside mirror silver is chipping at the
6
#5029-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI
SUPERBIRD 2-dr hard top. VIN:
SOLD AT $154,000. Hemi engine, Govier
78 AmericanCarCollector.com
top edge. The door and front end gaps ap-
SOLD AT $100,000. A really neat ride that
was sold to benefit Cox Charities in Arizona.
There are always a few of these ridiculous
high-quality builds here at Barrett-Jackson.
Seems like the charity factor did not push
this one over the top. Well bought. A
#3003-1963 JEEP FJ-6A Fleetvan. VIN:
17460. Red, white, & blue/gray & black
leather. Odo: 14,417 miles. 350-ci supercharged
V8, auto. Good paint and great
chrome to replicate the stock mail Fleetvan
used by the USPS. Also fitted with a supercharged
350 V8 with dual quads. Look
closely and you can see the blower-type
butterfly intake INSIDE THE CAB and the
huge exhaust dumps by the rear wheelwell.
Cond: 1-.
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Page 78
LEAKE // Dallas, TX
Leake — Dallas 2013
POSSIBLY THE MOST WELL-BOUGHT CAR WAS THE “WEST VIRGINIA HEMI”—
A 1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA FACTORY DRAGSTER THAT SOLD FOR $116K
Report and photos
by Cody Tayloe
Market opinions in italics
W
ith more than four decades
of experience, Leake knows
a thing or two about how to
work a crowd. As a wintry
front arrived in the area in
late November, the spectators and participants
flooded the Dallas Market Hall. Once
inside the front doors, attendees stepped
directly into the action of the auction block,
with most consignments on display behind
the stage and in the adjoining hall.
Premium offerings are scattered around
the block on display. Leake runs two lanes
simultaneously on most days, which keeps
the energy up, and both auctioneers do a good
job promoting the cars and spending time to
work the crowd for top dollar.
And with two lanes, Leake moves a lot
Leake Auction Company
Dallas, TX
November 22–24, 2013
Auctioneers: Jim Richie, Tony Langdon,
Bob Ehlert, Brian Marshall
Automotive lots sold/offered: 365/588
Sales rate: 62%
Sales total: $9,434,370
high American sale: 2006 Ford GT, sold at
$217,800
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold
prices
1968 plymouth Barracuda “West Virginia hemi” drag car, sold at $115,500
of cars in a shorter amount of time. In total,
588 lots were offered over the course of three
days. The sell-through rate was 62%, with
total sales of $9.4m.
The top sellers included a 2006 Ford GT
in Tungsten Gray, which sold for $218k, a
1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham for $193k,
and a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro for $112k.
Notable no-sales included a well-documented
Candy Apple Red 1969 Boss 429 with a fair
offer of $230,000, and a 1967 Shelby GT500
bid up to $143k.
Possibly the most well-bought car was a
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi factory-built
drag car — the last one of 55 made and with
lengthy race history. Previously known as the
“West Virginia Hemi,” the car was originally
raced by Eddie Smith and won several Super
Stock Hemi shootouts over its active career.
With unconfirmed speculation of a former
$225k asking price, the seller turned down
a bid of $190k at Leake’s Dallas auction just
last year. This go-round it sold for $116k —
quite a bargain.
While the threat of severe winter weather
may have kept some away, the pre-event
promotion and presence of the newly famous
Richard Rawlings — the big personality
behind Gas Monkey Garage and Discovery’s
ratings darling “Fast N’ Loud” — brought
quite a few people to the auction despite the
weather.
In fact, there were automotive reality
stars from two other different cable network
shows here as well: CNBC Prime’s “The Car
Chasers,” and Velocity’s “Dallas Car Sharks,”
both of which have home bases in Texas (as
does “Fast N’ Loud”).
Capitalizing on the sizzling Texas car
market, Leake has added a spring auction in
Dallas to its 2014 calendar. The auction house
previously partnered with Dan Kruse Classics
to host a San Antonio auction, but current
market conditions are proving strong enough
to support independent sales. Mecum recently
announced an event in Austin for 2014 to
supplement its current Houston and Dallas
auctions, and Vicari’s Cruisin’ Nocona event
is growing into a two-day sale.
With strong consignments, lots of buyers,
2006 Ford GT, sold at $217,800
80 AmericanCarCollector.com
and plenty of metal changing hands, the
future for Texas looks hot. A
Page 80
LEAKE // Dallas, TX
GM
white/red & cream cloth and vinyl. Odo:
95,588 miles. 350-cc V8, 4-bbl, auto. Recent
paint, chrome and stainless. Respray
is good quality with few issues. Rear window-surround
is pitted. Glass is clear.
Rubber is recent. Factory-correct panel fit.
Interior is clean and recently restored. Plastic
still covers the carpets. Stock-appearing
engine compartment with later 350 SBC.
New exhaust system underneath. Cond: 2+.
#481-1956 CHEVROLET NOMAD
wagon. VIN: VC56N147822. Red &
able smaller rear window, the NAPCO factor
more than makes up for it. Pristine examples
should reach well over $50k, and this
one was not far off. Well bought at a wholesale
price.
#2508-1960 PONTIAC CATALINA convertible.
VIN: 160P47051. Blue/white vinyl/
white vinyl. Odo: 87,465 miles. 389-ci V8,
3x2-bbl, auto. Factory a/c. Power brakes.
Older high-quality restoration. Paint in very
good condition with some minor flaws
throughout. Chrome shiny; early pitting on
door handles. Great panel fit. Slightly discolored
white seats. Dash brightwork is minimally
dull. Engine shows use and wear but
is very nice overall. Cond: 2.
and a 4-speed is the perfect recipe for a
good time (but the lack of a/c will limit the
fun to the cooler months if the car is to stay
in Texas). A lot of muscle for a relatively
small investment. Well bought.
#445-1972 OLDSMOBILE HURST/OLDS
Pace Car 2-dr hard top. VIN: 3J57U2M204112.
Cameo White & gold/black vinyl. Odo:
60,429 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Hurst
dual-gate shifter. Includes original literature,
dealer info, original spare. Glossy paint but
older with some flaws. Fading decals on the
trunk and hood. Driver’s door tight at front
and shows evidence of rubbing. Glass in
good condition, other than hard-water staining.
Rubber shows early signs of cracking.
Stainless has a few small dings; chrome
lightly pitted in places. Interior is a little tired
with worn seats and carpets. Gauges are
clear. Engine is presentable. A/C has been
upgraded to R-134A. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $50,050. Nomad prices have
been pretty level over the past few years,
and one in this condition is a $60k-plus
vehicle all day long. This was kept mostly
stock, down to the single master cylinder.
Subtle upgrades included the 350 V8 and
vintage-appearing modern radio. Despite
being the only example of this desirable
model in the auction, the bidder got lucky.
Very well bought.
K3A59F103646. Blue & white/gray vinyl.
Odo: 92,687 miles. 235-ci I6, 1-bbl, 4-sp.
Frame-off restoration completed in 2013.
Fresh paint with some chipping on driver’s
door at front fender. Passenger’s door out
at beltline. Light scratches on rear bumper.
Missing wiper arm on passenger’s side.
Rubber recently replaced. Chrome and trim
appear new. Small pockets of windshield
delamination. Tidy interior shows little wear.
Clear gauges. Clean engine compartment.
Cond: 1-.
#492-1959 CHEVROLET 3100
APACHE NAPCO 4x4 pickup. VIN:
SOLD AT $28,050. As with other stablemates
from the Ed Ewing Collection, interested
parties could bid with confidence
knowing that these cars were well cared for.
This well-optioned Catalina was no exception.
Showing signs of careful post-restoration
use and enjoyment, there is still a lot of
life left in this car. Pristine examples will
cost you more than double what this one
sold for, and this one is not too far away
from excellent. Well bought.
#2544-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 136370B161632. Blue &
white/black vinyl. Odo: 8,181 miles. 454-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Recent restoration. Paint is
glossy and fresh with a few prep issues,
such as mask lines in the door sills, a few
areas with trash in the paint, and small fisheyes
here and there. Small air bubbles in
vinyl stripes. Worn areas and smudging on
stainless. Lightly pitted chrome. Rear window
has light scratches. Hard-water stains
on glass. Dry rubber on driver’s door vent
window. Trunk lid slightly high, otherwise
good panel fit. Fresh interior; light fading on
gauges. Tidy engine. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $35,200. One of the more runof-the-mill
configurations, as a non-sunroof
hard top, and not equipped with the highperformance
W-30 package. Obviously the
convertibles and W-30-optioned cars can
command much higher prices. While not a
bargain, the price paid seemed about right,
allowing the new owner to get into a bona
fide Hurst/Olds Pace Car for little more than
a standard 442.
#2503-1987 BUICK GNX coupe. VIN:
1G4GJ1179HP446465. Black/black & gray
cloth. Odo: 8,083 miles. 3.8-L turbocharged
V6, auto. Original window sticker, GNX
jacket, manuals and records included. Photographs
of dealership delivery from 1987.
Like-new, low-mileage, pampered original
with factory paint. Small area on hood
where paint is starting to fail. Minor delamination
on windshield. Factory-correct panel
fit. Blacked-out trim in good condition. Seats
and interior show little wear. Engine compartment
highly detailed and all original.
One of only 547 built. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $36,575. The NAPCO 4x4 setup
was a factory option until GM redesigned
their front suspension in 1960. The premium
paid then translates into collectible value
today. Although this one had the less-desir-
82 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $33,550. Not an LS6 or anything
spectacular, but a nicely restored example
that isn’t too nice to drive. Big-block power
BEST
BUY
BEST
BUY
Page 82
LEAKE // Dallas, TX
SOLD AT $69,300. Someone had the premonition
to preserve this one from the beginning,
going so far as photographing the
dealership delivery. Unfortunately, many
others had “instant collectible” ambitions,
too. Sure, there are probably one or two
tucked away somewhere with no miles and
factory plastic on the seats—but they don’t
get much better than this, condition-wise.
Well bought, slightly under the market.
#1143-2001 PONTIAC AZTEK SUV. VIN:
3G7DA03E41S500001. Black/gray cloth.
Odo: 7,751 miles. 3.4-L fuel-injected V6,
auto. The first production Aztek. Originally
from the GM Collection. Factory-fresh appearance.
Lustrous paint. Some discoloration
on acres of exterior plastic. Deep
tread on dry original tires. Rubber seals in
good condition. Glass is near perfect. Handling
wear on interior driver’s door pull. Driver’s
position carpets slightly worn. Cloth
interior otherwise clean. Cond: 2+.
only minor scratches. Panel fit is factorycorrect.
Interior seats, carpet and console
show little use. Factory Wonderbar radio
and optional clock. Restored engine showing
some age but still well above average.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $82,500. Offered at
Auction America’s Fall Auburn sale earlier
this year, it did not sell with a top offer of
$80k. A hammer price of $5k less was accepted
here, confirming the value for a second
time. For the NCRS-recognized quality,
this one seems like a good deal.
#476-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194675S114997. Black/black
vinyl/red leather. Odo: 36,419 miles. 5.7-L
fuel-injected V8, auto. Recent build only a
few years old. Modern LS1 engine; 5-speed
auto. Deep black paint looks good overall
with a few touch-ups here and there. Driver’s
door out slightly at bottom rear. Stainless
has some rubs and dull spots.
One-inch tear in top above driver’s door.
Tidy interior. Tach resting in incorrect “off”
position. Steering wheel seems oddly small.
Engine bay is nicely detailed. Cond: 2.
here and there. Small area of delamination
on windshield at driver’s position. Consignor
says new interior but carpets are dirty and
show age. Good seats in above-average
condition. Worn horn ring. Mostly original
engine with dress-up pieces. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $61,600. E-codes have been
teetering over the century mark for the past
couple of years—territory once reserved
exclusively for the supercharged F-code.
This one has $100k potential without dumping
a lot of money into it. Even as it sits, this
Baby Bird is a $70k-plus car all day long.
Very well bought.
#2444-1963 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
convertible limousine. VIN: 3Y82N413762.
Blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 13,441 miles.
430-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Actual movie car
used in “Parkland” and “Killing Kennedy.”
Custom built from two Continental donor
sedans. Older build with thick paint and
flaws throughout. Drying rubber. Filler on
driver’s rear door. Trim is scratched and
worn. Decent panel fit considering the fabrication
going into the build and weight of the
doors, etc. Carpets are decent and seats
are average. Dash is unrestored and worn.
Piecemeal interior trim is poor. Engine is
weathered and showing age. Cond: 4+.
NOT SOLD AT $4,200. Few cars are as fun
to hate as the Aztek, which could make this
historically significant example a worthwhile
museum piece in a few decades—note that
GM doesn’t want to keep the first one they
built. “Breaking Bad” even featured the
Aztek as a symbol of all the pitiful lameness
of Walter White’s “straight” life. A recent
Web search shows a Texas dealer asking
roughly $17k for this car. Market-correct
offer today.
CORVETTE
#2512-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 10867S103188. Red &
white/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 85,846
miles. 283-ci 275-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp.
Three-time NCRS Top Flight winner. Factory
fuel injection. Older frame-off restoration
in excellent condition. Only notable
paint flaws are light scratches in clearcoat.
Chrome in superior condition again with
SOLD AT $79,200. A clean resto-mod with
factory exterior appearance, except for
larger-diameter wheels. A glance under the
hood reveals a modern powerplant that
looks at home. The consignor said he had
$160k in build costs, and the result was
quite nice without being too in-your-face.
Well bought at a market-correct price.
FOMOCO
#534-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD E-code
convertible. VIN: E7FH240214. Bronze/
white vinyl/brown leather. Odo: 11,522
miles. 312-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Rare E-code
with optional a/c, power steering, power
brakes. Port-hole hard top, soft top, and
tonneau included. Repaint in 2003 in factory-correct
color with touch-ups and a few
fisheyes. Few dull areas on chrome
SOLD AT $27,500. The right car for a history
buff or movie-car collector. Aside from
the condition of the paint, trim, glass and
such, the quality of the fabrication is pretty
good. Market-correct for a one-off.
#2447-1966 FORD MUSTANG convertible.
VIN: 6R08C112241. Gold/black vinyl/
tan vinyl. Odo: 36,017 miles. 289-ci V8,
2-bbl, auto. Said to be all-original with a
new top. Factory a/c. Original paint is very
dull and stressed. Stainless is lackluster. If
bumpers are indeed original, then they are
in very good condition. Trunk rubs when
opened. Interior tired. Seats worn and
stained from years of use. Steering wheel
84 AmericanCarCollector.com
Page 84
LEAKE // Dallas, TX
has hairline cracks throughout but is not
separating. Engine compartment is dirty.
Paint chipping from the valve covers.
Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $15,730. Although
said to be all original, there was no mention
of documentation or limited ownership history
that might help strengthen its value.
Judging from the condition, especially the
interior, it is likely that the clock has surpassed
the century mark a time or two.
Adorned with a “Mecum” license-plate tag
on the front, although I could find no history
of this car crossing the block previously.
Originality did not demand a premium here,
and the car was well bought just under current
value.
#2515-1969 SHELBY GT500 fastback.
VIN: 9F02R482383. White/black vinyl. Odo:
309 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Factory
air and power brakes. Older high-quality
restoration with little use. Some minor paint
flaws and cracks beginning to show. Panels
line up well. Light scratches on rear glass.
Good chrome with no wear. Tear in driver’s
door armrest. Wear on console at common
touch points. Restored engine is tidy and
clean. Includes restoration album and copies
of original invoice and Shelby American
order sheet. Cond: 2-.
nicely restored. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $67,100. A freshly restored lowmileage
California car, which begs the
question, what was the pre-restoration
condition? Maybe this was not its first
restoration, but I wonder if the recent restoration
helped the value at all, unless this
one was pretty poor going into it. At the end
of the day, the price was low for such a desirable
car. Well bought.
MOPAR
#2431-1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA
“West Virginia Hemi” drag car. VIN:
B029M8B390378. White & red/white vinyl.
426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Last of 55 factory
racers. Never-ending list of performance
enhancements and modifications. Highquality
restoration. Passenger’s door out
slightly. Glass, rubber and chrome are all
restored. Driver’s seat shows wear. Engine
rebuilt by famed NHRA drag racer Jim Hale.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $69,300. The Dart GTS was built
for the drag strip. One of about 650 1968–
69 Dart GTS 440s built, and of an estimated
30–40 thought to still exist. When new, a
383 Dart would be shipped from the factory
separate from its numbers-matching 440, to
be mated together by an aftermarket company
and reinspected by Dodge engineers.
There was no factory warranty, and these
were built primarily for drag racing, as this
much power in a Dart chassis was only
good for straight-line performance. This was
a bargain.
AMERICANA
#455-1941 WILLYS AMERICAR 441
coupe. VIN: W278233. Rio Red/tan leather.
miles. Very little left original. High-quality
deep red paint. Excellent panel fit. Glass
and rubber appear new. Custom full interior.
Over-the-top chrome engine. Tidy undercarriage.
Mustang front end. Brushed aluminum
mirrors and wiper arms appear out of
place with all the chrome. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $107,800. Recently offered at
Auction’s America’s 2013 Fall Auburn event,
where it no-saled at $90k. The red-hot
Shelby market of a few years ago has
cooled off but seems to be heating up once
again. Now could be the time to buy. This
was a fair deal here but will likely look like a
bargain in years to come.
#470-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 302
fastback. VIN: 0F02G119233. Medium
Red/black vinyl. Odo: 33,454 miles. 302-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Believed to be actual mileage,
but no proof. Original build sheet. Marti
Report. Fresh quality restoration. Small
paint run on front of hood. Slight pitting on
driver’s rear quarter-window surround.
Other brightwork good overall. Windshield
shows period-correct stickers from various
events. Slight scratches in glass. Good
panel fit. New interior. No wear on threshold
at driver’s door. Clean, detailed engine recently
rebuilt. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $115,500. Gained notoriety as
the “West Virginia Hemi,” raced by Eddie
Smith. Said to be authentic, although some
thought the paint scheme looked more ’80s
than ’60s or ’70s. This car did not sell last
year at Leake’s Dallas auction at a high bid
of $190k, which we thought was light (ACC#
214474). Very well bought.
#457-1969 DODGE DART GTS 2-dr hard
top. VIN: LS23M9B300686. Blue/black vinyl.
Odo: 58,462 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. True factory M-code GTS. Correct
stampings and markings. Recent restoration.
Replated chrome. Clear glass with no
apparent scratches or streaking. Correct
panel fit. Reupholstered seats in correct
pattern show little wear. Detailed engine
NOT SOLD AT $45,000. This same car
failed to sell at Kruse’s Chicago auction in
2005 (ACC# 37636) for $60,000. While the
collector market has changed since we last
saw this one, the build cost certainly exceeded
the high bid here. Willys hot rods
have a loyal following, but the modern
touches on this one may turn off purists
looking for the old-gasser or vintage-dragster
vibe. Although it is almost impossible to
recoup the cost invested in the build, the
bidding fell short of comparable sales. A
86 AmericanCarCollector.com
Page 86
RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
Russo and Steele — Scottsdale 2014
RUSSO CONSIGNED AND SOLD MORE CARS THAN EVER,
AND THEIR OVERALL TOTAL SURPASSED $21M
Report and photos
by Joseph Seminetta
Market opinions in italics
A
t Russo and Steele’s latest
Scottsdale sale, the auction
house proved once again that it
has what it takes to attract new
segments of buyers while still
pleasing its middle-market faithful. While
still sporting their trademark auction-ring
theatrics and state-fair-style food vendors,
Russo has also upgraded their amenities
to include valet parking, expanded bidder
amenities and a more sophisticated beverage
service for all attendees. Will there be sushi
and champagne in 2015?
Russo and Steele
Scottsdale, AZ
January 15–19, 2014
Auctioneers: Jeff Stokes, Dan Schorno,
Rob Row, Frank Bizzarro
Automotive lots sold/offered: 484/735
Sales rate: 66%
Sales total: $21,178,532
high American sale: 1963 Pontiac LeMans
Super Duty Lightweight, sold at $335,630
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold
prices
1965 McKee Mk IV Can-Am sports racer, sold post-block at $260,000
Lookers and bidders were out in full
force, as Russo reported attendance up 35%
over last year. To my eyes, the quality of the
average Russo car has increased over the
past several years. Parked between the highvolume
muscle are an increasing number of
rare collectibles and exotic supercars. The
tents were filled with something for everybody,
from average drivers to award-winning
show cars.
Notable American sales included the
highly anticipated 1963 Pontiac Tempest
LeMans Super Duty drag racing car, which
set the market at $336k and was the biggest
American sale of the day. A 1971 Dodge
Hemi Challenger followed at a strong $317k.
The 1965 McKee Mk IV sports racer reached
a no-sale high bid of $220k but sold postblock
for $260k, including commission.
This was Russo’s biggest Scottsdale sale
to date, with more cars consigned and sold
than ever (484 out of 735), and their strongest
sales rate (66%) since 2007. The overall total
surpassed $21m for the first time. Compared
with last year’s $17.8m, the final figure represents
growth of nearly 20%.
While Russo’s average price per car of
Samples of American iron waiting to take their turn at the auction-in-the-round
88 AmericanCarCollector.com
$43k was lower than Arizona auction week’s
overall average of $106k, Russo’s 20% sales
growth beat the week’s cumulative 12%
growth by a wide margin. These numbers
show that the collector-car market is hot, not
just at the top end of the market, but at every
level.A
Page 88
RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
CLASSICS
#S692-1933 AUBURN 8-105 Boattail
Speedster. VIN: GC1607. Periwinkle
Blue/white leather. Odo: 3,995 miles. “Original
body restyled from the cowl on back by
Glenn Pray.” Vacuum 2-speed rear axle.
Wooden-spoked artillery wheels. Bijur central
lubrication system. A very attractive
color but with excessive orange peel on the
front fenders. Some rubber deteriorating.
Cond: 2.
gaps. Tidy interior with attractive houndstooth
seats. Protect-O-Plate. Detailed undercarriage.
Cond: 2.
#TH307-1972 OLDSMOBILE HURST/
OLDS Indy Pace Car 2-dr hard top. VIN:
3J57U2M196999. Cameo White/tan vinyl
1/2 top/black vinyl. Odo: 568 miles. 455-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Said to be one of 220 nonsunroof
hard-top cars. With 8-track and a/c.
Bizarre, incorrect, poorly executed vinyl top
added. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $32,030. Inconsistent chrome
and aftermarket exhaust held this car back
from a higher sales price—a good example
of how to get a lot of car for the money. Well
bought.
NOT SOLD AT $92,500. The owner was
very enthusiastic about his car, answering
questions for several days. The car nosaled
at $76k at Worldwide in 2009 (ACC#
142488), and then sold for $95k at Russo
and Steele’s 2010 Scottsdale sale (ACC#
159083), which suggests that this offer may
be correct for the market.
GM
#TH353-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr
hard top. VIN: AB457513. Red & white/red
& black leather. Odo: 6,149 miles. 454-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Originally a Canadian-spec
car, now highly customized with a Camaro
Z/28 subframe and newly rebuilt custom
engine with forged nitrided steel crank,
roller rockers, Edelbrock aluminum intake
and jet-coated headers. Power steering and
brakes. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $50,700. Price paid was fair
given the overall condition and period
upgrades. Well bought and sold.
#S689-1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 W-30 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 344870M236136. Rally Red/
black vinyl. Odo: 90,544 miles. 455-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. 20-year-old frame-off restoration
with a recent refresh. 8-track. Original
window sticker and warranty card. Correct
W-30 fiberglass hood with distinctive air
intakes. This example has been featured in
Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine and
has been successful on the show circuit.
Cond: 2.
#TH316-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO
coupe. VIN: 123379L522448. Dusk Blue/
blue vinyl. Odo: 282 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Dealer conversion. L88 engine, M22
“Rock Crusher” 4-speed, HD 12-bolt Posi
rear end, 4.10 gears. Older restoration
showing normal wear. Nice brightwork.
Some panel waves in paint. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $28,730. In 1972 it was Hurst
Performance and not Oldsmobile who
developed the Hurst Pace Car. (Due to a
Dodge pace car accident in 1971, no manufacturer
wanted the 1972 sponsorship.) A
desirable model in average condition. The
roof issue caused a lot of questioning faces
during the preview and likely held back the
bidding.
CORVETTE
#S753-1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. VIN: E53F001273. Polo White/
black cloth/red leather. Odo: 29 miles. 235ci
150-hp I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. The 273rd Corvette
produced. Authentically restored some
years ago, still presents nicely, some paint
wear. Strong chrome and excellent panel
gaps. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $47,430. Some paint imperfections,
but generally a nicely finished custom.
Beautifully detailed engine bay. Excellent
brightwork. Well bought.
#F412-1968 CHEVROLET CAMARO
coupe. VIN: 124378L316953. Tuxedo
Black/houndstooth. Odo: 64,875 miles. 327ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Los Angeles-built Camaro
with recently rebuilt L30 327/275 motor.
Very straight, original panels with correct
90 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $121,130. Older restorations
show the quality of their work when they
stand the test of time. This car looked as if it
had been restored in the past five years.
This was huge money for a W-30 coupe,
however. Well sold.
NOT SOLD AT $205,000. Previously nosaled
at $170k at Worldwide’s 2011 Auburn
sale (ACC# 184432). Hand-built in relatively
low volumes, early C1s were crude, roughriding
(solid-axle) cars that did not sell
quickly when new, but the are now coveted
by collectors for their historical significance
and icon status. Prices have been firming
for these, but the seller should have accepted
the high bid in today’s market.
#S706-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 20867S107889. Fawn
Beige/beige/fawn leather. Odo: 53,910
miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp.
California black-plate car with high-quality
paint and chrome. Incorrect carpet and front
speakers. Wonderbar. 4.11 Posi. Reworked
fuel injection. Previous NCRS Top Flight
Page 90
RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
winner. Matching numbers. Cond: 2-.
Bonhams’ 2009 Greenwich sale (ACC#
120802). Price paid shows that the right car
with the right documentation still commands
a strong price.
SOLD AT $79,300. Previously an $80k nosale
when offered at Mecum Indy in May
2013 (ACC# 223050). Concours-condition
327 Fuelies can bring $150k-plus. This was
an average car with only minor issues that
should bring years of enjoyment. Well
bought.
#S703-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 30837S114850. Black/black
vinyl. Odo: 39,226 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuelinjected
V8, 4-sp. Two-year, 2,000-hour,
frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration in 2009.
Correct date codes for engine and transmission.
NCRS Top Flight 98.9/100. Excellent
paint and chrome. Correct tar-top battery.
Correct bolts and ignition shielding.
Cond: 2+.
#F554-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 194677S117861. Rally
Red/black vinyl/red leather. Odo: 24,412
miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Originally a
427/435 car, now fitted with NOM 454.
Nicely optioned with Posi, power steering
and brakes, sidepipes and auxiliary hard
top. Reproduction bolt-on aluminum wheels.
High-quality paint and chrome. Nicely
presented interior including restored instrument
cluster. Cond: 2.
NOT SOLD AT $82,500. It is always difficult
to value highly modified customs. This car
oozed quality, but not enough bidders liked
the modification to hit the seller’s reserve.
According to the ACC Premium Auction
Database, the car sold for $130k at Russo’s
Newport Beach sale in June 2013 (ACC#
225746), which helps explain why the seller
is holding out for more.
SOLD AT $63,930. This is a lot of Corvette
for the money, due to the NOM motor. Drive
it like you stole it, because you practically
did at the final bid price. Well bought.
SOLD AT $132,100. It was difficult to fault
this car. Split-Window coupes offer dramatic
styling with coupe rigidity and continue to
bring big money (Fuelies in particular). Well
bought and sold.
#S758-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 194676S120140. Nassau
Blue/white vinyl/white leather. Odo: 32,439
miles. 427-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Multiple-show-winning
Corvette with Top Flight,
Bloomington Gold, and Gold Spinner certifications
earned in 2011. Highly optioned L72
with Posi, power steering and brakes, teak
steering wheel. Complete ownership history,
warranty book, Protect-O-Plate. Excellent
paint, interior and chrome, only showing
minor signs of wear. Correct and tidy details
throughout. This car could be driven or successfully
shown for many years. Cond: 2.
#S734-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 194671S112263. Red/red
vinyl. Odo: 55,602 454-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. A very collectible, rare (one of 12
known to still exist, apparently), well documented,
matching-numbers LS6. Body-off
restoration by NCRS Master Judge. Triple
Crown winner (NCRS Top Flight, Bloomington
Gold, and Gold Spinner). Exceptional
paint and interior. Only minor and even
signs of use. Cond: 1-.
#TH243-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: D7FH157127. Goldenrod
Yellow/black cloth/tan leather. Odo: 97,200
miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Pitted chrome.
Scratched paint. Whitewalls. Worn interior.
Poor door fit on both sides. Hard-top color is
several shades lighter than rest of car.
Cond: 3.
Vintage Air. ’41 Ford dash, ’37 Ford taillights,
Mustang II front end. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $32,305. A driver-level car sold
for not much money. A good buy if the new
owner does not feel compelled to ever restore
it. Well bought and sold.
NOT SOLD AT $227,500. I am surprised
that the bidding stalled at this level. It was a
prime-time slot and the right venue. The
auctioneer started taking smaller increases,
leading me to believe the high bid was close
to the reserve. The seller was right to hold
out for more money.
FOMOCO
SOLD AT $165,130. Last sold for $111k at
92 AmericanCarCollector.com
#S699-1948 FORD DELUXE woodie
wagon. VIN: 899A2352886. Black & wood/
black Haartz cloth/chocolate leather. Odo:
1,742 miles. 1,500 miles since “Teddy Z”
restoration and modification. New GM crate
350 motor. Exceptional wood and paint.
Subtle and attractive interior customization.
#TH357-1965 FORD MUSTANG convertible.
VIN: 5F08D150686. Red/white vinyl/
red vinyl. Odo: 15,989 miles. 289-ci V8,
4-bbl, manual. D-code factory 1964½.
Power top. Original generator (but missing
its cover). Correctly detailed engine bay.
New interior and top. Engine claimed to be
original and recently rebuilt. Missing hood
Page 92
RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
cowling rubber. Reading from paint-thickness
gauge changes like a slot machine
from panel to panel. Passenger’s door is
TSA-friendly (as it would not set off any
metal detector). Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$27,080. Correctly restored, early Mustangs
are selling well. They are fun, simple to fix
and have a fairly robust parts supply. This
car has some nice features, but the obvious
sheet-metal issues made it well sold.
#S715-1968 SHELBY GT500 KR convertible.
VIN: 8T03R203121. Dark green/black
vinyl/black leather. Odo: 48,742 miles. 428ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Said to be one of only
267 4-speed 1968 KR convertibles, which
got bigger brakes, suspension bracing, and
staggered rear shocks. Body-on restoration
by Conover Racing & Restoration. Detailed
engine bay and undercarriage. High-quality
paintwork, but poor trunk fit and inconsistent
brightwork. Elite Marti Report. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $140,130. ’Cudas are starting to
climb again, but the big bids seem to be
chasing 4-speed cars with complete matching
original equipment. This lot was slightly
held back by the non-matching automatic
transmission. (See the profile on p. 54).
SOLD AT $110,100. A very nice car with
only minor changes needed to hit the show
circuit. There was no shortage of ’68
Shelbys for sale in Arizona this weekend.
The best are bringing six figures, and this
one deserved it. Well bought.
MOPAR
#F560-1970 DODGE CHALLENGER T/A
2-dr hard top. VIN: JH23J0B296413. Red
& black/red vinyl. Odo: 85,692 miles. 340V8,
3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Beautiful paint on a rotisserie
restoration. Tidy engine bay. Excellent
panel gaps. Claimed to be one of seven
red/red 4-speed cars made. Trophy-winning
car featured in numerous car magazines.
Cond: 2+.
AMERICANA
10
white/black racing bucket. Mid-engine, tubeframe
Hemi racer. Retired from racing in
1969, and sat for 35 years before an extensive
restoration in 2004. Following a NASCAR
ban on Hemi-powered cars in 1965,
the McKee was developed for the sports
racing series of the day. Very enthusiastic
owner has raced the car at Goodwood, Laguna
Seca and Road America. Cond: 2+.
#S738-1965 MCKEE MK IV Can
Am racer. VIN: MKIV. Blue &
#S716-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA
2-dr hard top. VIN: BS23R0B184339. Tor
Red/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 79,362
miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. One of only
652 Hemi ’Cudas for 1970. Authenticated
and documented by Galen Govier. Matching
engine but non-original A-727 transmission.
Nicely optioned (with black stripes, Music
Master Radio, and Rallye instruments) and
well restored. Cond: 2.
NOT SOLD AT $57,500. This car never
looked this good in the showroom in 1970.
High bid was just over the low side of the
ACC Price Guide range. The seller was
smart to hold out for more, given the excellent
condition.
94 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $260,000. Richard Petty was
slotted to drive the McKee, but the constructor
could not finish the car in time for the
Can-Am season, so Petty drag-raced that
year and returned to NASCAR in 1966. This
is a significant car because of the racing
politics of the day. The new owner will be
welcome at vintage-racing venues around
the planet. A
TOP 10
Page 94
SILVER AUCTIONS // Fort McDowell, AZ
Silver Auctions — Fort McDowell
A 1963 CHEVY IMPALA WITH WINDOW STICKER CONFIRMING ITS
ORIGINAL 425-HORSE 409 SOLD FOR A VERY REASONABLE $70K
Report and photos
by B. Mitchell Carlson
Market opinions in italics
S
ilver Auctions continued the tradition
of being a successful part of
the Scottsdale-area auction scene in
January. Their 17th annual sale was
once again held on the grounds of
the Fort McDowell Casino near the town of
Fountain Hills.
The auction takes place on the two busiest
days of auction week — Friday and Saturday
— and to get there, it’s a half-hour drive from
most of the other auctions taking place. But
crowds were nonetheless heavy on both days.
Silver Auctions
Fort McDowell, AZ
January 17–18, 2014
Auctioneers: Mitch Silver, Bob Graham,
Matt Backs
Automotive lots sold/offered: 191/328
Sales rate: 58%
Sales total: $3,312,630
high American sale: 1948 Cadillac Series
62 convertible, sold at $75,600
Buyer’s premium: 8%, included in sold
prices
A factory 409 1963 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hard top sold at $69,660
Continuing the same two-day auction for-
mat, Silver pretty much held the course compared
with last year. With 23 fewer cars and
22 fewer sales, one might assume that overall
sales would be down. However, the total take
was $302k stronger, generally indicating that
the cars were bringing more money.
While a 1972 Jaguar E-type convertible
was the top sale of the weekend, American
cars otherwise dominated the top 10 sales.
Next highest was a 1948 Cadillac Series 62
convertible, selling for $76k. Caddys proved
to be popular out here, with a full 13 cars
changing hands.
Traditional muscle cars were less well
represented, and Mopars were in especially
short supply. The best-selling performance
car from the Muscle Era was an immaculate
1963 Chevy Impala two-door hard top. With
well-documented provenance since it was
ordered new, the 425-horse 409-powered
Beach Boys dream car sold for a very reasonable
$70k. Between this and the ’48 Cadillac
were a 2009 Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe
selling for $71k and a 345-hp 1958 Chevrolet
Corvette at $70k.
Rounding out the top 10 were post-war
cruisers. Given that fact and the number of
Cadillacs on offer, I came away with the
impression that for these aging collectors, a
comfy ride is simply more appealing than a
mean muscle machine.
Silver’s Fort McDowell auction has always
pickups are still a key feature at any auction, and Silver Auctions is no exception
96 AmericanCarCollector.com
been an affordable alternative to some of the
other high-end auctions taking place in the
Valley of the Sun in January, and this year’s
event didn’t disappoint. A
Page 96
SILVER AUCTIONS // Fort McDowell, AZ
GM
#280-1947 OLDSMOBILE SPECIAL
woodie wagon. VIN: 66140532. Light beige
& wood/black leatherette/brown vinyl. Odo:
45,302 miles. 238-ci I6, 1-bbl, auto. Cosmetic
redo and mechanical tending-to within
past 10 years. Better-quality repaint. Wood
shows some joint separation and is due for
revarnishing. Cheesy plastic turn signals
front and rear. Bumpers replated, but
Oldsmobile inset lettering not repainted.
Period-accessory rocket hood ornament,
with red plastic fins, in good shape. Interior
wood still in very good condition. Reupholstered
seats, with modern seatbelts up
front. Cond: 3.
nance, perhaps the deal of the weekend.
#316-1958 PONTIAC SUPER CHIEF 2-dr
hard top. VIN: C858H3143. White & red/red
& black nylon & white vinyl. Odo: 4,789
miles. 370-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Pop-riveted
s/n tag. Optional Tri-Power induction. Good
older repaint with masking lines; few body
joint cracks starting to show. Hood sits
slightly high at cowl. Most of the larger
chrome has been replated. Solid door fit.
Noticeable interior fading. Repainted dashboard
and newer carpeting. Older light
detailing under the hood is now dusty.
Cond: 3+.
#91-1962 GMC K1000 Custom 4x4 Suburban.
VIN: K10010J1094A. Two-tone green/
multi-green vinyl. Odo: 59,009 miles. 305-ci
V6, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Generally original aside
from modern steel wheels and radial tires.
Claimed original miles. Wears its original
paint, including the vestiges of the name of
the surveying company in Daly City, CA,
that owned it for most of its existence.
Heavier surface rust on upper surfaces and
a plethora of dents and dings throughout.
Original chrome still has a lot of its brilliance.
Excellent original three-row seats,
although the last row is just lying folded up
in the back. Heavy steering-wheel wear;
pedal pads are gone. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $59,400. Last seen at Mecum’s
2013 Monterey auction, then declared sold
for $54k (ACC# 227427). Considering that
diddly squat was done to the car in six
months (apart from shipping it here), it sold
rather well.
gray cloth & vinyl. Odo: 83,006 miles. 268-ci
I8, 2-bbl, auto. California black-plate car,
with a stack of registration cards going back
at least 40 years, all around the Stockton
area. Scruffy old repaint. Dull original
brightwork. Broken antenna mast. Original
upholstery, although it’s pretty rough up
front and covered by a Mexican blanket.
Heavier water staining on the headliner.
Older bias-ply wide whites. Old engine
repaint, with barely-keep-it-running maintenance
components. It must work, as the car
runs out well. Cond: 4.
#70-1954 PONTIAC CHIEFTAIN Eight
2-dr sedan. VIN: P8ZH53041. White/
SOLD AT $32,400. In 1958, for the first
time, any Pontiac could be ordered with
either Tri-Power or fuel injection. Initially ran
on Friday as Lot 124, leaving the block as a
no-sale at $28k. Ran again on Saturday as
Lot 316, doing just enough better to reach
the $30k reserve that was mentioned on
Friday.
#257-1961 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 11837S247260. Ermine
White & red/red & white vinyl. Odo: 52,257
miles. 283-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Has a couple
of years on a restoration, but not to showstandards.
Good paint, with correct red
primer on undercarriage. Replated major
brightwork plus dealer-accessory fender
ornaments, dual rear antenna, and doorhandle
paint guards added during the restoration.
Poorly reglued door seals coming
loose. Fully restored interior shows minimal
wear. Very tidy engine bay. Converted from
a generator to a one-wire GM alternator;
modern belts, hoses, lamps. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $10,368. Initially offered as Lot
91, a $9,250 no-sale late on Friday evening.
Offered again the next night as Lot 334,
where it sold. When I showed it to Auctions
Editor Tony Piff, I nearly had to set out drool
pans to protect the truck, as this was easily
his favorite vehicle of the auction—of the
entire Arizona auction week, in fact. I rather
liked it too, for its unassuming originality
(even if there are some rust issues to keep
in check). Well bought and sold.
#293-1963 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 31847F305172. Red/red
vinyl. Odo: 14,824 miles. 409-ci V8, 2x4-bbl,
4-sp. Retains most of the original documentation.
Original window sticker, equipped
with optional 425-hp 409 and 4-speed.
Stated to be all original aside from a repaint
and consumables. Also claimed to retain
original finishes under the hood, but has
been cleaned and detailed to a limited extent.
Mostly original interior in excellent condition.
Light steering wheel wear and aging.
Mostly glossy black painted undercarriage,
with light detailing. Runs well enough, but a
bit rich. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $3,780. Pontiac and Packard
were the last two holdouts offering inline
eights in ’54. Not only would it be the final
year for both, but both were also flatheads,
as Buick was the last OHV inline eight in
’53. Sure, this example is a bit rough-andtumble,
but so am I most of the time, so I
rather liked this. It’s also far and between
that you’ll see the base-line Poncho of this
era with the eight, since it was optional in
the bare-bones Chieftain. Bought very well,
and especially with its California prove-
98 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $25,380. Somehow, the consignor
got the half-baked idea that only 600
two-door hard-top 1961 Impalas were built.
In fact, the body tag even states that this
was the 25,795th one built at St. Louis
alone—and this was in the fourth week of
June, with about a month left of production.
Not that rare and not all that well screwed
back together, it sold about right. Last seen
here two years ago, then selling for $32k
(ACC# 192424), so they either must have
used it and gotten it out of their system or
just didn’t want to spend any more on it.
SOLD AT $69,660. Mitch Silver claimed
that the car sold in 2010 for $78k. Bidding
started to peter out past $60, but the reserve
was lifted at the end. Not a bad deal
on a verifiable real-deal 425-horse.
BEST
BUY
Page 98
SILVER AUCTIONS // Fort McDowell, AZ
#106-1965 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 237375Z108533. Dark aquamarine/
black vinyl. Odo: 43,928 miles. 389-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed that PHS documentation
proves this to be a real GTO, but said
documentation not presented. Decent repaint
done in recent years. Generally uniform,
wide panel gaps. Older bumper
replate, good original trim. Halogen headlights.
Plus-one-sized TorqThrust wheels on
modern radials. Thrown-together engine
bay. Aftermarket steering wheel and Hurst
shifter. Two-pod aftermarket gauge bracket
beneath the dash, with single temperature
gauge fitted. Reproduction seats and door
panels expertly installed. Cond: 3.
#122-1967 CHEVROLET NOVA 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 115377W159807. Gold & yellow/
black vinyl. Odo: 96,670 miles. 250-ci I6,
1-bbl, auto. Restored in mid-1990s, judged
an AACA National First Place winner at
Hershey in 1999, then Grand National
award winner in 2000. Original invoice confirms
that it was equipped from the factory
as today, with two-tone paint and power
steering. Superb repaint, with trim removed
and reconditioned. Light interior wear and
fading consistent with careful long-term
ownership. Original steel wheels with wheel
covers have given way to reproduction Rallye
wheels on Redline radials. Very well
detailed under the hood. Cond: 2.
ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. NOM MO-code engine
block from a Norwood-built car. Aftermarket
carburetor and valve covers. Stated to have
dealer-installed Stahl headers. Otherwise
clean and tidy under the non-original induction
hood. Early 1968 302 fender emblems
on hood’s power bulge. Good repaint and
striping. Front suspension rides high. Most
brightwork is reproduction or replated.
Driver’s door gaps uneven, passenger’s
side pretty decent. All-reproduction interior
soft trim. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $28,080. While Pontiac did have
an Aquamarine paint in 1965, what’s
sprayed here is a bit dark and has more
green in it. Reserve lifted at $22k, making a
good sale of this driver-grade cruiser.
#116-1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
Malibu convertible. VIN: 136677Z154575.
Madera Maroon/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
48,439 miles. 383-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Rather
throaty exhaust note confirms that grandma’s
283 isn’t under the hood. NOM crate
383 and TH350 automatic, dolled up to look
like the original 210-hp 327. Good body
prep and repaint, although overspray in
places such as the door-lock plungers.
Good panel gaps overall, but not perfect.
Malibu emblem on right rear flank is
crooked. Fitted with SS wheel covers and
radial Redline tires. Could well be the original
top and interior as loosely claimed, even
if the seats look too good to be 47 years
old. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $28,350. It took awhile to get
there, as there was quite a bit of interest in
the car, but the reserve was eventually lifted
at $26k. While it may be very tempting to do
an engine swap such as the Lot 116 Malibu,
leave this one alone (apart from detailing it
back into show condition). This should show
that it doesn’t pay to mess with originality.
#219-1968 CHEVROLET C-10 CST
pickup. VIN: CE148Z162157. Gold & Ivory/
Parchment vinyl. Odo: 20,792 miles. 327-ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Stated to be a generally
original truck, traded in by the original owner
at a local Toyota dealer in October. Buffedout
original paint, which already had heavier
fade and buff-through on the hood. Dull but
generally damage-free alloy trim. Modern
Western-motif seat cover on the somewhat
tired original upholstery. Modern radial tires,
trim rings, and 1970s dog-dish hubcaps on
stock rims. Cleaned-up original engine bay.
With a/c, power steering, power brakes.
Period aftermarket dual rear auxiliary fuel
tanks. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $41,040. Originally a no-sale
across the block at $34k. Stated by Mitch
that it was “on the sheet for $42,000,” but
ended up as a post-block sale for a fair
amount less. And rightfully so for this
collection of Z/28 parts.
CORVETTE
#203-1990 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR-1
coupe. VIN: 1G1YZ23J6L5800813. Polo
Green/tan leather. Odo: 48,964 miles. 350ci
375-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Fitted with
roll bar and fire-suppression equipment as
required to run in the Silver State Classic,
but stated that it never actually competed.
Subdued graphics on rear hatch. Otherwise,
a cared-for original-mile car. Good original
GM paint. Tires almost down to the wear
bars. Cleaned up, generally stock engine
bay. Heaviest interior wear is the usual outboard
driver’s seat side bolsters, with the
power adjustment bezel broken off and
seams just starting to split. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $26,190. Previously no-saled at
Silver’s June 2012 Coeur d’Alene auction at
$34k (ACC# 202122) and at Silver’s August
2012 Carson City sale at $28k (ACC#
213178). Interesting twist to make the 383
look like a bone-stock 283, complete with
stock air cleaner. This time across the
block, the consignor realized that the NOM
status under the hood, while tasteful, isn’t
going to bring any more money, so it got cut
loose, and someone got a decent deal
(assuming he knows what he bought).
100 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $10,584. It makes one wonder,
after keeping this truck for 36 years and
120k miles, what prompted the owner to
trade it in—for a Toyota, no less. I’m actually
more surprised they took it in trade, as
most dealers look at anything over a decade
old as Kryptonite. No-saled at $9,700, but a
deal came together by the end of the day.
At this price, it’s a keeper.
#68-1968 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28
coupe. VIN: 124378L345018. Light green
metallic/black vinyl. Odo: 19,834 miles. 302-
SOLD AT $15,660. The safety equipment
put off a lot of prospective buyers for the
car. Logical, as even a C5 Z06 can run circles
around it. Still, that leaves plenty of
room for those of us who can’t afford a C6
ZR1 and like the mechanical music of the
Oklahoma Ferrari under the hood. The reserve
was off at $14k, generating one more
bid. Bought well, even if $1k in tires is in the
new owner’s future, as this is late-generation
C4 drop-top money.
Page 100
SILVER AUCTIONS // Fort McDowell, AZ
FOMOCO
#463-1932 FORD MODEL 18 highboy.
VIN: 0350151F55F. Maroon/white vinyl/
maroon vinyl with green & red plaid. Odo:
1,227 miles. High-quality build on an allsteel
body. Excellent paint on all components,
including frame, rear suspension,
and motor. Said motor is a Chevy 327,
tricked out like a typical ’60s rod. Super Bell
front axle with Vega steering geometry.
Widened steelies with Mercury hubcaps.
Good but not perfect door and trunk fit. Custom
engine-turned center pod dashboard
with all Stewart Warner gauges. 1940 Ford
steering wheel. Like-new door panels and
seats. Non-original serial number. Cond: 2-.
reverse-slanting rear window, they also introduced
the 368-ci version of the Y-block
V8. There was also a convertible, but it was
strictly an Indy Pace Car edition. Reserve
off at $25k, yielding a pretty decent buy.
#281-1964 FORD GALAXIE 500 4-dr hard
top. VIN: 4P64X174757. White/red vinyl.
Odo: 49,224 miles. 352-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Stated to be an original car with original
miles. Mostly original paint, with some panel
touch-up. Left rear roof pillar contours are
off, scrape on the top of the left rear fender.
Chrome “FORD ROD” spelled out on rear.
Excellent door fit, panel fit okay. Well-preserved
original interior, helped to some extent
by a period clean vinyl front seat cover.
Half-hearted engine detail. Dealer-installed
a/c, but no belt connected to compressor;
dealer-accessory twin rear radio antennas
and stainless steel mud guards. Cond: 3.
#353-1946 INTERNATIONAL K-1 woodie
wagon. VIN: K111573. Green & wood/black
leatherette/brown vinyl. Odo: 72,884 miles.
213-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Montana title issued
on New Hampshire VIN, but frame number
is present—and indicates 1941 production,
being the 11,573rd K-1 built. Restored in
1979, and not professionally then, either.
Paint is presentable. Mostly original wood,
dry-rot at several joints. Somewhat weathered
roof. Missing second-row seating.
School-bus-grade upholstery work with
moderate wear. Dead mouse fell from grimy
undercarriage. Sold with matching
1939-style reproduction wood teardrop
trailer. Cond: 3-.
NOT SOLD AT $52,000. Everyone at ACC
was smitten with this one—including yours
truly. Of all the mods and rods at all of the
venues this week, this was my favorite. It
really looked like it jumped out of a 1965
edition of Hot Rod magazine. I also liked the
fact that it was a clean build and not loaded
up with chrome bits or over-the-top pinstriping.
High bid would be worth serious consideration,
but I can also see why the seller
kept it.
#37-1957 MERCURY TURNPIKE
CRUISER 2-dr hard top. VIN: 165AK57609599.
White & red/white, red & black
vinyl. Odo: 11,887 miles. 368-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Product of Ford of Canada. Older,
better-quality amateur restoration. Rather
good repaint. Doors need an assertive slam
to latch properly, but then have good, even
gaps. Sloppy door-seal glue application.
Rechromed bumpers and polished trim in
recent years. Crazing plastic inserts on
hood and trunk ornaments. Authentically
reupholstered seats show minimal wear or
fading. Light overspray on chassis.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $14,580. I rather liked this car,
but then again I also have a Country Sedan
station wagon that uses this same interior
and is five days younger and built at the
same plant as this one. A lot of other folks
must have liked it also, as it sold well for
having two doors too many for most dealers.
AMERICANA
#85-1940 PACKARD 110 Series 1800 sedan.
VIN: C19718B. Centennial Blue/blue
broadcloth. Odo: 6,434 miles. In recent
years owned by the late Jim Hollingsworth,
author of the definitive book on 1940 Packard
restoration. He restored the car well
enough that it earned a PAC Senior National
award. While generally holding up
well, it is starting to show some wear and
use—most pronounced under the hood.
High-quality repaint is still excellent. Slightly
muted rechrome. Superb door panel, headliner
and seat upholstery work, recently
cleaned and detailed. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $36,180. Ran in line with a high
idle, and then died going off the block. IH
used different vendors for their cataloged
woodie wagons but downplayed them, as
they didn’t want customers to specify a
builder when ordering. Brochures from the
era used generic renderings to blend
builder-specific features. They were all
three-doors, as the fuel filler was located
where the left rear door would’ve gone. This
wasn’t the greatest example ever, but as
cheap as you’ll find for a runner—partly due
to potential title issues.
#83-1978 CHECKER A-11 Marathon replica
sedan. VIN: 274381997F. Red/black
vinyl/black & white Holstein cow hide. Odo:
17,313 miles. 250-ci I6, 2-bbl, auto. Originally
an A-11 Taxi, not an A-12 Marathon,
per the consignor’s description, and confirmed
by the yellow paint visible beneath
the lousy repaint. The pièce de résistance,
however, is the interior, made from the
hides of a small herd of Holsteins. Not
leather—hides with hair. Rear quarter-window
is covered with a vinyl top like a Marathon
on the outside and filled with hides
inside. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $28,890. The Turnpike Cruiser
was introduced mid-1957, in two- and fourdoor
hard-top bodies. In addition to George
Jetson styling touches and the Breezeway
102 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $29,700. Seen right here last
year selling at $30k (ACC# 215079), then at
the spring Branson auction, no-sale at $23k.
The reserve was lifted here at $26k. Once
the pride and joy of late 1940s Packard expert
Jim Hollingsworth, this really deserves
to go to a long-term enthusiast’s collection
rather than bouncing between car flippers.
SOLD AT $6,156. The consignor must not
have had much at stake, as he didn’t milk
the bidding and just let it go to pasture at
$5,100. Someone else’s pasture, that is. A
Page 102
GLOBAL
ROUNDUP
Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report
American highlights
at nine auctions
McCormick’s
palm Springs Collector Car Auctions
palm Springs, CA — november 22–24, 2013
Auctioneer: Frank Bizzarro, Jeff Stokes, Rob
Ross
Automotive lots sold/offered: 370/533
Sales rate: 69%
Sales total: $6,163,585
high sale: 1931 Packard Eight Model 833
convertible, sold at $115,500
Buyer’s premium: 5%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Carl Bomstead
The Branson Auction
Branson, MO — October 18–19, 2013
Auctioneers: Tom “Spanky” Assiter, Wade
Cunningham, Jim Nichols
Automotive lots sold/offered: 103/215
Sales rate: 48%
Sales total: $2,294,852
high sale: 1955 Chevrolet Corvette 265/195
roadster, sold at $98,280
Buyer’s premium: 8%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
RM Auctions
hershey 2013
hershey, pA — October 10–11, 2013
Auctioneer: Max Girardo
Automotive lots sold/offered: 104/115
Sales rate: 90%
Sales total: $9,656,200
high sale: 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial roadster,
sold at $704,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by John Baeke
Auctions America
Fall Carlisle
Carlisle, pA — October 3–4, 2013
Auctioneers: Brent Earlywine, Ben DeBruhl
Automotive lots sold/offered: 147/256
Sales rate: 57%
Sales total: $2,835,103
high sale: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
convertible, sold at $181,500
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Adam Blumenthal
Mecum Auctions
Anaheim 2013
Anaheim, CA — november 21–23, 2013
Auctioneers: Mark Delzell, Jim Landis,
Mike Hagerman, Matt Moravec
Automotive lots sold/offered: 412/785
Sales rate: 52%
104 AmericanCarCollector.com
Sales total: $13,606,424
high sale: 2006 Ford GT, sold at $246,100
Buyer’s premium: 7%, minimum $500, included
in sold prices
Report and photos by Michael Leven
Bonhams
Scottsdale 2014
Scottsdale, AZ — January 16, 2014
Auctioneers: Malcolm Barber, Rupert Banner
Automotive lots sold/offered: 87/101
Sales rate: 86%
Sales total: $23,380,500
high American sale: 1935 Auburn 851
Supercharged Boattail Speedster,
sold at $467,500
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by John L. Stein
Gooding & Company
The Scottsdale Auction
Scottsdale, AZ — January 17–18, 2013
Auctioneer: Charlie Ross
Automotive lots sold/offered: 110/118
Sales rate: 93%
Sales total: $49,461,550
high American sale: 1929 Duesenberg Model J
dual-cowl phaeton, sold at $2,090,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Donald Osborne
RM Auctions
phoenix 2014
phoenix, AZ — January 16–17, 2014
Auctioneer: Max Girardo
Automotive lots sold/offered: 108/126
Sales rate: 86%
Sales total: $45,563,450
high American sale: 1930 Duesenberg Model J
convertible, sold at $2,200,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Carl Bomstead
Mecum Auctions
Kansas City 2013
Kansas City, MO — December 5–7, 2013
Auctioneers: Mark Delzell, Mike Hagerman,
Jim Landis, Matt Moravec, Bobby McGlothlen
Automotive lots sold/offered: 490/725
Sales rate: 68%
Sales total: $11,475,703
high sale: 1931 Cadillac V12 convertible coupe,
sold at $189,000
Buyer’s premium: 7%, $500 minimum, included
in sold prices
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
SOLD AT $341,000. Clearly a no-expensespared
restoration, said to have taken
nearly two decades. The Bearcat was perhaps
akin to the Mustang K-code convert-
SOLD AT $49,500. “Sturdy as an Oak” was
the Oakland slogan of the day, and this car
was worthy of its name. Had it been featured
under bright sun rather than under
shelter away from the rain, with the owner
conducting several more encore performances
of its flawless L-head, I think the
car might have scored even higher bids.
Market-correct. RM Auctions, Hershey,
PA, 10/13.
# 5122. Yellow/ tan fabric/brown leather.
RHD. Odo: 982 miles. Presents as good as
or better than new, with excellent panel
prep and paint. Modern-looking machinestitching
on tonneau. Giant Goodrich 33x5
tires are detailed on outside surfaces but
not inside. Some road grit on steering
knuckles and front leaf springs suggest this
car is a viable runner, confirming catalog
claim. Newer-appearing fuel lines and fittings.
Carefully restored and reasonably
well presented, but detailing stops short of
perfect. Cond: 1-.
8
#200-1920 STUTZ SERIES H
Bearcat roadster. VIN: 5067. Eng.
CLASSICS
#221-1912 OAKLAND MODEL 30 tourer.
VIN: 7500. Green & black/black canvas/
black leather. RHD. So pleasing to the
senses that the few paint chips and cracks
in the leather hardly seem to matter. Seller
on hand provided a nice show as he opened
the hood, filled the fuel cups and fired up
the car. There was little hesitation in the
well-maintained motor, which ran for possibly
10 minutes at RPMs at times surely
close to redline. Cond: 2-.
TOP 10
Page 103
ROUNDUP
GLOBAL
ible of its day, and the chance to acquire an
example this good motivated bidders to surpass
the high estimate by over $91k or
36%. With a diminishing set of interested
and able buyers, the value of such faraway
classics remains guesswork. This one did
great, so congrats to the seller. Bonhams,
Scottsdale, AZ, 01/14.
#9-1928 STUTZ MODEL BB four-passenger
speedster. VIN: BBC4BB270. Eng. #
91470. Green/beige canvas/brown leather.
Odo: 1,973 miles. Very good panel fit. Nice
paint showing a number of small stress
cracks. Very good bright trim. Seats are in
good shape, showing small rubs. Excellent
dashboard and instruments. 1999, 2011
Pebble Beach Concours class wins. Overdrive
fitted for touring. Cond: 2-.
of “assembled” cars in America. None operate
today. Gardner utilized straight-8 power
from E.L. Cord’s Lycoming Co. Exceedingly
few survive, let alone a roadster. Considering
the historical significance, this was well
bought. RM Auctions, Hershey, PA, 10/13.
GM
#54-1938 BUICK SPECIAL 40C phaeton.
VIN: 13290457. Titian Maroon/tan fabric/red
leather. Odo: 37 miles. Fresh restoration
with limited use since completion. Equipped
with the semi-automatic Safety transmission,
which was an $80 option. Found
where stored for over 30 years. Attractive
colors; new top with contrasting piping. New
leather interior. One of but a few surviving
Buicks with semi-automatic transmission.
Cond: 1-.
correcting this car’s cosmetic flaws should
pay off in the end. Seller should be pleased,
and buyer should not fret. RM Auctions,
Hershey, PA, 10/13.
#205-1947 CHEVROLET 3100 DELUXE
pickup. VIN: 6ESK1375. Forester Green/
tan fabric. Odo: 81,596 miles. 235-ci I6,
1-bbl, 3-sp. Five-window 1/2-ton pickup restored
to a very presentable standard. It
features the “Unisteel” styling with stronger
frames and a new interior. Powered by
Thriftmaster six. Dual fog-lights added.
Steering wheel cracked. Converted to 12V.
Whitewalls on a pickup a bit much, however.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $258,500. Previously a no-sale in
1991 at Kruse, Topsfield, MA, at $51k
(ACC# 4785). A great combination of cosmetic
finish and driveability. Interest in Stutz
cars has been steadily rising, with an emphasis
on the sportier varieties. This was a
very good result for a touring car, no doubt
because of its fine restoration and sensible
updates for driving. Market-correct and a lot
of car for the money. Gooding & Co.,
Scottsdale, AZ, 01/14.
#258-1929 GARDNER MODEL 120 roadster.
VIN: GT18913. Tan & beige/beige
canvas/brown leather. Odo: 41,875 miles.
Appears to have been restored in the ‘60s
when beige was all the rage. Has nice Art
Nouveau touches like designs on dash and
even the trunk lining. Amateurish paint
touch-ups abound. Nylon carpet? Engine
painted orange rather than Lycoming Green
(over rust). Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $60,500. The quality of the restoration
deserved a few more dollars, but the
car has limited prospects, as it is not a Full
Classic. Dropping the top is a major project
and requires three men and a child. Well
bought if your have a use for it. RM Auctions,
Phoenix, AZ, 01/14.
#246-1947 BUICK ROADMASTER coupe.
VIN: 14787169. Cream/black canvas/ maroon
leather & cream cloth. Odo: 5,101
miles. 320-ci I8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Top-of-the-line
Roadmaster, bejeweled with cloisonné galore,
Buick coat-of-arms fore and aft, rocket
side lamps and hood ornament, beautiful
copper-tone gauges. But many issues detract:
paint chips, wide gaps, old rubber, dull
chrome, cracked indicator lens, fallen inside
door handle, etc. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$93,500. Buyer possibly overpaid for this
car, but Roadmaster convertibles should
continue to appreciate. Investing in
SOLD AT $24,150. Quality pickups continue
to be popular, and this example sold for the
current market-correct number. Well bought
and well sold, so all should be happy here.
McCormick’s, Palm Springs, CA, 11/13.
#143-1947 CHEVROLET STYLEMASTER
sedan. VIN: 5J13621. Purple/tan velour &
cloth. Odo: 5,014 miles. 350-ci V8, auto.
Powered by late-model 350-ci Chevy engine
and Turbo 400 3-sp auto. Older restoration
holding up nicely. Repainted three years
ago, still smooth and shiny. Bright work
good, with large scuffed area on front bum-
SOLD AT $49,500. Previously no-saled at
an undisclosed high bid at Bonhams Carmel
2011 (ACC# 184571). Prior to 1930, there
were nearly 3,000 different manufacturers
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per, some chips. Two-piece windshield.
Fuel-filler door moved to left side of car.
Spotless interior looks all-new with new
gauge package, tilt wheel, Sony tape deck,
a/c. Tidy engine bay. Front disc brakes,
power steering and brakes. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $15,500. A tastefully done custom
with a mix of old and new that looked
like it was just driven out of the shop. Well
bought. Auctions America, Carlisle, PA,
10/13.
#244-1950 CADILLAC SERIES 62 convertible.
VIN: 506244820. White/black
canvas/red leather. Odo: 27,296 miles. 331ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Recent repaint reportedly
the only thing not original. Some wide gaps,
occasional paint chips and cracks, stainless
with swirls, carpet pulling away, some electrical
wiring fraying. Red leather better than
expected if truly original. Engine bay and
chassis clean and consistent with rest of
unrestored original condition. Cond: 3.
detail to bring it up a notch or two” (ACC#
120021). Clearly, work has been done, but
signs of use offset the effect somewhat.
Skylark prices have covered a wide range
the last few years. The consignor representative
on site was very helpful and spurred
confident bidding and a healthy, but fair,
result. Mecum Auctions, Anaheim, CA,
11/13.
#379-1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO Biarritz
convertible. VIN: 5762002192. Black/
black vinyl/red leather. Odo: 74,528 miles.
365-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Superb restoration
reportedly to original spec. Stunning color
combination. Excellent paint, chrome, glass.
Autronic Eye. Standard power top, windows,
and six-way seat. Factory Sabre-Spoke
wheels. Sumptuous interior. Show-quality
engine compartment. Power steering,
brakes. Cond: 1-.
as they once were. A few years back, this
would have pushed $50k. Extra 4-barrel a
big plus. New owner has a very desirable
driver that will turn a few heads. McCormick’s,
Palm Springs, CA, 11/13.
#413-1957 PONTIAC SAFARI wagon. VIN:
P757H8903. Pink/white leather. Odo: 1,418
miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A Pontiac
wagon that is hard to miss. Powered by
1969 Bonneville V8 with Corvette 4-speed
manual transmission. Has Camaro front clip
with air suspension. Crisp white leather
seating. Vintage Air. Well built once you get
past the color. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $46,200. Can’t help but look at
this as a Mary Kaye promotional car. Price
paid was up there, as the build was well
done. Color, however, is an acquired taste.
Well sold. McCormick’s, Palm Springs,
CA, 11/13.
SOLD AT $126,500. Regarded by some as
Harley Earl’s finest and most understated
design, showing the first generation of Cadillac
fins. Price was way higher than expected,
and difficult to explain based just on
originality and a few accessories. Well sold.
RM Auctions, Hershey, PA, 10/13.
#S115-1954 BUICK SKYLARK convertible.
VIN: A1047340. Metallic burgundy/
white vinyl/red leather. Odo: 65,793 miles.
322-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Very nice older restoration
just starting to lose its edge. Trim and
chrome very good. Paint done prior to 2008
to concours quality, now with miscellaneous
chips from use. One modern headlight, one
T3. White fender wells. Wide whitewalls on
Kelsey-Hayes wires. Red leather somewhat
out of sync with burgundy paint. Very nice
underhood but not detailed. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $139,100. Purchased 496 miles
ago for $106,700 in 3+ condition at Worldwide’s
2009 Escondido sale, where our
reporter said, “Needs some attention to
106 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $181,500. The top sale of the
auction. One of the larger gems to grace the
Expo Center. Recently sold at Mecum’s
Dallas sale in October 2011 for $138k
(ACC# 190493). In two years, it found a
new home at over 30% more. I’d say this is
the new normal for examples in this condition.
Well bought and sold. Auctions America,
Carlisle, PA, 10/13.
#408-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr
hard top. VIN: VC57B172152. Onyx Black/
red vinyl & black fabric. Odo: 17,591 miles.
283-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 3-sp. Nice Bel Air with
optional dual 4-barrels that boosts hp to
245. Attractive Onyx black paint shows
some minor swirls in finish and a few touchups.
Add-on Moon tach. Hood fit off a touch.
A quality driver. Cond: 2+.
#S79-1962 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 962K2058. Light blue/white
vinyl. Odo: 85,268 miles. 389-ci V8, 3x2-bbl,
4-sp. Good repaint in recent years. Windshield
is taking on a yellow tint, although it’s
a modern non-OEM replacement. Older
bumper replate. “421” fender badges and
valve-cover decals. Some modern aftermarket
items also. Better seat reupholstery
work with generic pleats. Later-era Hurst
shifter, plus electronic FM tuner and analog
voltmeter mounted beneath dash. Fitted
with optional Tri-Power, a/c, 4-speed, and
eight-lug wheels, now shod with modern
radials. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $25,380. This was the first year
of Pontiac’s longest-running nameplate,
lasting continuously until Pontiac got
whacked by GM. Well sold. Mecum Auctions,
Kansas City, MO, 12/13.
SOLD AT $38,850. Tri-Fives are not as hot
#S20-1964 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 894K6782. Nocturne Blue/
white vinyl. 421-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Rare
powertrain, 29 factory options. The big engine/manual
transmission combo alone was
reportedly a $635 extra on a car that based
at only $3,499! Original owner’s manual,
Protect-O-Plate, two build sheets, PHS
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documented. Hurst shifter, eight-lug wheels.
Body never off frame. Bare-metal repaint
very good, with only minor bubbling. Good
chrome; trim mostly very good. Interior
looks original and slightly dingy. An awful lot
of car and very handsome in dark blue.
Cond: 2-.
protecting. Replated bumpers, some older
reproduction brightwork. Door gaps less
tastic paint. Excellent chrome, glass. Z/28specific
five-spoke factory wheels. Front
black spoiler unscathed. Dual exhaust.
Goodyear Polyglas tires. Driver’s door liner
is loose. Clock in dash isn’t working. AM
radio. Highly detailed engine compartment
with shiny chromed air cleaner and goldanodized
brake-fluid cover. Power brakes.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $58,850. Perhaps longing for a
GTO, but needing more room to fit the
whole family, the original buyer dutifully
went for the full-size Grand Prix and then
ticked all the “fun” boxes on the order form.
Clearly, whoever ordered this car was
swinging for the fence. Still, this sale is
completely off the price charts, the result of
a very determined buyer and a very cool,
unusual car. Well sold, post-block, after bidding
stalled at $52k. Mecum Auctions,
Anaheim, CA, 11/13.
#F49-1966 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS
2-dr hard top. VIN: 1683760100359.
Light metallic blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 68,578
miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. An almost entirely
original, black-plate California car, as
delivered with power steering, power brakes
and a/c. Paint is smooth but thin throughout,
and buffed within an inch of its life, with
primer peeking through in places. Poorly
rechromed rear bumper the only sign of
restoration. Interior still very nice. Engine
bay dirty but correct. Cond: 3-.
than perfect. Minimal wear on the repro
seats, door panels and carpeting. Highgloss
dashboard repaint. Lackluster engine
bay, now showing two decades of age and
light use. Optional a/c, interior décor group
and hood tach. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$25,650. Offered at no reserve. Proof once
again that a Firebird will almost always be a
better buy against a Camaro, as a lowhorse
396 Camaro would bring at least $5k
more in commensurate condition. This is
market pricing for a 400 Firebird, even factoring
in the 4-speed and air. Branson,
Branson, MO, 10/13.
#376-1970 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Z/28 coupe. VIN: 124870L510160.
Cranberry Red/black vinyl. Odo: 71,203
miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Newer frameoff
rotisserie restoration done to original
factory specs. Flawless inside and out. Fan-
SOLD AT $52,000. A spectacular car, and
rightfully chosen by the auction company to
be displayed on the main floor of the Expo
Center where the auction took place. The
’70 Z/28s don’t have the same lust factor as
1967–69, but values are edging up. Last
sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale sale in
January 2012 for a stratospheric $74,800
(ACC# 193226). The seller took a hit here,
while the buyer set the new market price for
a ’70 Z/28 just shy of #1 condition. Well
bought. Auctions America, Carlisle, PA,
10/13.
SOLD AT $13,910. The paint was the only
weak point, and it had been very well preserved
with clear coat—I would not touch it.
But a respray would not clash with the good
condition of everything else. The 275-hp
SBC has plenty of grunt, and this looked an
honest and fun cruiser. Well bought.
Mecum Auctions, Anaheim, CA, 11/13.
#534-1967 PONTIAC FIREBIRD 400 convertible.
VIN: 223677U113255. Dark blue
metallic/light blue vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
1,923 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Restored
in 1990 to then-higher-quality driver
condition. Pretty decent prep work for the
somewhat average masked-off repaint.
Stainless steel door edge guards are chewing
up the paint on the edges rather than
March-April 2014 107
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BUY
BEST
BUY
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By Jim Pickering
2014 Jeep Cherokee
Limited SUV
GLOBAL
ROUNDUP
price as tested: $37,425
Equipment: 3.2-liter 24-valve V6,
9-speed automatic transmission, Jeep
Active Drive I, Customer Preferred
Package 26G includes Technology
Group, Luxury Group, Navigation, etc.
EpA mileage: 19/27
Likes: Small exterior size with plenty of
room inside. Comfortable seating position,
good visibility, fantastic amount of
tech features. Chrysler’s navigation and
stereo interface is the best in the business
— especially when combined with
SiriusXM. Several terrain options, selected
with a knob on the center console,
give you control over four-wheel-drive
settings, including a Sport mode.
Dislikes: The 9-speed transmission in
our tester had a wiggle in second gear.
Nose styling is an acquired taste, and as
part of that, the high beams aren’t much
brighter than the regular beams. Engine
could use more power. Power liftgate is
slow, and for something so simple, had
a steep learning curve — it shut halfway
through opening at least once for everyone
who used it. Did we bump the open
button twice? Still not sure.
Verdict: This Jeep is the perfect offroader
for someone who only needs
the capability occasionally. And around
town, it’s a great driver with a really good
selection of tech features — our tester
had heated seats and wheel, XM, navigation,
blind spot monitoring, adaptive
cruise, collision warning, remote start,
and even the ability to see sports scores
and the local (or national) weather forcast
via the stereo. With that 9-speed trans,
the V6 returned 19 mpg city and 27 highway,
which is pretty good considering it’s
a small SUV.
I have a hard time getting past that
nose styling — but hey, at least it isn’t
boring. And overall, that’s a small issue
on an otherwise tight package.
Fun to drive:
Fun to look at:
½
Overall experience:
108 AmericanCarCollector.com
½
SOLD AT $104,500. Second-highest sale of
the auction. The right colors and loving restoration
made this car something really spe-
SOLD AT $68,480. Sold post-block after
bidding stalled at $55k. This highly desirable,
very well-restored, no-questions car
was a $65k no-sale in 2011 at Mecum St.
Charles (ACC# 189330), then recently sold
for $71k at Mecum Schaumburg in October
(ACC# 228264). Selling price is marketcorrect,
and the new owner got himself a
good value. Mecum Auctions, Anaheim,
CA, 11/13.
CORVETTE
#383-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: E57S104181. Onyx Black/
black hard top/black vinyl soft top/beige
leather. Odo: 770 miles. 283-ci 270-hp V8,
2x4-bbl, 3-sp. Nut-and-bolt, frame-off restoration
done to concours standard. Original
and correct color scheme draws a crowd.
Brightwork superb. Original panels with
good gaps. Wears spinner wheel covers
and blackwall bias-ply tires. Interior invites
superlatives. Has parking brake alarm,
windshield washers, Wonderbar radio,
cabin heater and courtesy lamps. Clock not
working. Tidy trunk. Detailed underhood.
1997 NCRS National Top Flight ribbon and
plaque in car. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $74,250. Price paid was slightly
under the money for a 283/245 Corvette in
very acceptable condition. Another five
grand or so would have not been unreasonable.
As such, put this one in the wellbought
column. RM Auctions, Phoenix,
AZ, 01/14.
#92-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 30837S108615. Daytona Blue/
blue vinyl. Odo: 81,686 miles. 327-ci 360-hp
fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. The one-year-only
Split-Window. One of only 2,610 Fuelies
built for 1963. Equipped with L84 Rochester
Ramjet mechanical fuel injection, Positraction,
metallic brakes, off-road exhaust and
correct T-3 headlamps. Restored to perfection
with correct chalk markings and tape
holding shims on the frame. Fully documented
with NCRS Top Flight. Cond: 1.
#S83.1-1970 PONTIAC GTO Judge 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 2423701115425. Palladium
Silver/black vinyl. Odo: 39,617 miles. 400-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. One of 288 Judges built in
Oshawa, Canada. Matching numbers.
Frame-off resto with very good paint; some
blemishes on roof. Bodywork around upper
corners of windshield quite rough. Trim with
polishing scratches. Repop interior with
slight fit issues. Hurst shifter, M20, Ram Air
III. Described as “Perhaps the World’s BestDocumented
GTO” and hard to argue with
original sticker, Protect-O-Plate, warranty
book, PHS docs and GM of Canada Heritage
Certificate. Cond: 2+.
cial. Well bought and sold. Auctions
America, Carlisle, PA, 10/13.
#123-1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: J58S107999. Snowcrest
White & red/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo:
15,253 miles. 283-ci 245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl,
3-sp. A very original example with Vintage
Air added. Equipped with desirable RPO
469 motor with two 4-bbls. Usual issue with
headlight bucket trim matching fender strip.
Fitted with small-hubcap RPO 276 rather
than standard wheel discs. There are a few
issues with paint and trim, but that’s to be
expected with such an original example.
Very presentable interior. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $236,500. Strong money for an
L84 Split-Window, but this was a very
strong car. Restored to highest standard,
with books and records. Best of the best,
and new owner has the bragging rights to it.
RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/14.
#53-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 194377S122032. Marlboro
Maroon/black leather. Odo: 13 miles. 427-ci
390-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Very good panel
fit, to factory standard. Excellent paint. Very
good chrome, with light scratches on windshield
trim and door handles. Excellent interior.
With a/c. Cond: 2-.
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SOLD AT $110,000. Well-presented ’67
Corvette, with 427/390 engine installed by
dealer. Extensive documentation and ownership
history. Most recently in static museum
display, the car will now require some
recommissioning. Offered at no reserve,
and the price was appropriate. Gooding &
Co., Scottsdale, AZ, 01/14.
#S82-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194679S722221. Maroon
metallic/maroon hard top/black vinyl soft
top/black vinyl. Odo: 78,676 miles. 427-ci
390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Several years on
the repaint; presents well, generally. Mostly
original brightwork. Door gaps pretty decent,
but not stock or perfect. Recent minimaleffort
underhood detailing, looking stock at
ten paces. Interior either a good original or
older replacement, showing moderate wear.
Equipped with both tops and sidepipes.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $45,360. Last seen at Mecum’s
Spring Classic two years ago, declared sold
for $22,260 (ACC# 205011). This time
around, the consigning dealer’s showroom
card indicated an asking price of $44,900.
Well sold. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City,
MO, 12/13.
#537-1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Callaway
Twin Turbo convertible. VIN:
1G1YY3188H5119309. Black/black cloth/
tan leather. Odo: 27,229 miles. 350-ci 345hp
twin-turbocharged V8, manual. Callaway
number 87-115. Awarded Bloomington Silver
and Survivor status. Generally clean,
tidy and original, but without show sparkle.
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Full documentation going back to when it
was sold new. Buffed-out original paint with
a few light scratches and nicks. Old replacement
tires starting to look chalky. Original
top with cloudy backlight. Light wrinkling
and wear on driver’s seat. Discolored console
lid. Built-in radar detector mounted in
extreme right front corner under the hood.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $30,240. The Callaway
Twin Turbo was something of an offsite
test bed for GM, on what route to take
with the proposed future ZR-1. It also
helped that Callaway had a car ready to go
and itching to be offered through GM’s
dealer network as an authorized upfitter.
Good provenance, being sold new by a
well-known Corvette dealer, lower miles,
and originality make this well bought—even
for the less-than-mint condition. Branson,
Branson, MO, 10/13.
FOMOCO
#S115-1927 FORD MODEL T roadster.
VIN: 14463908. Maroon/black leatherette/
black leatherette. Restored to stock in 2003.
Not a show-quality repaint, but a lot better
than what’s usually found on these. Light
chipping where the butterfly hood hit surrounding
panels. Likely repro or heavily reworked
fenders, as there is no rolled edging
along the inner lips. Nickel work is pretty
good except for the radiator shell. Vinyl seat
upholstery more plain than original. Door
and kick panels, along with the modern top,
are more like it. Rear-mount spare. Generally
authentic engine restoration. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $16,740. Cliché time: You can
have it in any color as long as it’s... maroon,
gray, or green. Color options came back to
Model Ts in 1926, and by the time it went
out of production in 1927, all-black was a
special-order color. The maroon on this
roadster comes off well as an attempt to
make it look sporting. Another one of those
cars whose values were stagnant to rotting
up until the last couple of years, but now are
trading at five-digit prices on a regular basis
(if barely). Not a bargain, but not at all outrageous,
either. Mecum Auctions, Kansas
City, MO, 12/13.
#234-1934 FORD MODEL 40 Deluxe
3-window coupe. VIN: 18814502. Black/
beige broadcloth. Odo: 51,160 miles. Lightly
rodded ’34 Ford with ’36 Ford V8 power.
Black paint with red trim shows a scattered
few flaws, mostly at wear points. Interior is
superb and true to its school, with Ford
gauges and hardware. Nice rear window
shade. Buried treasure beneath the hood in
the form of Eddie Meyer heads and intake
manifold topped by twin Stromberg 97s.
Add to this a Lincoln tranny and a Columbia
2-speed rear. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $99,000. No purist will get heartburn
seeing the incredibly tasteful hot-rod
treatment on this original coupe. No external
cues betrayed its performance personality.
What modifications were done used
vintage speed equipment and resulted in no
significant or permanent changes to the
original car. It could easily be returned to
100% stock, not that anybody would want
to. Add a crate motor, flames and aftermarket
mags, and you have just another $40k
street rod. Truly an occasion where “less is
more.” Well bought. RM Auctions, Hershey,
PA, 10/13.
#33-1940 MERCURY SERIES 99A convertible.
VIN: 99A121762. Green metallic/
white fabric/green & white leather. 276-ci
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V8, 2x1-bbl, 3-sp. Built in 1940 by Charles
Marr and Gerry Huth as part of the “kustom
kulture.” Restoration completed in 2009.
Original motor bored and stroked. 1940
Buick steering wheel and 1937 DeSoto
bumpers. Carson top. Transmission with
Zephyr gears. Driven only 40 miles since
restoration. A documented ’40s custom with
the clean period look. Cond: 1-.
Some imperfections also to gold side trim.
Dirty under pickup bed pad. All in all, a very
attractive piece. Cond: 2.
driver’s side consistent with someone holding
a cigarette in his left hand. Inside door
handles and window cranks are now dull
white. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $107,250. This was last seen at
Bonhams’ August 2010 Carmel sale, where
it realized $167k (ACC# 165804). I think this
slipped through the cracks, as another $30k
would have not been unreasonable. Extremely
well bought. RM Auctions, Phoenix,
AZ, 01/14.
#97-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD F-code
convertible. VIN: F7FH351668. Flame
Red/black fabric/white vinyl. Odo: 55 miles.
312-ci V8, supercharger, 3-sp. Fully documented
“F-bird” with copy of invoice showing
$340 cost of optional supercharger.
Recent restoration to high standard and
driven few miles since. Blackwalls and dogdish
covers complete the look. One of an
estimated 200 1957 Thunderbirds equipped
with F-code motor. Few finished in Flame
Red. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $60,500. Rare to see an early
Ranchero this nice—and especially one
with all these options. Fully restored and
well equipped, this has the potential to be a
fun daily driver, or you could even haul your
old Matchless desert sled to the vintage
races and be the star of the pits. If someone
gave you a free ’57 Ranchero in as-found
condition, you probably couldn’t restore it
for what this car sold for. The full roster of
options makes it an even better buy. Bonhams,
Scottsdale, AZ, 01/14.
#207-1960 EDSEL RANGER 2-dr hard
top. VIN: OU13Y702008. Sea Foam Green/
green vinyl/tan pebble cloth. Odo: 45,142
miles. 352-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Last year for
the Edsel, and they went out in style. They
were lower and longer and the famed
horse-collar grille was gone. Only 243 twodoor
hard tops produced. Equipped with
Y-code “Super Express” 352 V8 and “Dual
Power” transmission. Air cleaner and valve
covers painted turquoise. Trim attached
with sheet metal screws. Kelsey-Hayes
wires and skirts. Attractive paint and striking
interior in excellent condition. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $16,200. Since 2014 will be the
final year of the Econoline van, here’s an
example from the first year of that successful
series. Introduced at the same time as
the Chevy Corvair Rampside/Loadside in
response to the VW minibus, the Econoline
soon became a best-seller. This example
was also well sold for condition. Mecum
Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/13.
#6-1963 FORD THUNDERBIRD M-code
Sports Roadster. VIN: 3Y89M106625. Corinthian
White/black Haartz cloth/red vinyl.
Odo: 99,916 miles. 390-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto.
One of only 37 1963 Sports Roadsters with
M-code V8. Documented with M in the VIN
and with three Holley 2-barrels underhood.
Complete with air, power windows, seats
and Swing-Away steering wheel. Also has
engine dress-up option. Recently freshened
up but has pitting on gauges and a few
other nits. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $200,000. A stunning T-bird with
the desirable supercharger. Couple this with
a quality restoration, and you have an attractive
package that is well worth the price
paid. A touch under the money if anything,
so we’ll call this well bought. RM Auctions,
Phoenix, AZ, 01/14.
#129-1957 FORD RANCHERO Custom
300 pickup. VIN: C7KF174433. Flame Red
& Colonial White/red & white vinyl. Odo:
958 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Except for
a few easily correctable faults, presents as
good as or better than new. Faults include a
big chip on right front fender. Many options
including a/c, chromed wire wheels, power
windows, and power brakes. Fishtail exhaust
finishers tart up the rear view. Door
panels don’t align with the front fenders perfectly,
but this is probably as good as stock.
SOLD AT $25,500. One of the best-looking
Edsels. Total production for the model year
was only 2,846 cars, but it this case rare
does not do much for the value. Price paid
here was about right for an unusual but attractive
Edsel. McCormick’s, Palm
Springs, CA, 11/13.
#T108-1961 FORD ECONOLINE COE
pickup. VIN: E10SH145492. Red/red vinyl.
Odo: 64,351 miles. 144-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp.
Retains original owner’s manual and warranty
information. Recent economy exterior
repaint, spraying over the exposed wiring
harnesses in the pickup box. Modern radial
tires with replica sport wheel covers. Good
bumper repaint. Sagging original cardboard
headliner, moderately worn original floor
mat. Old economy re-covering of bucket
seats. Heavy paint wear and damage on
SOLD AT $85,250. This M-code T-bird was
last seen at RM’s 2008 Rochester sale
where it realized $85k (ACC# 117390). Only
driven about 330 miles since. With fees and
other expenses, the seller was upside-down
a few thousand, so I hope he enjoyed the
limited use. A rare and desirable T-bird that
should appreciate over time. RM Auctions,
Phoenix, AZ, 01/14.
#179-1963 FORD GALAXIE 500 R-code
Factory Lightweight 2-dr hard top. VIN:
3N66R144637. Corinthian White/red vinyl.
Odo: 23 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp.
Fresh restoration. Overall good paint application
with minor chips showing along various
edges. Hood and passenger’s door fit
slightly off. Cloudy-looking chrome on rear
bumper. Matching white steel wheels with
dog-dish hubcaps. Simple lightweight front
bucket seats with steel frames. No tachometer.
Wrinkled headliner inside C-pillar.
NASCAR 427 engine and Borg-Warner
March-April 2014 111
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T-10 gearbox were MIA when the car was
discovered in the mid-2000s, but a correct
replacement engine and gearbox were fitted.
Cond: 2+.
resto within past five years. Paint well done
over good prep. Trim, gaps mostly good;
some scratching around windshield. Bumper
chrome good but marked. Wire hubcaps,
rear skirts. Interior replaced at some
point. 347-hp crate 302 replaces original
V8; aluminum radiator and custom shrouding.
In consignor’s family for over 20 years.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $134,200. Predating the Mustang
by a year, Ford’s factory R-code lightweight
Galaxies were used in a variety of events,
including drag racing, road racing and ovaltrack—and
also overseas. This one is said
to be one of 212 such cars built for drag
racing. Previously offered but not sold at
Bonhams’ August sale in Carmel, CA, at a
high bid of $135k (ACC# 227369). Lack of
information about its history may have dissuaded
bidding. Bonhams, Scottsdale,
AZ, 01/14.
#F52-1964 FORD F-250 4x4 pickup. VIN:
F26CK492257. Bengal Tan/black vinyl.
Odo: 3,451 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, 4-sp.
Original powertrain. Lifted two inches to
clear modern off-road tires on widened
stock rims. Wyoming truck; faded NRA
sticker in windshield. Recent low-effort repaint;
dents and dings in box and tailgate.
Exceptionally solid, with no sign of rust or
rust repair. Spray-in bedliner, rubber cargo
mat on floor. Very dull door handles—pretty
much the only chrome. Bare-bones interior,
without a radio but with period dealer-accessory
zippered door-panel pockets. Recent
seat re-covering. Cond: 3.
#101-1968 FORD MUSTANG “Bullitt” replica
fastback. VIN: DRMVB0000157695M0.
Highland Green/black vinyl. Odo: 2,437
miles. 347-ci V8, 4-bbl, 5-sp. Nice paint with
some minor chips evident in various places.
BF Goodrich radial tires, disc brakes front
and rear with rusty centers. Good interior
overall. California black plate JJZ 109 was
too early a sequence to have been on this
car in the day, and rear plate has no registration
stickers. Big exhaust outlets with
later aluminized-type tubing. Rear-view mirror
unglued from windshield and resting on
floor. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $30,495. Previously no-saled at
Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale 2012 sale at
an undisclosed high bid (ACC# 194690).
The consignor/restorer stood with car all
day telling and retelling stories about the
car, including its long-past years with his
son at college and the “accessory” he found
in the back seat ashtray during restoration!
Top dollar for condition, but a real-deal
Sprint convertible with more than enough
grunt to keep the driver entertained. Slight
nod to the seller. Mecum Auctions, Anaheim,
CA, 11/13.
#T26-1966 FORD F-100 pickup. VIN:
F10AN789757. Light blue/blue vinyl. Odo:
18,273 miles. 240-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Clean,
base-model truck with straight body and
thick, newish paint. Painted bumpers and
wheels. Spray-in bed liner. Repop upholstery
in original pattern; three-on-the-tree,
no power steering or brakes, speedo-only
dash. Freshly tuned, new tires. Underside
tidy, frame painted with POR-15 or equivalent
to entomb surface rust; no structural
corrosion detected. A simple, unadorned
tool, decently presented. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $7,830. I remember these used
during winter growing up in the Salt Belt,
and I always liked them, but they had all but
dissolved by the mid-1970s. I really liked
this truck, too, and with the lackluster redo,
you can still go check cows out in the back
acreage with it and not worry. Bought well,
since trucks—especially vintage four-wheelers—continue
to sell well. Reserve met at
$6,250, and the bidding kept trudging along.
Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO,
12/13.
#T138-1964 FORD FALCON Sprint convertible.
VIN: 4H14F145736. Wimbledon
White/black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 33,049
miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Rust-free Arizona
car. Well-documented, driver-level
112 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $88,000. Built in four months for
Chad McQueen at the behest of the “Overhaulin’”
TV show producer, this movie-car
replica features an authentic look with modernized
components to make it a better
driver. It’s truly a ground-up build, too, starting
with a re-pop 1967 Mustang fastback
body shell and continuing from there. The
end result is subtle and focused—just like
Steve McQueen would have wanted. The
$88k price was 10% above the low estimate,
and you probably couldn’t build this
car for much less if you had to write the
checks yourself.(See the profile, p. 52.)
Bonhams, Scottsdale, AZ, 01/14.
#S199-1969 MERCURY COUGAR Eliminator
coupe. VIN: 9F91R568219. White/
black vinyl. Odo: 63,642 miles. 428-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Per the Marti Report displayed,
sold new by Canoga Park Lincoln-Mercury
and restored in recent years. Ram Air,
power front discs, interior décor group, full
tinted glass. Better-quality bare-body repaint.
Original trim and glass have some
SOLD AT $10,700. The very definition of a
work truck: one gauge, no power accessories
and without those two unnecessary
cylinders. Could also double as means of
serious upper-body workouts. Refreshing to
see an old truck free of upgrades it never
had in the day. Previously sold for $10,500
at Mecum KC in 2011 (ACC# 196555) and
fairly sold today. Mecum Auctions, Anaheim,
CA, 11/13.
light scratching. Mixed panel fit. Older bumper
replate. All-new door and glass seals.
Mostly reproduction interior with some yellowing
original trim. Overall minimal wear
inside. Recent engine fluff-up on a basically
authentic restoration. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT
$64,800. My kiss of death strikes again.
Just when I called these under the market in
my January-February 2014 “Cheap Thrills”
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GLOBAL
column, one sells for respectable money. I
get the impression that this will be the new
normal—even if these are far from being
normal at most auctions. Mecum Auctions,
Kansas City, MO, 12/13.
MOPAR
#599-1958 DODGE D-100 Sweptside
pickup. VIN: 18D1107021. Apple green &
ivory/white vinyl & green nylon. Odo: 72,261
miles. 315-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional pushbutton
automatic transmission and that’s
it—doesn’t even have a heater. Higherquality
frame-off restoration completed in
recent years. Better-than-factory build quality
paint and panel fit. All chrome has been
replated, but the stainless trim could have
been buffed out better. Unblemished aftermarket
high-gloss wood floor kit with polished
stainless-steel strips. Fully restored
interior with period-style clear vinyl seat
cover. Crease in center of headliner. Engine
repainted poorly. Cond: 2+.
fabric & vinyl. Odo: 69,147 miles. 383-ci V8,
2-bbl, auto. Next-to-last year for DeSoto
and final year for the Adventurer. Attractive
blue paint. Very stylish interior with a split
seam. Dash loose. Brightwork decent.
Cond: 2.
4-ply bias-plys. Optional power steering,
power brakes, and bucket seats with center
console and floor shift. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$21,600. The full-size Dodge Monaco
shared the same body structure as the
Chryslers, also getting the new-for-1967
reverse-slant rear quarter-window roof. Monacos
from the late ’60s don’t turn up much
any more, as most were 4-doors that were
used to death. Can’t play the “Survivor”
card, but if the miles are actual, not a bad
price at all for a car that’s likely to be the
only one like it at any show or meet. Mecum
Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/13.
SOLD AT $14,175. Not a lot of money for a
stylish run-around-town car. Fun to take to
the local show-and-shine and show off to
your buddies. No issue with price paid. McCormick’s,
Palm Springs, CA, 11/13.
#F142-1967 DODGE MONACO 2-dr hard
top. VIN: DH23H79355162. Teal metallic/
black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 3,462 miles.
383-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Mileage believed
original. Aside from one newer better-quality
repaint with pinstriping, engine bay detailing,
and a 1980s in-dash tape deck, the car
is original. Solid door fit, good panel gaps.
Minimal fade and aging to the vinyl roof,
door panels tops, and seat-bottoms. Light
yellowing of some plastic interior trim. The
tires even seem to be the original 8.50-14
SOLD AT $49,140. It seems like the majority
of these that I run across are ’58s, with
most of the remainder being ’57s and a rare
few ’59s. This one traded right at market
value. Branson, Branson, MO, 10/13.
#65-1959 IMPERIAL CUSTOM Southampton
2-dr hard top. VIN: M617106651.
Sandstone/brown leather. Odo: 189 miles.
413-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A very presentable
example of a limited-production elegant
American luxury car. Only 1,743 two-door
Customs produced 1959, and this one with
optional full-leather interior, air and Landau
roof. Minor touch-up on trunk. Minor wear
on interior. Overall a very nice presentation.
Cond: 2+.
#F241-1968 DODGE DART convertible.
VIN: LP27D8B397375. Sublime/white
vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 993 miles. 340-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. This stock-appearing Dart was
anything but, the body being the only major
original component. Numbers code out to a
273 V8 GT car; now with a 340, Edelbrock
manifold and electronic ignition. Custom
chassis with Mustang II front suspension,
steering. All custom inner panels. Interior
tired and dingy; custom dash with new AutoMeter
guages. Trim scratched, rear fascia
worn. Paint well applied over poor prep.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $23,540. Reserve lifted at $22k.
A few questions come to mind: 1) Why ruin
a perfectly good Dart convertible? 2) Why
SOLD AT $33,000. At most every auction, a
car or two will slip through the cracks, and
this one certainly did. A well-restored example
of a powerful freeway cruiser. Worth
twice what buyer paid. RM Auctions,
Phoenix, AZ, 01/14.
#417-1960 DESOTO ADVENTURER sedan.
VIN: 7206100762. Two-tone blue/blue
March-April 2014 113
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ROUNDUP
2000 DODGE Viper GTS
coupe
Owner: Randy Zussman, Senior Account
Executive, ACC and SCM
purchase date: September 1, 2013
price: $45,000
Mileage since purchase: 1,200
recent Work: New battery, a/c valve repair.
GLOBAL
ROUNDUP
build this car when you can have a real Dart
340 GTS convertible in similar condition for
just a little more money? 3) Why purchase
this car when you can have a real Dart 340
GTS in similar condition for just a little more
money? 4) Why can’t I meet buyers like
these when I’m selling a car? Mecum Auctions,
Anaheim, CA, 11/13.
#S119-1969 DODGE SUPER BEE 2-dr
hard top. VIN: WM23M9A255790. Metallic
green/black vinyl. Odo: 39,716 miles. 440-ci
V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. First-rate, bare-metal,
body-off, nut-and-bolt resto done 2004–05.
Stripe delete, no hubcaps, power steering
or power brakes. Hurst shifter. Specs confirmed
by Govier. Paint very well done in a
great color; only polishing scratches noted.
Chrome mostly very good; some pieces
lightly pitted. Modern headlights. Cond: 1-.
GTS. In September of last year, I finally
bought one.
Normally I prefer open cars, but when
I have always wanted a Viper
it comes to Vipers, the coupe is the one to
have. I bought the car from an ACC/SCMer
who just bought a new Viper. This one had
only 3,900 miles on the clock when I got it.
In short, I love the car. The V10 belts out
a full race-car soundtrack from the starter
to its redline, and the whole experience is
very analog: there’s no traction control, ABS
or other assists, and that keeps the driver
really involved. It gets way more attention
than a Corvette and is very rare, especially
in understated graphite. The license plate
BRUTE4S sums it up.
Its performance is phenomenal, but the
reputation of it trying to kill the driver is
very over-done. The car is very easy to
drive. I have never stalled it, spun it or had a
“moment.”
But there are a few downsides. First, the
car is not up to Corvette standards in build
quality. Door shuts are a task performed
in triplicate, the lack of cruise control or
any other power options are a minus, as the
GTS was meant to be driven distances. The
ingress/egress are predictably best left to
someone in Cirque du Soleil. Once you are
inside, the car is very comfortable, but the
seats lack a recline function.
I take the car to shows and to rural towns
outside of Las Vegas. The low mileage and
fact that I do not want to diminish its value
means it will stay a garage queen (KING)
for the foreseeable future. A
but this deal came together within the next
five lots. Signs of life from the Hemi camp,
but not where they were even a decade
ago. Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO,
12/13.
AMERICANA
#240-1947 STUDEBAKER COMMANDER
Regal Deluxe convertible. VIN: 4280834.
Cream/black canvas/red vinyl. Odo: 1,175
miles. 226-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Nice restoration
showing some signs of age. Paint has several
chips, gaps are uneven, weatherstripping
showing age. Engine and
compartment not concours, but look ready
for reliable touring. Upholstery reportedly
original, which if true is remarkable. Snazzy
optional hood ornament and fender turn
indicators. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $80,250. Reserve came off at the
hammer price. This bare-bones car was
ordered for maximum performance. That
there was no claim of matching numbers
might indicate it was driven accordingly and
the engine was replaced. In today’s discounted
muscle-car market, that matters
more than ever. If the engine is a replacement,
well sold. If it’s original, this sale looks
pretty well on the money, if not a touch light.
Mecum Auctions, Anaheim, CA, 11/13.
#S137-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA
2-dr hard top. VIN: BS23R0B217918. Alpine
White/black vinyl. Odo: 18,996 miles.
426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Restored to original
configuration within last few years. Miles
claimed actual. Excellent repaint with an
authentic sheen. Good original trim. Bumpers
may have been replated, but not to
over-the-top show finish. Repop door sills
still have the protective plastic on them. Excellent
door fit and actuation. Could well be
original carpeting. Authentically detailed,
concours-ready engine bay. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $38,500. Previously no-saled at
Collector Car Productions’ 2012 Toronto
auction at $54k (ACC# 201382) and at
Worldwide Atlantic City 2011 at an undisclosed
high bid (ACC# 169035). Of all Raymond
Loewy’s post-war designs, this was
perhaps one of the more sedate. Rare when
new means most today will be unable to
identify it without reading the emblems. Well
sold. RM Auctions, Hershey, PA, 10/13.
#390-1956 NASH AMBASSADOR SUPER
90 sedan. VIN: V14485. Yellow & green/
green vinyl/gray fabric. Odo: 25,600 miles.
352-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. A very original example
that has been properly maintained.
Trim pitted and paint worn in places. Restyled
in 1956 with wrap-around windshield,
quad headlights and new rear-end treatment.
Powered by Packard 352 V8 with
Ultramatic transmission. “Airliner” reclining
seat. Cond: 3+.
114 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $172,800. My guess would be
that this generated the vast majority of
those almost 19k miles a quarter mile at a
time. This was very sparse on equipment,
down to the utilitarian white with black guts.
When it no-saled on the block at $150k,
they said it would take $200k to get it done,
AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $16,538. The Nash with the reclining
seat was the high-school guy’s
dream car back then, but I don’t know anyone
who actually got the keys to one. Price
paid was certainly reasonable enough—just
don’t take my granddaughter out in it. McCormick’s,
Palm Springs, CA, 11/13. A
Page 113
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March-April 2014 115
Page 114
The Parts Hunter
Chad Tyson
Big-money parts and
accessories from around the country
#1275.4—1964 Chevrolet L84 327-ci, 375hp,
fuel-injected V8. 2 photos. Item condition:
Used. Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ.
“This fuel-injected 327/375-hp engine
comes out of the Floyd Garrett Muscle Car
Museum. This motor has been recently
completely rebuilt including the fuel-injection
unit. It features date-code-correct parts as
well as some NOS parts.” Sold at $38,500.
This setup made the trip all the way from
Sevierville, TN. Barrett-Jackson sold 502
cars for less than the price of this engine.
It looks almost ready to go in a car, but
it would only be date-correct, right? The
ACC Price Guide puts a ’64 Fuelie ’Vette
in the $60k–$100k range; is the engine
really 40%–65% of the value? It’s a pricey
replacement or a ridiculously expensive
paper weight. Well sold.
#181245424552—1955 Chevrolet Nomad
Eyebrow, Fender and Door Trim Set. 12 photos.
Item condition: New Old Stock. eBay, Orange, CA.
“This set of ’55 Chevy Nomad eyebrow trim
has never been used. Found in two heavy-duty
cardboard tubes and an unmarked box containing
the set of eyebrows. Not sure if tubes are
original packaging. Everything wrapped carefully
in white cotton/poly sheets. The part numbers:
3717002, 3717001, 3716998, 3716997, 4658513
and 4658514. Excellent condition for their age and show very little signs of every being out
of their boxes—near mint. Scuff on the paint and the chrome chip on the back of the fender
molding are worst of defects. Could be factory flaws, as I have seen in other NOS parts for
sale. Rest of the trim very shiny and factory finished.” 1 bid. Sold at $5,500.
So I’m late to this party. I picked this because at first glance it was an outrageous amount
to spend on six pieces of trim for a car of which they made 6,103. (I know there aren’t that
many anymore.) But I’ll be damned if this wasn’t one of the cheaper sets I found. There were
two other sets I found offered online at the time of this writing. Well bought, apparently.
It shouldn’t take much to polish up this supercharger. Not that the seller should have done
anything after finding it in a barn—that usually seems to add a healthy premium. But in this
instance, it does pay a bit more to keep these in proper working order. I saw a repaired,
functional VS-57 unit sell for $1,900 in mid-January. Well sold.
116 AmericanCarCollector.com
#360702652738—1954–55 Kaiser McCulloch
Supercharger. 8 photos. Item condition: Used.
eBay, East Earl, PA.
“You are bidding on a 1954–55 Kaiser McCulloch
supercharger. Correct for Manhattans and Darrins,
all with 6-cylinder engine. Stamped VS57B 5278,
bracket 736500, tensioner 37091 FG15164A.
Supercharger turns. Found in storage, where it
had been for decades. Sold as-is, as I have never
seen it work. Overall clean.” Buy It Now. Sold at
$1,499.
#93—1932 Cadillac V12. 4 photos. Item
condition: Used. Bonhams, Scottsdale, AZ.
“A circa-1932 Cadillac 12-cylinder engine,
suitable for a Series 370B, appears
complete in restored condition with gear
box, transmission parts, exhaust manifolds,
electrical wiring and more, previously
garage-kept.” Sold at $1,250.
Catalog copy says “appears complete in restored
condition.” To me, “restored” means
painted and ready to go. But perhaps it is
ready to put in your 82-year-old Cadillac.
At this price I’d use it as a new base for a
coffee table, à la “Top Gear.”
#251378852901—1909
Veeder Brass Liquid
Speedometer. 12 photos.
Item condition: Used.
eBay, Marshall, NC.
“Veeder Mfg. Co.
Hartford, CT. This is a
liquid-type speedometer.
Liquid moves in
indicator glass tube.
Curtis Hussey Veeder
patented this speedometer in 1909. Patent
Number 937,015. Patented October 12,
1909. Measuring or indicating instrument.
Application filed June 30, 1906. On oil
cap reads: The Winkley Company, Detroit.
Measures: Approx. 8.5” long; 4 lb, 7.5 oz.” 23
bids. Sold at $1,060.89.
Too many inventive pieces are lost to time.
On first viewing, I think, “What the hell is
this thing?” Then, “How does it work?” I’m
still not satisfied with the little information
I found. Veeder was one of the first to
advertise an automobile accessory. That
was 1903. Veeder-Root exists today as a
fuel-tank gauge, point-of-sale and pumpingsystem
company under the Danaher
corporate umbrella. Even money for buyer
and seller as it hit reserve to sell. A
Page 115
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GM
1955 Chevrolet 3100 pickup
2011 Chevrolet Cruze LT
w/1FL 4-dr sedan
Blue/white. 63,000 miles. I6,
3-spd manual. This is a 1955
rare 5-window 3100 pickup.
stored in my a/c garage for
years. It is a pristine example,
every nut and bolt, hinge,
spring, etc. has been replaced
with new. This is a 9.5-condition
truck. All original except a/c
has been added. $35,000 OBO.
Contact Chris, 718.753.1455,
Email: cdowhie@usa.net (NY)
Advertisers Index
AuctionAZ.com .....................................99
Auctions America ................................4-5
Barrett-Jackson ....................................19
Bennett Law Office .............................109
Blue Bars ............................................110
Camaro Central ....................................91
Car Art by David Snyder .......................99
Carlisle Events .....................................6-7
Charlotte AutoFair ................................85
Chevs of the 40’s ...............................105
Chubb Personal Insurance ...................21
Collector Car Price Tracker ................117
Corvette America ..................................45
Corvette Expo Inc .................................75
Corvette Repair Inc. .............................11
County Corvette .....................................2
118 AmericanCarCollector.com
Dealer Accelerate .................................79
Full House Motorsports LLC ................13
Genuine HotRod Hardware ..................29
Grundy Worldwide ................................97
Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. ...........89
Hiprides.com ......................................115
Hot August Nights ..............................115
Hyman, LTD ..........................................69
Infinity Insurance Companies .............124
Iowa Auto Outlet ..............................64-65
Islay Events ..........................................33
JC Taylor ..............................................71
Jim Meyer Racing Products Inc. ........109
Kozak ....................................................14
La Jolla Concours D’ Elegance ............87
Law Offices of Bruce Shaw ..................93
Leake Auction Company ......................17
Lutty’s Chevy Warehouse ..................101
Mac Neil Automotive Products Ltd ....107
Manheim Auto Auction .........................31
Michael Irvine Studios ..........................83
Mid America Motorworks .....................25
Mustangs Unlimited ...........................103
National Corvette Museum .................117
National Corvette Restorers Society ..103
National Parts Depot ............................27
Nights of Neon, Inc. ............................113
Original Parts Group .............................23
Park Place LTD .....................................73
Passport Transport ...............................81
Performance Suspension Technology .95
Petersen Collector Car Auction ..........117
Portland Swap Meet .............................94
Putnam Leasing ......................................3
Reliable Carriers ...................................67
Silver Collector Car Auctions ...............39
Specialty Auto Auctions, Inc ..............117
Sports Car Market ..............................121
St Bernard Church..............................109
Street Shop, Inc....................................97
The Chevy Store Inc ...........................101
Thomas C Sunday Inc ........................110
TYCTA ..................................................77
Vicari Auctions ......................................35
Volo Auto Museum ...............................15
Watchworks ........................................117
ZClip ...................................................123
Zip Products .........................................47
S/N 1G1PE5S92B7307052.
Gold Mist Metallic/Jet Black
cloth. 144,360 miles. V4,
automatic. Stunning Gold Mist
Metallic color; high-quality
sound system; anti-theft alarm
system; spacious interior and
much more. $12,996. Contact
Michael, European Motorsport
Inc., 978.681.0070, Email:
sales@europeanmotorsports.
co Web: www.europeanmotorsports.co
(MA)
S/N 20867S100362. Red/red.
72,000 miles. V8, 4-spd manual.
Two tops, 327/360 motor
which looks to be the original,
non-FI unit, 3.70 posi, solid
frame, excellent chrome, nice
paint. $52,500. Contact Willard,
207.242.8619, Email: wemillis@gail.com
(ME)
1963 Chevrolet Corvette
Sting Ray coupe
Riverside Red/red. 0 miles.
Green/tan. 55,000 miles. V8,
4-spd manual. 327/350-hp,
matching numbers, essentially
original in very good driver
condition, indicated 55k-mile
car, PS, repro knockoffs, Teak
S/N E54S004098. I6, 2-spd automatic.
Fastidious restoration
overseen by NCRS judge. Mechanically
sorted. Very correct
and well-detailed car. Runs and
drives very well. Excellent basis
for NCRS entrant/competitor.
$98,500. Fantasy Junction,
510.653.7555, Email: sales@
fantasyjunction.com Web: www.
fantasyjunction.com (CA)
1962 Chevrolet Corvette
convertible
CORVETTE
r1954 Chevrolet Corvette
oadster
V8, 4-spd manual. 1972 IMSA
GTO Champion; F.I.A. Daytona
6-hour; 1973 Sebring 12-hour.
SVRA Medallion; Monterey
2002; Bloomington Gold 1993;
Sebring Legends Honoree
2013. Full restoration 1993.
Unquestionable documentation
(pictures, home movies,
receipts, race records, original
race notes. $275,000. Contact
Phil, 352.378.4761, Email: fastphilcurrin@cox.net
(FL)
1964 Chevrolet Corvette
L76 convertible
S/N 40867S121926. Silver
Blue/dark blue. 1,400 miles.
V8, 4-spd manual. Beautiful
frame-off restoration done by
retiree with perfection in mind.
All work done with NCRS detail
and will not disappoint. Rebuilt
327/365-hp with side exhaust.
Correct knockoff wheels, power
steering, working AM/FM radio.
Black soft top completes this
beauty. $69,500. Contact Jim,
Email: qbflyr@aol.com (FL)
1965 Chevrolet Corvette
convertible
Page 117
Showcase Gallery
wheel. Sell or ’Vette trade. Contact
K. A., 248.626.5500, Email:
kal@thepdmgroup.com (MI)
2007 Chevrolet Corvette
convertible
90,000 miles. V8, 6-spd
automatic. ”Retro ’58” classic
look, comfort & reliability,
power top, navigation, original
owner, never damaged, 90k
pampered miles, health forces
sale. $30,000. Contact Dennis,
Email: dofrazier@hotmail.com
(AL)
FOMOCO
1967 Ford Mustang coupe
3-spd automatic. Solid Oregon
car. 2010 “barn find” w/95k on
odo. Now daily driver w/110k.
Everything works! Upgraded
5-lug w/SSBC disc brakes &
8-inch rear end. New rims,
BFGs & more. Have receipts
since 2010, including gas receipts.
Delivery on West Coast
possible. $6,000 OBO. Contact
Shawn, 503.796.0858, Email:
pdxjeep@live.com (OR)
1970 Ford Torino GT 429
convertible
MOPAR
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A
2-dr hard top
25-year storage. Stripped, refinished
in Jewel Red. Perfect tan
leather, new tires, new chrome.
Full accessories and they all
work. $21,500. Contact Sam,
518.356.3516, Email: sws@
nycap.rr.com (NY)
RACE
Satin black/V8, 5-spd manual.
Custom-designed for ultimate
performance, cruising and
show, with satin black paint and
fabricated carbon-fiber interior.
Nearing completion. Eco-friendly
E-85 aluminum Hemi, one of
one. View build online. Contact
715.828.3837. (WI)
Green/black. 110,600 miles. I6,
Blue/light gray. 74,614 miles.
V8, 4-spd automatic. 429 that is
in stunning condition. Restored
to original specifications and
today better than new! Selling
far below cost. Located in
Sweden. Inquire for additional
pictures. $56,000 OBO. Contact
Michael, Classix by Schiebler,
+46707658904, Email:
tel0707658904@hotmail.com
(Sweden)
AMERICANA
1980 Avanti II coupe
1952 Cunningham C-3 West
Palm Beach coupe
S/N 5206X. One-off constructed
on C-2 competition
chassis. 220-hp Chrysler
Hemi, aluminum body. Well
documented, known ownership.
$750,000. Fantasy Junction,
510.653.7555, Email: sales@
fantasyjunction.com Web: www.
fantasyjunction.com (CA)
S/N RQB3069. Jewel Red
Effect/tan. 48,000 miles. Out of
AUTOMOBILIA
Custom Neon Garage sign
It’s so
easy!
We’ve made
uploading your
Showcase
Gallery listings
online easier.
As an added
bonus, we
now feature
multiple
images for our
web listings.
www.AmericanCarCollector.com/classifieds
New, 10-foot neon double-sided
“Garage” sign. Show-room condition,
Fire Engine Red powdercoated
aluminum letters, white
neon. $9,800 plus crating, shipping
and taxes.
Custom neon signs/fabrication
available. Contact Lisa, Nights
of Neon Inc., 818.535.5419,
Email: lisa@nightsofneon.com
(CA) A
March-April 2014 119
Page 118
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, 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)
Russo and Steele Collector
Automobiles. 602.252.2697,
602.252.6260. 5230 South 39th
St., 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)
Leake Auctions. 800.722.9942,
Join Leake Auction Company as
they celebrate 40 years in the collector
car auction industry. Their
unsurpassed customer service
and fast-paced two-lane auction
ring makes them a leader in the
business. Leake currently operates
auctions in Tulsa, Oklahoma
City, Dallas and San Antonio. Visit
them online at www.leakecar.com
or call 800.722.9942.
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.
worldwide-auctioneers.com. (IN)
Classic Car Transport
Lucky Collector Car Auctions.
888.672.0020, Lucky Collector
Car Auctions is aptly named after
Harold “Lucky” Lemay. Based in
the majestic, pastoral ground of
Marymount, home to the Lemay
Family Collection Foundation
near Tacoma, WA, the collection,
formerly the biggest in the world
according to Guinness, now hosts
an unrivaled event center, art collection
and charitable foundation,
which features two exceptional
collector car auctions a year. www.
luckyoldcar.com (WA)
L.A. Prep. 562.997.0170, L.A.
Prep brings its 30 years of experience
transporting vehicles for the
automotive industry’s top manufacturers
to discriminating luxury
and exotic car owners and collectors
across the United States.
Its highly-skilled and experienced
staff delivers an unsurpassed
level of service and takes care of
your car with the highest quality
equipment available in trucks and
trailers that are as clean and well
maintained as the valuable assets
that they carry.
www.LAPrepTransport.com
Intercity Lines, Inc. 800.221.3936,
413.436.9422. Rapid, hassle-free,
coast-to-coast service. Insured
enclosed transport for your
valuable car at affordable prices.
State-of-the-art satellite transport
tracking. Complete service for
vintage races, auctions, relocations.
www.intercitylines.com. (MA)
premium service it deserves. We
share your appreciation for fine
automobiles, and it shows.
www.PassportTransport.com.
Reliable Carriers, Inc.
877.744.7889, As the country’s
largest enclosed-auto transport
company, Reliable Carriers faithfully
serves all 48 contiguous
United States and Canada.
Whether you’ve entered a
concours event, need a relocation,
are attending a corporate event or
shipping the car of your dreams
from one location to another, one
American transportation company
does it all. www.reliablecarriers.
com
Corvette Parts &
Restoration
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.
Palm Springs Auctions, Inc.
Keith McCormick. 760.320.3290.
Family owned & operated for 28
years. Producing 2 large classic
car auctions per year in Palm
Springs, California. Each auction
features over 500 cars. Held in
November & February every year.
www.classic-carauction.com
120 AmericanCarCollector.com
Passport Transport.
800.736.0575, Since our founding
in 1970, we have shipped thousands
of treasured vehicles doorto-door
with our fully enclosed
auto transporters. Whether your
prized possession is your daily
driver, a vintage race car, a classic,
a ’60s muscle car or a modern
exotic, you can depend on
Passport Transport to give you the
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
Blue Flame 6 to the C6, only
Corvette Central has it all.
www.corvettecentral.com. (MI)
County Corvette. 610.696.7888.
Sales, service, parts and restoration.
When it must be right.
www.countycorvette.com. (PA)
Zip Products. 800.962.9632, Zip
customers know that the voice on
the other end of the phone is a
true enthusiast. Someone who, in
minutes, can hold in their hands
any item in stock. Further, someone
with knowledge of, experience
with, and genuine affection for, the
car we hold so dear: Corvette.
www.zip-corvette.com (VA)
Corvette Repair. The Leader
and most recognized NCRS,
Bloomington Gold & Triple
Diamond Award winning
Corvette repair shop in America.
Breathtaking state of the art restorations,
with the highest attention
to detail and workmanship to any
C1, C2 or C3 Corvettes. Compare
our hourly rate and be surprised...
or shocked. Contact Kevin J.
Mackay at 516.568.1959
www.corvetterepair.com (NY)
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)
Street Shop, Inc. 256.233.5809.
Custom 1953–1982 Corvette
replacement chassis and driveline
components.
www.streetshopinc.com. (AL)
Corvettes for Sale
County Corvette. 610.696.7888.
The most modern and bestequipped
Corvette-only facility in
the nation.
www.countycorvette.com. (PA)
Page 119
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)
Insurance
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
includes no mileage restrictions
and special pricing for large
schedules. For more information,
contact us at 1(866)CAR-9648 or
www.chubbcollectorcar.com.
Leasing has been the leader in
exotic, luxury, and collector car
leasing. This honor comes from
Putnam’s unique ability to match
the car of your dreams with a
lease designed just for you. Every
Putnam Lease is written to provide
maximum flexibility while conserving
capital, lowering monthly
payments, and maximizing tax
advantages. It’s Putnam’s way of
letting you drive more car for less
money. For leases ranging from
$50,000 to more than $1 million,
with terms extending up to 84
months visit www.putnamleasing.
com or call 1.866.90.LEASE. (CT)
Legal
Law Offices of Bruce Shaw,
Collector Car Fraud Specialists,
www.shawlaws.com. A motorhead
law firm with real practical
knowledge and experience in the
Collector Car Field. Experience:
Chain of speed shops, Body
Shops, Car Dealerships, former
NCRS judge as well as licensed
attorneys. Estate planning and
divorce settlements concerning
Collector Cars. 50 State
Representation. 215.657.2377
Museums
Grundy Worldwide.
888.647.8639, Grundy Worldwide
offers agreed value insurance with
no mileage limitations, zero deductible*,
and high liability limits.
Our coverages are specifically
designed for collectible-car owners.
From classic cars to muscle
cars, Grundy Worldwide has you
covered. (*Zero deductible available
in most states.)
888.6GRUNDY (888.647.8639).
www.grundyworldwide.com. (PA)
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)
Leasing
Putnam Leasing. 866.90.LEASE.
For over 25 years, Putnam
SUBSCRIBE TO SCM
877.219.2605 Ext. 1
SportsCarMarket.com/subscribe
March-April 2014 121
Cosmopolitan Motors, LLC.
206.467.6531, Experts in worldwide
acquisition, collection management,
disposition and
appraisal. For more than a quarter
century, Cosmopolitan Motors has
lived by its motto, “We covet the
rare and unusual, whether pedigreed
or proletarian.” Absurdly
eclectic and proud of it. Find your
treasure here, or pass it along to
the next generation. www.cosmopolitanmotors.com
(WA)
expectations. Visit during the
37th annual open house along
with 13,000 other enthusiasts.
253.272.2336
www.lemaymarymount.org
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)
Parts—General
“in stock” selection of parts.
Visit us online at www.mustangsunlimited.com
or join us
on Facebook or Twitter for the
latest buzz in all things Mustang.
Customer Satisfaction is goal #1.
Phone: Connecticut 888.398.9898,
Georgia 888.229.2929.
National Parts Depot.
800.874.7585, We stock huge
inventories of concours-correct
restoration parts for:
1965–73 and 1979–93 Mustang
1967–81 Camaro & Firebird
1964–72 GTO, Tempest & Lemans
1964–87 Chevelle, Malibu &
El Camino
1948–29 and 1980–96 F-Series
Ford Truck
1966–96 Bronco
1955–57 Thunderbird
Delivery of your parts averages
just 1–3 days!
www.nationalpartsdepot.com
LeMay Family Collection
Foundation. LeMay Family
Collection Foundation at
Marymount Events Center near
Tacoma, WA, hosts an epic
backdrop for your next event.
Home to 500 fabulous collector
cars, world-class art exhibits, and
assorted ephemera, consider your
next event here. Weddings, swap
meets, conventions, auctions.
The facility can likely exceed your
Mustangs Unlimited. Since 1976,
Mustangs Unlimited is YOUR
best source for 1965–present
Mustang, 1965–70 Shelby, and
1967–73 Mercury Cougar Parts.
Call or visit our website to receive
a full-color catalog full of the parts
you need with the best prices in
the industry. With two fully stocked
warehouses, we have the largest
Keith Martin’s
Original Parts Group, Inc. With
over 30 years’ experience, OPGI
manufactures and stocks over
75,000 of the finest restoration parts
and accessories for GM classics at
the best prices anywhere. The largest
selection of Chevelle, El Camino,
Monte Carlo, GTO, Le Mans,
Tempest, Gran Prix, Bonneville,
Catalina, Cutlass, 442, Skylark, GS,
Riviera and Cadillac classic parts
anywhere. Visit www.OPGI.com or
call (800) 243-8355.A
Sports Car Market
The Insider’s Guide to Collecting, Investing, Values, and Trends
™
Page 120
Surfing Around
Carl Bomstead
Automobilia on eBay
and beyond
Carl’s thought: Profiles in History, at their December 18, 2013, auction, offered a varied collection of
rock ’n’ roll memorabilia. Included were the handwritten lyrics of “Riders on the Storm” by Jim Morrison of
The Doors. Morrison died in 1971 at the age of 27. His notebook, with random musings and poems, realized
$200,000, while the lyrics for the song sold for $55,000. He’s been gone for over 40 years, but the song still
sticks in our mind.
Here are a few others that stuck with me, but the memory won’t last that long:
MORFORD AUCTIONS. LOT 269—PIONEER MOTOR OIL
ONE-QUART CAN. SOLD AT: $2,645.
Date sold: 12/6/2013. The Pioneer Oil and
Refining Company was headquartered in
San Antonio, TX, and their covered-wagon
logo was certainly appropriate. Picture
cans have been making a comeback after
a few years in the doldrums, and the price
paid for an interesting can in this condition,
while strong, is not out of line with other
recent sales.
EBAY #221312112574—EDSEL DEALER NEON PORCELAIN
SIGN. Number of bids: 11.
SOLD AT: $11,000. Date sold:
11/16/2013. This double-sided
porcelain sign was fitted with
neon and was in acceptable condition.
It was huge, measuring 91
by 81 inches, and at first glance,
the price was up there. However,
at the June 2012 RM Dingman
sale, a smaller Edsel dealer sign that was simply neon mounted on a
frame sold for $5,750, making this, in comparison, a screaming deal.
EBAY #1511438255825—GRIZZLY GASOLINE DECAL. Number
of bids: 3. SOLD AT: $21.89.
Date sold: 10/21/2013. Grizzly
Gasoline was operated by the
NW Refining Company, having
been founded in 1938 and
acquired by Standard Oil in the
’40s. It was a dominant player in
Montana, and these little travel
decals with various city names
were given out at the stations. Anything from the Montana gas and
oil industry has a certain mystique and usually is rather pricey. This
decal was reasonable enough at this price and will make a cute little
display piece.
EBAY# 251395398999—1967 CORVETTE DEALER PROMOTIONAL
MODEL. Number of
bids: 15. SOLD AT: $511.90.
Date sold: 12/10/2013. This
molded plastic 1967 Corvette
was highly detailed and was finished in Lynndale Blue. The chrome
pieces had a few blems and the glass was scratched, but otherwise
122 AmericanCarCollector.com
it was very presentable. 1967 was, of course, the last year for the
C2s, and a touch fewer than 23,000 Corvettes were built that year.
Rare dealer promos have a following, and this one sold for strong
but not unreasonable money.
EBAY #19099314150—1909 LITTLE ROCK MOTORCYCLE LICENSE
PLATE #1. Number of bids:
21. SOLD AT: $5,688.80. Date sold:
12/9/2013. This porcelain license
plate was from the estate of the
original owner, who is pictured with
his bride on their 1907 Curtis Cycle.
The plate has some rough edges but
is the first motorcycle plate issued in
Little Rock and, with the supporting
documentation, is a piece of history.
Expensive, but considering the backstory,
what the heck?
EBAY #261347029529—CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH APPROVED
SERVICE 42-INCH PORCELAIN
SIGN. Number of bids: 20.
SOLD AT: $2,650. Date sold:
12/14/2013. This 42-inch porcelain
dealer sign dated to the ’40s
and was in acceptable condition
with a chip at the bottom and
minor scratching throughout.
It retained good gloss and the
colors were bright and vibrant.
The sign was lacking dramatic
graphics, thus the price paid was not what others often bring. Fair
price for what it was.
EBAY #271340099809—LES PAUL 50TH ANNIVERSARY CORVETTE
GIBSON GUITAR. Number
of bids: 15. SOLD AT: $8,100.
Date sold: 12/19/2013. This was
one of 50 guitars custom-built
to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of the Corvette. It had
the Corvette emblem inlaid in the
fingerboard, and the side body
vent was re-created to replicate
the Corvette. It was painted in Shale to match the Corvette interior
color. It’s a unique Corvette collectible, and the proceeds benefited
the American Cancer Society, so kudos all around on this one. A