Profiles
- Ford - 1969 Ford Torino Talladega 428 CJ fastback
- Americana - 1955 Chevrolet Custom “Two-Lane Blacktop”
- GM - 1967 Chevrolet Yenko Super Camaro
- Race - 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Trans Am
- Mopar - 1969 Plymouth A12 Road Runner
- Hot Rod - 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe Custom
- Profiles - 1976 Chevrolet C10 Custom Pickup
- Corvette - 1961 Chevrolet Corvette convertible
Search This Issue
Page 4
CAR COLLECTOR
Volume 4 • Issue 20 • March-April 2015
The Scoop: Profiles
CORVETTE
1961 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE
$56k / Barrett-Jackson
A dual-carb Corvette in a
great color. But is it original?
— Carl Bomstead
Page 40
GM
1967 CHEVROLET YENKO
SUPER CAMARO
$358k / Gooding & Co.
Rare tuner Camaro
reinforces the Yenko market
— Tom Glatch
Page 42
FoMoCo
1969 FORD TORINO
TALLADEGA 428 CJ
$39k / Barrett-Jackson
A best buy in NASCAR
homologation specials
— Patrick Smith
Page 44
MOPAR
1969 PLYMOUTH
A12 ROAD RUNNER
$165k / Barrett-Jackson
As Hemi cars move up,
so do their comparables
— Tom Glatch
Page 46
AMERICAN
™
6 AmericanCarCollector.com
Keith Martin's
Page 5
CUSTOM
1939 LINCOLN-ZEPHYR
COUPE CUSTOM
$253k / RM
Pinning the value on a
cost-is-no-object build
— Ken Gross
Page 48
AMERICANA RACE
1955 CHEVROLET CUSTOM
“TWO-LANE BLACKTOP”
$160k / Barrett-Jackson
Cult-film star car screams
to a market price
— Jim Pickering
Page 50
1970 FORD MUSTANG
BOSS 302 TRANS AM
$200k / RM
Pricing a Trans Am racer
that never raced Trans Am
— Sam Stockham
Page 52
TRUCK
1976 CHEVROLET C10
CUSTOM PICKUP
$45k / Barrett-Jackson
Pricing on big pickups
moves up a generation
— Jay Harden
Page 54
Cover photo: 1976 Chevrolet C10
custom pickup Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Trans Am, p. 52
Patrick Ernzen ©2015, courtesy of RM Auctions
March-April 2015
7
Page 6
The Rundown
EXPERTS’
COLUMNS
10 Torque
The power of legend on the
market — Jim Pickering
34 Cheap Thrills
The cheapest buys in Arizona
— B. Mitchell Carlson
36 Horsepower
A car guy’s New Year
— Colin Comer
38 Corvette Market
All the fun for a fraction of the
price — John L. Stein
114 Surfing Around
Automobilia from the
Ron Pratte Collection
— Carl Bomstead
AUCTIONS
58 Barrett-Jackson — Scottsdale 2015
99% of 1,631 cars hammer sold, including the $5.1m 1966 Shelby Cobra
Super Snake, for $131m in total sales — Dan Grunwald
68 Leake Auction Company — Dallas Fall 2014
375 cars sell out of 555 offered for $10.2m, and a Duesenberg built in
1978 makes $283k — Phil Skinner and Elise Levy
76 Russo and Steele — Scottsdale 2015
403 of 603 cars hammer sold to the jingle of nearly $17m total
— John Boyle
86 Silver Auctions — Fort McDowell
A 1956 DeSoto Firedome convertible sells for $85k, sales total $3.6m,
and 219 of 316 cars change hands — B. Mitchell Carlson
94 Roundup
American vehicles from coast to coast — B. Mitchell Carlson, Joe Seminetta,
Carl Bomstead, Jack Tockston
8 AmericanCarCollector.com
FUN
RIDES
20 Good Reads
Art of the Corvette
— Mark Wigginton
22 Desktop Classics
1971 Buick Riviera
— Marshall Buck
24 Snapshots
The Pratte Collection sells
— Sam Stockham
26 ACC’s eighth annual
Scottsdale Insider’s Seminar
— Jim Pickering
30 Feature
Buying low and selling high
in Arizona — Tony Piff
SERV
DEPA
12 What’s
Car events of note
14 Crossing the Block
Upcoming auctions and
highlighted star cars
20 Parts Time
Cool parts to keep your car
on the road
22 Cool Stuff
Diapers, magnets and rat
repellent
28 Insider’s View
How do you know if it’s time to
buy or time to sell?
62 Quick Take
1966 Shelby Cobra 427
Super Snake — Jim Pickering
84 Glovebox Notes
2015 Chrysler 200S sedan
98 One to Watch
1991 Chevrolet Camaro
Z/28 1LE — Chad Tyson
106 The Parts Hunter
Rare parts and pieces on the
market
108 Showcase Gallery
Sell your car in ACC’s
classifieds section
108 Advertiser Index
110 Resource Directory
Get to know our advertisers
Page 8
Torque
Jim Pickering
The power of legend
O
ver a thousand miles and just
a few days past the big tents
of Scottsdale, I sat in my parents’
house with my daughter
as my dad ka-chunked slides
into his ’60s-era projector. Blurry images of
the past reflected off the eggshell-textured
wall — familiar faces unencumbered by age,
the family house a different color, the old fir
tree as a sapling. Somewhere in the reams
of slides featuring the family, the house, and
foxholes in Vietnam hid a grainy shot of the
neighbor’s house taken on the day it burned.
That house was rebuilt years back.
Recently, it sold to a developer, and it’s
slated to be flattened to become four modern
row houses. All this business of change in
the neighborhood has the longtime residents
bothered, and it drove Dad to find that old
picture. While he hunted, past the 1965
prom, hand-built go-carts, long-gone swingsets
and troop-loaded Hueys, Katie tried to
identify Grandpa among the young faces and
I looked for old cars.
Eventually, he landed on a shot of the
house in question, circa 1963 or so, but
minus the flames. In the foreground was
a car I’ve heard a lot about over the years
but have only rarely seen. “There’s my old
’56 Chevy around the time I bought it. Cost
$100,” said Dad. “Had no engine. Was an old
cop car.”
As a kid, I’d heard about him building a
265 for it, over-revving it in a drag race with
a buddy and pulling all the rocker studs out
of the heads, and driving around slowly in
the rain on slicks because they were cool and
that’s what you did. To me, it was the stuff
of car-guy legend. Its image always conjured
burger joints, drag races and cruising in my
mind. It’s the kind of car culture I wanted
to live but only experienced either in film
or as some sort of grown-up-sanctioned
throwback event — 25 mph please, ending
at dark.
But there it sat, an icon of its era in muted
tones on the wall, close enough to touch.
Modern performance
This year’s Arizona auctions were the
biggest ever, with over $291m in sales over
the week. In total, 2,525 of 2,880 cars sold
at six auctions. Compare that with last year’s
$253m, which was also a record, and you’ve
got a good model of a growing market.
Beyond the big-money Pratte Collection,
10 AmericanCarCollector.com
Courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
The “Two-Lane Blacktop” ’55 Chevrolet
high-dollar restored Hemi ’Cudas and ultrarare
race Corvettes, there were some interesting
trends this year. First, trucks, specifically
custom trucks, have seen more upward movement.
This was especially true at BarrettJackson,
where a bunch of bagged Chevys
brought prices in the $30k range. Second, and
more important, the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s
have come on strong as well. Reference a ’91
Camaro 1LE that brought more than $25k at
Barrett (see “One to Watch” on p. 98), or the
2000 Mustang Cobra R that made $41,800 at
Russo and Steele.
There’s a shift in the market that’s re-
ally come into focus, and that’s a greater
number of younger buyers buying the cars
they always wanted. These are the guys
driving up prices on Fox-body Mustangs,
and throwing down money on square-body
Chevrolet trucks. I can’t say cars from these
generations were instrumental in driving
this year’s prices up significantly, but I will
say that they seemed to have more of an
impact this year than ever before.
Shifting interests
The thing is, while one part of the market
can see growth, another section can experience
slowing. It’s only natural.
One of the biggest topics of discussion
during this year’s ACC seminar Q&A session
was the role of the younger audience
in today’s collector car world. From where
I stood, the room seemed split between
forecasting a continued healthy market and a
prediction of doom for values of traditional
collector cars — cars such as Tri-Five
Chevrolets — as younger interests take hold.
I thought about this a lot, especially later
that afternoon as I was searching BarrettJackson’s
tents for the one car I really
wanted to see: the “Two Lane Blacktop” ’55
Chevrolet (profiled on p. 50). Like Dad’s old
’56, this car has always been an icon for me,
and I couldn’t resist the chance to see it up
close.
The “Two-Lane” car had a crowd around
it when I got there, including people like
myself, who were too young to have been
around when these cars were cheap. In
general, Tri-Fives have been priced out of
the realm of affordability for young collectors
for quite some time, but that’s starting
to change, and it seems like it’s happening
at the same rate our 5.0 Mustangs are seeing
appreciation.
This year, we saw the median price on
Tri-Fives drop $10k in Scottsdale compared
with last year, meaning more cheaper cars
sold. Values for cars like Dad’s old ’56,
sitting proud on a pair of pie-crust slicks, are
starting to come down. Eventually, they’ll be
priced at a rate close enough for the next gen
to touch. But I don’t think that means they’ll
ever bottom out.
The one thing you can always count on,
be it in the car market or anywhere else, is
change. And while houses are built, burned,
knocked down, and replaced with new ones,
so too do tastes and icons shift. But a car
guy’s hot ticket doesn’t always go cold — especially
if “Two-Lane,” “American Graffiti,”
and the power of lesser legends like Dad’s
old ’55 Chev have anything to do with it. I
know I’ll own one someday, and someday
may be sooner than I think. A
MARKET INTERESTS ARE SHIFTING, BUT ICONS ARE FOREVER
Page 10
WHAT’SHAPPENING
Let us know
about your events
Do you know of American-car-related events or happenings that we should publicize? Contact
us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208 or online at comments@
americancarcollector.com.
Courtesy of the LeMay—America’s Car Museum
Ford F-series and Route 66 at LeMay
Two icons of America — the Ford F-series truck and Route 66 — take over the LeMay—America’s Car Museum this spring.
“Ford F-Series: The Truck That Grew Up with America” marks 13 generations of Ford trucks from 1948 to 2015. The exhibition shows
how a truck that was designed as a work tool also became a family vehicle. Plenty of great trucks are on display at the museum in Tacoma, WA.
On March 27, the “Route 66: Dream of the Mother Road” exhibit will shift to vintage station wagons. “The station wagon is the ultimate roadtrip
car, which makes it appropriate to highlight in our exhibit dedicated to the most famous highway in the United States,” said Scot Keller,
chief curator. The station wagons will take center stage until June 30.
For more information on LeMay—America’s Car Museum, log onto www.lemaymuseum.org
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 22 to 26. This is one of the biggest
events of the year on the East Coast, and it’s
a great way to shake off winter. 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
be on sale in the car corral. If those offerings
aren’t enough, the Carlisle Auction at the
Carlisle Expo Center will run more than 300
cars across the block.
www.carsatcarlisle.com
12 AmericanCarCollector.com
Goodguys on the road
Goodguys burns rubber all over the map
during March and April. The Goodguys
Sixth Spring Nationals takes place March
13–15 at WestWorld in Scottsdale, AZ, and
the fifth Spring Lone Star Nationals rumbles
to life in Fort Worth, TX, from March 20
to 22. The 33rd All American Get-Together
is March 28–29 in Pleasanton, CA, and the
Goodguys Meguiar’s 15th Del Mar Nationals
is April 10–12 in Del Mar, CA. No excuses
for those lucky enough to live in California
during the early spring!
www.good-guys.com
Pomona Swap Meet
Picture 30,000 people, 15 miles of
car parts, and hundreds of American
hot rods, muscle cars and Detroit Iron
behemoths gleaming under the Southern
California sun. The massive Pomona
Swap Meet brings our version of
paradise to life on March 1 and April 19
at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA. This is
one of the best swapmeets on the planet,
and it all takes place in the cradle of
American hot-rodding.
www.pomonaswapmeet.comA
Page 12
CROSSINGTHE
Upcoming auctions (Images are courtesy of the respective auction houses unless otherwise noted)
BLOCK
Vicari — Chattanooga 2015
Where: Chattanooga, TN
When: March 13–14
by Tony Piff
Featured cars:
• 1974 Plymouth Duster with built 440-ci
V8, 727 automatic with manual valve
body, 3.55 Posi rear end
• 1968 Plymouth Fury III convertible
Star Car: 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1,
with one owner until June of 2014
More: www.vicariauction.com
Star Car: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 with Marti report offered at GAA
Greensboro, NC
MArCh
GAA — Classic Cars at the Palace
Where: Greensboro, NC
When: March 5–7
Featured cars:
• 1940 Ford Deluxe opera coupe. Early
Ford V8 Club Dearborn Award winner
More: www.gaaclassiccars.com
Star Car: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss
302 with Marti Report
• 1956 Chevrolet Nomad. 500 miles
since $150k nut-and-bolt restoration
Smith’s Auction Company
Where: Cape Girardeau, MO
When: March 6–7
More: www.smithsauctioncompany.com
Specialty Auto Auctions — Spring
2015 Loveland Colorado
Where: Loveland, CO
When: March 7
More: www.saaasinc.com
Bonhams — The Amelia Island
Auction
Where: Amelia Island, FL
When: March 12
Hollywood Wheels — The Amelia
Island Select
Where: Amelia Island, FL
When: March 12–15
Silver Auctions — Arizona in the
Spring
When: March 13–14
Where: Fort McDowell, AZ
More: www.silverauctions.com
Featured cars:
• 1954 Buick Skylark convertible
• 1947 Mercury custom convertible by
George Barris
More: www.theelectricgarage.com
Electric Garage — Red Deer
Collector Car Auction & Speed Show
Where: Red Deer, AB, CAN
When: March 13–15
Featured cars:
Star car: 2009 Shelby GT500 Super
Snake Prudhomme Edition
• 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7
RM Auctions — Automobiles of
Amelia Island
When: March 14
Where: Amelia Island, FL
Last year: 88/91 cars sold / $36m
More: www.seeyouontheblock.com
Star Car: 1965 Chevrolet Corvette
327/300 “Big Tank” coupe. Leather
interior, teak steering wheel, matching
numbers
Gooding & Company — The Amelia
Island Auction
Where: Amelia Island, FL
When: March 13
Last year: 78/88 cars sold / $31m
Featured cars:
• 1912 Peerless Model 60 Runabout,
ex-Craven Collection
More: www.bonhams.com
14 AmericanCarCollector.com
Featured cars:
• 1948 Kurtis Kraft midget racer
(Gooding estimate: $45k–$65k)
• 1911 EMF Model “30” Factory Racer
Star Car: 1932 Stutz DV-32 Super
Bearcat with coachwork by Weymann,
ex-Fred Simeone
More: www.goodingco.com
($200k–$300k)
Star Car: 1925 Ahrens-Fox NS4 fire
truck ($250k–$350k)
• 1932 Ford roadster, formerly the
property of Jack Kukura
Featured cars:
• 1958 Pontiac Bonneville sport coupe,
highly optioned with Tri-Power 300-ci
V8 and Trans-Portable radio, formerly
part of the Milhous Collection
• 1954 Chevrolet Corvette, highly
original, numbers-matching
More: www.rmauctions.com
Star Car: 1953 Chevrolet Corvette, #27
of 300 first-year cars, restored by
Corvette expert
Mecum — 25th Annual Antique
Motorcycle Auction
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: March 20–21
More: www.mecum.com
Page 14
CROSSINGTHEBLOCK
Star Cars: 1969 Dodge hemi Daytona and 1970 plymouth hemi Superbird at
Mecum houston
Southern Classic — 41st
Semi-Annual Music City Spring
Classic
Where: Murfreesboro, TN
When: March 21
Last year: 81/157 cars sold / $1.4m
More: www.dankruseclassics.com
AprIL
• 1960 Chevrolet Impala convertible
More: www.southernclassicauctions.com
Featured cars:
• 1969 Dodge Dart 440
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Indy Pace Car
convertible
Auctions America — Collector Cars
of Fort Lauderdale
Where: Fort Lauderdale, FL
When: March 27–29
Last year: 355/493 cars sold / $20.8m
Featured cars:
• 1966 Shelby GT350, offered from
more than four decades of single
ownership; equipped with factory
4-speed, a/c, radio, power brakes,
original engine, factory sheet metal
and Shelby/Cragar wheels (Auctions
America estimate: $150k–$200k)
Mecum — Houston 2015
Where: Houston, TX
When: April 9–12
Last year: 682/967 cars sold / $33.6m
Star Cars: 1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona
and 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird
More: www.mecum.com
Electric Garage
Where: Edmonton, AB, CAN
When: April 10–12
More: www.theelectricgarage.com
The Branson Auction
Where: Branson, MO
When: April 17–18
Last year: 118/207 cars sold / $2.2m
More: www.bransonauction.com
• “Shorty,” a one-of-a-kind 1964½ Ford
Mustang III factory prototype, offered
from 47 years of ownership ($400k–
$600k)
Barrett-Jackson — Palm Beach 2015
Where: Palm Beach, FL
When: April 17–19
Last year: 511/514 cars sold / $24.6m
Featured cars:
• 1957 Ford Thunderbird E-code
convertible
More: www.barrett-jackson.com
More: www.auctionsamerica.com
Star Car: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L71
427/435 convertible, repainted in
period-correct lacquer Rally Red, with
rebuilt numbers-matching drivetrain,
matching date codes throughout and
tank sticker ($90k–$110k)
Dan Kruse Classics — San Antonio
2015
Where: San Antonio, TX
When: March 28
16 AmericanCarCollector.com
• 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427 coupe
Star Car: 1961 Chevrolet Corvette
Leake — Dallas Spring 2015
Where: Dallas, TX
When: April 17–19
Last year: 248/385 cars sold / $5.5m
More: www.leakecar.com
Mecum — Kansas City 2015
Where: Kansas City, MO
When: April 23–25
Last year: 359/578 cars sold / $8.3m
Featured cars:
• 1972 Chevrolet Corvette coupe,
9,919 miles
• 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air hard top
Star Car: 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
396, with factory build sheet and
matching numbers; possibly the most
highly optioned L78 built
More: www.mecum.com
Silver — Portland Spring 2015
Where: Portland, OR
When: April 24–25
Last year: 73/111 cars sold / $918k
More: www.silverauctions.com
Worldwide Auctioneers — The
Houston Classic
Where: Montgomery, TX
When: April 25
Last year: 74/94 cars sold / $6.6m
Featured cars:
• 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie “pilot
car” convertible, featuring many
pre-production prototype parts and
hand-laid fiberglass
• 1967 Shelby GT350 Supercharged
fastback, fully documented
convertible, frame-off restored to factory
specs with $30k paint job
More: www.worldwide-auctioneers.com
Star Car: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1,
with original, numbers-matching
drivetrain and all-original sheet metal,
restored to national show level
Specialty Auto Auctions — Denver in
the Spring 2015
Where: Brighton, CO
Where: April 25
More: www.saaasinc.com
Southern Classic — Inaugural
Louisville Classic
Where: Jeffersonville, IN
When: April 25
More: www.southernclassicauctions.comA
Page 16
Publisher’s
Note
Keith Martin
A
Gearing up for a
fantasy collection
t Barrett-Jackson, we shot 32 cars for upcoming episodes
of “What’s My Car Worth.” I got a chance to drive
a mouth-watering selection of American supercars,
which included a 1969 Yenko Camaro, a 1970 Chevelle
LS6, a 1970 Shelby GT500, a 1968 GT500 KR, a 1969
Camaro 396/375 convertible, a 1969 Trans Am, a 1969 Corvette L89
and a 1968 Corvette L88.
All those cars in one garage would make a pretty nice collection.
As I went from one car to the next, I began to understand the
similarities and the differences between them.
The two things that I noticed immediately with each car were the
rear-axle ratio, and the size of the cockpit and the seating position.
As these were muscle cars and designed for straight-line perfor-
mance, the installed gears were either 4.11s or 3.73s. While the 4.11s
had superior off-the-line performance, they just made the cars too
buzzy for casual use. Getting to many cruise-ins requires 50 or
100 miles of freeway travel. The 3.73 is just a much better ratio for
general all-around driving, while still providing some grunt at launch.
I found that I much preferred the feeling of the cockpits of the
Camaros, Mustangs and Firebirds to the feeing of the A-body
Chevelles. Granted, the Chevelle is a much larger car, but I felt lost
inside of it. The pony cars had a more intimate feeling, providing the
combination of a small car with a big engine.
My choice at the end of the day? Well, it was close. Both the 1969
Camaro 396/375 convertible and the ’68 Shelby GT500 KR convertible
ticked all the boxes. But if I had to pick just one, put the Shelby in my
driveway. Those big scoops on the hood will get me every time. A
CAR COLLECTOR
Volume 4, Number 2
March-April 2015
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
Senior Associate Editor Chad Tyson
Copy Editors Yael Abel, Dave Tomaro
Auction Analysts B. Mitchell Carlson
Kevin Coakley
Pat Campion
Dale Novak
Adam Blumenthal
Michael Leven
Cody Tayloe
Contributors Carl Bomstead
Colin Comer
John Draneas
Michael Pierce
Jay Harden
Mark Wigginton
Information Technology Brian Baker
Lead Web Developer Scott Correy
SEO Consultant Michael Cottam
Advertising and Events
Manager Erin Olson
Financial Manager Cheryl Ann Cox
print Media Buyer Wendie Martin
ADVErTISING SALES
Advertising Executives Darren Frank
darren.frank@AmericanCarCollector.com
877.219.2605 x 214
Cindy Meitle
cindy.meitle@AmericanCarCollector.com
877.219.2605 x 213
Steve Kittrell
steve.kittrell@AmericanCarCollector.com
877.219.2605 x 211
SuBSCrIpTIONS
Subscriptions Manager Sarah Willis
Subscriptions 877.219.2605 x 1
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Phone 503.261.0555
Fax 503.253.2234
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A difficult choice: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 396/375 ...
Email help@AmericanCarCollector.com
Feedback comments@AmericanCarCollector.com
Web www.AmericanCarCollector.com
Daniel Grunwald
Jack Tockston
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Phil Skinner
John Boyle
Doug Schultz
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Ken Gross
Tom Glatch
John L. Stein
Marshall Buck
Dale Novak
AMERICAN
JOIN US
... but the 1968 Shelby GT500 Kr wins by a nose
18 AmericanCarCollector.com
American Car Collector magazine (ISSN# 2164-1323) is published bimonthly by
Automotive Investor Media Group, 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232.
pOSTMASTEr: Send address changes to American Car Collector, PO Box 4797, Portland,
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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
Keith Martin's
Page 18
GOODREADS by Mark Wigginton
Art of the Corvette
by Randy Leffingwell and Tom Loeser, Motorbooks, 224 pages, $36.07 (Amazon)
Seven generations of Corvettes, beautifully photographed, beautifully printed. You had me at
“hello.”
Randy Leffingwell and co-conspirator Tom Loeser focus their talents this time on the bestdamned
sports car GM could make, and some of them were
and are quite good. (We should admit that some were just
awful as well.)
In this collection of images of the history of Corvette
(supported by a dusting of text), Art of the Corvette treats
them all as if they were belles of the ball — even the ugly
stepsisters.
Leffingwell uses the technique of “light painting” to
create stunning images of 24 different cars, spanning 60
years of design, from the 1953 C1 Corvette through to the
2014 C7 Stingray coupe. Each of the cars is shot in full
side profile, three-quarter front and rear views, plus some
details of interior and engine compartments. Layering
multiple discrete shots created each printed image.
The results are stunning. Beautiful highlights showcase
the lovely lines, the flow of a fender, the subtle design cues
that translated from pen to clay to final car. Of course, they
also reveal some hideous, factory-direct fit-and-finish issues,
such as door gaps a small child could fall through.
But it’s hard to complain about little things when presented with page after
page of wonderful cars. The 1953 gives way to the ’55 V8, the ’57 Fuelie, the ’63 Sting Ray and on
and on and on.
With only 24 cars, some fans will quibble over which cars were included and which were left
out. For instance, the images are all street cars, and several of the included cars were once Zora
Arkus-Duntov’s personal kit. They have history, sure, but may not be the best examples of the
specific model. And ignoring the rich racing heritage of Corvette was clearly a specific choice,
opening the door for a sequel. I can’t wait.
PARTSTIME by Chad Tyson
Lineage:
Plenty of Corvettes have gone
before Randy Leffingwell’s cameras,
and here he had access to some of
the finest examples of the brand.
Fit and finish:
The text is short and sweet, but
hardly groundbreaking. But this is a
coffee-table book, not history, and
the images show real mastery of
technique. The printing, on quality
paper, is beautiful and rich, and the
design supports rather than distracts
from the images.
Drivability:
Two careers ago, I managed
newspaper photographers. Or, rather,
they managed me. I learned how
exacting and exhausting studio work
is compared with the “f/8 and be
there” school of six-assignments-aday
newspaper work. And I learned
about artistry. Randy Leffingwell is an
artist working at a high level, painting
with light rather than a brush. You
may come to Art of the Corvette for
the cars, but you will be rewarded by
much more.
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20 AmericanCarCollector.com
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Page 20
COOLSTUFF
Diaper for your engine
These premium-quality engine diapers from
Stroud keep fluids and loose parts contained,
protecting the drag
strip, your car, and
your life. For
sportsman racers,
the ballistic
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($535) is SFI7.1-approved.
For pros, the
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Available to fit a
variety of engine
and oil-pan configurations.
www.
summitracing.com
Engine for the diapered driver
Get them started young! This play set
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by Tony Piff
Magnet clip
Need to secure
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cally attaches to any me
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without drilling. Installa
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summitracing.com
No more mice
Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent keeps
pests away from your collector car. The
pouch contains a blend of botanical material
with a fragrance that mice and rats
do not like. That means no more chewed
wires, mouse nests or stinky, bloody
carcasses to clean up. Have a barn full of
cars? Place one pouch every 125 square
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earthkind.com
DESKTOPCLASSICS by Marshall Buck
1971 Buick riviera boattail
Redesigned for 1971, the Boattail Riv
is another car that fits into the “polarizing
design” category. You either love it or hate it.
True Scale Models brings us this Riviera.
Lots of chrome, most fitted well, and interior
detailing along with overall fit and finish is
good. The three available color combinations
each highlight various good and bad points
of the model. The all-critical body shape is
somewhat off in all areas, but most noticeable
when viewing the profile. Wheels and
tires look great, but unfortunately are too
small.
TSM makes so many different models, and not enough attention was given to this one. It should have been
better, but it does come supplied in a nice display case.
22 AmericanCarCollector.com
Detailing
Scale: 1:43
Available colors: Regal Black;
Stratomist Blue with white roof;
Vintage Red with white roof
Quantity: Many, perhaps 3,000
(1,000 of each color or more)
Price: $75
Production date: 2011–13
Web: www.tsm-models.com
Ratings
Detailing:
Accuracy:
Overall quality:
Overall value:
is best
Page 22
SNAPSHOTS
The pratte Collection brings over $40.4m at Barrett-Jackson
BLUE-CHIP AMERICANA
real-estate developer ron pratte amassed more than 100 pieces of exemplary American iron for his collection
by Sam Stockham photos by Jim Pickering
European works of art that bring headline money, it was instead made up
of blue-chip Americana, bookended by the high-profile purchases of the
Futurliner bus and the Shelby Super Snake. Between those two cars was
a middle ground made up of the likes of Yenko, Shelby and Coddington.
I
The big buzz
The Saturday night capacity crowd at Barrett-Jackson was there
to witness history. Thousands of bidders and spectators counted
down the lot numbers until the celebrity vehicles everyone came to
see took center stage. Price speculation was all over the board, with
some expressing opinions of lofty numbers nearing eight figures for
the Super Snake. Since the proceeds from the sale of the Futurliner
had been designated for Mr. Pratte’s favorite charity, many thought
that might bring nearly double the $3.2m that he paid back in 2006, as
think we can all agree that the sale of the Ron Pratte Collection
was the highlight of this auction season in Scottsdale. I was fortunate
enough to tour the collection prior to its being transported
to the tents of the Barrett-Jackson auction, and it was impressive.
While this collection easily could have been full of top-dollar
generosity could play a part.
The stars took the stage and bidding started feverishly, almost as if
many just wanted bragging rights to say that they placed a bid. As the
bids started nearing the price paid by Mr. Pratte, the Futurliner and the
Super Snake seemed to inexplicably fall flat. Everyone on stage took
turns chiming in to reignite the bidding crowd, but to no avail. In the
end, the Futurliner managed $4m for charity, while the Super Snake
ended in a lackluster high bid of $4.7m against a higher reserve. About
15 minutes later, Craig Jackson announced that the Super Snake had in
fact sold post-block and found a new home in Texas.
Many of Pratte’s other cars found new homes this year — and at top
dollar. Case in point, the black 1970 Boss 429 offered as Lot 2518. A bid
of $550,000 took it home, and while it was a beautiful car, that was a lot
of money in today’s market. Pratte’s Shelby Mustangs were hot too, and
most had personal connections to the man himself, which helped boost
their value even further. When all was said and done, Pratte’s collection
of cars and automobilia totaled just over $40.4m in sales, again underlining
a well-known trend of boosted values in the market for cars that are
dispersed from well-known and well-thought-out collections.
Whether you agree with the prices paid here or not, this was one
heck of a show, and it’s not something we’ll see again anytime soon. A
1966 Shelby Cobra Super Snake, a $5.1m sale
24 AmericanCarCollector.com
The Futurliner brought $4m for charity
Page 24
SNAPSHOTS
ACC writers and readers talk cars at Scottsdale Seminar
INSIDERS’ INSIGHTS
The ACC brain trust: B. Mitchell Carlson (from left), Carl Bomstead, Colin Comer and Jim pickering
Tony Piff
by Jim Pickering
the Santangelo Group at Merrill Lynch, this year’s seminar consisted
of all ACC contributors, including Colin Comer, Carl Bomstead, B.
Mitchell Carlson, and yours truly.
Comer’s keynote, “When to Restore, When to Modify,” dug into
O
the nuts and bolts of how to make informed decisions about making
changes to classic American cars. “You only restore a car when it’s
absolutely necessary,” Comer said. “There’s just something about the
history of a good unrestored car. You kinda have to wait until you have
to erase that.” But Comer thinks it’s okay to make your car suit your
needs. “If you’re going to drive a car, there are things you can do…
hidden tweaks and modern components that can be used inside of a
restoration that won’t be detectable, but will certainly make the car a
lot more fun.” His examples included speed-rated radial tires, balanced
aluminum driveshafts, electronic ignitions and more.
But as important as original cars and restorations are, a lot of
n Wednesday morning of Arizona Auction week, about
100 ACC readers made their way through BarrettJackson’s
expanse of tents and out to the Monterra restaurant
for the eighth annual American Car Collector
Insider’s Seminar.
Sponsored by Barrett-Jackson, Meguiar’s, Reliable Carriers, and
guys are embracing
modifications, specifically
Day Two upgrades. “It’s
not a sin to do Day Two
modifications if that’s
what you like,” Comer
said. “Day Two refers to…
if you bought the car, on
the second day you had
the thing home, you’re
taking the smog system
off and putting on a 3-barrel
Holley and an open air
cleaner. Yenkos, Nickey
Chicago, Baldwin-Motion
cars… they all had Day
Two modifications. We
didn’t drive stock muscle
cars. Guys want [these
cars] now the way they
were then.” Overall, the
key, Comer said, is to buy
what you like, as financial
appreciation in the market
is never a sure thing.
The five to buy
This year’s panel was tasked with picking the five cars to buy right
now at five price points: $10k, $20k, $50k, $100k and $200k-plus.
Our choices ranged from $10k 1980s Ford F-series 4x4 pickups and
Broncos through $20k Fox-body Saleen Mustangs, $50k 1965 Buick
Rivieras, $100k Hemi Road Runners, and $200k-plus ’65 Shelby
GT350s.
One of the more popular picks was B. Mitchell Carlson’s choice
of a $50k 2012–13 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition.
“This will be the last solid-axle performance car,” Carlson said.
“Everything else is four-wheel independent suspension. And the Boss
302 had it tuned to as good as you’ll ever have it. As I was researching
it, I wasn’t able to find any for sale today under $50k. While they
may dip in value, they’ll probably parallel the C4 ZR-1 Corvettes.
Twenty years from now, they’ll be lined up out here [at the auction],
still in the wrap, getting bid $50k to $60k perhaps… or maybe tanking
at $20k. But I really think it’s one of those cars that… everybody
laughed at the Ford GTs. Nobody’s laughing now.” From there, Comer
held up his keys to show the room that he’d driven one in that morning,
and agreed with all of Carlson’s points — adding that the 302 has
actual race heritage, while a lot of other modern muscle does not.
Later, we held an expanded Q&A session, and had an interesting
discussion about the future of values, the hobby, and what the next
generation is going to be interested in buying. A
See what you missed
Subscribers can go online to view our video of the presentation at www.americancar-
collector.com. We’ll also be hosting another seminar next year, with dates, location and
topic to be announced. Admission is always free to ACC subscribers. Watch this space for
more, and sign up for the ACC Insider’s Newsletter, published every other Wednesday, for
more information as it becomes available. Find it at www.americancarcollector.com.
26 AmericanCarCollector.com
Page 26
INSIDER’S VIEW
Timing the market
The ACC question: Scottsdale
2015 is in the books, and with $291.3m in
sales out of this year’s six auctions, it was a
record-breaker.
By far the biggest news of the week was
the sale of the Ron Pratte Collection, which
totaled $40.4m. And from that very public
sale came the biggest question of the week
— is it time to buy or time to sell?
Ron Pratte has been a longtime Barrett-
Jackson buyer, and for the past few years,
he’s been the man behind some of the company’s
highest profile and most expensive
sales. To see all these cars come back to
sale again caused a lot of bidders to wonder
if Mr. Pratte knows something about the
market that they don’t.
Say you’ve got a nice ’70 Hemi ’Cuda
that you’d like to sell. Is now the time to
move it down the road, or would you hold it
for a while longer to see if the market level
rises higher? On the other hand, say you
want to buy a Hemi ’Cuda. Would you act
right now or wait six months? Why?
What if the car in question was a base-
level ’68 Firebird or low-mile ’75 Chevrolet
pickup? Would you treat those differently?
Is it time to buy or time to sell?
Readers respond:
Wayne Graefen, via ACC Blog: Taking Pratte at his word as
reported elsewhere, he has had fun with collector cars and enjoys the
challenge of creating a new collection of something different. There
are always huge collections coming up for sale. They make a blip in
the long-term market. We thought selling off Harrah’s would destroy
our world. It didn’t.
Slugo, in reply to Graefen, via ACC
Blog: I agree, and although Pratte may
have been one of the highest-profile
collectors in the last few years, he also
appears to be the type of person that
moves on from whatever he’s doing after
fulfilling his goals.
He did the same with his highly suc-
through the gloomy shadows over the past five to seven years, then
yes! It’s a good time to sell. If you are in a position to purchase your
dream car, it’s a good time to pick out a well-documented, recentlyrestored
example and enjoy it while the market continues to rebound.
The sale of Ron Pratte’s collection was no surprise and most likely
cessful business. He built it up, sold it
and moved on. Was it a fluke he sold his
business before real estate crashed? Who
knows, maybe he has a sixth sense, or
most likely it just worked out that way.
I don’t see car collecting taking a nosedive, and who cares if it
“With record-setting sales
and sell-through ratios
coming out of Arizona, we
may be looking at one of
the best seasons for both
sellers and smart buyers
in many years”
does? Worst case is collectors would be stuck with some nice cars, or
else you’ll now be able to jump in and buy some nice ones for reduced
prices. What could be better?
Danny May, via ACC Blog: If you held off selling and weathered
28 AmericanCarCollector.com
had nothing to do with the current economy and was certainly not
influenced by any notion that the collector
car market has hit a plateau. With
record-setting sales and sell-through
ratios coming out of Arizona, we may be
looking at one of the best seasons for both
sellers and smart buyers in many years.
Bill Davis, via email: The market
is cresting, but I don’t expect any
significant downward correction. I own
numerous collectible vintage cars and am
considering slimming down due to age
and energy, but don’t have any economic
pressure to do so. So in reality I am holding
onto my collector-car assets because
I don’t expect any loss in value. This is sort of easy for me to say
because most of what I own has experienced significant appreciation
over the past five years and I expect it to continue, albeit at a slower
pace.
I anticipate that the only segment to continue to significantly appreciate
is the “best of the best.” I’m not in that category. Everything
Crowdsourcing 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.
Jim Pickering
Page 27
else I expect will either hold steady or appreciate at less-thanspectacular
levels.
Todd Duhnke, Wichita, KS: I don’t think it’s either time to sell
or time to buy unless you have a personal reason or desire to do so.
Going forward, growth in values may not be as meteoric as in the
past few years, but there is still plenty of demand out there, as evidenced
by recent auction results. We Baby Boomers still have many
car hobby enjoyment years left, and I was impressed by watching
Barrett-Jackson on TV as to how many Generation X and Generation
Y “kids” were buying cars. I’m 62 and have no inclination to sell my
five collector cars anytime soon, three of which I’ve owned since the
mid-’70s.
Jay Parrish, via email: I am led to believe now is the time to thin
out some of the cars in collections. I hope that with low fuel prices
and a gaining interest of new collectors, the market will allow for
some entry and enjoyment. I hope that if that happens, it will continue
to add breath to this hobby that I love so much. Yes, if you have
an L88 Corvette, you should still be able to buy that vacation home
in Florida with the sale — but maybe not a Brownstone in Manhattan.
Bob Cox, via email: No matter what the commodity or market
one is invested in, it is almost impossible to predict what the high or
low point of the market will be.
There are two factors that an investor has to consider when decid-
ing if this is a good time to sell or hold:
1. The cost of the item when it was acquired is a very important
part of the equation. If an investor has a commodity that was really
purchased “right,” then the question becomes, “How much do I want
to make?”
2. If the asset in question is producing a return on that invest-
ment, i.e. rent, royalties, dividends etc., then the investor can ponder
whether he wants to give up that cash flow. Cars have NO cash flow,
only expenses such as storage, insurance, batteries, tires, potential
rodent damage, keeping powertrains running periodically, etc. A
“collection” of older vehicles can be a royal pain in the ass, not to
mention expensive to maintain. If the owner has no personal identity
or ties to a vehicle, the decision is much easier to make.
I am a former Chrysler dealer. In 1970, as the youngest franchised
Chrysler-Plymouth dealer in the U.S., my personal demonstrator was
a red/black Hemi ’Cuda with 4-speed, 4.10 Track Pack, etc. I sold it
Tony Piff
for invoice to get it out the door. I later regretted not keeping it, but if
one uses the value of that $4,800 for the past 45 years at compound
interest, I could buy multiple Hemi ’Cudas today with the money.
Even though I own eight collector cars today, I NEVER consider
them an investment. I own them because I like them, have fun driving
them and want them.
Mike, via email: It is my opinion that it is time to buy. It must be
a good-quality original car/truck from 1955 through 1972 and you
will not get hurt (no resto-rods). Make sure you know the market/
price for the car you are buying.
With money earning zero percent interest and more Baby
Boomers retiring, now is the time to buy. Hard assets will always be a
good bet if you know what you are buying. As the old man once told
me, they aren’t making any more.
Dave Mahoning, northeast Ohio: I’ve only been in the “game”
for 50-plus years, as a collector, restorer and dealer. I foresee values
maintaining, with occasional adjustments, in a positive way, especially
with lower gas prices, lower dollar value and lack of luster in
bank rates, and a stock market that is unpredictable! Having a hard
asset that you can enjoy and not pay yearly tax on its (hopeful) appreciation
is a GOOD thing!
Route 66 Pub Co., via ACC Blog: We can’t predict prices of cars
or stocks. But good-quality classics will always be in demand. Buy
smart and without emotion, and you’ll come out ahead. A
Comments with your subscription renewals
We love to hear from our readers, and here’s what some of you had to say when you re-upped your subscriptions. Thank you!
This is the best collector
car magazine I have ever
read! Keep up the great
work! — Brian Griffiths,
Lancaster, CA
Would like 12 issues/year.
Cover more car shows/swapmeets.
— Adam Harden,
McConnellsville, NY
Like your magazine.
Would like to see even more
coverage on authentic hot
rods, not street rods. —
Dennis Le Kander, Coeur
D’Alene, ID
Jim Pickering responds:
You’re in luck, Dennis. We’re
working on one for the next
issue.
Evaluate late-model collect-
ible cars in guide, e.g. Shelby
GT500. — Anthony Klein,
Charlotte, NC
You’re doing a fine job on
auction coverage and vehicle
info. Lots of good work. — Joe
Rino, San Bernardino, CA
Please make ACC a monthly
publication. Why do we play
second to SCM? I’m sure
most ACC subscribers would
welcome more timely and just
more coverage. — Todd Sallay,
Tinley Park, IL
Thank you for your hard
work and dedication. — Jerry
McGrann, Hayden, ID
More on Shelby Mustangs!
— H.R. Herrmann, Tulsa, OK
What about some stories on
salvage-yard cars and trucks,
$500–$4,000 range, things that
can still be saved? We are not
all rich! I have to work for a
living. Thank you. — Stephen
Benedict, Newport, VT
Crack wise like the old days!
— Dru Diesner, Libertyville,
IL
Comment most on the
muscle cars most of us have; the
common ’Cudas, Challengers,
Camaros, Corvettes, Chevelles,
and AMXs. It’s great to hear
about that portion of the market
that is in the stratosphere once
in awhile, but honestly, I
wonder what my #3 gear is
worth…. Thanks for a wellthought-out
magazine. —
Mark Hoffman, Black River
Falls, WI
Please include more
content directed at younger
collectors… if you want the
hobby to continue for years
to come, we need to feel included.
— Michael Casson,
Hinsdale, IL
Jim Pickering responds:
We hear you, Michael, and
we’re working on it. Look
for more profiles of lessexpensive
cars and ’80s and
’90s performance models.
March-April 2015 29
Page 28
FEATUREARIZONA AUCTION WEEK
BUY
SELL
LOW,
HIGH,
FUN
“W
HAVE
SAVVY SHOPPERS FIND
THE PROFIT MARGIN
AT EVERY PRICE POINT
Story and photos by Tony Piff
e know what we’re doing.
We’re tryin’ to steal
something,” said Jim Best
of Chicago, IL, scrutinizing
a gleaming yellow Shelby
GT500 replica in the Barrett-Jackson staging
lanes. Buyers, sellers and wide-eyed
tire-kickers swarmed past, and a boozy,
country-rock soundtrack filtered through
the evening air. “When you get emotionally
attached to something, it’s hard to get out
from under it.”
What was Best shopping for? His son Joe
answered, “Whatever makes money.”
Whether your price point has three zeros
or six, the principle doesn’t change: You
have to buy low and sell high. At Arizona
Auction Week 2015, thousands of smart
bidders shopped hard, and sellers came out
ahead when they rolled the dice at the right
venue.
Rob Avati from Long Island, NY,
crawled underneath a purple 1970 Dodge
Challenger 440 with a palm-sized flashlight.
“I’d probably bid $40k for it,” he said, standing
up. “It’ll probably bring $60k. I buy it,
usually keep it for a year, sell it. I always
buy ’em done. It doesn’t pay to restore.” He
pointed to a blue 1970 Challenger R/T 440
Six Pack. “I’d pay $50k for that one.”
30 AmericanCarCollector.com
Barrett-Jackson’s near-endless supply of eye-grabbers included this 1957 Chevrolet Bel
1970 Dodge Challenger 440 and 1970 Challenger r/T 440 Six pack at Barrett-Jackson
Page 29
Air resto-mod
An array of offerings at Silver glint in the desert sun
March-April 2015 31
Page 30
FEATUREARIZONA AUCTION WEEK
Silver always has its fair share of head-turners, such as this 1978 pontiac Trans Am
Twenty minutes later, the purple car hammered sold at $66k, and
the blue car went for $83k. “Too much money,” Avati said. “I hate to
overpay. Can’t sleep for days if that happens.”
Darrel Henderson of Randall, IA, spent the past year restoring a
1967 Chevrolet Camaro. “I build one every couple years,” he said.
“It’s what we do in the winter. Bring it out here ’cause there’s more
money. I’m hoping to get $30ish.”
Henderson and his wife, Linda, accompanied their no-reserve
Camaro onstage before a crowd of thousands. When bidding finished
at $40k, the couple shared a euphoric embrace. “That was my
number,” Henderson said. “I didn’t want to say. There’s a little money
to be made if you buy ’em right. I paid $17k, worked on it for a year.
More labor than money. It’s kind of a second job for me. But it is fun.”
Silver and gold
A blazing sunset silhouetted the low, mountainous horizon of
Saguaro cacti 15 miles east of town at Silver’s Fort McDowell auction.
Silver felt a world away from the Scottsdale bustle, but inside the
tent, the atmosphere was electric. Lights flashed on a spinning disco
ball each time the reserve came off.
A hot-rodded 1972 Chevelle wagon rumbled slowly toward the
tent. Mike Manning from Oakland, CA, hoped to get $25k for it.
“We love Silver,” he said. “Silver treats us like gold. They get a ton
of buyers.” Bidding for the muscle wagon petered out at $16,750, but
Manning stuck to his reserve. He knows the car will find a buyer
soon.
“I like to come here ’cause the cars are a little more reasonably
priced,” said Bill Hendry from Scottsdale. “At Barrett-Jackson, you’re
gonna pay more, in my opinion. This is a good place for the entrylevel
buyer to not have to pay the big money to get into the car. I’m
looking for a deal.”
Tom Souter from Lubbock, TX, hadn’t seen many deals. He’d
been watching the sale for two days. “So far prices have seemed a
little rich,” he said.
Upscale elegance
Across town inside the Gooding & Company auction tent, well-
heeled international collectors sipped cocktails and strolled the 126
carefully arranged consignments. The domestic iron stood proud
amid million-dollar European sports cars.
“David Gooding has a reputation for independent vetting,” said
Bill Scheffler of Palm Springs, CA. He hovered near his 1966 Shelby
GT350 H. “You can buy with some faith that what you see is what you
get. If you’ve got a good car, it’s a great place to sell.”
The crowd at Gooding may be more into vintage Ferraris and
Porsches than American muscle, but Scheffler clearly made a good
call bringing his car there. Saturday afternoon, his Shelby sold for
$176k, beating its $140k–$160k estimate.A
Jim Pickering
1967 Dodge Coronet 440 r/T at Gooding & Company
32 AmericanCarCollector.com
1967 and ’68 Yenko Super Camaros at Gooding & Company
Page 32
Cheap Thrills
B. Mitchell Carlson
HOT DEALS
is best):
Photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
except where noted
1956 Studebaker Sky Hawk coupe
rM Lot 165, VIN 7811411, sold for $19,250
I expected this car to do much better. Granted, it’s not the top of
the pecking order of Hawks, but it’s second only to the Golden Hawk
for ’56 and does have a V8 under the hood — unlike the bottom-rung
Flight Hawk with a Champion flathead six.
In comparison, Silver sold a 1956 Golden Hawk with dual-quad
induction for $32,670. Sure, this wasn’t a stellar show car, but RM
doesn’t tend to offer clunkers, either. Part of the Art Astor Collection
for a while, it was recently touched up but retains the essence of not
having been taken apart. I’d say this one was very well bought.
Cheap:
Thrilling:
(especially if you’re a Life
Member of the Studebaker Drivers Club)
Well-bought factor:
108 ½-ton passenger van
Gooding Lot 150, VIN GS168p127275, sold for $9,900
Who are we trying to kid? It’s an old work van. Granted, it was
used at the local Phoenix Dragways back in the day as a crew van,
but it’s not like it was owned by a famous racer or race team — or not
famous racer or race team.
Once you get beyond Indy Pace Cars, track-support vehicles take
a pretty steep decline in value. In general, we’re talking maybe a 10%
kick beyond the standard value as a regular-issue vintage truck. And
these second-generation Chevy vans are — and will always be —
second fiddle to the first-generation vans based on the Corvair. Had
this been a 1961–65 Greenbrier, this would have been a better buy.
As a Nova-based box with windows and seats, this was all the money.
34 AmericanCarCollector.com
1968 Chevrolet SportVan
The market speaketh, silly $30k to $40k pre-sale estimate be damned.
Cheap:
Thrilling:
(unless you’ve always aspired to be a
shuttle bus driver) Well-bought factor:
1948 International KB-8 semi tractor
with circa 1950 horse trailer
Bonhams Lot 100B, VIN KBS812425, sold for $6,050
Prior to the sale, I figured the only other cheap contender here
was the other old truck — a 1948 Peterbilt with a Hall-Scott gasoline
engine, which eventually fetched $37,400 — more than several cars.
Thing was, while the IH was driven off the transport when it was
delivered, the Peterbilt was dead as a smelt due to flat batteries. A
pair of 6-volts delivered from the local NAPA and draining standing
water out of the twin-ignition distributor on the 1,096-cubic-inch
Hall-Scott was enough to get it lit off, and the sound of that 1,096-ci
engine running likely boosted its bottom line.
The Red Diamond 361 six in the KB-8 (actually, it is really a
in the desert THE THIRD ANNUAL BOTTOM-LOOKING-UP
REVIEW OF THE ARIZONA AUCTIONS
Everyone in the collector car world is analyzing the data from the Arizona auctions in January to figure out this year’s rising stars. Everyone
except cheapskates like me.
As such, I present the third-annual review of the cheapest domestic-built road car sold at each one of the Arizona Auctions.
As in previous years, I’ll rate each on if they were actually cheap, thrilling, and a good combination of all factors. Or just cheap, scary, and a
money pit. So, here we go, from the most spent to the least (
Page 33
KBS-8, due to the 2-speed rear axle) was at least up and running,
even if the rest of the truck was scruffy. Hailing from California, the
rig was generally rust-free, but the tractor was definitely the better
of the two units. It would be a relatively easy restoration — that is,
if you know big trucks and know that it would have to pass a DOT
inspection, as it’s rated at 30,000 GCVW.
Too bad I was at the Silver auction when this was offered. Being
an IH truck loony, this was so up my street it’s scary. Then again, I
probably dodged a bullet here, since a set of six 10 x 20 tires costs at
least half what was paid for the whole truck… let alone shipping it
halfway across the country.
Cheap:
Thrilling:
(especially if you are trying to
learn how to split-shift the rear axle in traffic)
Well-bought factor:
Courtesy of Russo and Steele
While these Big Birds were the antithesis of the original two-
seaters, at least they aren’t the mechanical and electrical nightmares
built from 1980 to 1983. Occasionally these will bring five-digit
prices, but those cars’ odometer readings usually have four digits or
less. This one is also helped in having the optional power-operated
hole in the roof.
The fan base for something like this may be far and few between,
but in the long run, these should catch up with the rest of the predownsizing
Luxobarges from the ’70s and start moving up in value.
As such, I’ll call this one of the better buys of the weekend.
Heck, if all else fails, yank the 460 V8 and C6 automatic and
you’ll get your money back across the scale.
Cheap:
Thrilling:
Well-bought factor:
1952 Dodge M-37 ¾-ton military truck
Barrett-Jackson Lot 68, VIN 80024724, sold for $4,950
Truth be told, there was a three-way tie for the bottom at B-J — all
selling on the first day — with the second and third cars sold also
realizing this amount. One was Lot 2, a 1984 Cadillac Seville, and
right behind was Lot 2.1, a 1981 AMC Concord coupe. Since both
are sort of low-hanging fruit — and since I talked about early-’80s
Sevilles a year ago — I’ll evoke editorial license and look at the milspec
Dodge.
Having owned a 1953 M-37 before, I know from experience that
these make a 10-penny nail look complex and fragile. They were
the most idiot-proof, rugged, cost-effective light combat truck in the
history of U.S. armed forces. Sure, they are lousy on the highway, but
off of it, they make mountain goats look clumsy.
Ignoring a lot of the consignor’s creative lot description, this was
a generally original truck that crosses into several different genres of
collectibility: original “barn find,” solid candidate for a restoration,
good trail-ride mount, and even a piece of Cold War-era militaria.
Cost wise, this was in the range between reasonable and under the
money.
Cheap:
Thrilling:
(unless you tire of the local VFW
post asking you to use it in Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades)
Well-bought factor:
1974 Ford Thunderbird
russo and Steele Lot SN804, VIN 4J87A133990,
sold for $3,300
Russo has a diverse enough catalog that it’s hard to pick a winner
in the least-selling category ahead of time. This time, I was blindsided
by a two-way tie with a pair of Fords at $3,300: Lot SN808 was
a 1962 Falcon sedan, and Lot SN804 was a 1974 T-bird.
(unless you try to autocross it)
Of the two, I’d pick the ’Bird, even if it does have an oh-so-1970s
multi-blue striped cloth interior. Scarier yet, it even matches the suit I
wore to my high school prom.
1991 Cadillac Brougham 4-door sedan
Silver Lot 248, VIN 1G6CB51E0Mr501294, sold for $1,700
Silver is the value leader of the Arizona auctions. It also has the
most diverse selection of them all.
Selling as the last “fresh” car on Saturday night, this one goes to
show that sometimes the best and the least go to those who wait. In
this case, maybe not the best.
While it ran well, this car was not prepped in any way. It wasn’t
even run through the local car wash — and boy did it need it! Coated
with a layer of dust on all surfaces, it looked like it just came out of
impound. Maybe it did. It had a Luke AFB NCO-grade gate sticker
on the windshield with a USMC decal beside it, so I’d guess that
a Marine retiree had it. The paint wasn’t all that badly baked, and
would be worth trying to buff out after getting a bath. All the trim
had that fake 24-karat gold plating on it, which was heavily faded and
worn. The seats were starting to show some splits, so it was far from
being a pristine vessel for future preservation.
While there is something of a following for these final big square
rear-drive GMs, it’s akin to that ’74 T-bird: Loyalists are far and few
between, and they are frugal. At least it wasn’t rollin’ on a set of 24s
with spinners, but at this price, that’s a very likely future outcome.
for you) Well-bought factor: A
Cheap:
Thrilling:
(unless simulated velour is a turn-on
March-April 2015 35
Page 34
Horsepower
Colin Comer
NEW YEAR
A car guy’s
THE CAR-COLLECTING HOBBY IS ALIVE AND WELL, AND 2015 PROMISES
TO BE EVEN MORE EXCITING THAN 2014
with emcees Publisher Martin and SCM
Contributing Editor Donald Osborne.
Now in its second year, the concours,
held at the Arizona Biltmore, remains one
of the finest shows I have attended. The
variety of the cars displayed, the venue
and, most importantly, the people, make
it a truly world-class event. What made
it even better for me was being able to
spend Sunday hanging out with my good
friends Peter and Gayle Brock while we
signed books and shared numerous tall
tales. All true, of course.
It was then on to Barrett-Jackson to
witness people eating turkey legs the
size of Pintos and most of the Ron Pratte
Collection crossing the block on Tuesday.
The house was packed and bidding was
quite spirited.
One interesting phenomenon I’ve been
Don’t get any ideas, kid! Colin’s daughter remington takes a shine to Ford’s upcoming
GT350 r on display at Barrett-Jackson
W
hile many people celebrate the New Year by wearing a
ridiculous hat and consuming enough alcohol to kill a
small horse, I think I can safely speak for all car collectors
by saying we enjoy ringing in the New Year a
little differently — by looking to the Arizona auctions
for our own kind of celebration.
For me, this particular January was even more of a car party than
usual thanks to some events within the Scottsdale scene and beyond.
From Vegas to Arizona
It all started on January 9, the Friday before Auction Week. I was
invited to a special media event at Shelby American in Las Vegas,
where we were the first to see their new 50th Anniversary 427 Cobras
and the new 627-horsepower 2015 Shelby GT. Both are impressive
products, but more importantly, I am thrilled to see the continued
enthusiasm for the Shelby brand and how relevant it continues to be
in today’s high-performance car world. I’m also amazed at what the
Shelby American team is doing in their impressive 135,000-squarefoot
facility off the Las Vegas strip. It’s just a little different than that
small first shop Ol’ Shel opened in Venice over five decades ago. If
you’re in Vegas, do yourself a favor and take the tour.
I then hustled my way back to Scottsdale for the Arizona
Concours, where I was proud to be one of their honored guests, along
36 AmericanCarCollector.com
watching is the prices of resto-mods and
pro touring cars far exceeding those of
many original examples of the cars they
emulate. For example, within a few lot
numbers of each other at Barrett-Jackson,
I watched a bright yellow 1966 Mustang resto-mod sell for almost
twice what a concours-restored 1968 Shelby GT500 Mustang convertible
(a 4-speed, no less) sold for. Of course there were also record
prices realized on other “stock” muscle cars, so it is clear there is
more than one demographic clamoring for vintage muscle.
Seminars and auctions
Our American Car Collector seminar was again held at B-J on
Wednesday morning, and once again I was happy to offer the keynote
address and be a part of the panel, which also consisted of Editor Jim
Pickering, B. Mitchell Carlson and Carl Bomstead. We had a lively
discussion surrounding the cars each panelist picked as the car they’d
want at various price points. I, of course, picked all Ford products,
and not just because I like to stock just one type of oil filter for all
of my cars. It is always great to be a part of these seminars, meet so
many of our subscribers, and engage in some solid car talk. If you
haven’t joined us yet, please consider doing so next year.
Thursday morning brought the Sports Car Market seminar, held
at Gooding & Company’s posh compound in Old Town Scottsdale.
Moderated by Donald Osborne, the panel consisted of three reasonably
well-behaved SCM Contributors Steve Serio, Carl Bomstead,
Simon Kidston, and, of course, yours truly (after all, somebody had
to pick some American cars to talk about). The same comments apply
Page 35
here; if you haven’t taken advantage of joining us for one of these
seminars, you should. It is a great way to keep up on what is happening
in the market and get the insider’s views on where we are heading.
I spent the balance of the week, for about 15 hours a day, attending
all of the auctions and carefully observing the proceedings. I was
even able to purchase a few cars I had my eye on, including a very
original 1963 Studebaker R2 (supercharged) Avanti. I’ve worked on
my fair share of these over the years and have always wanted one.
Maybe it is because I have a thing for Paxton Superchargers or those
magic words “289 cubic inches,” but that’s probably as close as I’ll
come to justifying my actions. In spite of these purchases, I still
retain my crown as the world’s most successful under-bidder, having
finished second place (or worse) in many trips to the block.
A solid market
Total Scottsdale auction sales for the week exceeded $290 million
— a significant increase from even 2014’s $253m record sales. The
market appears as strong as ever, but also shows clear signs of having
stabilized over the past year, with prices becoming more predictable
and returning to logical levels of steady appreciation rather than
some of these huge jumps we’ve witnessed recently. And that’s a
good thing. There are a few exceptions, such as rare Mopar muscle,
especially Hemi-powered cars, coming back strong. They were the
first, and the hardest, hit when the market adjusted in 2008–09, so it
makes sense that they would be the last to recover. Also, great cars
with airtight documented histories, and especially unrestored ones,
are really coming into their own. Witness the 1962 fuel-injected/
Big Brake Corvette with documents to prove it that sold at RM’s
auction for $220k. Without those documents, the same car would have
struggled to achieve half that amount.
Colin’s 1963 Avanti r2. The hideous rolling stock has
already been replaced with vintage halibrand 7011 mags
To wrap January 2015 up, we should also discuss Mecum
Auctions’ 3,000-car juggernaut Kissimmee, FL, sale that has just
concluded as I write this. It was a real barn-burner, with over $68m
in sales. To further cement my thoughts above, Mecum sold a
one-owner 1971 Hemi Challenger for a whopping $691,200, a 1969
Hemi Daytona for $972,000, and an unrestored 1970 Boss 429 for
$459,000. And it was all done within days and over 2,000 miles from
Scottsdale’s record-setting auctions. It all proves one thing: The carcollecting
hobby is alive and well, and 2015 promises be even more
exciting than 2014.
But the big question remains. How the hell do I tell my wife about
that Avanti? A
March-April 2015 37
Page 36
Corvette Market
John L. Stein
GET EVEN
Don’t get sad,
AS VALUES ADVANCE, OUR CHANCES OF OWNING A TRULY ICONIC
CORVETTE BECOME MORE FLEETING. SO, FIND A SURROGATE
The new C7 Z06 gives you top-level performance and more
comfort than a race-spec C5-r, C6.r or C7.r
that — a dream. See you later, 1963 Grand Sport. Goodbye, 1967 L88. It
was good meeting you, SR-2.
So what to do? All Corvettes were built to drive, and so I figure the
healthiest therapy is to hook up with an alternative that offers the same
basic driving experience. But before you email Editor Pickering, please
note I’m emphatically not promoting building clones here, but rather
suggesting that much of the same driving experience of the Greatest
Generation of Corvettes can be had at a price most can afford. So herewith,
hereupon, whereof and wherefore, here’s my mad-hatter surrogate
list for some of the greatest Corvettes in history that most of us, sniff,
won’t ever have.
Images courtesy of GM
If you can’t finance a birth-year 1953 model, you can find
near-identical looks in the more affordable 1954 units
ing, as they represent the cruise ship steaming away from us while we’re
standing onshore. Not only are we not on board today, we ain’t going
to be on board in this lifetime. The ship on the really unique Corvettes,
compadre, has truly sailed.
And so with every thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, or
I
million-dollar advance in values, the chances of ever owning the dream
cars we’ve held in our heads since childhood increasingly become just
38 AmericanCarCollector.com
t’s kind of fun watching seven-figure numbers flash onto the
monitors for a rare Corvette at a car auction. They validate our love
of these cars, provide reassurance that the hobby is healthy, and
sometimes — if we’ve chosen our stable wisely and well — promise
future profits.
On the other hand, for many of us, those same numbers can be sober-
1953 Motorama prototype
Spinning slowly on the turntable at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New
York on January 17, 1953, the Corvette EX 122 prototype ushered in a
new era for American sports cars. And the 300 1953 models that followed,
hand-built in Flint, MI, are worth upwards of $300,000 each today.
If that car’s not in the cards, a great solution is to find a bone-stock,
Polo White 1954. More than 12 times more of them were made — 3,640
in all — and in general it’s visually and essentially the same car. For
about $70,000 to $120,000, you can enjoy the fledgling Corvette all
over again. And if you find that your mojo ever disagrees with 1953, the
prices on ’54 cars are stable, so you can always resell and then transport
yourself to 1963 or 1973 later on.
1956 SR-2 roadster
An exercise in styling as well as performance, with its toothsome
grille and Buck Rogers tailfin, the SR-2 immediately became an iconic
member of the growing Corvette lineage. Underneath were various
Page 37
technical upgrades of the period, including a racing-brake package.
With history as both a styling exercise and a road racer, today the three
SR-2s built are well and truly seven-figure cars.
The easy answer: any 1956–57 Corvette, because all used the same
underpinnings as the SR-2. Short of Sharknado-ing the nose and glassing
on a tailfin (please don’t), adding the same high-performance tweaks
the SR-2 received will create much the same driving flavor as this hallowed
hall-of-famer.
1967 L88 coupe
With only 20 built, you could hardly touch an L88 in 1967, and
most of us sure can’t touch one now, with prices in the millions. Of
course, RPO L88 was a production race car option that came down the
St. Louis assembly line ready for a fight. Its big-block 427 engine was
competition-spec, as evidenced by special heads, high-compression
pistons, camshaft and carb.
The L88 option lived in the midyear body for one year only, making
it extraordinarily rare. But with the plethora of big-inch crate motors
available today, any midyear car can be turned into something just about
as hairy as an L88. There were over 22,000 big-block midyears built,
so somewhere out there is an engineless donor ready for you to enjoy
pumping up for less than five cents on the L88 dollar.
1990 ZR-1 convertible
Yes, Chevrolet made one of these engineering mules — an iridescent
ZR-1 convertible called the DR-1 (for Chevy chief engineer Don
Runkle) made for the ultimate gentleman’s express at the time. I saw it
at Riverside in 1988, and it appeared at auction, along with a bunch of
other GM prototypes, at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale sale in 2009. It
sold there for $286,000 (ACC# 119171).
To obtain similar performance to this elusive unicorn Corvette of
the Late Big Hair Epoch, just waltz yourself into a 1996 Grand Sport
convertible. With 330 hp, it is nearly as powerful and potent as that oneoff
Skunkworks prototype from the late ’80s. An easy $30,000–$50,000
should get you one today.
C5-R, C6.R, C7.R racer
Even if you could buy a modern-era factory Corvette racer, you
might not want to. That’s because they were so specialized, they’d take
a fully operational race shop just to enjoy, not to mention special fuel,
computers, racing slicks, and all the rest.
However, having been allowed a few track laps in the original C5-R
a few years back, I can tell you that the dynamics are simply unbelievable.
With such downforce and grip, that car took me to a land of
g-forces I had never visited before.
Make it easy on yourself: For $78,000-plus, go order a new C7 Z06
instead. The early drive reports say that this car is pure race-car spec,
right off the dealer’s floor. Just to be sure, though, I called former C5-R
and C6.R driver and current Cadillac factory shoe Andy Pilgrim, who
recently tested the C7 Z06 at Road Atlanta. “First, the screaming racecar
noise is truly amazing — it’s just a ripping exhaust note,” Pilgrim
says. “Then you’ve got the acceleration, which is equally tremendous.
And the way the car corners with the Z07 Performance Package is on
another level; I have never experienced a street car that delivers the
lateral g’s of this car. And finally, the braking points are the same as I’d
be looking at in a race car. At Road Atlanta, right out of the box this car
would take the pole in the IMSA Continental series.”
Works for me. A
March-April 2015 39
Page 38
PROFILE CORVETTE
1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE
Under-the-money ’Vette
This Corvette
sold at the
bottom of
the current
market level.
But was it
really a good
buy at that
price?
VIN: 10867S104004
by Carl Bomstead
with white side coves, this Corvette features a white soft
top and red interior throughout. All the trim looks great,
and it has the spinner hubcaps and wide whitewall tires.
It is also equipped with a Wonderbar radio.
T
40 AmericanCarCollector.com
40 AmericanCarCollector.com
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 861, sold for
$56,100, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale, AZ, auction,
held January 10–18, 2015.
In 2014, Chevrolet sold 34,839 Corvettes. But back
in 1955 — Corvette’s third year of production — the
company was ready to pull the plug on the car due to
poor sales and a demanding manufacturing process.
Debut excitement, and teething pains
The Corvette debuted at the 1953 Motorama in New
York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and it was an instant
success. The public’s excitement over the car reinforced
the decision that GM President Harlow Curtice
had already made to proceed with a production
model. Initially, 300 fiberglass-bodied Corvettes were
his beautifully restored 1961 Corvette is powered
by its 283/270-hp engine with two 4-barrel
carburetors and a 4-speed manual transmission
and its original shifter. This car was built with
performance in mind. Painted in Roman Red
to be built in the last half of 1953, and then production
would switch to traditional steel bodies. Production
was planned for 10,000 units in 1954, and with support
from the plastic industry, the steel plan was dropped
and fiberglass continued, and a production line was
developed to build the cars in St. Louis.
But after that initial excitement, the demand for the
Corvette quickly waned. Production was reduced to
just over 3,600 units in 1954, and even that proved to
be optimistic, as over 1,000 remained unsold at the
end of the year.
The average Corvette buyer had experienced
European sports cars during the war, and a car powered
by an anemic Stovebolt six and a 2-speed automatic
transmission was not their idea of a true sports
car. In 1955, a V8 was offered as an option; however,
the Powerglide automatic was required with the V8
until after the midpoint of the year. Only 700 roadsters
were built. In addition, the Ford Thunderbird had
been introduced that year, and 16,155 of them were
sold, stealing the Corvette’s market.
Production issues further clouded the Corvette.
Fiberglass car bodies offered several advantages over
steel ones, but no one had ever mass-produced them.
The 62 body pieces — which were outsourced — had
to be bonded together with a quick-drying resin, and
they did not shrink uniformly, resulting in imperfections
that only Bloomington Gold judges appreciate.
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.
Page 39
COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC premium Auction Database, featuring more
than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com!
Detailing
Current ACC Valuation:
$56,000–$99,000
Tune-up cost: $250
Distributor cap: $25
VIN location: Plate attached
to steering column in
engine compartment
Engine # location: Top rear
on driver’s side of block
Year produced: 1961
Number produced: 10,939
(all engines)
Clubs: NCRS, Bloomington
Gold
The performance ’Vette
Zora Arkus-Duntov was there to see that first
Corvette at the Waldorf, and after getting hired on at
GM, he was the one who saved the project. He envisioned
the Corvette as a high-performance car, and
he knew that the publicity that racing would garner
would attract a younger buyer. He received approval
for the gradual performance-oriented transformation
of the Corvette, with the availability of special
performance items via RPOs, or Regular Production
Options.
The 1956 Corvette offered several RPOs, including
the “Duntov High-Lift Camshaft” at $188. It was only
available with the $172 dual 4-barrel motor. Racing
success followed, and in 1960, Briggs Cunningham,
with a three-car team, finished a remarkable 8th
overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
By the turn of the decade, the Corvette was due for a
facelift, but General Motors was in need of an answer
to the Ford Falcon and funds were directed to the
Chevy II. The Corvette’s big restyle waited a couple of
years, but 1961 models featured a clean-lined redesign.
Design chief Bill Mitchell lifted the rear from his Sting
Ray race car that had also been seen on the XP-700
show car, and it mated well with the front-end design.
As a bonus, the “ducktail” added 20% more luggage
room and the grille was revised with horizontal-mesh
and painted headlamp bezels. Two fuel-injected motors
were offered, and these were ordered on 1,580 cars.
This was also the last year for contrasting color coves.
By all accounts, the 1961 Corvette was a success, and a
record 10,939 left dealer showrooms.
A good driver
The 1961 Corvette sold by Barrett-Jackson ap-
peared to be a solid example. It was finished in Roman
Red, the second-most-popular color in 1961, with
white coves, the only option
available. It had the 4-speed
manual, ordered on over 70%
of the ’61 Corvettes, and it had
the ubiquitous AM Wonderbar
radio. The interior appeared
to be in good order and the
engine clean and tidy. Without
the benefit of a close inspection,
it appeared to be a solid
#2 car and a quality driver.
The ACC Pocket Price
Guide places this car with
these options in the $56,000–
March-April 2015
41CC
41
$99,000 range, and other recent sales support that
number. Here, this one sold at the low end, being hammered
at $56,100 including the buyer’s premium.
What does that mean about this car and its condi-
tion? Well, Corvette values are driven by a car’s originality,
meaning that untouched cars, even in rough
shape, can and do bring more money at auction than
cars that have had an engine swap, color changes, or
other modifications over the years.
While our subject car looks great overall and had
been restored in the not-too-distant past, what we
don’t know is just how true to original the car still is.
Was it red from the factory? How many components
had been replaced? Did the restorer understand
how to restore this car properly with regard to
paint lines, overspray, etc.? For guys looking to get
their Corvettes shown and judged at the NCRS and
Bloomington Gold level, that’s all critical stuff. If this
was an original 270-hp car in red, a lack of info about
it in the auction description probably cost the seller
some money here.
But for the buyer who just wants a nice solid-axle
driver and local-show Corvette in a great color
combination, it’s really hard to beat something like
this. For the money spent here, it would be hard to
reproduce what the buyer got. Those dual fours will
turn some heads when the hood’s popped, and they’ll
make a good howl when the new owner puts his foot
into it.
If go is the purpose rather than strictly show, I’d
say this was a very nice buy on a great-looking car
at the current market level. And if it turns out that all
was factory with regard to the numbers, colors, and
documentation, then it was a fantastic buy at under
the money. Either way, the new owner should be
pleased. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-
Jackson.)
More: www.ncrs.org, www.
bloomingtongold.com
Alternatives: 1955 Chevrolet
Corvette V8 roadster,
1963 Chevrolet Corvette
327/340 coupe, 1957 Ford
Thunderbird E-code
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
1961 Chevrolet Corvette
283/270
Lot 255, VIN: 10867S107751
Condition: 1Sold
at $71,500
Auctions America by RM, Fort
Lauderdale, FL, 3/16/2012
ACC# 197105
1961 Chevrolet Corvette
283/270
Not sold at $52,000
Lot S61, VIN: 10867S104771
Condition: 2
Mecum Auctions, St. Charles,
IL, 6/22/2011
ACC# 179608
1961 Chevrolet Corvette
283/270
Lot F100, VIN: 10867S104604
Condition: 2
Sold at $40,280
Mecum Auctions, St. Charles,
IL, 6/22/2011
ACC# 179631
Page 40
PROFILE GM
Yenko’s tuner rocket rides high
1967 CHEVROLET YENKO SUPER CAMARO
Chip Riegel, courtesy of Gooding & Company
Considering
that a factory
396 Camaro
was over
1.5 seconds
and 9 mph
slower, the
Yenko Super
Camaro
made sense
for anyone
with the need
for extreme
speed
VIN: 124377N241474
Yenko number: YS-725
by Tom Glatch
Norwood, OH, plant in June 1967, this car was delivered
to Yenko’s dealership later that month, and a copy
of the original handwritten Yenko service invoice lists
the conversions undertaken on July 18. Modifications
included replacing the engine block, installing a
fiberglass hood with pins, a multi-gauge instrument
package, exhaust headers and flanges, and a carburetor
linkage for the revised manifold. According to the
COPO Connection, the car was also equipped with
dual exhaust, heavy-duty suspension and clutch, and a
Positraction rear axle with a 3.73:1 drive ratio.
A copy of the original dealer’s invoice shows the
T
42 AmericanCarCollector.com
Camaro was delivered to Jay Kline Chevrolet in
Minnesota in late July 1967 and, according to a signed
letter from the original owner, subsequently purchased
by its first owner in spring 1968. More recently
restored by Camaro Specialties of East Aurora, NY,
this Yenko Camaro has been authenticated by a Yenko
Vehicle Verification Certificate from the COPO
Connection, and an NCRS Shipping Date Report
(which join copies of the original dealer and sales
invoices, and the Yenko modification sheets).
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 146, sold for
mium, at the Gooding & Company auction in
Scottsdale, AZ, on January 17, 2015.
$357,500, including buyer’s pre-
his finely restored Yenko Camaro is one of
the approximately 54 examples modified for
the 1967 model year, as per the copies of the
original Yenko inventory sheets. Starting life
as a 396-ci Super Sport model built at GM’s
Don Yenko was truly a Renaissance man. He
possessed a 140 IQ, was an accomplished sculptor
and jazz pianist, and learned to fly at age 16. He
also served in the Air Force as a meteorologist, then
earned a degree in Business Administration from
Penn State University, where he was president of the
school’s debate club. But it wasn’t until he was 30
years old that Don Yenko returned to his father’s business,
Yenko Chevrolet in Canonsburg, PA, and began
to make history.
First came SCCA A-Production national cham-
pionships in 1961 and 1962 racing Corvettes. Then,
after he “got tired of looking at the rear bumper of
Mark Donohue’s Mustang,” he developed the “Yenko
Stinger” Corvair.
In an interview that took place just weeks before
he was killed in a crash while landing in his Cessna
210, Yenko told Muscle Car Review magazine, “I was
racing when Carroll Shelby came out with his cars. I
was pretty much a GM devotee as well as a Chevrolet
dealer, so I got to thinking I’d like to be Shelby’s
counterpart in Chevrolet.” During 1966 and 1967,
Yenko built about 185 of the modified Corvairs, which
dominated D-Production racing for many years. But
with the introduction of Chevy’s Mustang fighter, the
1967 Camaro, Don Yenko could now battle his friend
Carroll Shelby on his own turf.
The Yenko treatment
More than 220,000 Camaros were produced that
first year, but just 54 received the Yenko treatment.
When introduced, the Camaro’s top powerplant was
Page 41
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Detailing
the 295-hp 350 V8, while the 325-hp 396 big-block
V8 was available after November ’66. Working with
famed drag racer Dick Harrell, Yenko developed a 427
conversion package for the Camaro.
Whether a 350 or 396 car, Yenko replaced the origi-
nal engine with a 427-ci L72 crate engine — the same
fabled powerplant optional on the 1966 Corvette. The
L72 was originally rated at a staggering 450 hp and is
considered by some to be the most powerful Corvette
engine from the ’60s, although by October 1966 the
engine was downgraded to 425 hp, probably to placate
the insurance companies. Dyno tests reveal the 450-hp
number was probably correct. With this much power
on tap, Yenko also upgraded the suspension and
brakes to match, and added his own styling touches,
such as Yenko graphics and the unique fiberglass
“stinger” hood.
So how fast was Yenko’s missile? We have a pretty
good idea. A Chevrolet engineer, Doug Roe, invited
Car Life magazine to take his 427 Camaro development
car for a blast. “That’s my pet,” Roe said. Why
would a Chevy engineer build such a beast when
corporate edicts prevented them from ever manufacturing
one? “We want to keep abreast of what some of
our customers are doing,” he told the magazine. Those
customers with reputations for performance included
Dana Chevrolet in Los Angeles, Nickey Chevrolet
in Chicago, Berger Chevrolet in Michigan, and of
course, Yenko Chevrolet. With 4.88:1 gears, headers,
open exhaust, and Goodyear slicks, Roe was able to
crack a 13.5 second quarter at around 100 mph, and
thought he could get in the 12s with a little work.
Ringing the bell
So what price glory? Yenko documents show our
feature Camaro cost $4,115.20 — over $1,330 more
than a basic SS 350. To put it in perspective, a new
VW Beetle cost $1,758 in 1967. Also, since this was a
dealer conversion, the factory warranty was null and
void. “In 1967 and 1968, I had to cover the cars with
my own warranty, with no backing from the factory
at all,” Yenko told Muscle Car Review. Considering
that a factory 396 Camaro was over 1.5 seconds and 9
mph slower, the Yenko Super Camaro made sense for
anyone with the need for extreme speed.
It’s believed that just 10 of the 54 Yenko Camaros
built in 1967 still exist. That makes them exceedingly
rare, yet there have been a few sales in recent
years. In March of 2013, Gooding & Co. sold one for
$350,000 (ACC# 215565), and Mecum sold another for
$344,500 in May of 2012 (ACC# 210882).
Before the Great Recession, ’67 Yenkos were selling
for about the same price — I think their rarity and
performance potential has helped keep them stable in
the market. But a few Nickey Chevrolet 427 conversions
built in 1967 have sold for as much as $90k
more, which seems odd as I would think the Yenko
name and reputation should at least be on a par with
Nickey’s. Still, the sale of this Yenko Super Camaro is
right on the money in today’s market compared with
the previous sales we’ve seen, and both the seller and
buyer should be very happy with the result. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Gooding &
Company.)
1967 Chevrolet Camaro
Nickey SS
Club: The Supercar Registry
More: www.yenko.net
Alternatives: 1967 Shelby
GT 500, 1967 Nickey 427
Camaro, 1968 BaldwinMotion
Phase III Camaro
ACC Investment Grade: A
Engine # location: Pad on
the right side of the block
to the rear of the engine
mount
Comps
Year produced: 1967
Number produced: 54
Original list price: $4,115.20
Current ACC Valuation:
$300,000–$350,000
Tune-up/major service: $250
Distributor cap: $22.58
VIN location: Driver’s side
door pillar
1967 Chevrolet Yenko Super
Camaro
Lot 14, VIN: 124377N229158
Condition: 1Sold
at $350,000
Gooding & Co., Amelia Island,
FL, 3/8/2013
ACC# 215565
1967 Chevrolet Yenko Super
Camaro
Lot S134, VIN:
124377N185034
Condition: 2+
Sold at $344,500
Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis,
IN, 5/15/2012
ACC# 210882
Lot 261, VIN: 124377N249460
Condition: 1Sold
at $385,000
RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ,
1/19/2012
ACC# 192675
March-April 2015 43
Page 42
PROFILE FOMOCO
Ford’s slippery best buy
1969 FORD TORINO TALLADEGA 428 CJ FASTBACK
Ford wasn’t
messing
around.
A Talladega
was
military-spec
speedway
ordnance
with one
job: wipe out
Mopar
VIN: 9A46Q189813
by Patrick Smith
E
44 AmericanCarCollector.com
44 AmericanCarCollector.com
quipped with 428 CJ and C6 transmission.
Competition Suspension and AM radio.
Fully documented with original window
sticker and Marti Report with Talladega
package.
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 559, sold for
$38,500, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale, AZ, auction on
January 14, 2015.
Aero tricks to win
As NASCAR grew into the 1950s and 1960s, winning
became more than just a game of endurance. The
tracks were gaining longer and bigger banks to allow
the cars to go flat-out safely, and as engine technology
developed to the point where cars were able to run
500 miles without grenading, race winners needed
better top-end speed to help ensure a win. One of the
new weapons in racing was the science of aerodynamics,
but in the 1960s, for car manufacturers, it was
more of a black art.
Dodge got involved with aerodynamics out of neces-
sity. Their 1966 Charger looked fast but was very dicey
at speed. The rear end would lift and the car acted unstable,
so engineers came up with a thin curved lip for
the trunk lid that helped settle the car down. A restyle in
1968 helped matters, but as the Hemi gained power, the
new body’s design limitations showed up as well.
A sleeker Ford
Ford’s Fairlane Torino was new for 1968, too, but
Ford’s engineers knew streamlining was needed to
keep the lead in racing. Holman & Moody collaborated
with Ford and they came up with clever ideas to
make the Torino fastback even faster.
For this project, the team flush-mounted the grille.
Then, they built a special front bumper by cutting a
rear Torino bumper into three pieces, making a vee
in the center, and filling in the rear quarter-panel
recesses so it could be flush mounted against a custom
hand-fabricated front end. About two inches past the
wheelwell, they cut off the front fender, and on went a
hand-made extension, including a hood header panel.
The Talladega nose has a 30-degree rake and
extends 15½ inches farther than a stock Torino. Other
special touches included rolling the rocker panel
sheet metal an inch under height, which left a Grand
National car builder an extra inch to spank the car
lower for better center of gravity without deviating
from NASCAR’s profile template check. Every builder
just sawed off the extra inch, then lowered the car.
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.
Page 43
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Detailing
Year produced: 1969
Number produced: 754
(includes nine prototypes
and five pilot cars)
Original list price: $3,456
Current ACC Valuation:
$28,000–$42,500
Tune-up/major service: $150
Distributor cap: $14.41
VIN location: Plate on driver’s
side dashboard, plate on
driver’s side door
Engine # location: Partial
VIN stamped below
driver’s side cylinder head
on block
Job one: wipe out Mopar
Ford was stretched thin with other race projects,
so the Talladega had to be built on the assembly
line without outside help. All were built in Atlanta.
NASCAR demanded 500 cars to be made available
for sale to qualify for racing, and Ford complied,
making 748 available all across America. In addition,
Mercury built 519 examples of a similar car called the
Cyclone Spoiler II.
To make it work, the Talladega became a package
car. Only three colors were offered: Presidential Blue,
Royal Maroon and Wimbledon White. They all had
black bench seat interiors and matte black competition
hoods. All wore GT wheels with whitewall tires. The
only engine was a 428 Cobra Jet 335-horsepower
Q-code backed with the C6 automatic transmission.
Talladegas also got engine oil coolers and staggered
rear shocks. The only option was an AM radio. For visual
identification, Ford gave the Talladega special “T”
door handle escutcheons, a “T” gas cap, “Talladega”
door panel emblems, and that was it. Ford wasn’t messing
around — a Talladega was military-spec speedway
ordnance with one job: wipe out Mopar.
This car and its Mercury cousin were the game
changers that forced Chrysler to get serious about
aerodynamics. Dodge came up with a flush grille
and rear window concept for the 1969 Charger 500.
The Fords were still faster, so Dodge developed the
Charger Daytona, complete with a wing and nose
cone that helped it hit 200 miles per hour. Plymouth
followed suit with the Superbird in 1970. But those
wings and extended noses were a hard sell out on
the street. Alternatively, the Talladega and Cyclone
Spoiler II proved race cars could be aerodynamic
without resorting to tall wings. They were fast without
looking crazy.
Ford took the Manufacturers Cup for 1969, David
Pearson was the season championship winner and
Richard Petty took second place. Petty bagged his
100th win with a Talladega and his first win at notoriously
tough Riverside International Raceway.
Entry-level aero warrior
Today, the Talladega and Cyclone Spoiler II are
the most affordable NASCAR homologation specials
available, standing in stark contrast to the now more
valuable Mopars they battled during the ’69 and ’70
seasons. Ironically, the overstated wings and noses
that made the Mopars hard to sell in period have made
them more attractive in the more-is-better collector
car world.
However, although the Daytona and Superbird have
more flash with optional engines and features, they’re
less practical drivers. They also had to share the
winner’s circle with the Fords more times than Mopar
guys might care to admit. The Talladega runs well on
the street without the high maintenance a solid-cam
Hemi requires. For the enthusiast driver, a Talladega
or Cyclone Spoiler II is a great choice with plenty of
upside for future growth.
Condition, description and value
During the last market peak in 2006, Talladegas in
very good condition went for prices in the high $40k
range, while cars needing work sold for around half
that value. Show cars, by contrast, were commanding
upwards of $60k when they sold. Since the market
slump from 2008 to 2013, prices have risen and then
stabilized. Presently, we’ve seen a few sales crest
$100k, but the majority of good drivers tend to bring
bids ranging from the $40k range to the $60k range.
Our example is a decent driver-quality car with
small issues. For example, these cars shipped from
the factory with a padded vinyl steering wheel wrap,
which is missing here. The camera-case dashboard
also shows some scuff marks. But overall the car is
solid and appears to be in good condition. The catalog
description is unusually brief and gives no clue as to
whether the car is numbers matching, which, if it was
an oversight, could have been an expensive one for the
seller.
I’ve seen Talladegas sell for less, but that doesn’t
make this a poor buy. The items mentioned
are easily fixed, and I’d say the
sold price is fair considering the recent
rise in values for NASCAR homologation
specials. Provided the drivetrain is
in good order, it should provide thrills
for the new owner and a modest return
when it comes time to sell. Call this
one a good deal for both the buyer and
seller.A
(Introductory description courtesy of
Barrett-Jackson.)
March-April 2015
45CC
45
Club: Talladega/Spoiler
Registry
More: www.talladegaspoilerregistry.com
Alternatives: 1969 Dodge
Daytona, 1970 Plymouth
Superbird, 1969 Dodge
Charger 500
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
1969 Ford Talladega 428
fastback
Lot F105.1, VIN:
9A46Q207094
Condition: 3
Sold at $31,000
Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis,
IN, 5/18/2014
ACC# 243827
1969 Ford Talladega 428
fastback
Lot 415, VIN: 9A46Q189831
Condition: 3
Sold at $44,000
Barrett Jackson, Palm Beach,
FL, 4/12/2014
ACC# 243175
1969 Ford Talladega 428
fastback
Worldwide Auctioneers,
Auburn, IN, 9/1/2012
ACC# 213262
Lot 29, VIN: 9A46Q192001
Condition: 2
Sold at $44,000
Page 44
PROFILE MOPAR
1969 PLYMOUTH A12 ROAD RUNNER
Six-barrel price acceleration
Few things
appreciate
84% in just
two years,
but you can
call that the
“Hemi factor”
VIN: RM23M9A262515
by Tom Glatch
car. One of 422 4-speed M-code 440 6-barrel cars
produced and number 34 of 195 accounted for in the
Chrysler Registry. Authenticated by Galen Govier
with documentation that supports VIN number, fender
tag, body stamps, matching-numbers 440 6-barrel
engine, 4-speed transmission and factory warranty
booklet.
T
46 AmericanCarCollector.com
46 AmericanCarCollector.com
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 1031, sold for
$165,000, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s auction in Scottsdale, AZ,
on January 16, 2015.
It’s one of those irrefutable laws of nature: Speed
costs money. Today’s Hellcat Challenger and Charger,
LT1 Camaro and Shelby GT500 are unbelievably
quick, but they all cost around double their basemodel
brethren — and more than the annual income of
many Americans. You can also buy a pretty nice home
in some parts of the United States for the cost of a new
his car has undergone a meticulous rotisserie
restoration and is finished in R6 Scorch
Red. Ranked third-fastest muscle car ever
produced and track-tested at 12.91 at 111 mph
quarter-mile by Ronnie Sox in stock trim.
Documented original A12 M-code lift-off hood
Z06 Corvette. So how fast do you want to go?
It was no different in the ’60s. Years back, Muscle
Car Review magazine compiled a list of the 50 fastest
cars from the ’60s, based on vintage road tests. Of
course, the usual suspects were there. It’s no surprise
that the lightweight 1966 427 Cobra, which cost a cool
$7,000 when new, topped the list. Then came the fastest
street Corvette of the era, the 1966 L72 427 coupe,
which could sell for over $5,000. Keep in mind the
average price for a home in 1966 was $14,200, and the
average annual income was $6,900. Yes, serious speed
cost serious coin back then, just as it does now.
But wait, what was that at number three on the list?
A lowly Plymouth? And it cost just $3,545.80? The car
was the 1969½ Road Runner 440 “Six-Barrel,” and it
indeed defied the very laws of nature.
Six barrels of fury
The first 440 “Six-Barrel” Road Runner — option
code A12 — was built on March 11, 1969. Although
the A12 was a spartan vehicle, nothing about it was
cheap. Just look under the lift-off fiberglass hood at
the beautiful triple 2-barrel carburetor setup. “Three
deuces” had been around since the mid-’50s, but by
1969 only five cars still had them — the A12 Road
Runner and its sibling, the Dodge Coronet 440 “Six
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.
Page 45
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Detailing
Pack,” along with three Corvettes: the $5,106 400-hp
L68, the $5,218 435-hp L71, and the $5,613 435-hp
aluminum-head L89.
Beyond that, every performance part on this 440
was top rate. That included the Edelbrock aluminum
intake manifold packed with 2300-series Holley
2-barrel carburetors, dual-breaker distributor, special
camshaft, heavy-duty valve springs, chrome-flashed
valve stems, moly-filled rings, Hemi oil pump and
Magnafluxed connecting rods. Chrysler said the A12
option was good for 390 horsepower at 4,700 rpm and
390 foot-pounds of torque at 3,600 rpm, but the NHRA
factored it at a more realistic 410 hp.
But the good times didn’t end under the hood. Slick-
shifting heavy-duty manual and automatic transmissions
were borrowed from the Hemi cars, spinning
the rugged Dana 60 Sure-Grip differential with 4.10:1
gears. Keeping things somewhat under control was the
Belvedere’s S15 Police Handling package. This package
was more than capable of mixing it up with cars
costing thousands more.
Real-deal performance
Of course, the famous 12.91-second quarter-mile time
quoted in Super Stock magazine just happened to come
at the hands of “Mr. 4-Speed” himself, the legendary
Ronnie Sox. “In order to get into the twelves, nothing
more was necessary than to remove the air-cleaner
element,” Super Stock reported. “In three runs Sox was
able to go 12.98-111.52, 12.92-111.66, 12.91-111.80.”
Granted, Ronnie Sox was an amazing driver capable of
wringing the last fractions of a second out of a car, but
the magazine’s authors were also able
to run a best of 13.24 at 110.70 mph.
Yet on the street, the A12 was a joy
to drive, as Super Stock reported: “...
our first visit with the car was interstate
highways at high speeds. We were
impressed. The tires made it ride and
handle beautifully, and the carbs —
well, when they came in at about 4,000
rpm, it was a whole new ball game.”
No, you couldn’t order air conditioning,
cruise control, fancy wheels, or get the
“Six Barrel” in a convertible, but those
options didn’t belong on a strippeddown
street fighter like this anyway.
Clearly, Chrysler spent the money
on just the “good stuff” and kept the
cost low and the performance high by
eliminating the frills.
Market movement
The last time we reviewed an A12 sale was in
ACC #8 (March-April 2013, p. 50), where Russo and
Steele’s Scottsdale 2013 auction sold a comparable
A12 for $90,200. At that time I commented, “That’s not
inexpensive, but it’s not inflated Hemi prices either”
when compared with the $200k-plus a true Hemi car
can bring.
Yet just two years later, this A12 sold for $165,000 in
Scottsdale. Few things appreciate almost 84% in just
two years, but you can call that the “Hemi factor.”
Granted, while these two cars were comparable,
they weren’t the same car in the same condition.
This car was claimed to have its original matchingnumbers
engine and sheet metal — a claim that the
Russo car did not make. That does explain some of the
difference in price between the two cars. However, I
don’t think it tells the whole story. Not by a long shot.
The general rule seems to be this: As Hemi cars
continue to move farther beyond the reach of most
collectors, other high-performance Mopars such as
the A12 Road Runner become much more attractive.
That’s another irrefutable law of nature — since supply
is limited, as demand increases, so does the price.
This time, the A12 Road Runner won’t defy the
laws of nature. It’s rapidly moving from the bargain
basement into the boutique, so if you’ve ever wanted
affordable Hemi-like performance, I think you’d better
act soon. I’d call this one very well sold for now, but it
may not look that way for long. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-
Jackson.)
Club: A12 Registry
More: www.sixpacksixbbl.
homestead.com
Alternatives: 1969 Dodge
Coronet Super Bee, 1969
Pontiac GTO Judge, 1969
Chevrolet Chevelle SS396
ACC Investment Grade: A
Comps
Year produced: 1969
Number produced: 1,412
Original list price: $3,545.80
Current ACC Valuation:
$75,000–$110,000
Tune-up/major service: $250
Distributor cap: $22.58
VIN location: Plate on the
driver’s side instrument
panel behind windshield
Engine # location: Pad on
the right side of the block
to the rear of the engine
mount
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
A12 2-door hard top
Lot 550, VIN:
RM23M9A286668
Condition: 2
Sold at $100,000
Auctions America, Fort
Lauderdale, FL, 3/14/2014
ACC# 239292
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
A12 2-door sedan
Lot S74, VIN:
RM21M9A260924
Condition: 3Sold
at $72,080
Mecum Auctions, Kissimmee,
FL, 1/24/2012
ACC# 192838
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
A12 2-door hard top
Lot 356.2, VIN:
RM23M9A294942
Condition: 1Sold
at $121,000
Barrett-Jackson, Orange
County, CA, 6/25/2011
ACC# 182232
March-April 2015
March-April 2015 47
Page 46
PROFILE HOT ROD & CUSTOM
1939 LINCOLN-ZEPHYR COUPE CUSTOM
Benchmark custom
If you’ve
always
wanted a
righteous
LincolnZephyr
coupe,
this was a
turn-key
proposition
VIN: H75869
by Ken Gross
• Built by Regal Roadsters, Madison, WI
• 6-liter, 600-hp Aston Martin/Cosworth V12
• 4-speed overdrive GM Hydramatic transmission
• Original steel body, custom-built chassis
• Independent front suspension, 4-wheel power disc
brakes
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 172, sold for
$258,000, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at RM’s Sam Pack Collection sale in Dallas,
TX, on November 14–15, 2014.
The late ’30s Lincoln-Zephyr coupe is arguably one
of the loveliest pre-war American closed cars. A timeless
’38 model starred in the movie “Speed To Spare”
in 1948. New York’s Museum of Modern Art honored
the Lincoln-Zephyr in the catalog for its seminal 1951
exhibition, “8 Automobiles,” calling it “the most successful
streamlined car in America,” and a slinky, Art
Deco Zephyr coupe was featured in “Curves of Steel”
at the Phoenix Art Museum in 2007.
Designed by Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie, under the
auspices of Edsel Ford, the sleek Zephyr 3-window
was a stunner. An impossibly long hood concealed
a flathead V12 — the only 12-cylinder in its class. A
curvaceous cabin and a gorgeous waterfall roofline
flowed into what was arguably the longest deck lid on
a ’30s-era American car.
Building on the masterpiece
Considered strikingly beautiful in stock form,
Lincoln-Zephyrs were seldom customized. That all
HOT ROD & CUSTOM
1939 LINCOLN-ZEPHYR COUPE CUSTOM
Benchmark custom
If you’ve
always
wanted a
righteous
Lincoln-
Zephyr
coupe,
this
HOT ROD & CUSTOM
1939 LINCOLN-ZEPHYR COUPE CUSTOM
Benchmark custom
If you’ve
always
wanted a
righteous
Lincoln-
Zephyr
coupe,
this was a
turn-key
proposition
VIN: H75869
by Ken Gross
• Built by Regal Roadsters, Madison, WI
• 6-liter, 600-hp Aston Martin/Cosworth V12
• 4-speed overdrive GM Hydramatic transmission
• Original steel body, custom-built chassis
• Independent front suspension, 4-wheel power disc
brakes
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 172, sold for
$258,000, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at RM’s Sam Pack Collection sale in Dallas,
TX, on November 14–15, 2014.
The late ’30s Lincoln-Zephyr coupe is arguably one
of the loveliest pre-war American closed cars. A time-
less ’38 model starred in the movie “Speed To Spare”
in 1948. New York’s Museum of Modern Art honored
the Lincoln-Zephyr in the catalog for its seminal 1951
exhibition, “8 Automobiles,” calling it “the most suc-
cessful streamlined car in America,” and a slinky, Art
Deco Zephyr coupe was featured in “Curves of Steel”
at the Phoenix Art Museum in 2007.
Designed by Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie, under the
auspices of Edsel Ford, the sleek Zephyr 3-window
was a stunner. An impossibly long hood concealed
a flathead V12 — the only 12-cylinder in its class. A
curvaceous cabin and a gorgeous waterfall roofline
flowed into what was arguably the longest deck lid on
a ’30s-era American car.
Building on the masterpiece
Considered strikingly beautiful in stock form,
Lincoln-Zephyrs were seldom customized. That all
changed
changed when the irrepressible Terry Cook, founder
of Lead East, the nostalgic ’50s car and music festival,
created the definitive L-Z custom kemp. Cook bought
his 1938 coupe under slightly less-than-honorable pretenses,
assuring the seller that he wouldn’t hot-rod it.
He immediately yanked the body and retained Ramsey
Mosher to build a milestone custom that took 4½ years
and 4,000-plus hours to construct.
The L-Z’s chassis was axed in favor of a sturdy
1978 Caprice wagon frame, and a stock Chevy 350
replaced the flathead V12. The steel shell was artfully
sliced and diced, with a serious chop and other mods
to accentuate its already swoopy shape. Hydraulics
dropped the coupe into the weeds and Cook appropriately
named it “Scrape.”
Sold sold sold
After features in many rodding magazines, Cook
sold Scrape at an RM auction in Monterey in 2000
(ACC# 10273). The buyer was Robert E. Petersen,
represented by yours truly. The price was a thenincredible
$275,000. Pete and I thought it was the
best-looking custom car of the 1990s, and simply one
of the best ever. Cook was ecstatic until he learned
that we had been prepared to go even higher.
Carl Bomstead summed up our sentiment well, writ-
ing about the car in Sports Car Market’s November
2000 issue: “[Scrape is] the most recognizable, and
arguably the most attractive, custom car ever built.” It
was easy to see it as a trend-setter.
Suitably inspired by Scrape, Mike Shiflet built
a chopped Zephyr coupe with a modified Lincoln
V12 and sold it at Barrett-Jackson in 2004 for an
Teddy Pieper ©2014, courtesy of RM Auctions
Page 47
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Detailing
Year produced: 2011
Number produced: One
Original list price: Unknown
Current ACC Valuation:
$200k–$300k
Clubs: Goodguys, National
Street Rodd Association
(NSRA), Lincoln-Zephyr
Owners Club
astounding $432,000 — more than a 300SL Gullwing
in the same sale (ACC# 31999). Egged on by Terry
Cook, Boyd Coddington built his take on an L-Z — a
fastback 2-door sedan eponymously called “Lead
Zephyr.” But some of the magic was gone. That car
sold at the 2006 RM Monterey auction for $189,000
(ACC# 42800).
Bring a checkbook
Several other modified Zephyrs have popped up
over the past few years, but none of them have come
close to Sam Pack’s concept for a dramatic L-Z custom
rod with all the mod cons.
Pack retained Regal Roadsters in Madison, WI,
builders of 2-seat Thunderbird replicas, to put this
car together. For an oh-so-low look without a cabin
chop, the shop channeled a’39 Zephyr coupe body
three inches over a completely custom frame. For a
slammed silhouette, independent tubular A-arms in
front are complemented by a four-link rear and Ride
Pro fully adjustable air suspension.
Enormous Wilwood disc brakes (14-inch rotors
in front; 12-inch rotors in the rear) and power rackand-pinion
steering are a few of this car’s impressive
mechanicals. The pièce de résistance, in keeping with
the Zephyr’s heritage, is a 6-liter Cosworth-developed
DOHC V12, like the engine in an Aston-Martin
Vanquish. It’s tuned for a claimed 600 hp, and it’s
backed by a GM 4L60E four-speed Hydramatic with
an Edge Racing heavy-duty torque converter. Out
back is a nine-inch Ford rear end with Moser 4.30
gears and 31-spline axles. Inland Empire supplied the
aluminum driveshaft, and the 2.5-inch stainless-steel
exhaust system is fitted with Borla mufflers. Ka-ching!
Pack’s spare-no-expense build was finished in
Carbon Gray Metallic, then clear-coated. Inside, soft
red Wollsdorf leather, German wool carpeting and
a wool broadcloth headliner combine to provide an
elegant cabin that retains the original L-Z’s central
console style binnacle, enhanced with a JL/Kenwood
audio system, and fully integrated HVAC controls.
No item was overlooked, from the leather-wrapped
steering wheel to modern Michelin Pilot P235/70ZR18
tires on 18x8 Colorado Custom billet aluminum wheels
with hidden valve stems. The unique coupe even has
an extensive operation and maintenance manual with
every system detailed for its future owner.
Does it all add up?
I’d hesitate to guess this car’s construction bill,
but surely the $258,000 winning bid was less than the
build cost. And that’s the problem with contemporary
high-zoot custom rods.
Executed to a fare-thee-well, this superb car is
seriously drivable (you can see it perform on YouTube)
and a beauty to behold. If you’ve always wanted a
righteous Lincoln-Zephyr coupe, this was a turn-key
proposition. But even if more than a quarter of a
million dollars was spent on its build, something like
this is just not a good place to spend beaucoup bucks,
unless you’re like megadealer and primo collector
Sam Pack and the money simply doesn’t matter.
Looking back, the Mike Shiflet $432,000 sale price
at B-J seems to be an anomaly. Curiously, Terry
Cook’s “Scrape” was resold in a subsequent 2013
Auctions America sale for just $66,000, when the
Petersen Museum divested itself of some cars thought
to be superfluous (ACC# 229954). Now that was a real
bargain, but with its humble underpinnings, “Scrape”
may no longer be a fair comparison.
This Zephyr Package is the new benchmark for
custom pre-war Lincolns. I’d call it fairly sold, and
Tune-up, major service:
$450 (estimated)
Distributor cap: N/A
VIN location: Custom plate
on the left frame rail
More: www.good-guys.com,
www.nsra.com,
www.lzoc.com
Alternatives: Any high-dollar
Lincoln-Zephyr custom rod
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
1938 Lincoln-Zephyr custom
“Lead Zephyr”
Lot 143, VIN: 2990564
Condition: 1Sold
at $189,200
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA,
8/18/2006
ACC# 42800
1938 Lincoln-Zephyr custom
Lot 682, VIN: H50487
Condition: 1Sold
at $432,000
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/22/2004
ACC# 31999
comparatively well bought.A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.)
1939 Lincoln-Zephyr custom
“Scrape”
Lot 430, VIN: N/A
Condition: 1Sold
at $275,000
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA,
8/18/2000
ACC# 10273
March-April 2015 49
Page 48
PROFILE AMERICANA
1955 CHEVROLET CUSTOM “TWO-LANE BLACKTOP”
Cult-classic Chevy
The ’55s were
reportedly
seriously
capable
racers. James
Taylor, in
a reunion
with our
subject car,
discussed
how they
really hooked
up, and
remembered
launching at
6,000 rpm
50 AmericanCarCollector.com
50 AmericanCarCollector.com
VIN: VC550041466
by Jim Pickering
D
ocumented, authentic, original 1955
Chevy movie car driven by singer James
Taylor and Beach Boy Dennis Wilson
in the iconic 1971 movie “Two-Lane
Blacktop.” This ’55 is one of the three
built by Richard Ruth for Universal Studios (two
identical straight-axle ’55s and one stunt car) for
“Two-Lane Blacktop.”
This particular ’55 was used to film scenes inside
the car, and brackets for some of the camera and
recording gear used during filming are still visible on
the car today.
Only used in “Two-Lane Blacktop,” it was sold to a
studio mechanic shortly after filming was completed.
The car passed through several owners before it was
located in Canada in 2000. The ’55 was authenticated
by Richard Ruth before it was brought back to the U.S.
by “Two-Lane Blacktop” historian Walt Bailey for a
combination restoration and preservation project with
the help of Ruth.
The car features the correct Ruth-built straight axle
with coil-overs, a tunnel-rammed 454, M22 Muncie
Rock Crusher 4-speed, ’60s Olds Positraction rear, a
no-nonsense gasser-style black interior and still wears
its custom-built fiberglass front end, fiberglass doors
with sliding windows and fiberglass trunk lid.
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 7003, sold at
Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale, AZ,
auction for $159,500, including buyer’s premium, on
January 17, 2015.
In 1970, director Monte Hellman filmed “Two-Lane
Blacktop” — a street racing movie shot on the road
from California to Tennessee. James Taylor starred as
The Driver, backed up by Dennis Wilson of the Beach
Boys as his Mechanic, Laurie Bird as The Girl, and
Warren Oates as the driver of the GTO.
A cult classic
“Two-Lane Blacktop” isn’t what you might call a
great film, but it is a great car film. It has become a
cult classic, and I think it’s one of the all-time best car
movies ever made. It was recently selected for preservation
in the United States National Film Registry by
the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically
or aesthetically significant,” and Brock Yates
cites it as partial inspiration in his creation of the first
Cannonball Baker trophy dash across the U.S. — better
known as the Cannonball Run.
If you’ve never seen it, the basic rundown is this:
James Taylor and Dennis Wilson drift across the country
on money they make street racing their ’55 Chevy.
At one point they pick up a hitchhiker — The Girl —
and they end up in a long-distance race for pinks with
the driver of a ’70 GTO (Oates). Wilson doesn’t talk
much, but when he does it’s usually about changing
the jets in the carburetors, and Taylor, when not banging
gears, sits around brooding most of the time. Why?
Because of life? Women? It’s not really clear. The race
with the GTO fizzles out when The Girl takes off with
some guy on a motorcycle. There’s another race with
a big-block El Camino on an airstrip, then the film
melts. Roll credits.
On the plus side, the film is beautifully shot, and it
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.
Page 49
COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC premium Auction Database, featuring more
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hood in “Graffiti,” it’s because there was a monster
big block in there which couldn’t have existed on the
streets of Modesto in 1962. One of these two cars was
crushed in the late 1970s, while the other remains,
today restored to its “Graffiti” appearance.
Movie star value
So this is a legit survivor from the movie — in fact,
it’s the only one, since the other is now better known
as a “Graffiti” car. So what’s it worth?
The market for movie cars can be tough to nail
down — just look at this sale price compared with
a screen-used Eleanor from 2000’s “Gone in 60
Seconds” which sold for more than $1m at a Mecum
auction just a few years ago (ACC# 216486). “TwoLane
Blacktop” may not be an Oscar winner, but is
the Nicolas Cage CGI remake of H.B. Halicki’s classic
really that much better?
Sure, the market for something like this ’55 is
shows a lot of old Route 66 before the interstate system
killed it off. Throughout the movie, the characters are
completely immersed in their obsession — specifically
Taylor and Wilson — without trivial stuff like
dialogue or even names to cloud things up. For those
of us unapologetically obsessed with cars — the kind
of guys who’ve caused themselves domestic strife by
spending an entire weekend under the hood, oblivious
to the hours passed or dates missed, the world this film
depicts is a distraction-free dream. It’s a place I’d like
to live sometimes — where all that matters is how the
carbs are running.
Above all, the biggest star of the show here is the
primer-gray 454-powered ’55 Chevy with its tunnel
ram, flip front end, sliding side windows, and whiny
M22. That’s the car that sold here at Barrett-Jackson
for a buck sixty.
From “Two-Lane” to “Graffiti”
Originally, Richard Ruth of Competition
Engineering in California built three cars for the film.
Special components included tube-axle front ends,
fiberglass doors, trunks, and tilt noses, sliding Plexi
side windows, and more. One of the three cars got
a crate L88 427, while the other two cars were fitted
with then-new 454s. By its VIN, our subject car was
originally a Bel Air with a V8 — although it, like the
others, appeared to be more like a basic 150 sedan in
the film. The three cars were all business — reportedly
seriously capable of the part they were playing. James
Taylor, in a reunion with our subject car, discussed
how well the cars’ rear suspension hooked up, and
talked about launching at 6,000 rpm.
Our subject car was used for most of the interior
shots, and it had special brackets welded to the chassis
to support the camera equipment and operators. It
survived the movie in the best condition of the three,
and after spending some time on the studio back lot,
it sold to a studio mechanic, who in turn gave it to his
kid to drive to high school. Reportedly, it later lent its
engine sounds to Burt Reynolds’ Trans Am in “Smokey
and the Bandit.”
The other two cars? They were eventually painted
black, fitted with front bumpers, different hood scoops,
and chrome smoothie wheels in preparation for their
next role as Bob Falfa’s Chevy in “American Graffiti”
— if you’ve ever wondered why Falfa never opens his
March-April 2015
51CC
51
smaller than what you might expect for an Eleanor
or the “Graffiti” car — it’s just not as glossy and
fewer guys have seen it in action, even if it left a huge
imprint on those of us who recognize or remember it.
Now, if the “Graffiti” ’55 ever came to auction, I think
we’d be seeing a much bigger result than this — likely
several multiples of this money — but it’s a bigger
car-guy icon with double the film credit.
I’d suggest this price was right on the market for
what the car was, and here’s why. Just a few dozen feet
away from where this car lurked was a red and white
’58 Plymouth — you might remember it as “Christine”
from the John Carpenter film — being sold out of the
Pratte Collection. I spent some time talking with the
new owner of that car, who was beaming over his
purchase at $198k. Again, that car was one of several
made for filming, and again, it had a great impact
on a certain subset of car guys — although probably
a slightly larger selection of the population than the
“Two-Lane” ’55 Chevy. On that day, $198k was the
reasonable market price for Christine, and it seemed
like the buyer felt it was a great buy.
So, considering that car and its result, I’d say
$159,500 was a market price for this ’55 in Scottsdale,
but I still think it was also a fantastic deal at that
money. The new owner now has title to a piece of
American film history and a legitimate car-guy icon,
and it’s hard to pin a number on that. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-
Jackson.)
Detailing
Year produced: 1970
Number produced: Three,
two of which went on to
“American Graffiti”
Original sales price: N/A
Current ACC Valuation:
$150,000–$200,000
Tune-up, major service:
$400
Engine # location: Stamped
in block pad in front of
passenger’s side cylinder
head
VIN location: On stainless
plate spot-welded to
driver’s side front door
jamb
Clubs: Goodguys, in addition
to being welcome anywhere
car guys gather
More: www.good-guys.com
Alternatives: 1958 Plymouth
Fury “Christine,” 1967
Shelby GT500 E “Eleanor,”
1977 Pontiac Trans Am
“Smokey and the Bandit”
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
1966 Batmobile
Lot 5037, VIN: X15007365G
Condition: 3
Sold at $4,620,000
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/15/2013
ACC# 214858
1967 Shelby GT500 E
“Eleanor”
Sold at $1,070,000
Lot S135, VIN: 7R02C179710
Condition: 3
Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis,
IN, 5/18/2013
ACC# 216486
1969 Dodge Charger
“General Lee”
Lot 1321, VIN:
XP29G9B279159
Condition: 2
Sold at $495,000
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/12/2008
ACC# 48758
Page 50
PROFILE RACE
1970 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 302 TRANS AM
Bench-warmer Boss
Although the
car’s history
is complete,
there’s no
actual race
history
in there,
so value
becomes
a huge
question
52
AmericanCarCollector.com
VIN: 41971 (BME number 4)
by Sam Stockham
• The final Kar Kraft Bud Moore Boss 302
Trans Am racer
• Completed under the supervision of Bud Moore
and sons to 1971 BME specifications
• Certificate of Authenticity signed by Bud Moore
• Eligible for HSR/SVRA events and a FIA
Historic Technical Passport
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 127, sold for
$200,000, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at RM’s Arizona sale in Phoenix, AZ, on
January 15 and 16, 2015.
Trans Am racing was a big deal back in the late
’60s, but only briefly. It was a simple format that really
appealed to the American audience and brought out
record numbers of spectators. For a short period,
the over-2-liter class was a dramatic showcase for
American manufacturers to display the pony cars they
wanted to sell on Monday.
Trans Am was always an entertaining series to
watch, but the 1969 through 1971 seasons were really
the golden era. All the American manufacturers were
represented during that period, with Mopar contributing
efforts from both Dodge and Plymouth. AMC was
in the game as well, and their Javelin proved hard to
beat in 1971 with Mark Donohue at the helm.
But let’s back up a second. The glory days of the
Ford Mustang really came during the 1970 season.
The legendary Parnelli Jones and hot-shoe George
Follmer piloted the Bud Moore Racing (BME)
Mustang that season. Together they won an impressive
six out of 11 races and the overall championship. This
racing success helped establish the Boss 302 Mustang
as the street machine to have in 1970, and it continues
to spark Boss 302 values today.
The power of history
In general, car collectors tend to place a lot of value
on their cars’ history and stories. A car can have all
the rarity in the world, but without provenance, it’s
often shunned by the large mass of collectors — and
they’re the ones who drive prices in the market. It goes
without saying that the cars that actually performed
the duties in racing combat have the best stories and
thus will have the highest values, and that’s what we
have here… well, sort of.
Patrick Ernzen ©2015, courtesy of RM Auctions
Page 51
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Detailing
Years produced: 1970, 2011
Number produced: 11
Original list price: N/A
Current ACC Valuation:
$200,000–$350,000
(depending on history)
Tune-up cost: $500
VIN location: N/A
Engine # location: N/A
Club: www.historictransam.
com
Alternatives: Any in-period
Trans Am racer, including
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28,
Dodge Challenger T/A, and
AMC Javelin
The abbreviated version of the story goes like this:
In 1969, Ford provided Bud Moore Racing four Kar
Kraft-built Boss 302 cars for the 1969 season and
three more for the 1970 season. All cars were built by
BME and raced through the 1970 season, driven by
Jones and Follmer.
Despite the championship success of the 1970 season,
Ford saw the writing on the wall and pulled factory
support out of the series. As a consolation prize, they
left Bud Moore Racing with four more blank-slate 1970
Mustang chassis-in-white for BME to build for the upcoming
1971 season. Three of these final four cars were
completed. Chassis #4, which happens to be our subject
car, remained unfinished until 2011, when the seller
here decided to finish the car to period standards.
Authenticity without glory days
The seller of Chassis #4 went to great lengths to
complete the car as authentically as possible, and
even enlisted the aid of Bud Moore himself, along with
Moore’s son Greg and other members of the crew from
1970. This extensive consultation and blessing by Bud
Moore Racing was fully documented and presented
with the car for sale, as was a well-documented history
of the car prior to its acquisition by the seller.
There is no doubt that this car is chassis #4
presented by Ford, and it therefore goes down in the
history books as a piece of Bud Moore Racing history.
And obviously, this was a high-quality build, with
many pieces sourced directly from Bud Moore Racing.
If you were to put this car on the track today, it would
give the new owner an experience nearly identical to
what Jones and Follmer would have had in 1970. It
is said to be eligible for many historic events, and it
should have just enough provenance to earn respect
on the paddock. Finally, if the new owner decides to
vintage-race the car, there is no risk of undoing the
elements of history if the car gets stuffed into the wall.
But, on the flip side, it never saw any track action.
There are no period pictures. There is no road rash.
No battle scars. There is no essence of the race in it,
and that’s a driving force for most collectors today.
With that in mind, trying to pin a value on our subject
car is tough. While all of the other chassis were out
there having all of the fun, chassis #4 was warming
the bench, waiting to be put into the game.
What’s it really worth?
Looking at some comparable sales inside ACC’s
Premium Auction Database sheds some light on this
car’s value. Mecum managed a high bid of $300,000 at
its Monterey auction in 2012 for one of the other 1971
BME entrants driven by Peter Gregg (ACC# 209471).
That car had three podium finishes, but all were in a
year that did not see the championship. This resulted
in a no-sale, and it was reported that it would have
taken around $400,000 to get it sold at that time.
The 1971 Championship-winning AMC Javelin,
driven by Mark Donohue, sold five years ago at Russo
and Steele’s Monterey auction for $847,000 (ACC#
165836). That car has history. It won the championship.
The new owner of that car paid handsomely for
it, but no other car has that history, at least not for the
1971 season. Remember, the better the story, the more
money it will get.
Racing purists might consider our subject car
the runt of the litter because of its limited story.
Personally, I think that is the story. Find another
race-ready car from a legendary team in a legendary
series at a legendary time that never actually raced.
You couldn’t acquire and build this car for the price
spent here, especially when you factor in the consultation
time put in by the Bud Moore Racing brain trust.
All things considered, I’d say the price paid here was
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
1967 Shelby Mustang
Trans Am
Lot 3116, VIN: 7R01K218307
Condition: 1-
Not sold at $190,000
Auctions America, Burbank,
CA, 8/1/2014
ACC# 244563
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Trans Am
Lot S134, VIN: 18159
Condition: 2+
ACC# 209471
Not sold at $300,000
Mecum Auctions, Monterey,
CA, 8/16/2012
money darn well spent. A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.)
1971 AMC Javelin Trans Am
Lot S660, VIN: N/A
Condition: 1Sold
at $847,000
Russo and Steele, Monterey,
CA, 8/12/2010
ACC# 165836
March-April 2015 53
Page 52
PROFILE TRUCK
1976 CHEVROLET C10 CUSTOM PICKUP
The next big thing is already here
Muscular
and well
defined, this
era of hauler
strikes a
square-jawed
silhouette
when
compared
with the
bubbly lines
of today’s
waxed and
manicured
pickups
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
VIN: CCL146Z142937
by Jay Harden
T
his pickup was built by Gas Monkey Garage
on Discovery’s hit show “Fast N’ Loud.” It has
a fresh new paint job using the factory colors
with a factory two-tone paint scheme. The low
stance of the truck was achieved using air-ride
products from Porterbuilt Fabrication and AccuAir
Suspension. Under the hood is a GM Performance crate
LS7 with a host of parts that produce an estimated 600
hp. Backing up the motor is a heavy-duty 4L85E auto
transmission. Inside the truck is a fully custom interior
done by Hix Designs and LeatherSeats.com.
ACC Analysis This truck, Lot 1282, sold for
$45,100, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s annual Scottsdale, AZ,
auction on January 17, 2015.
A couple of years ago I decided it was time to find
myself a nice old Chevy half-ton pickup. I was looking
for a solid, turn-key and relatively rust-free truck
that I could fluff up and throw shiny bits at between
plywood runs and dirt-road shenanigans.
Unfortunately, the longer I scoured the local clas-
sifieds, the more painfully obvious it became that: 1) I
had clearly missed the boat on the ’67-’72 C and K10s,
and 2) that the average seller and I had very different
definitions of the word “driveable.” My options in
trucks from that era were limited to too little a truck at
too high a price, so I simply moved my search criteria
up an era and began sifting through ’73 to ’87 GMs.
Going square
Although the square Chevys have been popular in
the lowrider and mud-slinger circles for years, those
are two very niche crews that the mainstream has long
kept at arm’s length. As a consequence, I was expecting
to snag a quality rig on the cheap that, as far as
I was concerned, was about as collectible as bellybutton
lint. I wasn’t quite prepared for what I found.
Unbeknownst to me, all the square-body owners
must’ve gotten together sometime in the past four or
five years and decided their trucks were classics, too.
Asking prices were easily double and triple what I
was expecting to find, and, as a result, weren’t much
cheaper than their muscle-car-era cousins. All I could
think was, “In what world does this make any sense?”
Then came the fully restored 1978 Silverado K10
that Chevrolet debuted at 2013’s SEMA show. It was
all cleaned up and dressed in Tuxedo Black and
Scarlet Red in the stock scheme — just a simple,
straightforward truck with all-new technology
discreetly hidden under the hood. That truck was a
show-stopper that no one saw coming. A little over a
year later, we have this truck’s sale to deal with.
Towing the market
Muscular and well defined, this era of hauler strikes
a square-jawed silhouette when compared with the
bubbly lines of today’s waxed and manicured pickups.
Although I’m sure there’s a few in this crowd grum-
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.
Page 53
COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: The easiest way to track a car’s value over time is the ACC premium Auction Database, featuring
more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, make, model, VIN and more. Sign up at www.AmericanCarCollector.com.
bit as relevant as the ’32 roadster, and perhaps even
more so.
This seems like a good time to remind ourselves that
our subject truck will be 40 years old next year.
Rolling back the clock
Another important factor to consider is that there
bling about this green-and-white beauty’s enormous
rollers and weed-eater stance, it’s hard to deny that
this is anything but one handsome devil of a pickup.
But $45,000 is a heck of a lot of money to spend on an
old truck that few would dare to classify as worth the
effort.
To be fair, the components list does consist of some
high-dollar items, most notably that LS7, those 22-inch
wheels, and the custom interior. But I still don’t see
this as a parts-are-greater-than-the-sum scenario.
The price paid here is simply too high for that.
Something else is happening.
You might assume this buyer simply watches too
much television and, as a result, got a bit carried
away with the celebrity status of the builder. However,
I’m not sure this truck’s 15 minutes of fame had much
to do with the price, if anything at all. Looking outside
the bubble of this particular sale, it quickly becomes
apparent that the money spent here isn’t as far out of
line as I may have initially thought.
For example, take a look at Lot 47 from the same
B-J Scottsdale event. A bone-stock, completely
unadulterated ’77 C10 longbed that sold for — brace
yourself — $35,200. Holy moly. That truck is a lowmile
survivor, but is it collectible? Certainly not from
a performance or historically significant standpoint.
By my calculations, somewhere around a bazillion of
these trucks were built, so we can rule out exclusivity
as well. So what then?
Timing is everything
Well, I may be oversimplifying a bit, but the truth
may be as simple as the fact that we ain’t gettin’ any
younger. I know that sounds ridiculous, but hear me
out.
The explosion of interest in the cars and trucks from
the late ’60s and early ’70s perfectly coincided with an
equally dramatic wane in the street-rod market. Why?
Well, it really all comes down to the timing.
Back in the 1980s, the vast majority of high-dollar
builds and restorations were all of pre-war vintage.
Why? Because the guys who could afford to build them
were also the same guys who grew up with them, and,
in many cases, had waited their entire lives to park
one in the garage.
By the time the early 2000s rolled around, the
muscle car era had been dead for nearly three decades,
and those who lived through it were somewhere
deep into their 40s or 50s. Not so coincidentally, and
almost overnight, the first-gen Camaro became every
January-February 2015 55
March-April 2015
55CC
really wasn’t much excitement from Detroit in the
decade after the oil crunch. The bar for Americanmade,
V8-powered, rear-wheel-driven goodness was
set painfully low. At least the pickups had some utility
about them, and they were workhorses that easily
transitioned from the cornfields to the high-school
parking lot. They were sturdy if not exhilarating, and
most of us can recount at least one youthful ride in the
bed of a pickup back before lawyers ruled the land.
Remember? You probably almost fell out. And it was
awesome. I’d bet the memory brings a smile to your
face.
The point is that we crave what we know. We want
to relish those moments that defined our youth while
slowly reimagining them through the oh-so-pleasant
lens of nostalgia. In some cases, it’s the opportunity to
relive an open-highway moment behind the wheel of a
hot rod that only existed in the droopy-eyed slumber of
a school kid waiting for the day’s final bell. In others,
we want to take the wheel again with the memory
of grandpa staring lazily out the passenger’s side
window as the mile markers zip by on a quiet country
road. The easiest way to ride with that memory is to
put him in the right seat.
ACC has been asserting that trucks and SUVs from
the ’70s and ’80s will be the next big thing for a while
now, but if you look around, you’ll notice that they
already are. I’ll stop short of encouraging you to
trade that ’32 roadster or ’69 Camaro for a truck, but
don’t be surprised if this sale, which may seem like an
outlier, turns commonplace.
This truck was expensive, but I don’t think I can
really call it well sold — there’s just too much money
sunk in it already. It still may be a little early to call
this truck well bought at this price, too, but it’s still
cheaper than buying a new one and replicating the
customizations. We may just need to accept that the
market has spoken and the inevitable is here.
I should have bought mine cheap when I had the
chance. Looks like I’ll just have to pay to play. Like I
said, we ain’t gettin’ any younger. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-
Jackson.)
1978 Chevrolet C10 custom
pickup
Lot 718, VIN: CCL448Z201491
Condition: 1Sold
at $31,900
Barrett-Jackson, Reno, NV,
8/2/2014
ACC# 244983
Detailing
Current ACC Valuation:
$10,000–$20,000 (stock)
VIN location: Inside of lefthand
door pillar
Engine # location: Pad on
engine block, passenger’s
side, ahead of cylinder
head
Years produced: 1973–87
Number produced: 458,424
(all 1976 C10 and K10)
Original list price: $3,863
(short bed)
Alternatives: 1967–72
Chevrolet C10, 1960–66
Chevrolet C-10, 1967–72
Ford F-series
ACC Investment Grade: D
Comps
Club: www.67-72chevytrucks.
com
1977 Chevrolet K20
Scottsdale pickup
Lot T120, VIN:
CKL247F442630
Condition: 3+
Not sold at $15,500
ACC# 256604
Mecum Auctions, Kansas City,
MO, 12/5/2014
1972 Chevrolet C10
Cheyenne Super pickup
Lot S174, VIN:
CCE142S148014
Condition: 2
Sold at $20,520
ACC# 255985
Mecum Auctions, Chicago, IL,
10/10/2014
Page 54
MArKET OVERVIEW
Customs climb
STREET RODS, MODDED PICKUPS AND RIDICULOUS
RESTO-MODS BRING THE MONEY
by Tony Piff
TOP 10
sales this issue
1. 1966 Shelby Cobra Super
Snake, $5,115,000—
Barrett-Jackson, p. 66
2. 1950 GM Futurliner bus,
$4,000,000—BarrettJackson,
p. 60
3. 1954 pontiac Bonneville
concept convertible,
$3,300,000—BarrettJackson,
p. 60
4. 1932 packard 904 phaeton,
$1,045,000—rM,
p. 104
5. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427,
$990,000—rM, p. 102
6. 1969 Shelby GT500
convertible, $550,000—
Barrett-Jackson, p. 66
7. 2007 Blastolene B-702
roadster, $550,000—
Barrett-Jackson, p. 67
8. 1934 Cadillac resto-mod
convertible, $440,000—
Barrett-Jackson, p. 60
9. 1941 Chrysler royal
Town & Country wagon,
$440,000—rM, p. 102
10. 1931 Chrysler CG
Imperial dual-cowl
phaeton, $412,500—rM,
p. 102
BEST BUYS
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6
convertible, $225,500—rM, p. 96
56 AmericanCarCollector.com
1953 Buick roadmaster sedan,
$110,000—Barrett-Jackson, p. 60
1962 Chevrolet Corvette convertible,
$108,900—Leake, p. 72
1936 Ford Model 68 roadster,
$93,500—rM, p. 100
1971 Chevrolet Corvette coupe,
$28,600—russo and Steele, p. 82
2
014 finished strong, and 2015 shows no sign
of slowing. Leake’s November Dallas sale
hit a record sales total of $10.2m, up from
$9.4m a year ago. Leake consigned 33 fewer
cars (555, down from 588), but sold more
(375, up from 365), and average price crept up to $27k
from $26k. A Duesenberg Glenn Pray sport phaeton
built in 1978 was the big money at $283k.
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale sales surged forward
to $131m from $110m last year. They consigned and
sold more cars than ever (1,609/1,628, compared with
1,401/1,405 at Scottsdale 2014), and average price
climbed to $82k from $79k. Ron Pratte’s 1966 Shelby
Cobra “Super Snake” took high-sale honors at $5.1m.
At Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale auction, fewer
cars crossed the block than last year (603, down
from 735), but sell-through bumped up to 67% from
66%. Total sales declined to $16.8m from $21m, and
average price dipped to $42k from $44k. The most
expensive American car here was a 1966 Shelby 427
Cobra, sold at $440k.
Silver consigned fewer cars than usual (316, down
from 328) but sold 219 cars for a stronger-than-usual
69% sell-through rate. Sales increased to $3.6m from
$3.3m last year, and average price held about flat at
$16k. A1956 DeSoto Firedome convertible came out
on top at $85k.
Tony’s Market Moment: Modified pickups sold
strong at Barrett-Jackson, bringing $30k–$40k when
just a year ago they were $20k all day long. Fullcustom
street rods did fine as well — such as a 1932
Ford Model B roadster and “Alumatub”, a 1929 Ford
Model A convertible, sold at $154k and $187k, respectively.
But the custom segment that caught my eye was
resto-mods. A 1962 Chevrolet Corvette convertible
in “Cinnamon Candy Orange” with 525-hp LS3 and
custom 20-inch wheels sold for $220k, and a 1957
Chevrolet Bel Air convertible on a GT Sport Chassis
with 480-hp crate V8 sold for $264k — far bigger
money than you’d pay for a stock example of either.
Each of the winning bidders got a slick new ride
that’s iconic yet unique, and built to drive. I certainly
think that’s worth paying for.A
unusual mods and customs are attracting
increasing attention — and money
GAA,
Greensboro, NC
November 6–8, 2014
Leake,
Dallas, TX
November 21–23, 2014
Mecum,
Kansas City, MO
December 4–7, 2014
Barrett-Jackson,
Scottsdale, AZ
January 10–18
russo and Steele,
Scottsdale, AZ
January 14–18
Bonhams,
Scottsdale, AZ
January 15
rM,
phoenix, AZ
January 15–16
Silver,
Fort McDowell, AZ
January 15–17
Gooding & Co.,
Scottsdale, AZ
January 16–17
$0
$30m
$3.6m
$51.1m
$60m
$90m
$120m
$150m
$63.6m
$16.8m
$24.9m
Auctions in this issue
$7m
$10.2m
$8.3m
$131m
Page 56
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
Barrett-Jackson — Scottsdale 2015
ALL TOLD, RON PRATTE’S COLLECTION OF CARS AND AUTOMOBILIA
NETTED A TOTAL OF $40M
BarrettJackson
Scottsdale, AZ
January 10–18,
2015
Auctioneers:
Assiter & Associates —
Tom “Spanky” Assiter,
lead auctioneer
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 1,609/1,628
Sales rate: 99%
Sales total:
$131,246,800
high sale: 1966
Shelby Super Snake,
sold at $5,115,000
Buyer’s premium:
10%, included in sold
prices
ACC 1–6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
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:
Salvageable for parts
Jim Pickering
This year’s auction added an extra dose of adrenalin with the ron pratte Collection
Report and photos by Daniel Grunwald
Market opinions in italics
B
58 AmericanCarCollector.com
arrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale sale in January is
always an “event” as much as an auction. It
starts the year for car collectors and tends to
suggest trends for the next 12 months. This
year’s auction added an extra dose of adren-
alin with the Ron Pratte Collection. Pratte was a realestate
developer in the Phoenix area who amassed his
car collection over the past 12 years almost exclusively
at Barrett-Jackson auctions. This year he decided to
sell off the collection.
The first group of Pratte cars crossed the block
on Tuesday. This group of 110 automotive lots
(2000–2109), along with 74 warm-up lots, set a new
early weekday auction record for Barrett-Jackson with
a total of $13m in sales.
The remainder of the Pratte Collection (lots 2500–
2530) sold at prime time on Saturday. The top-selling
car this year came as no surprise: the 1966 Shelby
Super Snake, at $5.1m. Next up was the 1950 GM
Futurliner Bus, which sold for $4m (to benefit charity).
Next in line was the 1954 Pontiac Bonneville concept
car, at $3.3m. All told, Pratte’s cars and automobilia
netted a total of $40.4m.
One apparent trend that I noticed was an increased
number of resto-mods on offer and bigger prices paid
for them. A 1957 Buick Caballero wagon looked pretty
much stock with a subtle retro-modern vibe, 364-ci
crate engine under the hood, and 700R4 automatic
transmission. It sold for $110k. Even more ridiculous
was a 1934 Cadillac convertible equipped with 4.6-L
fuel-injected Northstar V8 and Vintage Air. It sold for
$440k — a strong price for a one-off custom with no
comps, but arguably worth it, considering the build
quality.
Barrett-Jackson once again sold more cars and took
in more dollars than any of the other players in this
busy auction week. They sold 1,609 cars out of 1,628
for total sales of $131m. That works out to a 98.8%
sell-through rate and an average price per car of $82k.
Eight cars sold for over $1m. That is what you call
“moving the metal.”A
1966 Shelby Super Snake, sold at $5,115,000
Page 58
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
GM
#5034-1934 CADILLAC resto-mod
convertible. VIN: 3103793. White/
black cloth/red leather. Odo: 3,215 miles.
4.6-L fuel-injected V8, auto. A wonderful
resto-mod built with all-original Cadillac
steel body parts. The engine is a Northstar
V8 with a 700R4 automatic transmission
and Vintage Air. It has beautiful paint and
chrome with all-chrome 5-mph custom bumpers.
The suspension is independent front
and rear. The interior is red leather with a
banjo steering wheel. Dual sidemounts and
full fender skirts with great chrome pod
headlights and taillights add to the look.
Cond: 1-.
8
over the driver (a great help in preventing
heat exhaustion). Factory drivetrain mods
helped push Futurliner #10 to a 41-second
quarter-mile at 28 mph at the 2011 Pontiac
Nationals. Well sold, even $400k under
what Pratte paid in 2006.
blue & gray plaid cloth. Odo: 5,539 miles.
322-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. The Howard Hughes
Buick. Said to be 100% original as when
Hughes drove it. Modifications in engine
compartment and trunk to accommodate
custom a/c system with dust and bacteria
filters, powered by a 24-volt aircraft power
system. Cabin completely sealed except
driver’s window to prevent air leakage. Original
paint is showing its age with lots of pinholes,
scrapes, chips, and worn-through
areas. Both front fenders fit wide at the
hood and doors. The front chrome shows
micro-scratches and wear. Cond: 3-.
#2503-1953 BUICK ROADMASTER
sedan. VIN: V1317897. Blue & green/
Futurliner. Sold in 2006 at Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale for $3m (ACC# 40464). Well
bought and sold today. A great piece of history
that will always bring the big dollars.
#2072-1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR convertible.
VIN: VC56J137126. Two-tone
blue/blue canvas/two-tone blue cloth & vinyl.
Odo: 33 miles. 265-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto.
Looks much better than when it left the factory.
The paint is concours-quality, and the
chrome all looks a foot deep and smooth as
glass. The cloth and vinyl stock-look interior
is spotless. Optioned with power steering,
brakes and windows, Wonderbar radio,
Continental spare tire and bumper overriders.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $440,000. A really classy restomod
in the old Hollywood style that has the
ability to cruise in comfort all day long. I
loved this car. No comps for reference, but
two people liked it a lot, so it was worth
$440k today.
#2501-1950 GM FUTURLINER
bus. VIN: 011. Red & white/green
cloth & vinyl. MHD. Odo: 9,607 miles. 400-ci
I6, 1-bbl, 4-sp. Fully restored since Ron
Pratte purchased it in 2006 for $4.4m
(ACC# 40076). Has 16-foot center display
area with hinged door opening and a roof
section that raises up for lighting. Single
driver’s seat sits 10 feet in the air in the center
cockpit. The tires alone (including duals
on the front axle) had to be custom made
with new custom molds to replicate the originals,
with “General Motors Parade of Progress”
script on the whitewalls. One of 12
built. Cond: 2.
2
SOLD AT $167,200. As near perfect as
possible in a shoebox Chevy. The bidders
recognized the quality here and were willing
to spend whatever it took to take it home.
SOLD AT $110,000. Purchased by Ron
Pratte at the Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson
auction in 2005 for $1.6m (ACC# 37712).
Not one of his better investments. Price
here seems realistic. Call it well bought.
#2500-1954 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
concept convertible. VIN:
50175932.Green/green leather. Odo: 808
miles. 268-ci I6, 4x1-bbl, auto. Still shows
as well as it did when it was built and when
it was last sold in 2006. A beautiful restoration
that is hard to fault. Every design element
on this car is specific to it, with nothing
that appears to be cribbed from any production-car
parts bin. Cond: 1.
3
#1085-1957 BUICK CABALLERO wagon.
VIN: 6D8026175. Tan & bronze/tan vinyl.
Odo: 600 miles. 364-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Allnew
chrome and paint with custom bench
seats, ’59 Chevy steering wheel and tinted
glass all around. Lowered tubular A-arm
suspension with coil-overs and power front
disc brakes. Wide whitewalls on chrome
wire wheels. Powered by a 364-ci crate engine
and 700R4 auto trans. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $4,000,000. At 33 feet long, 7.9
feet wide, 11.5 feet high and 30,000
pounds, it could not be driven across the
podium, but it was driven partially up the
ramp during the sale. These Futurliners received
a GM makeover in 1953 when the
original canopy was replaced with a roof
60 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $3,300,000. One of two Bonneville
concept cars built by GM for the 1954
auto-show circuit. The other one was brown
and went to the East Coast. This one went
to the West Coast auto-show circuit. It was
displayed with the Futurliner when it toured
the country for General Motors in the 1950s,
and it crossed the block here just before the
SOLD AT $110,000. One of the best-looking
and most unusual station-wagon styles
of the 1950s. The pillarless hard-top fourdoor
bodies were constructed by an independent
contractor, the Ionia Body Co. in
Flint, MI. This example might be called a
light resto-mod, as it has just enough comfort
and light custom features to modernize
it without losing the original look. Big
money.
#249-1957 CHEVROLET 3100 pickup.
VIN: L57L100553. Red & white/red & white
vinyl. Odo: 1,543 miles. 283-ci V8, 4-bbl,
3-sp. Not quite concours-quality paint, but
TOP 10
TOP 10
TOP 10
BEST
BUY
Page 60
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
QUICKTAKE
1966 Shelby Cobra 427
Super Snake
SOLD at $5,115,000
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, January 10–18, 2015, Lot 2509
VIN: CSX3015
SOLD AT $41,800. A well done nut-andbolt
restoration of a Colorado truck. Sold
well, but worth the price for the quality and
the strength of the truck market.
#2514-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR “Chezoom”
2-dr hard top. VIN: VC57S329.
Teal/cream leather. Odo: 4,138 miles. 350ci
fuel-injected V8, auto. Originally built by
Boyd Coddington for the owner of “Mr. Gasket,”
Joe Hrudka. Still sports the original
paint. Built with a modified 1957 body on a
tube chassis with 1985 Corvette suspension
and a 350-hp LT-1 and 700R4 automatic
transmission. Cond: 1.
quite good, with very few flaws and very
good colors. All-new high-quality chrome. A
few trim dents on upper right side trim. New
tinted glass all around. Well detailed under
the hood with new wiring. Non-conforming
VIN tag in door jamb. Cond: 2+.
courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
such thing as too much power. But if there is in fact a limit, Carroll Shelby must
have found it with the Super Snake.
The whole point of the Super Snake was to see how fast a Cobra would go. Two were built
Most hot rod and muscle car guys will tell you that there’s no
— this car, which Shelby built for himself, and another, CSX3303, which was delivered new to
comedian Bill Cosby. As the story goes, Cosby only had his car for about a month, returning it
to Shelby because the power scared him. A later owner reportedly got a speeding ticket from
the California Highway Patrol in it, before eventually losing control of the car and launching it
off a cliff into Half Moon Bay.
Why were the Super Snakes so scary? They started life as 427 comp cars, which were each
fitted with a special Edelbrock XF8 cross-ram intake, twin Holley carbs, and twin Paxton
superchargers. That’s right, two of them, hanging side-by-side off the front of the block. A
C6 auto rounded out the package. Shelby estimated each car put out about 800 horses. As for
speed, these cars ran to 60 in just 3.8 seconds or so on their way to an 11.8-second quarter-mile
time, likely with a lot of tire smoke. While that’s not a lot compared with a 707-hp Hellcat in
today’s world, the Cobra weighed next to nothing, and we’re talking about ’60s carbs here —
not smooth tool-around-town electronic fuel injection. These cars were brutal.
For Cobra guys, this is the ultimate version of the 427, and this is the only remaining
example of the two. That makes this car especially desirable to collectors.
I was at Barrett-Jackson when this car sold to Ron Pratte for $5.5m in January 2007 (ACC#
44047), and I think it’s safe to say there was just as much buzz about the car at this year’s
Barrett-Jackson sale, too. While this price was below what it sold for last time, that last sale
happened right at the high-water mark of muscle pricing before the economic crash pulled the
rug out from under muscle car values, and the recovery, even years later, is still ongoing. As
such, as this is really the ultimate Shelby, I think it was a pretty shrewd buy at this price. After
all, there’s only one. A
62 AmericanCarCollector.com
AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $352,000. Modified by Boyd Coddington
in 2004 with a new interior, a/c, new
sound system and some engine compartment
mods. Possibly the most famous custom
shoebox Chevy ever. Ron Pratte
bought it at Barrett-Jackson in 2005 for
$372,600 (ACC# 37047). I am going to call
this car fairly bought and sold. I am sure we
will see it again in the future, and it will still
bring around this money. Some things are
simply timeless.
#667-1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS
396 2-dr hard top. VIN: 138177B178627.
Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 3,575
miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. The bumpers
and trim are beginning to show some age,
dents, and dullness. Most of the glass is
— Jim Pickering
Page 61
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
scratched, including the outside rear-view
mirror. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $36,300. Not
really a show car, but it should be a nice
driver-quality SS. The ACC Premium Auction
Database shows a previous sale at
Russo and Steele Scottsdale last January
for $39,100 (ACC# 242254), which would
seem to confirm the correctness of this
price.
#376-1967 CHEVROLET NOVA 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 115377W146242. Butternut/black
vinyl. Odo: 90,102 miles. 188-ci I6, 1-bbl,
auto. A very original car from California;
looks rust-free. It looks to have all-original
paint, with lots of crackling and checking as
expected, but it also shines and shows no
chips or peeling. The chrome and trim all
show extremely well for their age, with no
dents even in the long side trim. The original
bench-seat interior has some seam
stretching in places but appears intact.
Cond: 3.
ko’s showroom. ACC Premium Auction Database
shows it no-saled in 1992 at a Kruse
auction at $56k (ACC# 15300). Well bought
and sold here.
#2035-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28
coupe. VIN: 124379N509335. Green/black
vinyl. Odo: 20 miles. 302-ci V8, 2x4-bbl,
4-sp. The paint is very good. The door gaps
seem just a bit wide, and the right headlight
door could use a little adjustment. Options
include 4:10 rear, 2x4 Cross Ram, Endura
bumper, headlight washers and deluxe seat
belts. Cond: 1-.
general are hot. El Caminos still have some
catch-up room, and it isn’t easy to find clean
ones that haven’t been overworked. Bought
fair considering the condition.
#2073-1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 convertible.
VIN: 344670E123003. Green/tan cloth/
tan vinyl. Odo: 3,519 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Restored with a powder-coated frame,
aluminum radiator, disc brakes, and new
wheels and tires. Still has original underdash
8-track tape player. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $148,500. Well restored, with
documentation including window sticker,
Protect-O-Plate and original keys. Last sold
at Barrett Jackson Las Vegas in 2008 for
$137,500 (ACC# 122395). Very well sold,
again.
SOLD AT $22,000. There are always a few
of these really nice survivors here at Barrett.
You have to look hard, as they don’t stand
out in the crowd, but surviving originality like
this cannot be replicated. I wasn’t the only
one who noticed this one, though. A premium
was paid here for this well-preserved
little Nova.
#5063-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Yenko coupe. VIN: 124379N579518.
Orange/black vinyl. Odo: 24,552 miles. 427ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. One of the first 50 Yenko
COPO Camaros ordered, and this one was
specifically built for drag racing. Spotless
paint and interior. Both door gaps appear
wide at the front. Still has the smog system
and original cowl induction. Bulletproof documentation.
Class winner at Meadow Brook
in 2007. Cond: 1-.
#1072-1969 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe.
VIN: 223379N108102. White & blue/blue
vinyl. Odo: 63,748 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. A few light trim scratches and some
age showing on the grille/bumper chrome.
The plating is light on the left rear bumper.
Ram Air III engine with Ram Air induction.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $115,500. This car sold at
Mecum Monterey in August 2011 for
$63,600 (ACC# 183932) and again at Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale 2012 for $66,000 as
a #3 car with some needs (ACC# 193970).
For this sale it was beautifully restored with
light driver comfort upgrades. Now it looks
better than factory-new everywhere. Very
well sold.
SOLD AT $110,000. Said to be one of 520
Trans Ams built in ’69 with both 4-speed
and Ram Air. Sold at Barrett-Jackson here
in Scottsdale 2011 for $89k with 63,699
miles on the odometer (ACC# 168482).
Seventy-nine miles have been driven in the
past three years. Still sold fair to both buyer
and seller.
SOLD AT $264,000. Low miles were likely
put on a quarter-mile at a time when new. A
quality restoration was done in 2007, and
the car was likely driven less than a quarter
mile since. Still looks like it did in Don Yen-
#224-1970 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
pickup. VIN: 136800K178780. Gold/tan
vinyl. Odo: 80,000 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Looks to be freshly painted, smooth
and shiny. The passenger’s door gap looks
a little wide. The interior is clean and has an
aftermarket radio in the dash. Fitted with
American Torq-Thrust alloy wheels and an
SS hood. Factory air conditioning. Cond:
2+. SOLD AT $23,650. It’s no secret I like
El Caminos. This one cost less than an SS
model and looked nearly as good. Probably
not a mistake to buy it now, as trucks in
#93-1972 CHEVROLET C10 Cheyenne
Super pickup. VIN: CCE142F349289.
White & orange/black & white vinyl. Odo: 19
miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fresh, goodquality
paint and new chrome bumpers.
Tinted glass, a/c, power disc brakes, automatic
transmission, and AM/FM radio.
Some light scratches on the left side window
and light pitting on the vent-window
frames. The bed has been reworked lightly
for smoothness. The gauges are said to be
new and look original to the truck. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $32,450. A good-looking Cheyenne
Super ready for the road or local
show. My guess is that most of these refurbished
pickup trucks are purchased to be
driven rather than just displayed. At least
March-April 2015 63
Page 62
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
two bidders really, really liked this truck and
paid dearly for the pleasure of owning it.
CORVETTE
#814-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. VIN: E54S002408. Red/white
cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 4,843 miles. 235-ci
150-hp I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. The factory panel
fit was marginal on these cars, but this one
seems a bit more marginal than most. There
is also a wavy area at the front of the right
door. The chrome all shows very well, as
does the factory-quality paint. The wide
whitewalls could use a scrubbing. Cond: 2.
4-bbl, auto. New metallic blue paint and
all-new chrome. Auto transmission and a/c,
AM/FM, power steering, power brakes and
tinted glass from the factory. The alloy
wheels are a later addition. Beautifully restored
in all areas. Cond: 1-.
shifter arm. Comes with factory a/c, power
windows, and the 400-hp Tri-Power engine
option. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $140,800. The
427/400 is less tempermental than the
solid-lifter 435-hp version, and the a/c has
to be nice in Arizona. Well restored and
unique option package. The edge goes to
the seller here, but just barely.
FOMOCO
SOLD AT $174,900. This Split-Window
Corvette has air conditioning and an automatic
transmission, so you can buy it and
tell your wife you bought it with her in mind.
She will love you more for thinking of her,
unless you actually spend $175k for it. Way
over the top.
SOLD AT $97,900. The display showed
copies of numerous awards, including
NCRS Top Flight in 2005 and performance
verification in 2004 as well as Bloomington
Gold, Triple Crown and Gold Spinner in
2000. Previously sold in 2009 at Bloomington
Gold for $75k (ACC# 255451) and nosaled
last June at Mecum Seattle with a bid
of $65k. The third time is the charm, as I
would put it solidly into the “well-sold” column
today.
#5001-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 30837S119595. Blue/blue vinyl.
Odo: 88,339 miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8,
#5008-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 194677S105309. Yellow/
yellow hard top/black leather. Odo: 84,820
miles. 427-ci 400-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. The
paint on the hard top is weak, with some
ill-fitting trim that is also dented. There are a
couple of paint chips on the body. The
leather seats show light wear, and the interior
chrome is weak on some knobs and the
#2516-1929 FORD MODEL A “Alumatub”
custom convertible. VIN: 29A00037. Natural
aluminum/silver hard top/silver leather. A
couple of light dents in the radiator fins. The
original body-panel welds are visible, but
those are original to the body, and all are
smooth and well finished. The full aluminum
body sits on an aluminum frame with an
aluminum dropped axle in the front. Powered
by a 350 small-block engine with 3
deuces and an auto trans with a Mooneyes
electric shifter. The minimalist interior features
a bench seat, steering wheel, three
gauges, two pedals, and that’s it. The handformed
aluminum top is removable.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $187,000. Since this was built on
the “American Hot Rod” TV show, most attribute
it to Boyd Coddington alone. The
hand-formed body was actually built by
Marcel DeLay. The aluminum chassis and
assembly were done by Boyd. Previously
sold in January 2005 here at Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale for $167k (ACC# 36951).
Well sold, but an exceptional car.
#2011-1932 FORD MODEL B custom
roadster. VIN: 1827371007. Black & white/
red & white leather. Odo: 194 miles. Built by
Boyd Coddington on the “American Hot
Rod” TV show. All-steel body with a 350
64 AmericanCarCollector.com
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BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
V8 with fuel injection that looks like three
Strombergs. Disc brakes on the front look
like Buick finned drums. Engine-turned firewall.
Chromed dropped front axle, Moon
Tank and S&W gauges. Cond: 1-. SOLD
AT $154,000. “Old school” rod by one of the
great builders with no expense spared. Last
sold in 2008 at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas
for $132k with 11 fewer miles on it (ACC#
118354). Own, enjoy and drive for six years
(okay, they didn’t drive it), and come out
ahead. Well sold, but not a bad buy.
#1002.1-1932 FORD MODEL B custom
roadster. VIN: 181252667. Silver & red/
black vinyl. Odo: 616 miles. Fiberglass ’32
roadster with all-custom chromed suspension.
Double A-arms in front and Halibrand
quick-change rear with inboard discs and
independent rear suspension. Twenty-twoinch
rear wheels. Hidden headlights and
pillarless windshield. 350 SBC V8 with twin
turbos that are chromed and show on the
sides of the cut-out hood with shorty
chromed exhaust pipes. Great paint and
very nice interior. Cond: 1-.
and looks factory-new. All structural wood is
said to be original. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$139,700. This car was reportedly a wedding
gift from Henry Ford to a Mrs. Kales.
Doug Delorme, a 30-year veteran of the
Ford design department, acquired the car
from Mrs. Kales’ family and undertook a
seven-year restoration to make it look as it
does today. This has to be one of the best
’40 woodies on the planet. Well bought and
sold.
#746-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: D7FH194718. Green/green
hard top/green vinyl. Odo: 92,693 miles.
312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. The left front fender
looks somewhat wavy at the top of the
wheelwell opening, and the driver’s side
door fits a bit wide. The paint on the body is
respectable, but the porthole hard-top paint
shows lots of prep flaws. There are visible
wear areas on the front bumper chrome.
The seat covers look new. Cond: 2-.
auto. Originally built on September 7, 1965,
as a Cobra Competition roadster and invoiced
to Ford in England for a promotional
tour. In 1967 it was transformed into a Super
Snake and classed as an SC (Semi
Competition). Lots of history and documentation
as one of two Super Snakes built. Still
shows better than factory-new in all areas,
with only minor paint chips on the alloy
wheels. Said to have its original date-coded
engine and aluminum hood. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $75,900. A smooth and sanitary
hot rod that rides on big wheels with a low
four-inch front clearance. As-new, with only
616 miles from birth. Sold at many previous
Barrett sales: $83k at Palm Beach 2007;
$55k at Vegas 2008; $47k at Russo Scottsdale
2009; $110k at Barrett Scottsdale
2010; and $53k at Scottsdale 2014 (ACC#
240895). It reappeared with current color
combo in 2014 at Barrett Vegas and sold for
$85k. A roller-coaster frequent flier that may
never find a long-term home.
#2021-1940 FORD DELUXE woodie
wagon. VIN: 185790743. Brown/brown
vinyl/tan leather. Odo: 234 miles. A few
wrinkles in the driver’s seat and some
roughness under the vinyl top covering. Allnew
birch paneling done extremely well
SOLD AT $49,500. The car card made this
’57 sound really great, but I thought the
bodywork really let it down. More like a
20-footer to me. There were many better ’57
T-birds here to choose, and this one found
a fair price for condition.
#645-1966 FORD MUSTANG convertible.
VIN: 6R08A214626. Red/white canvas/red
vinyl. Odo: 12,866 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Recent quickie paint is shiny but
shows lots of orange peel and poor
SOLD AT $5,115,000. The top seller at this
auction. Why was it modified into a Super
Snake SC? A competition Cobra could not
be driven on public roads due to a lack of
mufflers, windshield, bumpers and other
parts. The SC title allowed it to be titled and
driven on the road, and it could then be
used by Shelby American as a PR car. The
only other Super Snake (CSX3033) was
destroyed when it was driven off a cliff into
the Pacific Ocean. This car sold previously
at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2007 for
$5.5m (ACC# 44047). Well bought and sold
today. See the Quick Take on p. 62.
#2511-1969 SHELBY GT500 convertible.
VIN: 9F03R482847. Red/
white canvas/white vinyl. Odo: 69,733 miles.
428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored in 2007.
The hood fits wide and high in the center,
and the front of hood moulding is scratched.
The steering wheel has a leather lace-on
cover. Cond: 1-.
6
masking. Visible edge chips on the driver’s
door. New carpets and seats. The trunk lid
looks a bit wavy, and the new rear bumper
has missing chrome plating around the bolt
heads. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $30,800. A bit of
a fluff-and-buff look here to get it ready for
auction on a budget. Might still make a nice
driver, but I would not like it at this price
considering the condition. Fully priced and
then some.
3015. Blue/black cloth/black leather. Odo:
17,449 miles. 427-ci supercharged V8,
1
66 AmericanCarCollector.com
#2509-1966 SHELBY COBRA Super
Snake roadster. VIN: CSX-
SOLD AT $550,000. Owned by Carroll
Shelby for over 30 years. Purchased new
by him. Sold previously at Barrett-Jackson
in 2008 for $743k (ACC# 48530). Truly a
one-off vehicle that has much more to do
with the provenance than the vehicle itself.
#1284-1999 SHELBY SERIES 1 convertible.
VIN: 5CXSA1817XL000123. Silver &
blue/silver leather. Odo: 925 miles. 4-L fuelinjected
V8, 6-sp. “As new” Series 1 with
925 miles on the odo. Carbon-fiber body on
an aluminum frame with Oldsmobile DOHC
Aurora L47 V8. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$117,700. These cars were a case study
TOP 10
TOP 10
Page 65
BARRETT-JACKSON // Scottsdale, AZ
in the difficulty of building a limited-edition
automobile in our modern world. Cost overruns,
missed production dates, quality control
issues, and upset customers doomed
the car to a very limited run, even with the
Shelby name behind it and a good sports
car body style. Market-priced. Compare with
Lot 1141 with maroon stripes.
#1141-1999 SHELBY SERIES 1 convertible.
VIN: 5CSXA1810XL. Silver & maroon/
black & gray leather. Odo: 2,140 miles. 4-L
fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. A couple of chips in
the lower front paint and a couple of paint
scratches where the top rubs on the body
behind the seats. Cond: 1-.
#5058-1966 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA
“Fireball 500” Barris movie car. VIN:
BP29D65131501. White & orange/black
vinyl. Odo: 6,254 miles. 273-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Lots of scratches, cracks, and flaws
show in the original body and paint. The
colored Plexiglas windscreens have age
crackling. The interior shows lots of age and
wear, as well as splits in the driver’s seat
bottom. Started life as a pretty basic 273-ci
automatic Barracuda. Built by George Barris
for the movie “Fireball 500” starring Annette,
Frankie and Fabian, and has their signatures
on the dash. Cond: 3-.
#5024-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA
2-dr hard top. VIN: BS23R0B178823.
Red/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 63,272
miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Equipped
with rim-blow steering wheel, six-way power
seat, power steering, Elastomeric bumpers
and a Shaker hood. Good paint, trim and
interior. Said to be Galen Govier-documented
as a one-of-one options combination,
but not explicitly stated to be
numbers-matching. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $137,500. If the movie had been
better, this car would have been restored
long ago, and the money would be much
stronger. If you don’t know Annette, Frankie
and Fabian, you are far too young to care
about this car anyway.
SOLD AT $108,900. Same basic car as Lot
1141, except this one has maroon racing
stripes rather than blue. This one also has
2,140 miles showing on the odometer rather
than the 925 on the blue-stripe car. $9k savings
for stripe color and another 1,000 or so
miles on the odo seems worth it.
MOPAR
#5103-1957 DESOTO ADVENTURER convertible.
VIN: 50414922. White/tan cloth/
cream leather. Odo: 82,494 miles. 345-ci
V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Very good paint and interior,
with most chrome looking factory-new.
Some pitting is visible on the exhaust surrounds
above the rear bumper. Both door
fits are wide in places. A few windshield
chips on the tinted glass. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $181,500. It was never a real 440
car, but it is nicely done, and if you want to
look good and hang out at the local show,
the idea is that you can do that for less
money than a real one. In this case, you
can throw that idea out the window, as this
one sold for the same money for which you
could buy a real one.
SOLD AT $198,000. Said to be one of only
10 known examples left. Long and low with
lots of chrome, and the top goes down.
What more could you ask for? Fairly priced.
CAR COLLECTOR
AMERICAN
SOLD AT $550,000. The Barrett-Jackson
cover car in 2007, when it sold for
$522,500. Our reporter wrote then, “I doubt
if the builders made much here” (ACC#
48531). Customs are hard to value, but the
market has spoken twice on this one. Well
bought and sold. A
™
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March-April 2015 67
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877.219.2605 Ext. 1
#1043-1970 PLYMOUTH ’CUDA 440 Six
Pack replica convertible. VIN: BH27G0B236060.
Red & black/black vinyl/black vinyl.
Odo: 2,969 miles. 440-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto.
Started as a base 318-ci G-code car; built
with a 1971 440 to look like a real 440 Six
Pack ’Cuda. Good panel fit, 440 billboards,
shaker hood, vinyl soft top, and plastic bumpers.
Comes with cruise control and rimblow
steering wheel that shows some age.
Some of the plastic chrome trim on the console
shows wear. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $176,000. A fresh-looking rotisserie
restoration on this Hemi with options
that match the original fender tag. Fair sale
for both buyer and seller.
AMERICANA
7
#2507-2007 BLASTOLENE B-702
roadster. VIN: OR821122. Blue/
maroon leather. Odo: 2 miles. 702-ci V12,
2x2-bbl, auto. A one-off hand-built giant,
reminiscent of the great French classics.
Built by the Blastolene Brothers, Randy
Grubb and Michael Leeds. Aluminum handbuilt
sweeping fenders and body panels and
Woodlite headlights, a Lincoln-Zephyr
speedometer and 12 side-exhaust pipes.
Over 19 feet long, 94 inches wide and 4,800
pounds. Some flaws show in the plastic inserts
in the rear fender wingtips. There are
rough welds on the header collectors, which
undoubtedly were there when it was built.
Cond: 1-.
TOP 10
Keith Martin’s
Page 66
LEAKE // Dallas, TX
Leake — Dallas Fall 2014
A 1968 SHELBY GT350 SOLD STRONG AT $72K, AND A 1971 DODGE
DEMON RESTORED AT A COST OF $75K CHANGED HANDS FOR $36K
Leake
Auction
Company
Dallas, TX
November 21–23,
2014
Auctioneers: Brian
Marshall, Tony
Langdon, Bobby Ehlert
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 375/555
Sales rate: 68%
Sales total:
$10,222,080
high sale: 1978
Pray-Duesenberg
sport phaeton, sold at
$282,500
Buyer’s premium:
10%, included in sold
prices
ACC 1–6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
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:
Salvageable for parts
A bargain six months or a year from now? 1968 Shelby GT350 fastback, sold at $71,500
Report and photos by Phil Skinner
and Elise Levy
Market opinions in italics
W
68 AmericanCarCollector.com
hen James C. Leake first established an
auction in cooperation with Sotheby’s
in 1964, he focused on pre-war classics
and early Brass Era vehicles. In the 50
years since, the car collecting world has
changed dramatically, and at Leake’s 2014 Dallas fall
sale, nearly 70% of the 555 entries had not even been
built when that first auction took place. But a number of
significant cars, including the high seller, took the auction
back to its roots.
A sharp 1937 Cord 812 phaeton sold for $143k, an
unusual 1939 Packard 120 Rollston town car sold for
$36k, and a rare 1932 Pontiac Series 402 cabriolet sold
for $54k. The Duesenberg that took high-sale honors
will never qualify as a Full Classic, although it certainly
looked the part. Built in 1978 with a fiberglass body
using molds pulled from a Le Grand Sport phaeton, this
was the last Duesenberg built by the A-C-D Company,
and it sold here for $283k. It was a most unusual vehicle,
to say the least, garnished with a number of original
Model J parts and powered by an Auburn-derived
American LaFrance V12 engine.
The rest of the offerings lined up with this sale’s
regional market flavor. Pickup trucks did quite well on
the block, such as a 1958 Chevrolet Apache Cameo that
went for $33k.
The selection of American muscle included a few
appealing Mopars. A 1969 Plymouth Road Runner was
well bought at $25k, a 1965 Dodge Coronet 440 Six Pack
replica sold for a fair $26k, and a 1971 Dodge Demon,
restored at a cost of $75k, changed hands at $36k.
A 1968 Shelby GT350 sold strong at $72k, and a 1965
Ford Mustang coupe sold for $9,900.
Rounding out the highlights from the Big Three was
a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie convertible. It had
been professionally restored to NCRS standards, and
at $109k, it looked like one of the smartest buys of the
auction.A
Page 68
LEAKE // Dallas, TX
CLASSICS
#463-1937 CORD 812 phaeton. VIN: 1821H.
Eng. # FB2457. Cigarette Cream/tan
canvas/black leather. Odo: 13,712 miles.
Older restoration circa 1964 has held up
well. Some recent underhood freshening.
Interior is serviceable. Beautiful instrument
cluster with later-model temp gauge and
vacuum gauge installed where radio would
have been. Paint shows a few chips and
has a little patina. Brightwork aging but no
major blemishes. Doors, hood and deck all
well aligned. Not a concours car, but a tour
car as long as the pre-selector keeps working.
Cond: 2.
GM
#2423-1955 PONTIAC STAR CHIEF convertible.
VIN: K855H17884. Black & white/
black vinyl/black & white vinyl. Odo: 97,726
miles. 287-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Older professional-level
restoration starting to go downhill.
Decent paint has a few chips near hood
and driver’s door. Interior is tight, smells
dry, claimed to be original, but materials are
not from 1955. Solid car, decent body. Not a
contender for Best of Show where there is
serious competition, but it could be. With
factory AM radio, heater, dash clock, power
steering, power brakes, power top, factory
wire wheelcovers, and illuminated hood ornament.
Cond: 2.
2x4-bbl, 3-sp. Rotisserie restoration with no
detail overlooked, down to red oxide primer,
as shown on the undersides. Superb body
and paintwork. Engine rattles a bit, but that
is to be expected with solid lifters. Engine
ran out smooth when driven into the auditorium.
With heater-defroster and AM radio,
and not much else. Basic hubcaps and
blackwalls. First two numbers of the odometer
difficult to read—an odd detail to overlook
in a full restoration. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $143,000. Big Classics have
been kind of soft, but these “coffin-nose”
Cords remain strong. While the big money
goes to the supercharged Sportsman twoseaters,
this was a very good price for a car
that needs TLC. It would be worthwhile to
find an original radio and temp gauge and
freshen the rest of the car to the condition
seen under the hood. Well bought and sold.
#466-1978 DUESENBERG GLENN PRAY
sport phaeton. VIN: 2615. Red & burgundy/
black canvas/red leather. Odo:
16,490 miles. A one-off built by the man
who invented the “Neo-Classic,” Glenn
Pray. Parts were gathered from several
sources. Fiberglass body. One expert says
chassis is from a Duesenberg II, another
claims it’s a real-deal Model J. Dash is reportedly
from a real Model J, as are many of
the gauges. American LaFrance engine
(same design as the Auburn V12). Transmission
from unknown source. Lights, grille,
trim from Duesenberg II. Runs out well.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $60,500. Previous celebrity
owner was Dennis Franz (claim to fame: his
bare bottom on the show “NYPD Blue”), but
I don’t think that added to the price. Big
chrome-laden convertibles of the 1950s are
making a comeback, and this car did better
than some expected. Well bought and sold.
#2474-1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO Biarritz
convertible. VIN: 5762049672. Kiowa
Red/white vinyl/red & white leather. Odo:
39,939 miles. 365-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Restored
several years ago. Stunning car, but
not perfect. Underhood needs attention.
Parade boot ill-fitting. Paint excellent with
no scratches or chips, chrome deep and
reflective. Windshield has faint wiper marks.
Power everything. Smooth runner, sits level.
A beauty. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $47,300. Still one of the most
popular American cars from the 1950s, but
this example’s high performance and sinister
looks gave it a meaner personality that
might have limited some of its market appeal.
Still, for the purist, it was well done,
even if there were no claims of the powertrain
being original to the car. Really very
little for the new owner to do except turn the
key and enjoy the open road.
#2527-1958 CHEVROLET APACHE
Cameo pickup. VIN: V3A58K114707. Turquoise
& black/gray vinyl. Odo: 579 miles.
283-ci V8, 2-bbl, 4-sp. I’ll bet there are more
1958 Cameos in this color combo now than
when they were new. Very nice bodywork.
Interior done in authentic materials. Has
factory radio and heater-defroster. Glass is
good. Refinished bed wood showing just a
bit of age. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $282,500. If this had been a real
Model J phaeton in this condition, price
would have been well into seven figures,
and the seller hoped for something close to
$500k. Bidding went to $245k on the block,
and the post-block team worked to bring the
parties together for this more realistic price.
Still have to call it well sold.
70 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $106,700. Of the two of these at
this sale, this attracted the most attention,
and bidding was hot, with at least three
players. Seller was looking for $110k, but at
$90k lifted the reserve. Car does need a
little freshening and in the right light could
do even better. I heard there were post-sale
offers made to new owner, proving it was
well bought.
#2496-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr
hard top. VIN: VC57N123745. Onyx Black/
red vinyl. Odo: 13,381 miles. 283-ci V8,
SOLD AT $33,275. As the art of pickup restoration
grows, so do the values. At the fabled
Lambrecht sale in September 2013, a
sister to this truck with just five miles on it
brought $147k (ACC# 227824), and lesser
examples can easily break $35k. Considering
those prices, this looks like a great buy,
and it was a real factory V8 truck as a bonus.
#409-1969 OLDSMOBILE TORONADO
2-dr hard top. VIN: 394879M602447. Topaz
Metallic/saddle vinyl. Odo: 6,444 miles.
455-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Mileage not claimed
to be from new, but car looks generally original.
Original paint, some micro scratches
Page 70
LEAKE // Dallas, TX
and bubbling. Well appointed with full
power, a/c, factory AM/FM. Original wheels
and interior are like new, including intricate
stitching pattern on seats. Underhood and
undercarriage need some detailing.
Cond: 3+.
decent, interior looks close to stock. A fair
amount has been invested in this car, and it
shows. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $28,325. With
plenty of these on the market, the prices are
kept in check. This one looked stock, but
the more powerful engine and modern upgrades
pushed it to the next level. The reserve
was lifted and only one more bid
came in, showing the seller knew what he
was doing.
CORVETTE
SOLD AT $6,710. A potential preservation
winner that ran out well. Lots of eye appeal,
but dealers in the audience were a little hesitant
to step up. In the proper light I thought
this car might just break the $10k mark, and
the ACC Premium Auction Database shows
that it sold at Leake’s Tulsa sale in June for
$13k (ACC# 252208); six months earlier, it
no-saled at $11k at Silver Fort McDowell
(ACC# 232195). Seller was happy to let it
go. I think the buyer made money when he
bought it.
#2455-1970 PONTIAC GTO Judge 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 242370R122004. Red/black
vinyl. Odo: 65,430 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. PHS documents and reproduction
window sticker. Factory engine. Workmanship
good all around. Sheet-metal body
panels line up well, but Endura front is offcenter,
and rear plastic bits have noticeable
warping. Windshield has wiper marks.
Wheels clean with no issues, tires look
fresh. Gauge cluster complete with Sun
tach as bonus. Cond: 2-.
#481-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 20867S109639. Tuxedo
Black/black hard top/black vinyl. Odo:
21,255 miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected
V8, auto. Professional-grade restoration on
a very well-presented and-documented factory
Fuelie. Paint near flawless, chrome in
excellent condition all around. Unable to
inspect soft top due to mounted hard top.
Car looks better than factory. Never had a
radio or heater but did have off-road exhaust,
metallic-lined brakes and Positraction,
as stated on a reproduction of the
window sticker. NCRS material in every
way, ready for action or for show. Cond: 1-.
carriage soiling from transportation.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $146,300. This car had
it all: right color, right engine, right interior
and right body style—the only year these
Corvette coupes outpace their roadster
brothers. Well bought and sold.
#2418-1977 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 1Z37L7S426536. Corvette
Tan/tan vinyl. Odo: 51,252 miles. 350-ci
180-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Run-of-the-mill laterproduction
C3 in an uninspiring color with
matching trim. Original engine complete
with tattered underhood insulation. Upgraded
Pioneer stereo. 1978 alloy wheels.
Some panels lighter-colored than others.
Interior looks stock. Has a couple of dimples
on headlight doors and other smaller panels.
Engine runs out well. No signs of major
trauma. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $7,260. These later C3s and
early C4s in driver condition are cheap and
easy to find. That makes them a great entry
into the world of Corvettes. And you can
always paint this one red.
FOMOCO
SOLD AT $43,450. This car was well documented,
and the forms probably added
30%–40%. No word on the other history of
the car or how much was invested. New
owner got an enjoyable ride and paid a market-correct
price.
#2516-1978 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe.
VIN: 2W87Z8N153607. Gold metallic/tan
fabric. Odo: 63,136 miles. 461-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Looks perfectly restored. W72 400-ci
now altered and punched out. Well appointed
with proper exterior finish, including
Snowflake wheels. Has cruise, a/c, upgraded
Kenwood stereo. Workmanship is
SOLD AT $108,900. You couldn’t re-create
this for the price, which makes it a fantastic
buy. Seller wasn’t desperate. He just
wanted it to go to a new home. There were
three hot bidders on the car up to $90k, the
reserve lifted, and then just two took it home
in $1k jumps. Very well bought.
#493-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 30837S110792. Riverside
Red/red vinyl. Odo: 60,612 miles. 327-ci
360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Beautiful restoration
of original car to original configuration.
Proper spinner wheelcovers, AM radio,
full instrumentation with clean, clear faces.
Former NCRS Top Flight award. Underhood
neat and tidy. Body shows no issues. Car
runs out exceptionally well. Only minor issue
is front bumper alignment and under-
#765-1965 FORD MUSTANG coupe. VIN:
5F07C337454. Blue metallic/dark blue vinyl.
Odo: 37,027 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto.
Repaint is close approximation of the original
light blue metallic. Economy interior also
close. Underhood original and needs a full
re-do. Wears original wheels with proper
“spinner” wheelcovers. Factory AM radio
and heater. Some evidence of bodywork. A
real quickie in every sense. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $9,900. Mustangs are hot, and as
a result, some coming to market are looking
a little tired under the paint. This was a solid
vehicle that will make a daily driver or even
a weekender, but for an investment car, it
needs more love. With a little elbow grease
and skill, it could even be a show car that
makes a few dollars when it sells or at least
breaks even. Seller was very pleased, as it
far exceeded his $6k reserve, and buyer
should have no complaints.
72 AmericanCarCollector.com
#453-1968 SHELBY GT350 fastback. VIN:
8T02J16537001958. Dark blue/black vinyl.
BEST
BUY
Page 72
LEAKE // Dallas, TX
Odo: 38,639 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
According to data plate and buck tag, this
was originally a Raven Black car. Interior
shows no detail efforts. Looks original with
wear and patina on instrument cluster. Driver’s
seat has some sagging. Underhood
neat and trim with proper parts. Wheels and
tires clean. Glass, chrome and sheet metal
all in presentable and usable condition. But
not a show car. Cond: 3.
hood would also help. I could call this one a
draw: both seller and buyer were happy and
did well.
#2435-1965 DODGE CORONET 2-dr hard
top. VIN: W351102668. Red/red vinyl &
cloth. Odo: 24,178 miles. 440-ci V8, 3x2bbl,
4-sp. Sharp workmanship on a slightly
modified car. Despite the “Coronet 440”
series name, the 440-ci V8 was not available
until 1966. Engine fits nicely under the
hood, though. Overall fit and finish is pretty
good. AM radio, pushbutton heater controls.
Clean, tight fabric and floor covering. Bodywork
at or above factory standard. Doors
open and close easily, same with hood.
Glass shows some adhesive on the edges
but is clean. Driver struggled getting the car
onto the block; engine kept stalling.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $71,500. Shelby Mustang prices
seem to finally be rebounding, which will
make the purchase of this car seem like a
bargain six months or a year from now. I
was surprised it did this well on the block.
Seller was looking for $100k, Leake team
convinced him that this was real money,
and he finally had to admit it was time to let
it go. If new owner takes it back to original
configuration, it will be a while before a
profit is realized, but this is a real-deal
Shelby, so it should be owned and enjoyed,
even with no a/c and an AM radio.
MOPAR
#534-1956 CHRYSLER WINDSOR convertible.
VIN: W5652703. Stardust Blue/
white vinyl/two-tone blue vinyl. Odo: 77,278
miles. 331-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Cosmetic
makeover with proper color. Economy reupholstery.
Top not raised but appears to be a
few years old. Engine starts easily with
some smoke. Pitting on grille and lenses.
Fitted with base heater, clock and radio;
some of the buttons are askew. Underhood
has been treated to an econo-repaint. Pushbutton
transmission shifts well, and yeah—it
has a Hemi. Cond: 3.
might even make a few bucks down the
road.
#2436-1971 DODGE DEMON 2-dr hard
top. VIN: LL29B1E110647. Red/black vinyl.
Odo: 89,373 miles. 340-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp.
Expert paintwork, decent chrome, done a
few years ago and now starting to unwind.
Cracks in weatherstripping, warped trim
near windshield. Built engine claimed to
make over 450 hp. Underhood and undercarriage
both clean. Soft trim was tidy and
clean, no radio, no exposed wires, only a
heater and Hurst shifter. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $26,400. Faltering mechanicals
when a car hits the block are never good.
This car appeared to run out well, so I think
it was probably driver error. Recently sold
for $21,600 at Dan Kruse Austin in late September
(ACC# 252408), which we called a
“fair deal.” Still, this ride had at least $40k
invested. Well bought and sold today.
#2420-1969 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER
2-dr hard top. VIN: RM23H9J168082.
Scorch Red/black vinyl. Odo: 84,173 miles.
383-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Economy re-do.
Paint has minor flaws. Trim is decent for a
driver. Sloppy windshield replacement with
glue residue all around. Interior sparsely
appointed; buckets without a console or
floor shift. Base AM radio, heater-defroster,
one aftermarket gauge under the dash.
Underhood neat and tidy and numbersmatching.
Two copies of build sheet displayed.
Magnum 500 wheels with modern
rubber mounted. Car runs out easy, sits
level. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $36,300. Starting life with a modest
inline six, this built-up Demon roared to
the auction block, while the simple, stock
wheels gave it that serious “sleeper” look.
With over $75k reportedly invested in the
build, there’s no way the owner was going
to get his money back. Price paid was fair.
Well sold, decent buy.
AMERICANA
#461-1939 PACKARD ONE-TWENTY
town car. VIN: 17012037. Black/black
canvas/black leather. Odo: 91,407 miles.
Older repaint with red highlights added. Distinctive
Rudy Creteur bodywork. Driver’s
compartment looks like it has been re-covered,
but interior looks mostly original;
musty mildew smell. Bodywork is solid.
Doors open and close easily. Underhood
needs detailing. Engine starts and runs out
well. Glass shows some milkiness. Pitted
chrome. Heater and clock in driver’s area.
Microphone for communicating between
compartments. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $25,300. Seller knew where the
market was on this car, as his reserve was
right at the selling price. The buyer got a
good weekend cruiser, and these cars do
ride well. If maintained, the car should hold
its value. As time and budgets permit, I
would look into upgrading the bad chrome
and stainless. A proper detailing under the
74 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $24,750. Base-level muscle cars
in this condition are plentiful. Seller was
realistic with a $30k reserve on paper, but
when real money hit $21,500, it was for sale
and brought another grand in the follow-up
bidding. If the new owner spends wisely and
drives carefully, he’ll enjoy his ride and
SOLD AT $36,300. Though not a Full Classic,
many consider the 120 road car a superior
performer, and custom bodies such as
this one certainly deserve recognition. Custom
coaches were no longer in vogue by
1939, which makes this surviving example
all the more significant. Price paid was fair
for the buyer, and seller shouldn’t complain
considering the presentation. A
Page 74
RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
Russo and Steele – Scottsdale 2015
A 1969 CAMARO ZL1 SOLD AT $335K, A 1970 BOSS 429 MADE $330K,
AND A 1970 HEMI ’CUDA CAME IN AT A HEALTHY $248K
Russo
and Steele
Scottsdale, AZ
January 16–19,
2015
Auctioneers:
Rob Row, Jeff Stokes,
Dan Schorno,
Frank Bizzarro
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 403/603
Sales rate: 67%
Total sales:
$16,777,750
high American
sale: 1966 Shelby
427 Cobra, sold at
$440,000
Buyer’s premium:
10%, included in sold
prices
ACC 1–6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
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:
Salvageable for parts
One of 652 hemi-powered hard-top cars in 1970 — 1970 plymouth hemi ’Cuda, sold at $247,500
“C
76 AmericanCarCollector.com
Report and photos by John Boyle
Market opinions in italics
ar collecting is supposed to be fun,” says
Russo and Steele founder Drew Alcazar. “It’s
supposed to be emotional. You’re supposed
to get excited about it.” This year, the firm’s
15th anniversary, it looks like he succeeded,
selling a whole lot of American iron (the “Steele” in the
company’s name) for good prices.
Although the overall sales total was down from last
year, the sell-through rate was up. Consignments were
down, but quality continued to improve. Top sales for
the Big Three were a 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro
ZL1 former national record-holder, sold at $335k; an
immaculate 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 at $330k;
and a 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda at a healthy $248k.
Topping them all was a 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra that sold
for $440k.
My personal favorites included a very nice, very
custom 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, sold at a reasonable
$55k, and a 1966 Imperial convertible — one of only
500 made that year, and absolutely huge — unsold at a
high bid of $41k.
The other half of the auction is the European exotics
(the “Russo”). A 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
was Russo’s top sale overall at $1.4m.
The mix of tastes is no accident. Russo’s goal is
to offer its diverse clients a wide range of cars in an
intimate environment. “Our core client is a guy with a
small collection of cars,” Alcazar says. “He has a GT350
or some other muscle car he bought from us, and decides
he’d like to own a 365 Ferrari or an E-type Jag to get his
feet wet in European cars.”
At an average price per car of $41k, this is just the
kind of place for a collector to explore something new
for his stable. A
Page 76
RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
GM
#S698-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR convertible.
VIN: VC57J287304. Red/white
vinyl/orange, red, & silver vinyl. Odo: 58,220
miles. 283-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Fresh restoration
with new everything. Paint had dry
area on lower driver’s door and minor variations
in panel lines. Glass and chrome/
stainless like new. Nice interior with small
crack on driver’s armrest and minor fit issues
to some of the vinyl. Well equipped
with power steering and brakes, Wonderbar
radio, and Continental kit. Spotless
underhood. Cond: 2.
miles. 348-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Great paint
over a super-straight body and panel lines.
Very minor scratches on stainless trim.
Bumpers excellent. New interior very well
installed in factory tri-color scheme.
Underhood excellent with factory tags, decals
and original-style battery. Cond: 1-.
except for scratch on A-pillar paint. Fresh
window rubber and tires. Underhood nice
and correct except for modern battery.
Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $55,000. A PHS-verified
real GTO. Non-numbers-matching but
date-coded replacement engine. Fresh off a
frame-off restoration, this convertible sold
for a bit more than hard-top money, probably
due to the lack of matching numbers. If
you can live without the originality (and future
appreciation), it’s a great way to buy a
car. Well bought.
SOLD AT $82,500. Seller says it’s a fresh
rebuild on correct date-coded engine and
dual-quad carb setup. This was the lesser
of the ’57 convertibles sitting next to each
other here. The slightly nicer white car (Lot
S696) brought a few thousand more. That
sale helps confirm this sold right for the
quality. Both the seller and buyer should be
pleased.
#F538-1957 CHEVROLET NOMAD wagon.
VIN: VC57F108929. Rose & white/silver &
black cloth. Odo: 680 miles. 283-ci V8,
2-bbl, auto. Very good paint with exceptional
bodywork. Owner states no filler used
in 700 hours worth of bare-metal bodywork,
and it’s believable. Very straight sides. New
glass and original stainless restored to perfection.
New interior with correct vinyl in
load area. Underhood clean and detailed
with correct period hose clamps backed up
by modern screw-on units. Correct-style
battery. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $93,500. For a long time, ’58
Chevys were in the shadow of their older
siblings. That’s been changing over the past
few years, and this sale confirms it, outselling
an equally nice ’57 at this sale. A great
car at a fair price, and perhaps a bit of a
deal for the buyer.
#TH298-1965 CHEVROLET K20 4x4
pickup. VIN: 5Z150366. Blue/tan vinyl.
Odo: 42,619 miles. 230-ci I6, 1-bbl, 4-sp.
Nice recent paint with a few touch-ups;
overspray on window rubber. Body straight,
with good panel gaps. Bed surprisingly
straight and dent-free with new wood. Interior
fresh, but fawn interior paint looks too
glossy. Engine bay dusty, otherwise average.
Chips on firewall. Plastic tape is coming
loose from wiring. Cond: 2.
#S734-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1
coupe. VIN: 124379N643779. Fathom
Green/black vinyl. Odo: 39 miles. 427-ci V8,
2x4-bbl, 4-sp. COPO Camaro modified
when new for drag racing and said to be a
former national record-holder. Straight body
said to consist of mostly original sheet
metal. Great paint, chrome and glass. Roll
cage over stock-looking interior; aftermarket
racing shifter and gauges added. Huge
slicks in back, wheelie bars. Engine bay
detailed and factory assembly marks replicated.
Paint and details redone to period
race appearance. Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $335,500. One of 69 ZL1s, and
said to be one of three with added COPO
9737 “Sports Car Conversion Package,”
which upgraded suspension, gauges and
wheels. The ZL1 option added $4,160 to the
Camaro’s $2,700 base price. The car
brought huge money, and it would have
brought even more in its original configuration.
Still, COPO fans and the new owner
wrote on an Internet forum that it was a
great buy. If they’re happy, I’m happy.
SOLD AT $18,700. A rare (for the time)
factory 4wd ¾-ton, said to be one of 1,364
produced. Another nice-but-not-overly-restored
truck. Fairly sold and bought.
SOLD AT $85,800. What will get a crowd
more excited than a ’57 Chevy convertible?
A perfect Nomad in a great period color.
Correctly sold and perhaps a bit of a bargain.
Bid to $80k but not sold last year at
R&S’s Newport Beach auction (ACC#
244409), so seller was correct to wait for a
few thousand more.
#S694-1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA convertible.
VIN: F58L171687. Rio Red/white
vinyl/red, silver & black vinyl. Odo: 63,325
78 AmericanCarCollector.com
#S643-1965 PONTIAC GTO convertible.
VIN: 237675P126621. Red/white vinyl/white
vinyl. Odo: 15,803 miles. 389-ci V8, 3x2-bbl,
auto. Fresh paint on 300-mile restoration.
Small paint run on rear panel, chips on front
of driver’s door edge. Interior very nice
#S688-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS
454 LS6 replica convertible. VIN: 136670B151895.
Blue/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo:
1,185 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Nice
paint over straight sides. Driver’s door sits
slightly out. Trunk gaps a bit off. Some wear
to white stock interior. Underhood is stock
and clean but with some signs of use. Period-correct
Wide Oval tires add to the look.
Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $64,900. Originally a 307/200 car
but nicely done. Owner was very up-front
Page 78
RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
about powerplant change and displayed
original build documents. A nice car bought
for less than half of what a matching-numbers
car would go for, and thus well bought.
#F499-1972 OLDSMOBILE 442 W-30 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 3G87X2M189960.
Yellow/tan vinyl. Odo: 17,295 miles. 455-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Nice paint with chips on
door edge and other wear you’d expect on a
decade-old restoration. Trunk gaps variable,
others okay. Front bumper wavy, stainless
good except for scratches on lower window
trim. Well-equipped interior is still nice, complete
with factory Hurst shifter and 8-track
tape unit. Speakers cut into trim. Correct
underhood but now only to driver standard,
with dirt and wear visible. Cond: 2-.
orange peel over straight body. Clear parts
of Pace Car decals discoloring. Wear on
right bumper, rear window gasket wavy.
Mirror T-top has some delamination. Interior
stock and clean. Engine bay stock and
clean but not overly detailed. Original MSRP
of $10,309 was a lot of money in 1980.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $15,675. Seller claims a full restoration
on a Phoenix-area car. Everything
new or restored, with $36k in restoration
receipts. Sold slightly under market for condition.
CORVETTE
SOLD AT $24,750. A real 442 W-30 originally
sold in Canada. The W-30 was Olds’
top offering in the last year of GM’s highperformance
A-bodies. Loaded with appearance
and convenience features and rare,
these often bring a bit more money than
their GM cousins. This car, no longer fresh,
was a fair deal for both parties and a lot of
car for the money.
#TH240-1974 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88
convertible. VIN: 3N67U4M187074. Red/
white vinyl. Odo: 99,542 miles. 455-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Thick respray with scratches
and a dimple in rear quarter-panel. Chrome
and stainless okay. Soft plastic trim piece in
back of front bumper cracked. Original interior
has few issues other than huge speaker
cut-outs in rear and aftermarket CD hanging
from dash. Aftermarket tonneau cover.
Hood not open for inspection. Cond: 3-.
#S725-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 101940. Eng. # 00867S1001940.
Tasco Turquoise/black vinyl/ turquoise
vinyl. Odo: 20 miles. 283-ci 270-hp
V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Fresh from a body-off
restoration. Paint and panel fit far better
than original. New paint, interior, glass, top.
Excellent NOS or replated chrome and
stainless. Interior features racer/aircraftstyle
seat belts. MP3/aux updated radio.
Correct underhood with Delco generator
and tags. Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $7,700. Olds’ last big convertible
and one of 3,716 that year. A driver that
would be great for taking the crew out for
ice cream. Slightly well bought considering
its condition.
#TH275-1980 PONTIAC TRANS AM Turbo
Pace Car coupe. VIN: 2X87TAL145064.
White/white vinyl. Odo: 84,464 miles. 301-ci
turbocharged V8, auto. Newer paint has
80 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $134,750. I liked this car, and so
did the crowd. The 283 with dual quads,
4-speed, and Positraction helped this Corvette
stand out from most 1960s. Most everything
under the hood was restored
original. Sold slightly high, but given the
quality of the car, it’s a case of buying too
soon rather than too much. Seller told me
he was hoping for at least $80k, so he’s
very happy.
#S667-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 30837S102202. Silver/black
leather. Odo: 115,267 miles. 327-ci 340-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Nice paint over straight
body. Good chrome, but stainless shows
scratches around rear window. Interior nice
but not new, with wear to door jambs, driver’s
armrest, instrument cluster, and con
Page 80
RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
sole stainless. Older door rubber.
Underhood clean, with proper stainless
shields, modern battery. Recent Nova Scotia
safety inspection sticker. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $79,200. At first look, this seems
like a deal for a car with the desirable 340hp
L76. But lack of matching numbers drops
this very nice driver into fairly-bought-andsold
status.
#S709-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 194677S108483. Sunfire
Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 22,600
miles. 427-ci 400-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. A
numbers-matching big-block car. Restoration
finished in 2008 and still showing very
well. Repaint over straight body with good
gaps. Interior said to be original and in better
shape than you’d expect. Simulated
wood steering wheel shows some wear.
Miles said to be original. NCRS Top Flight
Award winner with Protect-O-Plate, owner’s
manual and tank sticker. Both tops.
Cond: 1-.
some age, since they’re originals. Car has
less than 150 miles since restoration.
Cond: 2. SOLD AT $28,600. A six-owner
car with known history from new. One Oregon
owner for more then 20 years. Comes
with documents, restoration photo book and
Protect-O-Plate. Seller says it’s a couple of
weekends worth of detailing away from being
ready for NCRS judging, and I can believe
it. This looked like a great car, but
bidding came up short. Either the bidders
know something I don’t, or someone got a
very good deal. Sold here at R&S Scottsdale
2012 with fresh restoration for $41k
(ACC# 191627).
#S620-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Pace Car coupe. VIN: 1Z8748S900080.
Black & silver/silver leather. Odo: 3,300
miles. 350-ci 220-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Alloriginal
with build quality no better or worse
than GM made it 37 years ago. Original unworn
tires. Paint has held up well. Rubber
bumpers look a bit dull, but they did when
new. Pace Car decals still in box. Interior
still has cardboard protectors on door sills.
Mirror T-tops in fine shape with no delamination.
Underhood has some minor age
issues, with surface rust on brake reservoir.
Equipped with top-dog L82, the “big” engine
with 220 hp, up from 185 in the base unit.
Equipped with all options. Cond: 2+.
tion. Underside looks used but clean. Said to
be based on a 1913 car with assigned Arizona
title. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $16,500. The Model T speedster
is arguably America’s first hot rod. In the
days when Ts were still new, it didn’t take
long for youths to buy a used T and ditch
the factory body, replacing it with bucket
seats and a cylindrical fuel tank, making a
poor man’s Stutz Bearcat. The aftermarket
supported these and offered performance
upgrades like the Rajo OHV engine and
3-speed transmission, as seen on this car.
The speedster was never a factory body
style, so no two are alike. This one sold
slightly well for condition. No odo.
SOLD AT $126,500. A big-block ’67 is considered
the best of the C2s, and this L68
car had it all (though it was bettered in
horsepower by the L71 and L88). Sold
slightly over the reserve and a notch below
the ACC Pocket Price Guide valuation of
$90,500–$154,500 for a #2 car. Well
bought. A car that will always be collectible.
#S615-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 194371S117052. Brands
Hatch Green/tan vinyl. Odo: 97,956 miles.
454-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Nice paint
and bodywork from 2012 restoration. Nice
panel fit, especially around headlights. Interior
presents as nearly new. A well-equipped
car with AM/FM and a/c, converted to ecofriendly
R134a. Underhood has been detailed
to NCRS standards with correct
hoses, clamps and belts. Other items show
SOLD AT $23,100. Pace Cars and the Silver
Anniversary Corvettes (of the same
year) were the first Corvette “instant collectibles.”
The Pace Car is the rarer of the two
(6,502 compared with 15,283) and more
valuable. Many were put away when new,
so they’re not hard to find today. Originally
ordered by a GM dealer in rural Minnesota,
this became a winter car in Scottsdale,
driven primarily to church. He left it in 2009
to his now-retired son, who is donating
100% of the sale to a Minnesota Christian
youth camp. Sold below market. Great buy.
FOMOCO
#TH296-1910 FORD MODEL T speedster.
VIN: AZ334797. Yellow/black vinyl. Old paint
with plenty of dimples, scratches and orange
peel. Brass radiator and lights presentable
but far from perfect. Side lights display worn
black paint. Homemade trunk has severe
cracks. Seats and rubber floor covering look
newer than rest of car. Painted wire wheels
have ancient Wards Riverside tires on rear,
fronts look newer. Hood not open for inspec-
82 AmericanCarCollector.com
#F412-1929 FORD MODEL A coupe. VIN:
A1934194. Gray/gray cloth. Odo: 64,744
miles. An older restoration of unstated vintage.
Body paint has some minor orange
peel, fenders show age with scratches.
Dark green trim around windows unevenly
applied; fading around windshield. Radiator
has wear but should polish up well. Glass
and stainless is good. Interior stock and
clean, with minor waviness to seat seam.
Rumble seat looks unused. Ancient tires
with yellow whitewalls. Engine looks clean
and correct. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $15,950. A nice coupe that was
clearly well restored and loved in the past. A
great entry-level pre-war collectible. Price
seems slightly high for a coupe in this condition,
but no huge harm done.
#F509-1941 FORD SUPER DELUXE convertible.
VIN: 186259998. Yellow/tan
canvas/tan leather. Odo: 38,865 miles. 221ci
V8, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Very nice paint comes
across as neither new nor old. Stainless is
dull. New tires with wide whites. Top well
fitted. Good fender welts and running
boards. Interior doesn’t look stock to me,
BEST
BUY
Page 82
GLOVEBOXNOTES RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
2015 Chrysler 200S sedan
By Tony Piff
but it fits car. Steering wheel is wrapped
with aftermarket leather cover. Door cap
screws scratched, with a couple missing.
Trunk immaculate. Engine bay not detailed
but clean and correct with cloth wires and
new-looking battery. Cond: 2.
Ford under-dash a/c still present.
Underhood is dirty and worn, original paint
on cowl still there, chipped, and worn.
Plenty of auto-parts-store items, a/c parts
look new. Cond: 4+.
price as tested: $29,170
Equipment: 2.4-L I4, 9-speed 948TE automatic,
Comfort Group, Navigation and
Sound Group, Premium Lighting Group,
Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection.
Mileage: 23 city/36 highway
Likes: Reasonably sized for the modern
American road and modern American
human. Not too big and not too small.
Lots of glass, decent visibility. Roomy
trunk. 2.4-L 4-banger wants to spin. Car
gets going quick, but that’s due more to
the responsive 9-speed gearbox than
horsepower. Comfortable, supportive
seats with nice seat heaters. I usually
don’t care for heated steering wheels,
but this one changed my mind. 23/36
mpg seems reasonable. Optional blindspot
monitor is unobtrusive and effective.
Nice ride as optioned for under $30k.
Dislikes: Bland styling, bland identity.
Too-black interior offsets the brightness
of all the glass and creates a coffin-like
atmosphere. Lighter-colored headliner
and pillars would brighten the cabin. The
paddle-shifted Sport mode feels like a
silly affectation on such an un-sporty car,
but it’s well executed for what it is.
Verdict: The 2015 Chrysler 200S blends
right in on the freeway and in the parking
lot, and the buyer for this car will think
that’s just great. Same goes for the
performance and handling, which won’t
distract you with greatness or incompetence.
The car feels safe and comfortable
and goes where you point it.
Fun to drive:
Eye appeal:
Overall experience:
SOLD AT $28,600. Seller didn’t provide any
details on the restoration or mechanical
condition of the car. It sold at Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale 2013 for $37,400. If there
are no surprises for the new owner, very
well bought.
#F571-1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: P6FH203180. Sage Green/
white vinyl/green vinyl. Odo: 508 miles. 312ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fresh repaint on fiveyear-old
body-off restoration. Generally
straight body with minor ripples on front
fender. Good body gaps. Excellent new
glass, chrome and stainless. Interior like
new but some rather dark discoloration to
dashpad. Underhood looks fresh and correct.
Said to be a three-owner car, same
owner since 2009. Equipped with power
steering and brakes, automatic transmission,
T&C radio, original wire wheel covers,
factory engine dress-up and Continental
kits. No hard top. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $4,400. Purists may scoff, but
this is an entry-level car for less than some
guys spent on their Scottsdale hotel and bar
bill. Since it was generally sound, it might
be rescued by someone new to the hobby
and, given its rarity, be a hit as a cruiser. Or
it might go back to being a high-school kid’s
car. Fairly bought.
#S750-1968 MERCURY COUGAR GT-E
427 coupe. VIN: 8F91W536157. Cardinal
Red/white vinyl/dark red vinyl. Odo: 13,646
miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Ten-year-old
restoration/rebuild still holding up well with
recent cosmetic freshening. Paint very
good, chrome and trim nice, and hideaway
lights on grille fit well. Interior well appointed
and correct with factory 8-track and tilt
wheel. Underhood unmarked, clean, and
correct with OEM battery. Comes with photo
book of restoration and Marti Report.
Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $66,000. With only 300 miles
since restoration, the car came across as
new. The only major point noted was the
lack of a hard top. Sold slightly above similar
cars, despite the unusual color and lack
of top.
#SN820-1966 FORD RANCHERO pickup.
VIN: 6K27T151062. White/gray cloth & vinyl.
Odo: 84,487 miles. 200-ci I6, 1-bbl,
manual. Average two-year-old repaint done
by trade-school students. Stainless
scratched, rear bumper and taillight trim
dented. Grille unmarked but could use a
polish. Spray-in black bedliner. Seats replaced
by modern aftermarket buckets.
Shifter moved from column to floor. Original
84 AmericanCarCollector.com
AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $38,500. The GT-E was the rare
high-performance version of Mercury’s upscale
pony car. Only 357 were produced
with the famed 427 side-oiler. Why did it sell
for a fraction of what a similar Mustang
would bring? Seller states the original body,
found in Canada, was too far gone to save,
so a donor car provided its shell, which was
restamped with the GT-E’s numbers. That
would put off investors, but as it sits, the car
still fills a spot in a Ford collection. Sold for
this exact amount in September at Russo’s
Las Vegas sale (ACC# 228550).
#SN804-1974 FORD THUNDERBIRD
coupe. VIN: 4J87A133990. Blue/white
vinyl/blue cloth. Odo: 120,000 miles. 460-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. A lifelong Phoenix-area car
with single repaint beginning to show its
Page 83
RUSSO AND STEELE // Scottsdale, AZ
age. Thunderbird letters on nose not reapplied
after paint. Good chrome bumpers,
worn stainless. Vinyl top looks thin in places
with either welds or rust beginning to stretch
the vinyl. Interior nice and clean for its age.
Seller says seats were re-covered in correct
NOS material (in a pattern that could have
only come from the 1970s). Underhood is
dirty, worn. Simply an old car. Cond: 3-.
has minor two-tone masking issues. Radio
antenna missing, with factory hole on
fender. Front bumper shows waves, stainless
has light scratches. Interior fresh. Glass
and rubber good. Underhood area clean,
but brush touch-ups in a few areas. Modernstyle
battery. Engine is “period-correct,” as
catalog says, but not truck-correct, since
Mopar’s 1958 325 V8 was only used in
cars. Locked; unable to read odo. Cond: 2-.
#S728-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA
2-dr hard top. VIN: BS23R0B159416.
Limelight Green/black vinyl/black vinyl. 426ci
V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Recent restoration in
its original color. Excellent paint, straight
body with good gaps. Shaker hood looks
great in correct argent silver. Much of spotless
interior said to be original. Engine bay
clean and correct. Period-correct battery.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $3,300. An estate sale car. Ford
was building nearly 60,000 T-birds a year at
this time, but when was the last time you
saw one? This looked like exactly like what
it is: a well-cared-for grandpa’s car that
could use some more care. Fairly sold considering
its condition.
MOPAR
#F494-1958 DODGE SWEPTSIDE pickup.
VIN: 10127021. Turquoise & white/turquoise
& white vinyl. 325-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Very
fresh paint over very straight body. Paint
NOT SOLD AT $40,700. To compete with
the Chevy Cameo and other stylish pickups,
Dodge used station wagon quarter-panels
to make the D-100 Sweptside. They built
1,260 from 1957 to 1959, and it’s estimated
that only 60 ’58s remain. This was a nice
restoration, but not over the top. Considering
these usually have asking prices closer
to $60k, I don’t fault the owner for taking
this one back to the ranch.
SOLD AT $247,500. One of 652 Hemi-powered
hard-top cars in 1970, the next-to-last
year for the big motor in Mopar’s pony car.
This was a lightly equipped model without
power-sapping options. The Mopar market
is still down from pre-recession heights, but
this one sold just a bit over the ACC Pocket
Price Guide valuation ($145k–$230k). A fair
deal for all concerned, with a nod to the
buyer. A
March-April 2015 85
Page 84
SILVER AUCTIONS // Fort McDowell, AZ
Silver Auctions — Fort McDowell
AN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL-RESTORED 1956 DESOTO FIREDOME
CONVERTIBLE FOUND A NEW HOME AT $85K
Silver
Auctions
Fort McDowell, AZ
January 16–17,
2015
Auctioneers: Mitch
Silver, Bob Graham,
Matt Backs
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 219/316
Sales rate: 69%
Sales total:
$3,591,878
high sale: 1956
DeSoto Firedome convertible,
sold at $85,320
Buyer’s premium:
8%, included in sold
prices
ACC 1–6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
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:
Salvageable for parts
With the few choice options and superb restoration: 1956 DeSoto Firedome convertible, sold at $85,320
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
Market opinions in italics
S
86 AmericanCarCollector.com
ilver’s auction in Fort McDowell has a reputation
as a great place to go to find affordable
American iron in the desert. Over its 18-year
run, this sale has traditionally seen some of the
best buys for cars in the four- and five-figure
level — all the way up to Full Classics and premium
muscle cars.
This year, for the first time, Mitch Silver and his crew
opened up on Thursday evening with 29 cars crossing
the block. On one hand, it did conflict with three of the
auctions that also started on Thursday night, but on
the other hand, it made things run a little smoother on
Silver’s other two days of sales.
And sell they did. With the exception of total lots of-
fered (316 versus 328 in 2014), all their numbers were up
this year. Some of those figures were quite a bit higher
than last year. In selling 28 more cars than last year, their
sell-through rate moved up markedly, from 58% to 69%.
Total sales also grew notably, up by nearly $300k from
last year.
Of those sales, the largest one was an exceptionally
well-restored 1956 DeSoto Firedome convertible, finding
a new home at $85k. This was four grand more than last
A sea of affordable classics
year’s top-selling Jaguar. Indeed, American cars were
the big thing this year, with all but two filling the top 10
sales.
Even with a stronger American presence, Silver has
one of the better mixes of vehicles offered, and the cars
are the most attainable by far when you look at the sold
prices. And when it all boils down, that is what this week
in Arizona is all about. A
Tony Piff
Page 86
SILVER AUCTIONS // Fort McDowell, AZ
GM
#266-1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr
hard top. VIN: VC56K012776. Dusk Plum
& India Ivory/white vinyl & black Nylon. Odo:
97,441 miles. 265-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional
power steering, basket wire wheel
covers, dashpad, clock, and Wonderbar AM
radio with rear speaker. Dealer-accessorytype
grille guard and hockey-stick rocker
panel trim. Original warranty paperwork.
Better-quality repaint in early 1980s, recently
buffed out. Mostly replated or replacement
brightwork. Original foggy
mirrors. Good door fit. Polished aluminum
Corvette valve covers on otherwise stock
motor. New gas tank and dual exhaust. Selectively
restored interior; heavily yellowing
door panels. Cond: 2-.
#476-1959 OLDSMOBILE 98 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 599M33016. Red & white/gray
nylon & white vinyl. Odo: 89,469 miles. 394ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optional power steering,
brakes, windows, seat, and antenna for the
Wonderbar radio. Good repaint, although
masking lines are evident. Replated front
bumper; light pitting on taillight bezels and
rear bumper. Missing most door-stop bumpers,
so while the door fits well, it rattles.
Good original interior; some pieces re-dyed.
Seats are nice since they are encased in
dealer-accessory vinyl covers. Good paint
detail under the hood, even if the carburetor
was not all that cooperative about starting
up. Cond: 3+.
#330-1965 CHEVROLET CORVAIR Corsa
convertible. VIN: 107675L102703. Maroon/
black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 10,598 miles.
164-ci H6, 4x1-bbl, 4-sp. Optional telescopic
steering column with wood-rimmed steering
wheel, power top, rear-mounted power antenna,
and wire wheel covers. CD sound
system cut into dash. Better-quality older
repaint presents well. Non-stock vinyl pinstriping.
Decent door and panel fit. Not the
best fit for the replacement top. Older reproduction
seats (slathered with silicone protectant),
carpeting, door panels; new
dashpad. Generally tidy and stock engine
bay. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $42,660. This example was kept
in the original owner’s family until last year.
On the block, it took quite a bit of back-andforth
to get the deal done here, as the consignor
originally had a $50k reserve on it. If
the new owner sells off the valve covers to
pay for a set of door and kick panels, he will
be sitting pretty with this car—both aesthetically
and financially.
#212-1957 CHEVROLET 3100 pickup.
VIN: 3A57L110480. Gunmetal gray/gray
vinyl. Odo: 87,945 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl,
5-sp. Washington state-assigned VIN tag,
using original frame number. Repowered
with 350 from something else mated to a
transmission from an S-10, including the
S-10 shifter (and probably the S-10 steering
wheel). Rattle-can repaint; evidence suggets
it left the factory in light brown. Cargobox
floor has a sheet of plywood painted
black. Newer radial tires with 1970s hubcaps.
Newer shorty dual exhaust system,
exiting on both sides ahead of the rear
wheels. Aftermarket sisal seat cover over
original upholstery. Cond: 4.
SOLD AT $24,000. I didn’t locate the Body
by Fisher tag, so I can’t vouch for this being
a proper color combo from new—although
I’ll guess that the red is far brighter than
1959 spec. I also thought it looked odd with
the dog-dish hubcaps, being a top-line
Ninety Eight. Well bought against a $30k
reserve.
#408-1964 CHEVROLET C10 pickup. VIN:
4C154J121949. Bright blue metallic/tan
cloth. Odo: 64,716 miles. 230-ci I6, 1-bbl,
4-sp. Frame-off redo a few years ago. Excellent
prep work and paint application in
non-stock hue. Buffed-out original or new
reproduction bodyside trim. Doors take
some effort to close, due to new seals. Light
crease in the body character line and trim,
likely a miscue when fitting the door, as they
are in a vertical line. Polished stainlesssteel
hubcaps instead of painted—like the
bumpers, grille, and West Coast mirrors.
Modern cloth seat reupholstery with good
workmanship. Authentically detailed under
the hood. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $12,420. This was truly a California
car, as it was built at the Van Nuys assembly
plant and was licensed for use in
CA, up until the time it was sold here on the
block. The reserve came off at the final bid,
confirming that this price is the new normal.
#258-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28
coupe. VIN: 124379N567615. Fathom
Green/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 67,224
miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Optional
power brakes, vinyl roof, and gauge pack
center console. Cowl Induction hood has
the previous year’s 302 emblem on both
sides. Very good bare-body repaint, including
stripes. Door and panel fit to original
standard. Generally well detailed under the
hood. Windshield washer hose not connected.
Reproduction seats, dashpad, and
door panels. Original, faded carpeting. Period
Hurst shifter. Clean and minimally detailed
undercarriage with one repro
inspection sticker. Radial tires. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $8,748. I kinda liked it as an unpretentious
working-man’s resto-mod and
thought it was worth the $7k reserve, but the
bids just kept coming. Sold well, even factoring
in the current popularity of pickups.
88 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $10,530. The workmanship was
quite good on this truck, but I certainly
wouldn’t call it a restoration. Reinterpretation
in the restorer’s tastes, yes; authentically
restored to original condition and
finishes as originally built, no. The sixbanger
under the hood was the biggest factor
explaining why this didn’t sell better.
SOLD AT $48,640. The “302” fender callout
emblems were a popular Chevy dealer
parts-counter piece even after they were
deleted from factory production mid-1968.
The reserve was lifted when bidding
stopped at this amount, for a market-correct
sale.
#312-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS
454 replica convertible. VIN: 136670L157560.
Cranberry Red/black vinyl/black vinyl.
Odo: 79,685 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Malibu-turned-SS 454 with a built-up 454
from unknown source. Has headers, after
Page 88
SILVER AUCTIONS // Fort McDowell, AZ
market induction, cast-aluminum valve covers,
and MSD ignition. Fitted with power
4-wheel disc brakes, aluminum radiator,
and cowl-induction hood. Nice eight-yearold
bare-body repaint. All brightwork replated
or replaced. Panel fit no better or
worse than original. Reproduction door panels
and seats. Reproduction Rally wheels
on modern radials. Cond: 2-.
replacement roof vinyl. Good seat upholstery,
replaced or re-dyed dashpad. Aftermarket
under-dash gauge pack and Hurst
shifter. Stereo cut into stock radio location.
Aftermarket intake manifold, carburetor,
fuel-handling system, ignition system, and
air cleaner. No belt on the a/c compressor.
Tie wraps keep the added wiring in place.
Older radial tires on stock wheels.
Cond: 3+.
block, but a six-banger was even available.
This one was a bit rough around the edges,
so it sold well enough.
SOLD AT $31,860. A rather well-put-together
clone in its original colors. But it’s still
a replica at the end of the day, and it will still
be one when it comes time to sell again.
Sold well enough to recoup the cost of the
car, the parts, and a chunk of the labor.
#281-1972 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 3F87H2Z120541. Red/white
vinyl. Odo: 31,507 miles. 350-ci V8, 2-bbl,
auto. Trim-off color-change repaint; sloppy
masking around side window seals. Wavy
bumper replating. Most trim original and
dull. Okay door fit, but the window alignment
could use some work. New door seals,
but not all the rubber door checks were put
back in. New seats, door panels, headliner,
and carpet. Aftermarket triple gauge beneath
the dash; unprofessional wiring under
the hood. Repainted motor fitted with HEI
distributor and aftermarket ignition wires.
On aftermarket alloy wheels with radials.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $16,200. This final-year Chevelle
SS with optional 454 (not to be confused
with the SS 454, which went away after
1971) would have impressed me more without
the go-fast equipment—especially the
Hurst shifter, which just looked contrived.
Still, interest in 1973–77 A-bodies has been
waking up, so this was a pretty realistic selling
price, with the consignor dropping the
reserve once the bidding ended.
FOMOCO
#286-1959 EDSEL RANGER 2-dr hard
top. VIN: C9UG715481. Beige & light
brown/multi-tan vinyl. Odo: 67,811 miles.
292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional power
brakes and remote trunk release. Old, presentable
repaint, with some scuffing along
the edges. Side glass edges starting to yellow
and delaminate. Economy-grade bumper
replate, poorly replated vent window
frames. Good original interior, with the seats
under a clear poly waffle-butt seat covering.
Light warping of the door panels. Soiled
carpeting. Beyond soiled engine bay. Fitted
with aftermarket 15-inch wheels on economy
radials. New exhaust system with a
rather robust report. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $15,660. Final year for the hardtop
Cutlass. (Subsequent generations were
sedans, coupes or pillared coupes only—
plus a convertible in the 1990s.) By this
point the model had become a good-selling
mid-size personal luxury cruiser, with performance
a fading memory. This attempt at
a wannabe 442 sold well enough.
#427-1973 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS
coupe. VIN: 1D37Y3K469487. Gunmetal
metallic & black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
36,324 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Optional
swivel bucket seats, rear window defogger,
and a/c. Good repaint and
90 AmericanCarCollector.com
#210-1961 FORD RANCHERO pickup.
VIN: 1K27U192643. Light blue/black &
white vinyl. Odo: 39,592 miles. 144-ci I6,
1-bbl, 3-sp. Dealer-installed a/c. Decent
repaint when the truck was refurbished in
2000; heavier trim—such as along the top
of the box—was masked rather than removed.
Doors require a robust slam to latch
properly. Newer gas tank, exhaust system,
and undercoating. Reupholstered seat and
door panels, sympathetic to original pattern.
Yellowed plastic dash knobs, but repainted
steering wheel. Generally tidy under the
hood. Modern three-core radiator, with the
repainted original included along with a set
of Foxcraft fender skirts. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $19,170. I got a kick out of the
consignor’s attitude. On Silver’s windshield
card, he wrote, “Radio doesn’t work, neither
does the owner.” I also liked that he cut the
reserve loose at $17,500, garnering one
more bid.
#271-1962 FORD FALCON wagon. VIN:
2R22U113077. White/red & white vinyl.
Odo: 51,616 miles. 170-ci I6, 1-bbl, 4-sp.
Recent cosmetic redo. Decent trim-off repaint;
trim professionally buffed out or replated
as appropriate. Pop-riveted body tag
on the door, but matches the VIN. New door
seals. Fitted with plus-2-sized alloy wheels
on modern radials. Tidy under the hood with
minor modifications; modern Daytona carburetor.
Light overspray on door panels.
New seat upholstery and vinyl door panels,
done in a generic pleat. New carpeting.
Cleanly painted undercarriage in gloss
black. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $8,640. Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln
division knew they were in trouble early on
in the 1958 model year, and the 1959 redo
as an even more lightly disguised Ford certainly
didn’t help. In addition, they also now
shared identical powertrains with Ford (the
1958s used unique-displacement F-E series
engines). Now it not only had a dated Y-
SOLD AT $13,500. This was the Year of
the Falcon in Arizona, with plenty to choose
from. This one was perhaps the most unusual,
as a wagon with the rare Ford of
England Dagenham 4-speed. Not much
problem getting it past the $10,500 reserve,
showing that maybe the reason there were
so many offered is that these economy
Page 90
SILVER AUCTIONS // Fort McDowell, AZ
Fords are finding a toehold in the market—
despite $1.79/gallon Arizona gas prices.
#296-1968 FORD MUSTANG GT/CS
coupe. VIN: 8R01C168021. Brittany Blue/
white vinyl/two-tone blue vinyl. Odo: 74,453
miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Deluxe Marti
Report on display confirms it is a real-deal
California Special. Originally with black top
and interior. Excellent repaint but with some
touch-up on the edge of the headlight
bucket from rubbing. All brightwork replated
or replaced; vent-window pivots are pitted.
Good door and panel fit. Reproduction interior
soft trim; modern kick panels added for
speakers. Engine cleanly dressed up with
Motorcraft and aftermarket trim bits. Consignor
believes block and heads are original.
On modern alloy wheels. Cond: 2-.
expertly reupholstered in stock pattern, but
in vinyl rather than original leather (retained
on arm rests). Power antenna and power
vent window both dead. Not much to brag
about under the hood. Temp light stays on,
then or now (except for the few Sled Savants
out there like me), the consignor
wisely elected to cut the reserve loose after
bidding ceased.
and heater doesn’t seem to work. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $14,850. The 1961–69 slab-side
Lincolns defy the usual valuation rules, in
that the 2-door hard tops bring less money
than the 4-door sedans. Simply put, it’s because
of the suicide doors. Not all that long
ago, this car’s greatest value would have
been as a donor to keep a 1966–67 convertible
going. Price today wasn’t silly.
SOLD AT $29,592. The California Special
was a West Coast-market car only, made at
the San Jose assembly plant with Shelby
American doing the engineering work, using
GT350/500 styling cues such as the Lucas
driving lights and taillights. Mitch Silver and
company told the crowd they were “taking
extra time” to get it sold. And they certainly
milked it out, eventually getting the reserve
lifted at $27,100—plenty, considering the
liberties taken.
#253-1968 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL sedan.
VIN: 8Y82G818539. Black/black vinyl.
Odo: 16,340 miles. 462-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Optional power front seat and a/c. Good
trim-off repaint in recent years with minimal
gravel chips up front. Replated bumpers
and select larger trim, with buffed-out stainless
trim. Driver’s door fit a bit shaky, with
loose mirror. Aftermarket window tint. Seats
#453-1969 MERCURY MARAUDER 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 9Z60K568959. White/ maroon
vinyl. Odo: 39,059 miles. 429-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Optional 429 V8, a/c, and styled
alloy wheels. Claimed actual miles with alloriginal
interior. California blue plates with
2014 tabs. Healthy scrape on front bumper,
and rear quarter-window trim has some pitting,
but the rest of the brightwork is original
and in good shape. Ding on driver’s door
sport mirror. Decent repaint on the outside
with some light overspray on the body tag
and door seals. Excellent interior with minimal
wear or fading. Lightly detailed under
the hood. Cond: 3+.
#29-1979 FORD F-250 Ranger XLT Super
Cab Trailer Special pickup. VIN: X25JKDG2572.
Copper & light tan/tan vinyl. Odo:
82,555 miles. 460-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Options
include power steering, power brakes,
a/c, snooze control, sliding rear window and
dual gas tanks (handy for a thirsty 460).
Aftermarket push bar and rear step bumper.
Generally original one-owner truck from
California with current tabs on the original
blue plates. Buffed-out and faded original
paint. Heavy wear inside the box. Dry-rotted
window seals, rock-hard door seals, newer
radial tires. Dull alloy trim with a few dings.
Dingy engine bay. Good original interior
with modest wear. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $6,372. I’ve seen a few of these
Camper/Trailer Specials pop up at auction
over the past year or two—vastly more from
Ford than GM or Dodge. Since resale value
wasn’t so hot in the 1970s and ’80s, they
tended to be kept around and only got used
when someone needed a serious hauler.
Besides, who can afford the fuel cost of putting
big miles on a 460 V8 with a 4.11 rear
end? After dawdling on the block for a
while, the reserve lifted at $5,800, prompting
one more bid.
MOPAR
SOLD AT $15,390. When the Marauder
made its second return to the Mercury
lineup for 1969, there were two series. The
base model (which this one is) had a 390
V8 as standard, while the X-100 had the
429. Since these never really caught on
#477-1956 DESOTO FIREDOME convertible.
VIN: 55279292. Silver & gunmetal/
black vinyl/red vinyl & gray nylon. Odo:
67,226 miles. 330-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Professionally
restored and authentic in all respects
except for a modern battery, generic
hoses, hose clamps and belts. Better-thanoriginal
paint, chrome, and body panel fit.
Engine gaskets look like they were installed
yesterday. Flawless interior. Glossy black
undercarriage. With power steering, brakes
and top, dash-top clock and dual rear antennas.
Fitted with reproduction dealer-accessory
real wire wheels shod with
reproduction bias-ply wide whitewall tires.
One of 646 1956 Firedome convertibles.
Cond: 1-.
92 AmericanCarCollector.com
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SILVER AUCTIONS // Fort McDowell, AZ
SOLD AT $85,320. Even the entry-level
Firedome was a well-equipped car right out
of the box. With the few choice options on
this one and the superb restoration, this not
only was the top sale of the weekend here,
but was actually a pretty good buy for the
money. The only thing that bugged me is
that if you take a car this far, why scrimp on
the battery and hoses?
AMERICANA
#259-1962 STUDEBAKER LARK Daytona
2-dr hard top. VIN: 62V2I865. Black/red &
white vinyl. Odo: 88,604 miles. 289-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Optional 4-speed, Twin-Traction
differential, and small center console. Modern
plus-2-sized alloys on performance radials.
Better-quality restoration in recent
years, but not quite a show car. Good repaint
showing some miscues in the prep
work. Replated bumpers and larger trim,
plus buffed-out stainless. All-new interior
soft trim, including a color-coordinated shift
boot on the modern aftermarket Hurst
shifter. Tidy engine bay with correct engine
paint detailing, but modern service replacement
parts abound. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD
AT $22,000. This was Stude’s sleeper during
the 1960s, especially set up like this.
The Studebaker 289 in a Lark body could
do a good job holding its own against whatever
Ford put their 289 into—be it Falcon,
Fairlane, or Mustang. Nice to see one of
these done up fairly well like this. In order to
sell one at this money, the devil is in the
details, but this one came close.
#229-1976 JEEP CJ-5 Levi’s Edition SUV.
VIN: J6M83AA066051. Blue metallic/blue
cloth/blue vinyl & cloth. Odo: 30,768 miles.
232-ci I6, 2-bbl, 4-sp. Older repaint somewhat
faithful to original hue, with minimal
prep. Dry-rotted aftermarket rubber wheelwell
extensions. Five period aftermarket
wheels on old mud-and-snow radials. Older
replacement Levi’s-style top and front seats;
original Levi’s back seat and visors are still
pretty decent. Aftermarket roll bars. Wires
dangling beneath dash. CD player with two
speakers cut into dash. Newer brake master
cylinder and battery. Seems to run out well.
Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $7,290. The Levi’s interior package
was available on a number of AMC
products in the mid-1970s, including the
Gremlin, Pacer, Hornet, and J-series pickups.
The seat upholstery wasn’t pure
denim—it was more of a denim-embossed
vinyl. With the reserve cut loose when the
bidding quit, the new owner told me his
plans for it. First: Find a set of Levi’s decals.
Second: Flip it on eBay. We both believe
that there’s money to be made, although I
think less than he’s hoping for. A
March-April 2015 93
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Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report
American highlights
at five auctions
GM
#264-1927 CHEVROLET CUSTOM pickup.
VIN: 4558093. Maroon/brown vinyl. Known
as the “Barbecued Stove Bolt.” Built in 1951
from pieces and parts from 16 cars, two
motorcycles and an airplane. Has a 1927
Chevy chassis and 1921 Dodge cockpit.
Powered by 1927 Chevy “Stove Bolt” block.
Shown at 1952 National Roadster Show
and appeared in first issue of Honk magazine.
Unique, but what the heck do you do
with it? Cond: 5.
SOLD AT $49,500. Has history, but after 45
years of neglect, it looks a bit forlorn. I can’t
see restoring it, so where do you go from
here? Would love to ask the new owner.
RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
An array of American iron awaits new homes at GAA Greensboro
Greensboro Auto Auctions
Greensboro, NC — November 6–8, 2014
Auctioneers: Mike Anderson, Eli Detweiler,
Ricky Parks
Automotive lots sold/offered: 326/497
Sales rate: 66%
Sales total: $7,083,437
high sale: 1969 Shelby GT500, sold at $88,510
Buyer’s premium: $500 up to $8,000;
6% thereafter, included in sold prices
Report and photos by James Grosslight
Mecum Auctions
Kansas City, MO — December 4–6, 2014
Auctioneers: Mark Delzell, Mike Hagerman,
Jim Landis, Matt Moravec, Bobby McGlothlen
Automotive lots sold/offered: 383/577
Sales rate: 66%
Sales total: $8,252,184
high sale: 2005 Ford GT, sold at $313,200
Buyer’s premium: 8%, included in sold prices,
$500 minimum
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
Gooding & Company
Scottsdale, AZ — January 16–17, 2015
Auctioneer: Charlie Ross
Automotive lots sold/offered: 114/126
94 AmericanCarCollector.com
Sales rate: 90%
Sales total: $63,605,500
high American sale: 1964 Shelby Cobra 289
roadster $1,155,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Joe Seminetta
RM Auctions
phoenix, AZ — January 15–16, 2015
Auctioneers: Max Girardo
Automotive lots sold/offered: 110/123
Sales rate: 89%
Sales total: $63,605,500
high sale: 1932 Packard Deluxe Eight Individual
Custom sport phaeton $1,045,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Carl Bomstead
Bonhams
Scottsdale, AZ — January 15, 2015
Auctioneers: Malcolm Barber, Rupert Banner
Automotive lot sold/offered: 74/84
Sales rate: 88%
Sales total: $24,909,250
high American sale: 1964 Shelby Cobra 289
roadster $1,017,500
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Jack Tockston
#104-1946 CADILLAC SERIES 62 convertible.
VIN: 8409520. Eng. # 8409520.
Dark blue metallic/tan cloth/tan leather.
Odo: 117 miles. 346-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. No
reserve. Excellent paint, mint grille and
bumpers, stainless polished. Factory steel
wheels, small hubcaps, period-correct wide
whitewall tires. Excellent glass, working
spotlight on driver’s side, new tan convertible
top stowed and not seen. Passenger’s
door hard to open, rubber stop bumper
missing. Interior fresh with new leather seating,
mint dash with clear instruments, factory
radio. Power top, windows, antenna
and front seat were high-tech in ’46.
Underhood clean, stock, ready for touring.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $88,000. This was the first offering
displayed in front of the venue, and it
looked both classy and inviting in the desert
sun. Fewer than 1,400 of these were built in
1946, largely attributed to the car industry
reorganizing after war-production duties.
This example is a recognized contender,
having been awarded CCCA badge number
2315, and the new owner will find it ready
for concours trophies. Price paid was just
under the $90k low estimate, making this
look like a smart investment. Bonhams,
Scottsdale, AZ, 01/15.
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#129-1964 PONTIAC GTO convertible.
VIN: 824F38361. Black/black vinyl/red
leather. Odo: 390 miles. 389-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Lustrous black paint. Excellent interior
showing almost no wear. Loaded with options,
such as custom a/c, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, instrument
panel pad, full floor mats, door edge guards,
center console, windshield washer with
dual-speed wipers, inside tilt mirror, and six
different accessory lamps. The car’s third
owner had it restored with Scott Tiemann’s
Supercar Specialties. Cond: 1-.
161703. Turquoise metallic/white vinyl/
Parchment leather. Odo: 50,348 miles. 454ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A true 4-speed LS6 with
broadcast sheet for documentation. Said to
be one of fewer than 200 built in 1970 with
Turbo-jet 454 and 450 horses under the
hood. Equipped with Muncie M22 4-speed
transmission. Also equipped with optional
Strato bucket seats. Ordered with stripe and
Cowl-Induction delete. Properly restored
and well maintained. A rare and desirable
muscle car. Cond: 1-.
#148-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
SS LS6 convertible. VIN: 139670B-
black vinyl. Odo: 54,000 miles. 350-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Older full restoration. Good and
straight with nice gaps all around. Non-factory
wheels with a blue tint. Cond: 2+.
NOT SOLD AT $26,000. Great color yellow
with a black interior and the Z/28 rear. Everything
stands out nicely, and if you like
blue-gray gunmetal rims, this was for you.
Seller was smart not to sell. $30k would be
more in line for this one. GAA, Greensboro,
NC, 11/14.
SOLD AT $330,000. Better than new in every
way. Extraordinary price for an extraordinary
car. Gooding & Co., Scottsdale,
AZ, 01/15.
#F112-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS
396 2-dr hard top. VIN: 136370B165108.
Dark green metallic/black vinyl/black vinyl.
Odo: 18,822 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Copy of original build sheet shows it was
restored to original specs. Optional power
steering, power front disc brakes 3.31 ratio
open differential, F41 suspension and AM/
FM radio. Owner-restored approximately a
decade ago. Good bare-body repaint, including
the rally stripes. New roof vinyl and
replacement windshield. All-original powertrain;
generally authentically restored under
the hood. Hurst shifter fitted, but
otherwise well restored to stock interior with
minimal wear. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $225,500. This was a no-questions
LS6 that sold for #2 money. Based on
condition and documentation, it could have
sold for an additional $25k without a question.
I could only guess that the color perhaps
held it back a bit. RM Auctions,
Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
#F93-1970 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande Custom
pickup. VIN: CE134SZ75011. Green
metallic & white/green vinyl. Odo: 39,352
miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Factory-optional
350 V8, Hydra-Matic, 3.73 open differential,
power brakes and steering, a/c,
gauge package and push-button AM radio.
Rides on repop Rally wheels. Modern tonneau
cover and door window shades. Miles
claimed original, but also stated that the
frame was swapped at restoration. Nicely
prepped and repainted. Firewall still has
original paint and assembly-line markings.
Repainted motor. A/C system has R134A
fitting on it. Original interior was put back in
and shows light wear. Cond: 3+.
CORVETTE
#222-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 208675103900. Tuxedo
Black/black vinyl/fawn vinyl. Odo: 16,005
miles. 327-ci 360-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp.
Multiple NCRS Top Flight awards. Numbers-matching
and offered with both hard
and soft top. Presented with original shipping
invoice. One of fewer than 2,000 1962s
built with fuel injection, which was a $484
option. Equipped with RPO 687 Heavy Duty
Brakes and Special Steering package. Recent
respray to high standard. Dog-dish
hubcaps and blackwalls complete the look.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $34,020. Stated by the owner’s
wife that he restored it with the help of their
eight children (one wonders when he had
time to work on a car). Since they were
downsizing, they figured that selling it was
the most equitable way of divvying up the
fruits of their labor. Reserve lifted at
$27,500, with plenty of bids left in it. That
must have given the new owner the idea to
try to flip it on Saturday as Lot S175, but to
a no-sale bid of $30k. Mecum Auctions,
Kansas City, MO, 12/14.
96 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $17,820. I liked this Jimmy until I
got to the “original miles” with “frame
swapped” parts. Sounds like an oxymoron
to me. Just goes to show that there’s plenty
of these trucks out there, so focus on the
good ones with no stories. Price paid would
be reasonable... for a better example than
this. Well sold. Mecum Auctions, Kansas
City, MO, 12/14.
#FR143-1971 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Z/28 coupe. VIN: 12487IN589340. Yellow/
SOLD AT $220,000. Strong money, but a
very strong car. Only 246 1962 Corvettes
produced with RPO 687 option. When a
unique and desirable car is restored to this
standard, estimates and price guides go out
the window. If you want the best, you need
to step up to the plate. RM Auctions,
Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
#29-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 30837S119672. Ermine White/
Saddle Tan leather. Odo: 14,067 miles.
327-ci 340-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Inconsistent
paint with orange peel. Nice interior patina.
Undetailed engine bay. Some surface rust
on the frame probably due to its Ohio home.
L76 engine, Muncie M20 4-speed manual
transmission, G80 Positraction rear axle
with 4.11:1 ring-and-pinion. Drum brakes,
independent rear suspension with trans-
BEST
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ONETO WATCH
verse leaf spring. Claimed to have only four
owners. Well documented with owner’s card
and corresponding title. Cond: 3+.
A focus on cars that are showing some financial upside
SOLD AT $242,000. Split-Windows are
high on my list of “could have/should have
bought ones” when they were cheap. An
expensive ping-pong match between two
bidders in the room resulted in a huge price
for a low-mileage-but-average-condition car.
Sold a year ago at Bonhams’ 2014 Scottsdale
sale for $165k (ACC# 232084). Very
well sold here. Gooding & Co., Scottsdale,
AZ, 01/15.
1991 Chevrolet Camaro
Z/28 1LE
W
hen Editor Pickering suggested this ’91 Z/28 1LE Camaro for this month’s
One to Watch — sold as Lot 222 at Barrett-Jackson’s 2015 Scottsdale auction
— I chuckled at the idea. Another ’80s or ’90s GM car? But then he
made note of the price — $25,300.
That price is nearly triple the $8,945 average price for all 1991 Camaros
as tracked by ACC’s Premium Auction Database. So what was so special about this one at
Barrett-Jackson?
Well, this particularly clean Z/28 had just 100 miles on the odometer.
The other important contribution to this car’s remarkable selling price is its rare equip-
ment package — Regular Production Option 1LE.
The 1LE basically was the Special Performance Components Package. In order to get it,
buyers first had to select RPO G92 (performance rear axle, Z/28
coupe only). Then came the engine/transmission combo (205-hp
LB9 305 with 5-speed manual or the 245-hp BL2 350 with 4-speed
automatic). The next choice was air-conditioning — stay cool or
go faster? With a/c, RPO G92 came with an engine-oil cooler,
four-wheel discs and dual-convertor exhaust. Cars without a/c
automatically got the 1LE package, which included heavy-duty
brakes, special shocks, aluminum driveshaft and baffling in the
fuel tank. Easy to spot the one specified for club racing, eh?
The crux of the 1LE package is the front brakes, which
Detailing
Years built: 1988–99
Number produced:
478 (1991 1LEs,
out of 12,452 Z/28
coupes)
Number sold at auction
in the past 12
months: Three
Average price of
those cars: $18,717
Current ACC
Valuation:
$13,500–$18,500
combined the Caprice’s 12-inch discs and the Corvette’s calipers.
This combination proved to be so good that midway through 1991
Chevrolet listed the 1LE as an option for their police-package
Camaros.
In 1988, when GM made the 1LE package convolutedly
available to the public, they sold four cars. Production grew after that, peaking at 705 1LEequipped
Camaros in 1992, but 589 of those were B4C police-package cars with a/c. The
478 1LE-equipped cars produced in 1991 also included many B4C service vehicles. 1LE
production continued in small numbers, ending in the 1999 model year.
While the tracking of these vehicles dives into muddy waters in ’91, the easiest way is
proper documentation indicating the correct options present or not present. Air-conditioning
98 AmericanCarCollector.com
AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $31,860. Before you Chevyophiles
begin building an altar for this Yenkosold
Corvette, remember that Don needed
to sell cars and trucks to pay the bills before
he could go race. There was no special attention
paid to this car; just more inventory
moved out the door. But it probably explains
why someone paid over book for a decentbut-unspectacular
chrome-bumper C3.
Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO,
12/14.
FOMOCO
is a dead giveaway that car was never meant to be on a track trading bumper paint. A
— Chad Tyson
#117-1936 FORD MODEL 68 roadster.
VIN: 182250662. Black/tan fabric/
brown leather. Odo: 160 miles. A very early
‘36 Ford roadster finished in black with Ap-
#F172-1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 194370S401605. Mulsanne
Blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 3,580 miles. 350-ci
300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Optional power
steering, power windows, tilt/tele steering
column and AM/FM radio. Copy of MSO
and build sheet show it was sold new at
Yenko Chevrolet of Canonsburg, PA. Newer
repaint over decent prep work. Better-thanstock
door fit. Mostly original brightwork,
some reproduction. Modern replacement
windshield. Good interior upholstery is loose
fitting from compressed padding. Stained
original carpeting. Aftermarket tape deck.
Newer suspension hardware and exhaust
system, but not hung on last weekend.
Cond: 2-.
BEST
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ple Green pin-striping. Winner of three
Dearborn Awards. Recent LeBaron Bonney
top and interior. Equipped with radio, side
curtains and original tools. Presents in highpoint
condition. One of only 3,862 built.
Cond: 1-.
was not a surprise. The Columbia rear end
makes touring a delightful experience, and
the streamlined styling brings the thumbsups.
A quality offering. Last sold at RM
Monterey for $151k (ACC# 46463). RM
Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
SOLD AT $93,500. Even at the major auctions,
a car can slip through, and this one
sold under the money. A V8 roadster in this
condition for under $100k is a very nice buy.
Use and enjoy, and it’s money in the bank.
RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
#215-1937 LINCOLN MODEL K two-window
sedan. VIN: K7816. Eng. # K7816.
Brewster Green/tan fabric. Odo: 88,596
miles. In 1937 Lincoln offered a long list of
body options, and only 48 cars were built
using style number 354-A—the two-window
sedan. One of only two to survive. Museum
car for many years. Original paint has a few
nicks and scratches but presents remarkably
well. Window rubbers badly worn.
High-speed rear end installed for touring.
Trippe lights. Has been used in multiple
CCCA events, including CARavans.
Cond: 2.
#105-1949 MERCURY CUSTOM convertible.
VIN: 9CM202772. Burgundy/white
fabric/white & burgundy vinyl. Odo: 2,309
miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Built in early
1990s by Dick Dean with Carson top,
frenched headlights and 1953 Chevrolet
grille. Powered by small-block V8 with
Turbo 350 automatic. Featured in Custom
Rodder. Paint very nice, with minor signs of
age. Strong interior. A well-preserved custom.
Cond: 2.
#224-1956 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
MARK II coupe. VIN: C56E2989. Dark
red/white & maroon leather. Odo: 15,751
miles. 368-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. One of the
most elegant cars of the 1950s, and restored
to within an inch of its life. These are
quality automobiles, and as they were
mostly handmade, they are difficult and expensive
to restore. Absolutely the finest
Mark II I have observed, with a minor swirl
the only flaw accented in the bright Arizona
sunshine. Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $247,500. This was last seen at
Russo and Steele’s 2014 Monterey sale,
where it realized $112,500, which we said
“broke new ground for a Continental Mark
II” (ACC# 227648). Well, less than a year
later, it shattered new ground for a Mark II.
Are they now going to get the respect they
deserve? Next sale will tell the tale. RM
Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
#FR137-1957 FORD FAIRLANE 500 Skyliner
retractable hard top. VIN: DFW37336.
Black & gold/retractable hard top/black
& white vinyl. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Presents
as excellent in every department: paint,
chrome, glass, interior, engine, top motor...
The list goes on. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $71,500. This was last seen at
the Seattle Mecum sale in June of 2014,
where it was a no-sale at $60,000 (ACC#
255724). Prior to that, it sold at RM’s 2002
sale in Monterey for $60,500 (ACC# 28839).
Not a lot of movement in 12 years, but customs
are a tough sell. Market-correct price.
RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
SOLD AT $49,500. This one slipped
through the cracks. A rare Full Classic that
would be a perfect tour car and should have
sold closer to the $70k low estimate. Closed
Full Classics are becoming a tougher sell,
but this one had interesting styling and a
powerful V12 under the hood. Well bought.
RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
#245-1938 LINCOLN-ZEPHYR convertible.
VIN: H64271. Washington Blue/tan
fabric/brown leather. Odo: 3,188 miles.
Streamlined styling credited to John Tjaarda
and Bob Gregorie. Powered by small V12.
Equipped with radio and Columbia 2-speed
rear axle. Older restoration by Tom Sparks
and scored 99.5 points at LZOC National
Meet. Still shows well and has been properly
maintained. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$180,000. Prices of well-restored Zephyrs
continue to escalate, so the result here
100AmericanCarCollector.com
#FR183-1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: P6FH312221. Orange/black
vinyl/white vinyl. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Very
nice paint. Factory-perfect interior, engine
and compartment. Interior quality matches
the rest of the car. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $29,150. The quality of all the
shiny stainless and chrome made the biggest
difference on this car, and the paint,
interior and top all matched the quality.
Bought at a steal. GAA, Greensboro, NC,
11/14.
SOLD AT $37,100. Excellent in every way,
and purchased a little under top value.
Good buy. GAA, Greensboro, NC, 11/14.
#138-1958 EDSEL CITATION convertible.
VIN: X8WY700406. Red/white vinyl/red &
white vinyl. Odo: 63,897 miles. 410-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Mid-1990s paint still exemplary.
Yards of chrome excellent, steel wheels, full
caps, three-inch whitewalls, fender skirts.
Mint windshield; white convertible top has
unusual wrap-around plastic window unavoidably
wrinkled in corners. Interior very
good in original patterns, demerit for corroded
radio bezel. Push buttons in wheelhub-control
automatic transmission. Engine
bay in showroom condition. Stunning car,
appropriate for parades and sunny-day
jaunts. Cond: 1-.
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interior, aside from an aftermarket trailer
brake. Heaviest interior wear is the paint on
the shift lever. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $71,500. Derided in period as a
“Ford sucking on a lemon,” this top-of-theline
Citation got lots of attention here, especially
from those unaware of the marque’s
failure in the marketplace. The distinctive
“horse collar” grille looks modern today,
although it was considered an affectation by
car-mag writers in the 1950s. This was a
well-bought result for one of the best examples
on the planet. Bonhams, Scottsdale,
AZ, 01/15.
#126-1966 SHELBY COBRA 427
roadster. VIN: CSX3102. Red/
black leather. Odo: 17,524 miles. 427-ci V8,
2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Second street 427 produced;
received Le Mans-style body from CSX3005
after car rolled. Has unbraced roll bar, street
seats and 289-style nose. Number of stories
and number of different parts. Well preserved
but never restored. Owned by Bill
and Bud Jones, owners of “Mr. Formal
Wear” and featured in famous promotional
posters alongside statuesque blonde wearing
just a tuxedo shirt, bowtie and heels.
Cond: 3.
5
SOLD AT $17,280. The original owner’s
statement displayed with the truck underscores
why a lot of ¾-ton pickups seem to
crop up from the mid-1970s. He bought a
¾-ton because it was exempt from emissions
controls and only used it to haul hay
for his two horses. I’ll admit to being a
sucker for this era of Ford pickups since I
grew up around them, but still say that it
was well sold for a 2wd ¾-ton. Mecum
Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/14.
MOPAR
10
#221-1931 CHRYSLER CG IMPERIAL
dual-cowl phaeton. VIN:
CG2737. Eng. # CG2737. Red/black fabric/
dark red leather. Odo: 39 miles. An authentic
example of a desirable dual-cowl phaeton.
Discovered in early ’80s and properly
restored. Complete with original build sheet.
Correct detailing on gas cap. The older restoration
has held up well and still appears
fresh, which speaks to the quality of the
workmanship. Stunning Full Classsic.
Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $440,000. It is thought that only
22 of these have survived. They are difficult
to restore, and when offered for sale, they
bring what was paid here. Buyer paid a
slight and well justified premium for this rare
6-passenger example. RM Auctions,
Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
#134-1954 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER
Town & Country wagon. VIN: 76603716.
Cordovan Brown & Tahitian Tan/brown &
white vinyl. Odo: 37,870 miles. 331-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. A well-restored T&C wagon fitted
with the 331 Hemi. Only 1,100 produced.
This example fitted with 1956
4-barrel carb and 1957 air cleaner. Thought
to have appeared in 1954 movie “White
Christmas” with Bing Crosby. Has original
build tag and Chrysler Historical Services
documentation. Recent restoration with
original panels and wood retained. Fitted
with original wires and radial tires. Unusual
aftermarket roof rack. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $990,000. This was last seen at
Mecum’s August 2010 Monterey sale,
where it realized $689k (ACC# 165753). A
well used and properly preserved Cobra
with an interesting history. Would be a
shame to restore it. Has to be displayed
with the Mr. Formal Wear posters. Well
sold, but in today’s hot Cobra market, a fair
transaction. RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ,
01/15.
#F102-1976 FORD F-250 Custom pickup.
VIN: F25MPB50237. Red/red vinyl. Odo:
15,158 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Oneowner
truck until consigning dealer bought it
earlier this year. Statement from original
owner claims original miles and unrestored.
Hood, wheels and hubcaps have all been
recently repainted. Still shod with original
tires. Paint wear on cargo box. Some corrosion
under the hood, but retains all original
finishes. Cleaned up and detailed all-original
102AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $412,500. This sold at RM’s McMullen
Collection sale in 2007 for $572k
(ACC# 45555). More recently, it sold at
Gooding’s Monterey 2011 sale for $407k
(ACC# 184673). Price paid here was market-correct
and in line with the Gooding
sale. An elegant Chrysler CG Imperial. RM
Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
113. Eng. # C2826398. Blue/tan leather.
Odo: 56,691 miles. 242-ci I6, 2-bbl, auto.
Said to be one of only about 200 6-passenger
examples built. The vast majority were
9-passenger models. One of about four surviving
with blind rear quarter. Restored in
2006, and the wood is exceptional. The red
plastic on the dash and steering wheel is
very accurate and difficult to source. Underpowered,
but nonetheless a rare and desirable
example. Cond: 2+.
9
#232-1941 CHRYSLER ROYAL
Town & Country wagon. VIN: 770-
SOLD AT $66,000. Period station wagons
continue to be popular, so it’s surprising that
this well-documented example did not fare
better. It has the Hemi and a bunch of desirable
options, so perhaps the brown paint
held things back. RM Auctions, Phoenix,
AZ, 01/15.
#145-1955 CHRYSLER C-300 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 3N552584. Tango Red/tan
leather. Odo: 184 miles. 331-ci V8, 2x4-bbl,
auto. Often called the “banker’s hot rod,” as
the C-300 was the NASCAR Grand National
Champion for 1955. Only 1,725 built and
fewer than 200 survive. This example finished
to high standard, with Amelia Award
in 2008. Minor signs of age now evident.
TOP 10
TOP 10
TOP 10
Page 102
GLOBAL
ROUNDUP
Equipped with power windows and seats.
Hemi motor with bat-wing air cleaner. Finished
in the right colors. Cond: 2+. SOLD
AT $126,500. This C-300 has it all—performance,
styling and a quality restoration.
Price paid was for a #1 car. This was not
quite there, but still no issue with the hammer
price. RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ,
01/15.
#120-1956 DESOTO ADVENTURER 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 50385933. Gold & black/gold
vinyl brocade. Odo: 57,448 miles. 341-ci V8,
2x4-bbl, auto. The “Golden Adventurer” was
used as the pace car for the 1956 Pikes
Peak Hill Climb. Loaded with options, including
Highway Hi-Fi and self-winding
clock in steering wheel. Recent restoration
to high standard by known marque specialists.
Equipped with air, power seats and
twin rear aerials. A very cool car. Cond: 1-.
ern pop rivets. High-quality bare-body repaint.
Excellent door and panel fit. All
chrome replated, all stainless trim buffed
out. Generally authentic engine bay. All reproduction
interior soft trim. Original Mopar
floor mat now sitting in the trunk. Modern
wide whitewall radial tires. With power
steering. Cond: 2+.
Three years of ownership and 13 miles on
the clock resulted in a tidy profit. This will
certainly get a lot of attention. Well worth
the price paid. RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ,
01/15.
SOLD AT $37,800. 1960 was the first year
for unibody construction for Chrysler and
the Dart series. They were full-sized cars,
but shorter than the Matador and Polara
series. Although not the most correct restoration,
the overall quality was very good and
doesn’t seem all that out of line for a final
price, especially considering what it likely
cost to redo the car (or even just the
chrome). Mecum Auctions, Kansas City,
MO, 12/14.
SOLD AT $82,500. This was a highly optioned
example that sold for under the
money. Air adds about 15% to the package,
and the Highway Hi-Fi is a plus. Fewer than
1,000 built. A strong nod to the buyer. RM
Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
#106-1957 CHRYSLER SARATOGA 2-dr
hard top. VIN: L5726268. Jet Black &
Cloud White/white vinyl & brown brocade.
Odo: 33,399 miles. 354-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Bold Virgil Exner “Flight Sweep” rear end
styling treatment. Powered by 354 V8 with
push-button TorqueFlite transmission.
Loaded with all the goodies and properly
restored. Very attractive interior and engine
correctly detailed. Very nice example.
Cond: 2+.
#ST37-1964 IMPERIAL CROWN convertible.
VIN: 9243206214. Red/white vinyl/
white vinyl. Odo: 49,499 miles. 413-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Shiny paint. Nice original
chrome. Good interior. Clean engine compartment.
Nice glass and gaskets.
Cond: 2+.
193614. Eng. # 193622. Packard Blue/tan
canvas/blue leather. Odo: 802 miles. An
older restoration that is holding up well and
has been properly maintained by several
well-known and respected collectors. One
of only two 904 Deluxe Eights known. A true
split-windshield Dietrich custom. Has a few
issues due to age of restoration, but they
are minor, which speaks to the quality of the
workmanship. Cond: 2+.
4
#246-1932 PACKARD DELUXE
EIGHT Model 904 phaeton. VIN:
SOLD AT $1,045,000. The ultimate Dietrich
Custom Packard. How much is too much to
pay? If you want the best, don’t ask. RM
Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 01/15.
SOLD AT $16,430. Right on the money.
This nice original Imperial had been well
maintained and showed just a bit of age.
Great car for driving and for shows. GAA,
Greensboro, NC, 11/14.
AMERICANA
SOLD AT $44,000. Despite the $60k–$80k
estimate, this #2 car sold for solid #2
money. It will be a fun car for the local
show-and-shine. Market-correct transaction,
so no issues here. RM Auctions, Phoenix,
AZ, 01/15.
#F118-1960 DODGE DART Phoenix 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 5302173465. White/multiblue
cloth & vinyl. Odo: 28,740 miles. 318-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Body tag affixed with mod-
104AmericanCarCollector.com
#155-1932 HUPMOBILE SERIES I 226
coupe. VIN: 5404. Two-tone red/dark maroon
leather. Odo: 53,857 miles. This was
once in the Harrah Collection. Thought to
be the sole surviving example. Cosmetic
restoration in mid-1990s with body on the
car. A few minor paint chips and blemishes.
Sidemount mirror not adjusted properly.
Screws missing on trim. All easily corrected.
Very cool hood ornament. Not a CCCA Full
Classic, but it has a very classic Art Deco
look. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $99,000. This was
last seen at RM’s Hershey 2011 sale, where
it realized $71,500 (ACC# 186098).
#FR135-1988 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER
SUV. VIN: 11CN15VIT140822. Blue/tan
vinyl. 360-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Exceptional
example. Great chrome, great blue paint
and super-clean tan interior. Same goes for
the wood sides. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $16,165. This was so nice to see.
Price paid was above market value, but not
by much. Don’t worry, buyer—the market
will come to you and pass the price you
paid. GAA, Greensboro, NC, 11/14. A
TOP 10
Page 104
The Parts Hunter
Chad Tyson
Big-money parts and
accessories from around the country
for the heads, and the date on both boxes is 11-9-73.” Buy It Now. Sold at $4,275.
There were several sets of these sold late last year on eBay Motors, and this was easily the
most expensive set. Behold the awesome value-adding power of NOS. Aftermarket barehead
equivalents run about a quarter to a third of the price paid here. I can’t knock this too
hard, as the numbers check out to be proper for SD-455 heads. Still, this was a strong price
that one bidder didn’t blink at with the Buy It Now option. Well sold.
#141510952411—1973–74 Pontiac SD-455
Cylinder Heads. 12 photos. Item condition: NOS.
eBay, Newark, DE.
“Part number 485214. I’m selling these for my friend
who bought them new on March 25, 1976. Both
heads are dated G143, which is July 14, 1973. These
heads have never been used, but the original buyer
had the intake ports slightly deburred, as well as
some of the exhaust-port openings to remove some
casting flash. Not all ports were deburred. On the “B”
head there is scratch on the gasket surface that I’ve
circled it to help show it. These are the original boxes
#221652434435—1955–56 Plymouth “Shat-RProof”
Side Glass Set. 4 photos. Item condition:
NOS. eBay, Muncy, PA.
“Offered is a four-piece set of vintage, NOS “ShatR-Proof”
brand auto glass for a 1955–56 Plymouth
4-dr sedan. More than likely fits Dodge as well. Front and rear windows on driver’s and passenger’s
sides. I think this is OEM. Purchased among a number of miscellaneous parts from
a 1956 Plymouth 4-dr sedan owner selling his car.” Best Offer. Sold at $250.
All I can do is chuckle at how the English language has evolved, even since the 1950s. New
flat glass for a ’55 Plymouth sedan will run over $400. So, already good buy. Also, these
don’t appear to be broken, cracked or damaged. That makes this an even better buy. NOS is
a bonus to the buyer here.
#321580154633—1970–71 Ford Torino
Hideaway Grille Set. 5 photos. Item condition:
Used. eBay, Saint Clair Shores, MI.
“This is a mint, used set of hideaway grilles
for ’70–71 Torino. No broken tabs. Painted
the correct color. Chrome is nice and shiny.
Just buy and install. The only thing better is
NOS.” Buy It Now. Sold at $1,199.
Perhaps more accurately described as a
hideaway grille insert set, as there are no
surround or supporting pieces to complete
the grille assembly. The price here reflects
the difference. Used, complete assemblies
are closer to double the price paid here.
For a clean set such as this, well bought.
#121487201047—1956–58 Packard Clipper Taillamp Assemblies. 11 photos. Item condition: Used.
eBay, Riverview, MI.
“A pair of 1956–58 Packard taillight assemblies. They are often used for custom-car applications, such
as Mercury lead sleds. The housings look nice and shine well. They do have some chrome blistering.
The lenses look good. One has a small, fine crack and the other a small chip. Good cores to send to
the chrome plater if you want them looking good, or use as is.” 10 bids. Sold at $626.56.
Yeah, these could go on another lead sled. Perhaps we’ll see a pair at Pebble Beach’s new Post-War
Mercury Customs class this August. It certainly won’t be this pair, as there is plenty of work to get these
to show-car level. Complete assemblies take a good deal of hunting to find. I did locate a remarkable
set for over double the price paid here. Fairly bought.
stated they were going to replicate this intake, but I never found evidence of them doing so. NOS is the only way I found to get this incredible look
— even if this setup is hard to tune and subsequently didn’t work particularly well when new (said Hot Rod magazine). Fairly bought and sold.
106 AmericanCarCollector.com
#221587193762—Man-A-Fre Intake Manifold and Four Rochester Carburetors. 9 photos.
Item condition: NOS. eBay, Orange City, IA.
“Barn find. New Old Stock Man-A-Fre 4-deuce intake to fit a small-block Chevy engine. Found
this in the attic of an old hot-rodder. He bought this new in 1963 and never got it put on. Rochester
2GC carbs are still in the box. The intake manifold is clean, not stained, and complete with linkage
and “Man-A-Fre” afterburner fuel-injection system. There may be a few copper tubes and fittings
missing. This is the intake system that the iconic John Milner had on his ’32 Ford in the movie
“American Graffiti.” This may be the only NOS Man-A-Fre in existence.” 1 bid. Sold at $3,500.
It may be too easy, but I can’t think of a better use for this than sitting on top of a small block in
a banana-yellow Deuce coupe. Same as the DeLorean, some things would have just faded into
obscurity without a helping hand from pop culture. About eight years ago, there was a company that
Page 106
Showcase Gallery
Sell Your Car Here! Includes ACC website listing.
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($88 non-subscribers)
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with VISA/MC or check.
25 words max, subject to editing. Deadline: 1st of each month, one month
prior to publication.
Advertisers assume all liability for the content of their advertisements. The publisher of
American Car Collector Magazine is not responsible for any omissions, erroneous, false
and/or misleading statements of its advertisers.
GM
1955 Pontiac Star Chief
sedan
1962 Chevrolet Impala
2-door hard top
1976 Pontiac Formula 400
coupe
Black/black. 38,000 miles. V8,
automatic. Factory black with
black deluxe interior, original
matching-numbers engine, original
exhaust, a/c, rear defogger,
am/fm/8-track stereo, tilt Formula
steering wheel, Posi rear,
Honeycomb wheels. Fantastic
repaint on a rust-free body. No
modifications--all stock. Serious
inquiries only please. $16,500.
Contact Andre, 440.647.6686,
Email: mitzie95@gmail.com
(OH)
1985 Pontiac Fiero GT
coupe
Green & ivory/green & ivory.
V8, 4-spd automatic. Solid car
except for front floor pans. In
dry storage since 1983. Loaded
with accessories. Power steering,
power brakes, power windows,
tilt seat, EZI, factory a/c
(unmolested), accessory bumper
guards, lit ornament, rear
speaker and more. Will run but
has needs from long storage.
Good title. $6,500 OBO. Contact
Jay, 302.521.0225, Email:
jhchevyparts@aol.com (DE)
Advertisers Index
Auctions America ................................ 13
Barrett-Jackson ................................... 15
Blue Bars ............................................. 64
Camaro Central ................................... 89
CarFurniture.com .............................. 105
Carlisle Events ..................................... 17
Charlotte AutoFair ............................... 87
Chevs of the 40’s ................................ 80
Chubb Personal Insurance .................. 11
Corvette America ................................. 37
Corvette Expo Inc ................................ 81
County Corvette .................................... 2
Danchuk .............................................. 61
Genuine HotRod Hardware ................. 23
Grundy Worldwide ............................... 85
Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. .......... 91
JC Taylor ............................................. 59
108 AmericanCarCollector.com
S/N 21847T228914. Tuxedo
Black/red. 2,000 miles. V8,
3-spd automatic. Frame-on
restoration, new GM 350 crate
motor, 350 Turbo trans, fresh
paint, new interior, power steering,
front disc brakes, LED taillights,
halogen headlights. New
gauges, 1963 Chevy tilt wheel,
American Torque Thrust rims.
Super-straight, best-driving
classic I own. Additional photos
and details can be found
online. $26,500. Contact Mike,
Island Classics and Customs,
917.626.0233, Email: mdsignorile@aol.com
Web: www.
islandcc.net (NY)
Jim Meyer Racing Products Inc. ......... 92
Kinekt ................................................ 111
La Jolla Concours D’ Elegance ........... 83
Law Offices of Bruce Shaw ................. 19
Leake Auction Company ....................... 3
LeMay - America’s Car Museum ....... 103
Lucky Collector Car Auctions .............. 75
Lutty’s Chevy Warehouse ................. 109
MacNeil Automotive Products Ltd .... 113
Memory Lane Motors, Inc. .................. 93
Michael Irvine Studios ......................... 95
Mid America Motorworks .................... 27
Morphy Auctions ................................. 71
Mustangs Unlimited .......................... 105
National Corvette Restorers Society . 111
National Parts Depot ......................... 115
Obsolete & Classic Auto Parts, Inc. .. 107
Original Parts Group ............................ 73
S/N 1G2PG370606FP257779.
Red/gray. 24,672 miles. V6,
4-spd manual. Mid-engine
2.8-liter, power steering,
brakes, windows, a/c. Twoowner
car that has been meticulously
cared for. Looks and
smells like new. Truly spotless.
$12,500 OBO. Contact Burt,
312.951.8981, Email: burt@
fitzrich.com (IL)
1990 Chevrolet 454SS
pickup
Center College of Design.) Built
by myself, Dave Crook—retired
GM Design Staff Technical
Stylist. $29,000 OBO. Contact
David, 909.592.5649, Email:
crookcreations@msn.com (CA)
FOMOCO
1929 Ford Model A
Huckster woodie
S/N A716437. Red & black/tan.
62,415 miles. Beautiful frameup
restoration. Evaluated by
Senior Certified Appraiser/
Senior Master Judge, received
highest grade possible in all
fields evaluated. Original allsteel
fenders, hood, running
boards and windshield frame.
Gorgeous wood body, replaced/
refinished to its original red
oak. Condition Code #1, excellent.
$39,500 OBO. Contact
John, 757.490.3311, Email: lee.
john.t@gmail.com (VA)
1962 Shelby Cobra 50th
Anniversary roadster
S/N 1GCDC14N1LZ240078.
Silver/burgandy. V8, 4-spd
automatic. Built from a mint
454SS. Designed by Harry
Bradley (one-time GM styling
designer, originator of the Mattel
Hot Wheels and longtime
instructor at the Pasadena Art
Paragon Corvette Reproductions ........ 99
Park Place LTD .................................... 33
Petersen Collector Car Auction ......... 109
Portland Swap Meet ............................ 69
Premier Auction Group .......................4-5
Pro-Team Corvette Sales, Inc ........... 101
Reliable Carriers .................................. 57
RM Auctions .......................................... 9
Silver Collector Car Auctions .............. 79
St Bernard Church............................. 113
Steve’s Corvettes ................................ 65
The Chevy Store Inc .......................... 107
The Elegance At Hershey .................... 25
Thomas C Sunday Inc ....................... 111
TYCTA ................................................. 97
VintageDrivingMachines.com .............. 77
Watchworks ....................................... 111
Zip Products ........................................ 39
S/N CSX8069. Black/red. V8,
manual. One of 50 anniversary
cars made by Shelby American.
Completed by Bill Andrews/
HRE Motorcar. Rebuilt Ford
289/375-hp engine. A piece
of Shelby history, Shelby registered.
Email for additional
pictures and details. $250,000.
Contact Karl, 201.670.1713,
Email: karlmetz4@aol.com
(NJ)
f1965 Ford Mustang 2+2
astback
S/N 5F09A317688. Burgundy/
Palomino. 77,485 miles. V8,
automatic. This original A-code
Page 107
Showcase Gallery
Mustang has been rotisserierestored
to show-level. Includes
factory a/c, Palomino interior,
fold-down rear seats, power
steering and a period-correct
Philco AM radio. No disappointments
and ready to ravage the
road or be shown in your favorite
local show. Classic Showcase,
760.758.6100, Email:
management@classicshowcase.com
Web: classicshowcase.com/index.php/inventory/
detail/352 (CA)
1966 Shelby Cobra 427
replica roadster
engine freshening by Joe
LaPine. Original red paint and
black leather interior. Call for
complete details. Contact Matt,
203.852.1670, Email: matt@
deGarmoLtd.com (CT)
1967 Mercury XR7 Cougar
2-dr hard top
1986 ERA Cobra. One owner
from new, all-original and
just 20k original miles. Never
tracked or abused in any way.
Pampered from new. Recent
S/N 7F93A628220. Lime FrostFord
#2041-A/Ivy Gold Leather.
97,153 miles. V8, 4-spd automatic.
Original California car.
289-4U A-code engine dress-up
kit. C4 automatic, PS, PB, a/c,
console, custom fabricated with
XR7-G rear exhaust outlets,
hood scoop and stylized steel
wheels. Marti Report available.
$25,000 OBO. Contact Paul,
248.647.1460, Email: farberman@aol.com
(MI) A
March-April 2015 109
Page 108
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218,
or email advert@americancarcollector.com
Auction Companies
Auctions America. 877.906.2437.
Auctions America specializes in
the sale of American classics,
European sports cars, Detroit
muscle, hot rods and customs.
The company boasts an expert
team of specialists, who offer 180
years combined experience buying,
selling, racing and restoring
collector vehicles, making them
uniquely qualified to advise on all
aspects of the hobby.
www.auctionsamerica.com. (IN)
Petersen Auction Group of
Oregon. 541.689.6824. Hosting
car auctions in Oregon since 1962.
We have three annual Auctions:
February—Oregon State
Fairgrounds, Salem, OR; July—
Douglas Co. Fairgrounds,
Roseburg, OR; September—
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem,
OR. On the I-5 Corridor. We offer
knowledgeable, fast, friendly “hassle
free” transactions. Oregon’s #1
Collector Car Auction www.petersencollectorcars.com
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.
Premier Auction Group.
844.5WE.SELL . The auction professionals
that have been taking
care of you for the last two decades
have partnered together to
create a team that is dedicated to
providing the utmost customer
service and auction experience.
We applied our 83 years of auction
experience to build a platform
ensuring that every aspect of our
company exceeds your expectations.
844.5WE.SELL. 844.593.7355.
www.premierauctiongroup.com.
info@premierauctiongroup.com
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)
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)
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)
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
110 AmericanCarCollector.com
Classic Car Transport
L.A. Prep. 562.997.0170. L.A.
Prep brings its 30 years of experience
transporting vehicles for the
Thomas C. Sunday Inc.
800.541.6601. Established in
1970, Thomas C. Sunday Inc. provides
clients with fully-enclosed,
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)
cross-country, door-to-door service.
Thomas C. Sunday Inc. are
well-seasoned experts in the field
of automobile transportation, hiring
only Grade-A drivers, and offering
clients the best possible service at
competitive pricing. Fully-licensed,
insured and bonded. Call 1-800541-6601
or 717-697-0939, Fax
717-697-0727, email:
info@sundayautotransport.com
Corvette Parts &
Restoration
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
premium service it deserves. We
share your appreciation for fine
automobiles, and it shows.
www.PassportTransport.com.
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.
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 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)
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)
Page 110
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218,
or email advert@americancarcollector.com
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)
Fuelies, Special 425s/435s/RPOs.
Call toll free 888.592.5086 or call
419.592.5086.
Fax 419.592.4242, email: terry@
proteamcorvette.com or visit our
website: www.ProTeamCorvette.
com. ProTeam Corvette Sales,
1410 N. Scott St., Napoleon, OH
43545. Special Corvettes wanted
at CorvettesWanted.com! NCRS
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)
Member #136.
Insurance
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)
attorneys. Estate planning and
divorce settlements concerning
Collector Cars. 50 State
Representation. 215.657.2377.
Museums
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)
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)
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.
ProTeamCorvette.com.
Corvettes: 1953–1982. Over
10,000 sold since 1971! Moneyback
guarantee. Worldwide
transportation. Z06s, L88s, L89s,
LS6s, ZR2s, ZR1s, LT1s, COPOs,
112 AmericanCarCollector.com
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)
Putnam Leasing. 866.90.LEASE.
For over 25 years, Putnam
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
Mustangs Unlimited. Since
1976, Mustangs Unlimited has
been the source for Restoration,
Performance, and Accessory
parts for 1965–present Mustang,
1967–1973 Mercury Cougar,
American Collectors Insurance.
1.866.887.8354. The nation’s
leading provider of specialty insurance
for collectors. We offer affordable,
agreed value coverage
for all years, makes, and models
of collector vehicles. Since 1976,
we have provided superior service
and broad, flexible coverage.
Experience our quick quoting and
application process, as well as our
“Real Person” Guarantee every
time you call. Email: Info@
AmericanCollectors.com
www.AmericanCollectors.com
J.C. Taylor Insurance.
800.345.8290. Antique, classic,
muscle or modified — J.C. Taylor
Insurance has provided dependable,
dynamic, affordable protection
for your collector vehicle for
over 50 years. Agreed Value
Coverage in the continental U.S.,
and Alaska. Drive Through Time
With Peace of Mind with J.C.
Taylor Insurance. Get a FREE
instant quote online at www.
JCTaylor.com. (PA)
Leasing
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
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
California Car Cover Company.
800.423.5525. More than just custom-fit
car covers, California Car
Cover is the home of complete car
care and automotive lifestyle products.
Offering the best in car accessories,
garage items, detailing
products, nostalgic collectibles,
apparel and more! Call 1-800-4235525
or visit Calcarcover.com for a
free catalog.
Page 111
and 1965–1970 Shelby Mustang.
More than 55,000 available parts
in 2 fully stocked warehouses,
Mustangs Unlimited is YOUR
Mustang Parts SUPERSTORE!
FREE Shipping on orders over
$300.
Visit www.mustangsunlimited.com
or call 800.243.7278.
National Parts Depot.
800.874.7595. 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
1948–96 F-Series Ford Truck
1947–98 C/K 1/2-ton Chevy Truck
1966–96 Bronco
1955–57 Thunderbird
www.nationalpartsdepot.com
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.
Restoration—General
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.cosmo-
politanmotors.com (WA) A
March-April 2015 113
Page 112
Surfing Around
Carl Bomstead
Automobilia from the
Ron Pratte Collection
Carl’s thought: Ron Pratte’s hangar at the Chandler, AZ, airport
showed off his impressive automobile collection as well as over
1,600 pieces of automobilia. The collection included signs, neon,
pedal cars, gas globes/pumps and decorative automotive displays.
As Pratte headed in a different direction, Barrett-Jackson sold his
impressive automobilia collection over several days at this year’s
Scottsdale auction, all at no reserve. The final automobilia tally
was over $6.5m. Here are a few of the more exciting results I noted:
LOT 8840.1—1948 TUCKER
SHOWROOM SILK BANNER.
SOLD AT: $17,250. Date sold:
1/13/2015. This 40x48 banner was
in incredible condition for being
over 65 years old. There were no
creases or signs of age or wear.
These have been reproduced, but
the reproductions have more orange
in the emblem and the fringe
at the bottom is not as thick. This
was clearly the real deal. The price
was up there, but with the cars well over a million, what’s $17k for a
cool go-with?
LOT 8727—SKYLARK
AVIATION GASOLINE
PORCELAIN AND NEON
SIGN. SOLD AT: $28,750.
Date sold: 1/12/2015. This
large 66x43-inch porcelain
sign had wonderful graphics
with an airplane and small
clouds in the background. It
was in exceptional condition
and was actually well bought
considering the substantial premium paid for many of the other
neons.
LOT 8384—1934 AMERICAN
NATIONAL LINCOLN PEDAL
CAR. SOLD AT: $13,800. Date
sold: 1/11/2015. This stunning
pedal car was the recipient of
a quality restoration that far
exceeded its original condition. It
was over four feet in length, fully
sprung and finished in two-tone paint scheme. Over-restoration on
pedal cars and vintage gas pumps is a plus, and as we observed
with the Pratte Collection, they bring adult money.
LOT 8795—1950s LEFT-FACING
MOBILE “PEGASUS” HORSE
WITH NEON. SOLD AT: $28,750.
Date sold: 1/12/2015. The Mobil
“Pegasus” porcelain horse measures
94 inches from hoof to nose
114 AmericanCarCollector.com
and was offered in both right and left-facing versions. This is the
more difficult version to locate. The catalog stated that the wings
were articulating to simulate flight, but when presented that was
not the case. These signs are very desirable and make a dramatic
statement in a large car barn.
LOT 8931—DIE-CUT BEACON
GASOLINE LIGHTHOUSE
PORCELAIN SIGN. SOLD AT:
$47,150. Date sold: 1/13/2015.
This is one of the most desirable,
if not the most desirable, gas/
oil signs ever produced. Strong
image, great colors, and very
difficult to find in this condition.
Some years back I passed on
one at Hershey for $1,500, thinking
that was all the money. Win
some, lose some, but I still wish I
had not been so tight.
LOT 8073—1940s MOBIL OIL
PEGASUS LICENSE PLATE
ATTACHMENT. SOLD AT: $690.
Date sold: 1/11/2015. There are
about seven different versions of
this tin six-inch Mobil Oil license
plate attachment, including one for
the 1939 California World’s Fair
and one that states “America First.”
This version usually sells for less than $300, so all I can say is that
the hype regarding the Pratte Collection carried over here.
LOT 8950—1930s FORD
V8 NEON PORCELAIN
SIGN. SOLD AT: $31,050.
Date sold: 1/13/2015. Ford
signs do not usually bring
the money, but this one
was an exception. Bold and
impressive with two colors of
neon, it stood about six feet
in height. At the 2012 RM
Dingman sale, three were
offered and sold for between
$20,000 and $30,000, so the price paid here was in line. A very
desirable neon sign.A