American Car Collector May-June 2012

CAR COLLECTOR Vol. 1 • Issue 3 • May-June 2012 AMERICAN The Scoop: Profiles Corvette Market MOPAR 1963 DODGE 440 TWO-DOOR SEDAN $37k / Mecum Auctions It isn’t the prettiest Mopar design, but who cares? It runs 10s in the quarter-mile — Jim Pickering Page 58 CORVETTE 1960 RACE RAT $440k / Gooding & Co. A First in Class standing at the end of the 12 Hours of Sebring — Tom Glatch Page 52 GM 1970 CHEVY NOVA SS 396 $43k / Mecum Auctions The SS Nova looked stylish, but it’s no Camaro or Chevelle — Dale Novak Page 54 FoMoCo 1963 FORD FALCON $31k / Barrett-Jackson No other Sprint this side of Margaritaville comes close — Tom Glatch Page 56 e Market MOPAR 1963 DODGE 440 TWO-DOOR SEDAN $37k / Mecum Auctions It isn’t the prettiest Mopar design, but who cares? It runs 10s in the quarter-mile — Jim Pickering Page 58 CORVETTE 1960 RACE RAT $440k / Gooding & Co. A First in Class standing at the end of the 12 Hours of Sebring — Tom Glatch Page 52 GM 1970 CHEVY NOVA SS 396 $43k / Mecum Auctions The SS Nova looked styl- ish, but it’s no Camaro or Chevelle — Dale Novak Page 54 FoMoCo 1963 FORD FALCON $31k / Barrett-Jackson No other Sprint this side of Margaritaville comes close — Tom Glatch Page 56 Keith Martin's includes

CUSTOM 1951 MERCURY CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE $424k / RM Auctions Owning a Barris-built car was as good as it got if you wanted a custom in the 1950s — Ken Gross Page 62 CLASSIC 1936 CORD 810 CONVERTIBLE PHAETON $106k / RM Auctions This car was a relative bargain, but it is a needy bargain — Carl Bomstead Page 64 RACE 1966 FORD FAIRLANE 500 XL GASSER $39k / Barrett-Jackson My inner hooligan can’t stop thinking about punching that 4-speed and confi rming my mother-in-law’s worst fears — Jay Harden Page 66 TRUCK 1953 STUDEBAKER 2R5 PICKUP $26k / G. Potter King Trucks like this Stude are touchstone vehicles to a lot of people’s simpler past — B. Mitchell Carlson Page 68 From the block to the drag strip Smoke ’em if ya got ’em: ACC Editor Jim Pickering takes our Hemi-equipped 1963 Dodge 440 for a spin. Vehicle profi le, p. 58 Photo by Dave Tomaro May-June 2012

Inside COLUMNS 12 Torque 44 Cheap Thrills Collecting vintage NASCAR – Colin Comer 60 The Cumberford Angle 48 Horsepower ACC’s 1963 Dodge 440 two-door sedan – Robert Cumberford 130 Surfi ng Around Gotta-have automobilia on eBay – Carl Bomstead 46 Corvette Market – John L. Stein SRT8: Family car or collectible? – Jim Pickering Model Ts are as classic as it gets – B. Mitchell Carlson Should you hide or drive your classic Corvette? SERVICE DEPARTMENT 14 What’s Happening Your guide to upcoming events 18 Crossing the Block Auctions this month – Tony Piff 24 Contributors 28 Good Reads How to Install and T – Mark Wigginton 28 Parts Time 30 Cool Stuff une Nitrous Oxide Systems Zinc-infused oil and a new Demon 4-barrel – Chad Tyson Rust remover, fender fl are tool, history – Tony Piff 34 Desktop Classics 1962 Thunderbird Sports Roadster, 1959 Cadillac 62, 1967 Mustang GT fastback – Marshall Buck 128 What’s My Car Worth? ® 1967 AMC Marlin, 1949 Diamond T pickup, 1972 Plymouth ’Cuda – Keith Martin FUN RIDES 32 Snapshots AUCTIONS 36 Sunken Treasure 40 Insider’s View 50 Q&A NCRS’s Winter Regional Meet, Hot Rods & Hobbies What’s the Buried Belvedere worth? – Dale Novak Are collector truck prices sustainable? 42 Rust Never Sleeps Thousands of cars and Mopar Heaven at two great junkyards Restore, preserve, or drive a low-mile original Apache? 123 Glovebox Notes 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 72 Mecum Kissimmee Six days, 2,200 cars, $58m in sales 84 Leake Oklahoma City A 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial phaeton sells for $341,000 and leads the way to a $17m total Fort Lauderdale 104 Global Roundup 124 eBay Cars and bikes from coast to coast How much is it to play with muscle? – Chad Tyson Leake Auctions Opens 2012 with $4m in OKC 94 Auctions America by RM 10AmericanCarCollector.com AmericanCarCollector.com © 2012 MAKE Studio | MartyColeman.com Tulsa’s buried 1957 Plymouth Belvedere, p. 36

Torque Jim Pickering Family car, muscle car or both? 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 — vroom to grow a family I n November 2011, around the time we shipped the fi rst issue of ACC to press, my wife, Kristina, and I became the proud parents of a baby girl — our fi rst. Her name is Katie. For a while, I fi gured that the baby and my car lifestyle would fi t hand-in-hand, with my red 2001 Camaro SS getting to live a long and happy life in my garage. In ACC #1, literally days before Katie was born, I had written about my dad’s ’70 LS6 Chevelle and my parents’ need for a family car, resulting in its sale. I was determined not to let history repeat itself. No problem, right? I’d just make the baby seat fi t in the back of the SS and life would be good. Although that logic seemed solid to me, it unfortunately didn’t last. You had to be a contortionist to get the car seat situated in the back of the Camaro, and anyone or anything who wanted to ride in the passenger’s seat was cramped for space because it was shoved all the way forward. I could have made it work for a while, but there was no avoiding the eventual outcome — my Camaro needed to go in favor of something with a real back seat. But was I going to get a minivan or a station wagon? Absolutely not. Fortunately, the market is rife with late- model performance sedans, so I got hunting. I’d been looking at low-mileage used Pontiac G8 GXPs, Cadillac CTS-Vs and Charger SRT8s — all feature plenty of power and each is roomy enough for car seats. And in December, I found just the car — a 2006 12 AmericanCarCollector.com Dodge Charger SRT8 with 40k miles. The price was $24k. I’ve always been a GM guy, so switching to the Mopar camp wasn’t easy, but it didn’t take long for me to become a believer. How can you dislike something with a 425-hp 6.1-liter Hemi and huge Brembo brakes? I love driving it. It has plenty of room for my daughter and all the swag that accompanies her, it’s safe, and I don’t feel like I’ve abandoned my muscle car roots. Is it collectible? I’m sure there are people out there who own zero-mile, low-production, highperformance Charger SRT8s. But I don’t consider my Charger a collectible. It’s just a usable piece of equipment with a signifi cant fun factor. I drive it every day, and I haul Katie back and forth everywhere in it. It’s not what I’d call rare, but it’s also not what I’d call common. I don’t see them every day out on the road, but that’s probably due to 13 mpg and $4-per-gallon gas. But there always seem to be a few for sale locally, so they’re out there. In this issue, John Stein takes a look at what using a classic Corvette actually costs. His column (on p. 46) got me thinking a lot about the cost of everyday use on a low-production collector car — and isn’t that what made American muscle rare in the fi rst place? Cars such as original Chargers, Camaros, Road Runners and Mustangs were built to be run, and people used them. Low-mileage cars became rare, and good surviving examples typically set the market now. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I think we’ll be seeing the same thing happen with the new generation of American muscle — cars such as the Camaro ZL1, Shelby GT500, Corvette Z06, and Dodge Challenger. But it might take 20 years or more to get there. More and more people are buying and storing these cars as instant collectibles, and that’ll slow their appreciation considerably. Will my car ever be worth more than I paid for it? I doubt it. At least not while I own it. Maybe it would if Dodge wasn’t still building better versions (check out my review of the 2012 470-hp Charger SRT8 on p. 123). But in the end, I don’t think that matters. Because even if the daily use of my Charger wears it out well before it’s rare enough to be worth anything, Katie’s still gained the experience of living with it as a regular driver. My hope is that she’ll fi nd value in cars like this in the future, as well as in my more-limited-use ’66 Caprice and ’72 Chevy pickup (both of which she also seems to love). Using cars like these will probably only become more expensive in the future, so the time is now to get out and drive them. For me, the lesson is that value isn’t al- ways about what you’ve spent and how much you might make on your purchase when it’s time to sell. In this case, the value is in getting out and using a car that was meant to be used. And for the experience, I think $24k was a bargain. A

WHAT’SHAPPENING Carlisle — What more could a gearhead want? Carlisle is hopping The car-happy town of Carlisle, PA, is the place to be in May and June, especially if you’re into performance cars, Fords or GM vehicles. Carlisle Performance & Style, on May 12–13, brings tricked-out cars and trucks to the Carlisle Fairgrounds. Autocross, stunt shows, the Manufacturer’s Midway and a great swapmeet are just a few of the weekend’s events. The 17th annual Carlisle Ford Nationals arrive at the Fairgrounds on June 1–3, and FoMoCo fans will wallow in test drives, as well as displays of concept, custom and historical cars. A burnout competition, NHRA drag racing, Manufacturers Midway and the world-famous swapmeet are also scheduled. The Carlisle GM Nationals, June 22–24, also offer concept, custom and historic cars — along with drawings for vehicles and engines. More NHRA racing is scheduled, along with a car show, an all-GM car corral and a Cacklefest. And, of course, the legendary swapmeet will wear out even the most dedicated bargain hunters. If you’re wondering about Mopar, the Chrysler Nationals start on July 6 and run through July 8. Think muscle, drags, Richard Petty, a 1972 retro Mopar dealership, barn finds, Mopar Survivors, the swapmeet and — wait for it — Daisy Duke. Yes, Catherine Bach of “Dukes of Hazzard” will be at the fairgrounds to sign autographs and greet fans. For more information on all Carlisle Events, visit www.carsatcar- lisle.com. The Pinto Stampede 14 AmericanCarCollector.com Pinto Stampede Ever seen a Ford Pinto — the small, slow hatchback from the 1970s — run a few laps around a NASCAR speedway? No? Well, you can check this off your bucket list during the May 17–18 Pinto Stampede 2012, which will see Pinto drivers — and their beloved cars — drive 600 miles across Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. This epic collection of Pintos will start their journey at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN, visit the Woods Brothers Racing Museum in Stuart, VA, drive 10 laps around Martinsville Speedway and attend the Jefferson 500 at Summit Point Motor Sports Park. The Stampede will raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project. The 2011 Stampede raised $13,000 to help injured soldiers resume normal lives. For more information, visit www.pintostampede.com.

WHAT’S HAPPENING LeMay grand opening LeMay — America’s Car Museum will celebrate the grand opening of their stunning new 165,000-square foot museum building in Tacoma, WA, on June 1–3. The weekend will feature car shows, tours of the new building, concerts, go-kart racing and much more. The museum has more than 1,000 cars, and up to 750 of them can be displayed in the new building, which is located on a nine-acre campus — including a grass outdoor showfield. ACC Publisher Keith Martin is on the LeMay board of directors, and he will emcee some of the weekend’s events. For more information, visit www.lemaymuseum.org. Bloomington Gold’s last trip to St. Charles Bloomington Gold, that Corvette lovefest — and strict test of originality — comes to St. Charles, IL, for a final time from June 21 to 24. Thousands of Corvettes and Corvette owners flock to Bloomington Gold each summer to celebrate America’s Sports Car — and to see whether their car is original enough to win a prestigious Gold Certification, a Survivor Award or the coveted Benchmark Award. But there’s more to the long weekend than competition. The Great Hall will honor Corvette people and cars, the LeMay — America’s Car Museum GoldMine is the spot to find Corvettes for sale, and Mecum Auctions will conduct the largest Corvette-only auction of the year. Next year’s Bloomington Gold will move to Champaign, IL. ACC Publisher Keith Martin and the ACC crew will be on site, so be sure to stop by our booth! For more information, visit www.bloomingtongold.com. A Bloomington Gold 16 AmericanCarCollector.com

CROSSINGTHE Upcoming auctions BLOCK by Tony Piff 1932 Duesenberg Model J Custom Speedster at Worldwide — The Houston Classic Worldwide—The Houston Classic Where: Montgomery, TX ing place alongside the brand-new Concours d’Elegance of Texas in Montgomery. Headliners include a 1932 Duesenberg Model J Custom Speedster, offered without reserve, a CCCA award-winning 1936 Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria, and a 17-car collection of ’36 Fords, representing every body type and offered entirely without reserve. Other notable early consignments include a 1954 Buick Skylark convertible, a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible, a 1958 Chevrolet Impala Tri-Power convertible, a 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro and a no-reserve 1950 Willys Jeepster “King Ranch.” When: May 5 More: www.worldwide-auctioneers.com Last year: 95/125 cars sold / $4.96m Pre-war classics will be featured at this 11th annual auction, tak- Silver—Spokane 2012 Where: Spokane, WA When: May 9 More: www.silverauctions.com Two lanes of 75 cars will line up at this annual sale, for a total of 150. Look for a broad mix of collector cars at buy-and-drive prices, from ’50s classics to ’60s performance to ’70s muscle, plus luxury cruisers, stylish pickups and one-of-a-kind customs and hot rods. Mecum—Original Spring Classic Auction Where: Indianapolis, IN When: May 15-20 More: www.mecum.com Last year: 1,249/2,021 cars sold / $48.6m Mecum will celebrate its 25th anniversary at this year’s Original Spring Classic Auction. Among the main attractions are a strong selection of blue-chip Corvettes, including a 1963 Z06, driven by Mickey Thompson at Bonneville; a fully restored 1968 L88 convertible; and the very last L88 built. Also offered will be a 1967 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro, thought to be the only surviving example in Butternut Yellow; a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 roadster; Don “The Snake” Prudhomme’s 1982 Pontiac Trans Am “Pepsi Challenger” drag car; and a restored 1974 Streamlined Top Fuel Dragster, driven by “TV” Tommy Ivo. 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 convertible and 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 roadster at Mecum’s Spring Classic 18 AmericanCarCollector.com

CROSSINGTHEBLOCK 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda at Dragone’s auction Dragone—Premier Vehicle and Collectibles Auction Where: Westport, CT When: May 19 More: www.dragoneclassic.com Dragone Classic Motorcars has been restoring and retailing 1932 Ford Educator One at Auburn Spring collector cars for many years, and for their inaugural spring auction, the lineup is impressive. American consignments include a 1931 Duesenberg Model J custom Beverly designed by Gordon Buehrig; a 1955 DeSoto Fireflite; a 1956 Cadillac Hess and Eisenhardt station wagon; a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 with complete documentation; and a 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda with 4-speed and just 9,800 miles. Auctions America by RM—Auburn Spring Where: Auburn, IN When: June 1–3 More: www.auctionsamerica.com Last year: 244 / 424 cars sold / $6.7m More than 1,000 pre-war classics, muscle cars, hot rods and Deuce Body at a cost of more than $120k, and a 1957 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, equipped with Wonderbar radio and all power options, rotisserie restored in 2009. The four-day weekend includes a host of automotive events such as seminars, car corrals, a swapmeet and a world-class assortment of automobilia. Bonhams—The Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Where: Greenwich, CT When: June 3 More: www.bonhams.com Last year: 56 / 81 cars sold / $3.3m Bonhams’ fifth annual auction, held in conjunction with the Greenwich Concours, will be an upscale affair. The diverse offerings always include a few very high-quality American classics. The average price per car was about $60k last year. more will cross the block at this annual sale. The early headliners are a ’32 Ford known as “Educator One,” built with a Dearborn RM—The Dingman Collection Where: Hampton, NH When: June 8–9 More: www.rmauctions.com Michael Dingman was director of Ford Motor Company for more Ford Model 48 Cabriolet — The Dingman Collection by RM May-June 2012 19

CROSSINGTHEBLOCK the perfect setting for this annual auction. Look for an interesting variety of appealing collectibles from every category. Most sell below $20k, and there are always a few deals to be had in the four-digits. The picturesque, classy and easygoing town of Coeur d’Alene is Raleigh Classic Where: Raleigh, NC When: June 22–23 More: www.raleighclassic.com At the twice-annual Raleigh Classic, the early consignments 1933 Pierce-Arrow Series 836 at Leake’s Tulsa sale than 21 years. His lifetime collection includes more than 1,400 signs and nearly 50 automobiles, featuring an assortment of V8 Fords, Mercurys and V12 Lincolns from Ford’s flathead era, most with open body styles; and a number of high-quality woodies. All lots are offered without reserve. Leake—Tulsa 2012 Where: Tulsa, OK When: June 8–10 More: www.leakecarauction.com Last year: 454 / 643 cars sold / $9.6m Auctioneers will work two simultaneous rings of cars at this are a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette roadster with 17k miles, a 1955 Chevrolet 210 hard top, a 1961 Chrysler 300G, a 1966 Mercury Comet GT, a 1968 Dodge Coronet R/T and a 1958 Dodge Custom Royale D500. Mecum—Bloomington Gold Where: St. Charles, IL When: June 22–23 More: www.mecum.com Last year: 119 / 244 cars sold / $5.9m This annual sale is one of the most important Corvette events of the year, and a necessary pilgrimage for any Corvette devotee. The event continues to grow, and this will be the last year for at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. Next year, Bloomington makes the permanent move to Champaign, IL. high-energy two-day event, with more than 700 vehicles expected from every automotive genre. The early American headliners are two Pierce-Arrows: a 1916 Model 38, and a 1933 Series 836, which earned a Pebble Beach Best in Class. Last year, the average sold price was $21k, with many cars sold under $10k, and a handful exceeding $100k. MotoeXotica—St. Louis Classic & Exotic Car Auction Where: St. Louis, MO When: June 15–16 More: www.motoexotica.com Last year: 67 / 247 cars sold / $613k 250 cars are anticipated at MotoeXotica’s annual hometown Mecum—St. Paul 2012 Where: St. Paul, MN When: June 22–23 More: www.mecum.com Last year: 159 / 271 cars sold / $3m A few hundred muscle cars will cross the block at this annual heartland sale, with GM, FoMoCo and Mopar all well-represented. Most cars sold close to $20k last year, with a plenty of good deals to be had near the $5k mark, and a handful approaching $75k. sale, with prices ranging from a few thousand dollars to $100k-plus. Featured early consignments include a 1929 Ford Five-Window, certified as one of the final cars built in Boyd Coddington’s California shop, and a 1957 Chrysler 300C, with one owner since 1977, all-original save for one repaint, exercised regularly, and showing 42,000 miles. Mecum—The Salmon Brothers Collection Where: Little Rock, AR When: June 16 More: www.mecum.com The Salmon Brothers Collection offered by Mecum will feature Silver—Coeur d’Alene Where: Coeur d’Alene, ID When: June 16 Last year: 47 / 120 cars sold / $623k 20 AmericanCarCollector.com Barrett-Jackson—Orange County 2012 Where: Costa Mesa, CA When: June 22–24 More: www.barrett-jackson.com Last year: 330 / 338 cars sold / $13.4m Barrett-Jackson achieved a sell-through rate of 98% at this sale last year, with an average sold price of $40k. The sales stretches over two days, and about 350 high-quality cars will cross the block. American muscle reigns supreme here, from flawless restorations to barn-find originals, with dozens of jewel-like customs and hot rods fighting for attention. A 140 cars offered entirely without reserve. Feature cars from the collection include a number of ’57 Chevys, Corvettes, muscle cars and classics, as well as motorcycles and automobilia. 1957 Chrysler 300C at MotoeXotica St. Louis

Publisher’s Note Keith Martin Springtime is car time from November through March. But it’s April now, and we’re getting ready to rumble. In fact, T our Hemi-equipped 1963 Dodge 440 recently lit up the Portland International Raceway drag strip — see the photo on this issue’s table of contents. We encourage you to join in the fun. You’re probably already a member of a local car club, but if you’re not, join now. There’s really nothing better than hanging out with a gang who speaks your language, whether it’s muscle cars, classics, kit cars or hot rods. ACC has already developed relationships with more than 1,000 car clubs, car shows and events across the nation, and we will distribute complimentary copies and sponsor trophies at most of them. If your car club, event or show would like to develop a relationship with ACC — and have us help you grow your events through publicity on the web and in the magazine — please email Erin Olson (erin.olson@ americancarcollector.com) to start the process. We’ve been pleased with the relationships we’re developing with auction companies as well. Leake Auction Company, Barrett-Jackson, Russo and Steele, Gooding & Company, Worldwide, Mecum, Silver Auctions and Auctions America by RM are all actively helping ACC grow — and we appreciate it. If you are part of an auction company and would like to develop a relationship with ACC, email Erin and we’ll get the ball rolling. Through our events, we celebrate the glories of the American car in all its many incarnations. This issue of ACC (the best yet, in my opinion) is just a taste of all the cars, the events, the shows and the auctions that are going on every weekend, in every state, across America.A he switch to daylight-saving time is my wakeup call to take my cars out of hibernation and get them ready for the road. American Car Collector’s World Headquarters is in Portland, OR, and it’s no secret that an Amphicar would thrash a Hemi ’Cuda at our local water-soaked drag strip CAR COLLECTOR Volume 1, No. 3 May-June 2012 Publisher Keith Martin Executive Editor Chester Allen Editor Jim Pickering Art Director Dave Tomaro Editor at Large Colin Comer Auctions Editor Tony Piff Assistant Auctions Editor Jay Harden Data Analyst Chad Tyson Copy Editor Yael Abel Auction Analysts B. Mitchell Carlson Tom Glatch Daniel Grunwald John Clucas Chip Lamb Norm Mort Dale Novak Phil Skinner Contributors Carl Bomstead B. Mitchell Carlson Colin Comer John Draneas Michael Pierce John L. Stein Marshall Buck Information Technology/ Internet Bryan Wolfe Lead Web Developer Marc Emerson Advertising Coordinator/ Web Content Administrator Erin Olson Financial Manager Nikki Nalum Print Media Buyer Wendie Martin ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Executives Tom Mann tom.mann@AmericanCarCollector.com 877.219.2605 x 211 Jeff Brinkley jeff.brinkley@AmericanCarCollector.com 877.219.2605 x 213 Randy Zussman randy.zussman@AmericanCarCollector.com 877.219.2605 x 214 SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions / Events Manager Kyle McBride Subscriptions Coordinator Rich Coparanis Subscriptions 877.219.2605 x 1 9 am to 5 pm, M–F service@AmericanCarCollector.com 503.253.2234 fax @acc_help CORRESPONDENCE Phone 503.261.0555 Fax 503.253.2234 General P.O. Box 4797 Portland, Oregon 97208 FedEx/DHL/UPS 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100 Portland, Oregon 97232 Email help@AmericanCarCollector.com Web www.AmericanCarCollector.com Share your passion for cars with like-minded folks 22 AmericanCarCollector.com American Car Collector magazine (ISSN# 2164-1323) is published bimonthly by Automotive Investor Media Group, 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American Car Collector, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208. The information in American Car Collector magazine is compiled from a variety of reliable sources. However, we disclaim and deny any responsibility or liability for the timeliness, use, interpretation, accuracy and completeness of the information presented. All material, data, formats, and intellectual concepts in this issue © 2012 by American Car Collector, LLC, Automotive Investor Media Group, Inc., and Automotive Investor in this format and any other used by American Car Collector magazine. Copyright registered with the United States copyright office. PRINTED IN USA AMERICAN Corvette Market JOIN US Keith Martin's includes

CONTRIBUTORS TOM GLATCH, ACC contributor, has contributed hundreds of texts and photographs to many automotive publications. He has contributed stories to all of the major Corvette, Mustang, muscle car and Mopar magazines, including Corvette Market. His large-format digital photographs are frequently in Collectible Automobile magazine and have been used in a number of books and calendars. Tom works full time for a Fortune 500 corporation as a data and systems analyst He met his wife, Kelly, while photographing a 1958 Corvette, and they live with their daughter Keara, 17, and son Sean, 13, in southeastern Wisconsin. In this issue, he takes a look at a $30k Ford Falcon Sprint on p. 56 and the $440k Corvette Race Rat on p. 52. JAY HARDEN, ACC Assistant Auctions Editor, left his hometown in Georgia behind the wheel of his Chevelle almost a decade ago. He landed in Portland a few months later, but only after a cross-country ramble carried him through 26 states and covered more than 10,000 miles. He spent many years working in highend restoration shops and contributing to Truck of the Year winners, magazine cover cars and Ridler Great Eight contenders. Having already earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Georgia, he began his career in freelance writing several years ago with technical articles that found their way into a number of high-volume custom-car magazines. Despite having recently acquired a master’s degree, Jay manages to maintain a fairly unhealthy fascination with burnouts, big-blocks and wheelies. Most of his favorite activities still incite plenty of worry from his mother, and his passion for American muscle cars and their anti-social behavior often leaves him with a lot of explaining to do. This month, he takes a close look at a 1966 Ford Fairlane Gasser in the Race profile on p. 66. TONY PIFF, ACC Auctions Editor, runs the car- spotting blog oldparkedcars.com, along with his brother, Ben. The ambitious, long-term project seeks to photograph every vintage car in Portland. Formative moments in Tony’s automotive development include the day when a semi truck crushed the family Valiant, and when his Dodge Dart threw a rod while driving from Seattle to Portland. His dream car would be ’60s A-body station wagon, with clear glass and worn paint, although he fantasizes about commuting to work in a World War II Army Jeep with the top removed and windshield flipped down. You can see his work throughout ACC, as every market report we print runs through his desk. He takes a look at the state of the market over the past few months in his market overview on p. 70. 24 AmericanCarCollector.com JOHN L. STEIN, ACC contributor, served as the editor of Corvette Quarterly, the award-winning official journal for Corvette, from 1998 to 2005, and he remains the only independent editor to lead GM’s halo magazine. Stein has driven every generation of Corvette, from the original 1953 model up through the 2008 Pratt & Miller C6RS, and tested or raced them at Daytona, Laguna Seca, Sebring and other tracks. He once co-owned the “Executioner,” a tube-axle, candyblue and chromed ex-Milwaukee ’64 Corvette Gasser that looked good on paper and better in the driveway, but not so good stranded beside the road — a frequent occurrence. In this month’s Corvette Market column on p. 46, he answers the question that every classic Corvette owner has asked: Should I drive it or not?

YOUR TURN Tell us what’s on your mind Contact us at: American Car Collector, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208, or online at comments@americancarcollector.com blue-chip collectible, but if the same vintage Corvette Z06 rates as a C, then I believe that the Prowler should as well. I own a 2006 C6 Corvette and do not dispute the investment grade rating of D, but I am curious how the more-common Z06 is rated higher than the Prowler. — Andrew Raicevich, Lakewood, CO Chad Tyson responds: Andrew is correct 1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega A missing Vega I just received my first issue and along with it, the Pocket Price Guide. I was disappointed that one of my favorite collector cars is not found: the ’75½ and ’76 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega. Perhaps it is due to a simple oversight. Perhaps it is not listed because the car still suffers unfairly from the confusion with the ill-starred Vega. The Chevy Cosworth was the featured car at the 2011 All-GM Nationals at Carlisle, PA. At least 14 were “Invitational Entries” and were given a place of honor in “Building T” that weekend, last June. One of these was the only American two-wheel-drive automobile that not only finished the 30,000km London to Sydney Rally in 1977 but also circumnavigated the world. I would like to make a case for includ- ing the car in your next pocket guide: The Cosworth had EFI 10 years before the Corvette. It had twin overhead cams and a 4-valve-per-cylinder head almost 15 years before the 1990 ZR-1 Corvette. These black and gold beauties were expensive when new, costing just $600 less than a ’75 Corvette convertible. While the Corvette’s power-to-weight ratio was slightly better, the “Cosworth” certainly outperformed the mid-’70s V8 Camaros and many other cars that the Price Guide includes. In 1975, my stock Cosworth would “chirp the tires” when shifting to 3rd at 55 mph (7,000 rpm)! There were only about 2,000 of the ’75½ model Cosworths produced and even fewer of the ’76 model. This makes the car much more rare than most of the American cars that your guide lists. Please consider including this unique car in your next issue of the Pocket Price Guide. 26 AmericanCarCollector.com Last year, Mecum sold one low-mileage example for about $12k — certainly more than some of the other cars you list. — Clark Kirby, Arlington, TX Jim Pickering responds: Thanks for your note, Clark. The Cosworth is a cool car, and they’re getting harder to find in good condition. We’re constantly working on expanding the ACC Price Guide — you can rest assured that we will be including the Cosworth in our next edition. Prowling for Prowlers In the eBay Motors column in the March/April 2012 issue of American Car Collector magazine, Chad Tyson states that the Plymouth Prowler that sold for $33,900 “now sell typically somewhere in the midteens, so what explains this one?” I would like to request that you provide evidence to back up your statement that Prowlers sell in the mid-teens. Currently, Cars.com lists 65 Prowlers for sale. Among the cars listed, one is listed in the $40k range, 25 are in the $30k range, and 32 are in the $20k range, with seven advertised as “not priced.” Included in this same list, the high asking price is $44,999, and the low asking price is $21,950 for a 63k-mile car. Not one Prowler is listed in the mid-teens, which you published in your magazine as “typical.” However, I am aware of a Prowler that recently sold on the East Coast for approximately $12k, but it was purchased from an insurance company after it had been stolen and stripped. I also question the investment grade of D in the American Car Collector Price Guide. As a collectible, investment-grade vehicle, it is obvious the Prowler will never be a about my mistake here. Well, partially. What my text should have read was “bid up to low-twenties and high-teens” as opposed to “sell somewhere typically in the mid-teens.” Now that the correction has been made, here is some clarification. We need to acknowledge the difference between a car’s listed price and its sold price. My comparison was for what the other Prowlers on eBay Motors at that time were bid up to — merely a snapshot of that market at that time. Several did sell in the mid-teens, but many more did not sell that were bid up to the low-$20k range. We need to remember that anything is only worth what people, at that time, are willing to pay for it. This is not always the same as what the fans of specific models want them to be worth. Our 2012 ACC Pocket Price Guide lists ’02s as the most expensive of all the Prowlers, with good number 2 examples valued at $23k to $29k. And although they’ve both been consid- ered “instant collectibles,” I don’t think the Z06 and Prowler are in the same league. Nothing against the Prowler — they’re great cars with unmistakable styling and noticeable performance — but low-production, high-performance Corvettes, such as the Z06, have traditionally remained popular over time, and I think this car will likely do better in the long term, despite having a higher production figure than the Prowler. Why? Well, the Corvette Z06 came only with the LS6 and a 6-speed and was known for being a track terror right off the showroom floor. Not so with the Prowler — it was more of a street car with quick performance and a unique look. Neither will ever be an A-grade collectible, but in terms of values that will increase over time, much like in a drag race or autocross matchup, the Corvette has the advantage here.A 1999 Plymouth Prowler

GOODREADS by Mark Wigginton How to Install and Tune Nitrous Oxide Systems By Bob McClurg, CarTech, 144 pages, $16.85, Amazon My only experience with nitrous oxide involved a dentist chair, wisdom teeth that needed to be removed, and this lovely pink cloud I seemed to fl oat upon as the dentist, from far away, asked how I was doing. “Turn up the nitrous” was all I could mumble through my gas-powered smile. Around the drag strip and on the street, nitrous is another kind of drug, and plenty of people are saying “Turn it up.” If you are jonesing for horsepower, nitrous will get you there, with relative safety from an exploding engine and a price tag that won’t put you he trailer. f m f you aren’t clear on the concept, nitrous (N20) is an ammable gas. The horsepower boost it provides (which n be massive in the right applications) comes from two ngs. First, extra oxygen is released during combustion ove 572 degrees F, letting you burn more fuel, and cond, the nitrous comes into the system at minus 127 grees F, which drops the inlet charge temperature by 60 r 70 degrees, which translates into a 6%–7% horsepower in all by itself. n Longtime auto writer and photographer Bob McClurg eated this guide to adding nitrous. And, from my chair fely away from any sharp tools, it looks remarkably mple in most applications. As simple as adding a pacer plate with the gas jets between carb and manifold n fuel-injected cars the plate goes between the throttle ody and the intake plenum). It can go on stock engines without worrying about hat pesky piston coming through the block, and it can urn into horsepower increases of 50 hp on a 4-cylinder, 100 hp on a six and up to 200 hp on a big-block V8. And it will leave you with that pink-cloud smile on your fi rst pass down the drag strip. PARTSTIME by Chad Tyson New products to modernize your street machine AMSOIL Z-ROD 10W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil Ever had a camshaft go fl at due to the composition of modern oils? It’s not a pretty sight — and it usually ends up taking out the engine’s main bearings as well. But for those with classic, fl at-tappet cams, the lubrication experts at AMSOIL have your solution. They’ve made the Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil with increased levels of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP for short) for long-term, high-stress protection. The higher zinc-and-phosphorus formulation provides extra wear protection for high-friction, splash-lubricated parts — replacing the zinc removed from regular oils that the federal government mandated. All this means is fl at-tappet cams and lifters will last signifi cantly longer in modern applications. The oil is recommended only for older and modifi ed engines since it meets API SL and earlier specifi cations for anti-wear additives, not SPI SM and later. Price: $9.80 per quart. www.amsoil.com 28 AmericanCarCollector.com Demon 625 Street Demon Carburetor Demon Carburetion’s latest release is the 625 Street Demon. It is engineered for hot rods with stock to mildly modifi ed engines. Cast out of aluminum, the new carburetor accommodates either spread- or square-bore manifold designs without an adapter. Fuel leaks are eliminated, as the fuel bowl is integrated with the main body. There are no passages to plug, and the gasket is above the fuel level. The bowl is available in either cast aluminum or an exclusive automotive-spec polymer. The composite body offers signifi cant heat-insulating benefi ts to aluminum sections. The company claims up to 20 degrees in lower fuel temperature is possible, which is no doubt a help to anyone having issues with hot starts. For cold starting, an electric-assist bimetal coil choke is provided. See www. DemonCarbs.com for pricing, a list of distributors and further technical specifi cations. A Provenance:  McClurg has been photograph- ing and writing about cars for more than 40 years, as both a freelancer and longtime Petersen Publishing guy. This book is full of technical details from the various nitrous system manufacturers. Fit and finish:  If you have stood at a drug store magazine rack and flipped through hot rod magazines (and we know you have) then you get a sense of the layout and design: It’s basic car magazine layout. Good quality color photos abound on every page, and the text is large and readable. I’m not a mechanic. I’ve rebuilt my share of motors (1960s English iron isn’t exactly rocket science), but these new-fangled electronics are black magic in my garage. Given my semi-ability, How to Install and Tune Nitrous Oxide Systems gave me enough detail and background to feel comfortable taking on a simple nitrous project. And that seems like mission accomplished.  is best Drivability:  So we are on the same page,

COOLSTUFF by Tony Piff Wash away rust Ultra One’s “Safest Rust Remover” is a non-corro- sive rust dissolver that won’t damage rubber gaskets, glass, decals, plastic or anything other than rust. Just soak until the rust is gone, and then rinse with water. The product is non-toxic, fume-free and can be safely disposed of down the drain. Deeply rusted parts may require overnight soaking. $25 for one gallon. www.safestrustremover.com You can buy history With the growing importance of matching Flare your fenders Smooth, precise and under control — the hallmarks of having the right tool for the job. $179.99 from the innovative folks at Eastwood. www.eastwood.com Lie down on the job The “Cadillac of Creepers” features six Rollerblade-style wheels, dual parking brakes, an adjustable headrest and multiple trays for holding tools and parts. Its low-profile design carries you one inch off the ground. $159 from www.griotsgarage.com 30 AmericanCarCollector.com numbers, and the increasing sophistication of engine re-stampers, wouldn’t it be nice to talk directly to the person who ordered your car from the factory? Whether the ownership history of your collector car is incomplete, unknown or just a little sketchy, Bill Gould will get you the real story. Gould has a background in intelligence, access to databases that are offlimits to the rest of us, and the skills to connect the dots. $250 will cover most cases, and consultations are free. Gould’s obsession with documentation led to the creation of Autophile ($40), an indexed binder with pre-printed tabs to organize every piece of paper associated with your collector car. www.autoancestry.com

SNAPSHOTS Florida Chapter NCRS Winter Regional Meet January 26–28, Kissimmee, Florida If you ever wondered why the Mecum car auction selected a venue in Kissimmee, FL, the answer can be found at the NCRS 34th Annual Winter Regional Meet. Years ago, Mecum started an all-Corvette auction in Kissimmee to coincide with the giant NCRS Corvette meet. The idea of an all-Corvette auction in the same town and at the same time as a meeting of the world’s most dedicated Corvette people was a hit. The NCRS meet has been a fixture in the area for 34 years. Most of the events happen at a well-known tourist hangout called Old Town, a car-friendly venue complete with restaurants, ice cream shops, an amusement park and plenty of hotels. It’s a huge, wellestablished show. In fact, it is the second-oldest Corvette-only show — behind Bloomington Gold. The NCRS event is also the secondlargest Corvette event, with Corvettes at Carlisle events the largest. Every year, about 100 Corvettes undergo hours of inspection from a crew of about 225 of expert NCRS judges. Considering these men and women are all volunteers, that’s a huge number of committed Corvette lovers. Keep in mind, that doesn’t include other volunteers who help register and keep the event running smoothly. It’s a monumental task. “The hobby is alive and well, and we have a great group of seasoned judges. We also have a judging school that offers basic and advance judging classes. Our classes are full every year, which is a very good barometer of the hobby in general. We have cars and people joining us from all over the world including Germany, England Detailing What: Florida Chapter NCRS Winter Regional Meet Where: Kissimmee, FL, in Old Town Web: ncrsfl.org and Sweden. Even Rick Hendricks is having a car judged here this year. NCRS recognition is the most valued and cherished Corvette accolade an owner can pursue. Our goal is to educate, preserve and legitimize the hobby. Plus, we have the greatest judging criteria in the world — not to mention the enormity of our collective knowledge bank,” said Ed Augustine, Florida chapter chairman. Perusing the sea of pristine Corvettes allowed for a leisurely pace as I walked among the cars as they were judged. Teams of judges analyzed, scrutinized and contorted their bodies like a game of Twister in attempt to verify a part number, clip, fastener or detail that might otherwise go unnoticed, as occasionally nervous owners stood by as if their car was undergoing surgery. There’s also a large swapmeet and Corvette vendors of all shapes and sizes. If the Corvette bug hits you hard enough, there’s a car corral with about 40–50 cars up for grabs. Luckily, I didn’t bring my checkbook. — Dale Novak Matthew Fox’s 1950 Mercury Custom Hot Rods & Hobbies In an expansive, 13,000-square-foot shop in Signal Hill, CA, Hot Rods and Hobbies turns out some of the industry’s top rides. The Grand National Roadster Show’s 2011 Builder of the Year, Scott Bonowski, has owned the company for 20 years. He also keeps busy as one of the two painters. The shop features full fabrication service, with all mechanical work, assembly, paint and body done under the same roof. Eleven more of the best in the business round out the team. Scott started out as a mobile detailer, later adding dent, ding and chip repair for higher-end cars to his list of services. Falling back on an auto-body class he took in college (to paint his ’77 Volkswagen van), he also moved into painting. After getting his foot in the door at Edelbrock as a maintenance tech for Vic’s cars, he landed a gig painting Edelbrock’s racing cars. He then moved on to painting cars for a number of independent Ferrari restoration shops. Actor Matthew Fox’s 1950 Mercury Custom was built by Scott’s team. You might remember it as the winner of the World’s Most Beautiful Custom award at the 2009 Sacramento Autorama. It also won Overall Outstanding Custom, First in Class, and the Triple Gun Award of Excellence at the 2009 Grand National Roadster Show. The Merc initially came into Detailing the shop for the relatively simple task of matching the door jambs to the body, but as car guys know, these things tend to get out of hand, and it soon became an all-out custom rebuild. A Morrison chassis sits underneath, fitted with a 502-ci Chevy V8 with Imagine Injection and a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. Frenched headlights, one-off taillamps, 3½-inch chopped top and shaved handles were just a handful of the modifications done to the Merc. Steve Frediani’s 1951 Ford convertible, dubbed “Pantera’s Box,” What: Hot Rods & Hobbies Where: Signal Hill, CA Phone: 562.424.9425 Web: hotrodsandhobbies.net won World’s Most Beautiful Custom in 2006. Using renderings by Steve Stanford, HR&H handled much of the bodywork, as well as prep, paint and assembly. This car was featured several times by The Rodder’s Journal. Hot rods and customs aren’t the only vehicles that roll in and out of Scott’s shop. Fiats, Porsches, Ferraris, pickups and various muscle cars have all been touched by Hot Rods and Hobbies. Many pages of many magazines have been devoted to other builds from Scott and company, including “Helleanor,” the ’68 Mustang fastback for Gary Haw, and “Blackie,” Bruce Rossmeyer’s ’36 Ford coupe. “We didn’t intend on having it grow this way,” Scott says. But I’m “The hobby is alive and well” 32 AmericanCarCollector.com sure he wouldn’t have it any other way. A — Chad Tyson

DESKTOPCLASSICS by Marshall Buck 1962 Thunderbird Sports Roadster The Danbury Mint has produced a bunch of Thunderbird models ranging from 1955 through 1965 cars, including this wonderful '62 Sports Roadster, which they sold for several years. Although the tooling dates back 14 years, it’s still one of their best models to date. This has a perfectly replicated body shape and interior, and packs in a wealth of detail, including the hinged glove box on the console and a swingaway steering column. Paint finish is very good. Weak points are the old dog-leg door hinges, so-so wire wheels, and just okay engine detail. Long out of production, but worth seeking out. They can still be found on eBay. Detailing Scale: 1:24 Available colors: Corinthian White Quantity: Estimated 10,000-plus Price Range: Mint boxed, about $150 Production date: 1998–2004 Web: www.danburymint.com Ratings Detailing: ªªªªª Accuracy: ªªªªª Overall quality: ªªªª1/2 Overall value: ªªªªª ªªªªª is best 1959 Cadillac 62 6-Window Sedan Spark Models have just released a couple of Cadillacs, one of which is the huge 6-window sedan. Overall, the body is excellent with good paint finish. However, the roof line is about one or two scale inches too low — noticeable when viewing its side profile. That also sheds light on the slightly misshapen top sides of the windshield and its frame. Windows, although tinted, should have more of a blue tint versus the green Spark has done here. But the overall model will please all but the most demanding collectors. I have to applaud Spark for the use and expert application of the extensive chrome trim, which is everywhere. Detailing Scale: 1:43 Available colors: Inverness Green Quantity: Estimated 750 to 1,000 Price: $65 Production date: 2012 Web: www.motorsportsminiatures. com Ratings Detailing: ªªªªª Accuracy: ªªªª Overall quality: ªªªª Overall value: ªªªªª 1967 Mustang GT Fastback This is one of the best models from AutoArt, but it’s not without a few faults. The optional styled steel wheels have been incorrectly made — they’re completely seethrough, with no backing behind the spokes, and the blue centers are missing. Less egregious are little things: The GT emblems should not be painted white, the lower side vents could be better, and the signal lever on the steering column stands out badly, which is a shame since the rest of the interior is top-notch. You also get superb paint, along with excellent fit and finish of all parts, and all panels open. Trunk detailing is very good, but engine detail is only okay. Great model. 34 AmericanCarCollector.com Detailing Scale: 1:18 Available colors: Burnt Amber, Candy Apple Red, Dark Moss Green Quantity: Estimated 5,000 each Price: $135 Production date: 2002 Web: www.autoartmodels.com Ratings Detailing: ªªªª1/2 Accuracy: ªªªª1/2 Overall quality: ªªªªª Overall value: ªªªª1/2

SUNKEN TREASURE Valuing Miss Belvedere A PRISTINE ORIGINAL WITH ULTRA-LOW MILES IS WORTH ABOUT $40K–$50K, BUT THIS CAR ISN’T REALLY A CAR ANYMORE By Dale Novak down the road. The Plymouth was brand-spanking new, with only O four miles on the clock. Fifty years later, when the car was exhumed from its crypt, it would be given to the Tulsa resident who guessed the population of the city 50 years in the future. The fellow who came closest to the right number passed away in 1979. So the car was passed on to his two sisters, one of whom still owns the car today. A shiny Plymouth no more It’s a great story, and it could have had a great ending. But in 1973, work crews excavating around the Tulsa Courthouse (in the vicinity of where the car was buried in a vault) ruptured a water main. The area flooded, and water made its way to the concrete encasement, completely submerging the sleeping Mopar. When it was unearthed in 2007, it was hoped that the car would come out of its dark resting place in a preserved, good overall condition. But the car had been submerged for decades, and it was a rusty mess. With a big group sigh, the crowd went home, and the story quietly, over time, simply dissipated. Was the world’s lowest-mileage Belvedere worth- less? Maybe not. The surreal result of 34 years of submersion n June 15, 1957, a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere was buried in Tulsa, OK, to commemorate the state’s 50th birthday. It was intended to be a time capsule for a future generation to unveil 50 years Tulsa’s buried Belvedere sees the light of day

SUNKEN TREASURE Ultra One to the rescue Dwight Foster’s company, Ultra One Corporation of Hackettstown, NJ, sells a rust removal chemical called Safest Rust Remover, which is designed to safely remove rust without compromising metal. Dwight was asked to save the car from further deterioration and resurrect it, as best he could, with an eye on preservation. When he received the car, it didn’t roll, the leaf springs had all but disintegrated and the chassis was about as fragile as papier-mâché. The water, which became somewhat like an acid bath, damaged everything. In short, the car was submerged in a toxic soup for 34 years. Dwight still has the car and has been care- fully peeling off decades of rust and debris. The car now sits on a stabilized chassis. It rolls, and the 1957 tires have been fitted with inner tubes to hold air. His plan is to continue to preserve the car so that it can be put on display or eventually sold — if the owners decide to take that route. “I’d like to see it end up in the Smithsonian,” Dwight said. “The Before the rust-removal efforts of Dwight Foster’s company stabilized the car family turned down a few offers in the past with hopes that the car would end up in a museum or be part of a tour that can display the car so the public can enjoy the history and the story. “I think that’s a fine idea, as the car is too special to just let it sit in a warehouse somewhere.” What’s it worth? A pristine original Belvedere with ultra-low miles is worth about $40,000–$50,000. Obviously, that’s not this car, because it’s not even truly an automobile any longer — it’s an artifact. What about other cars that have been found? Ones that will never work again but instead are appreciated as works of automotive art? In 2009, a 1925 Bugatti Brescia Type 22 roadster was pulled from the bottom of Lake Maggiore in Switzerland. It had been sitting on the bottom of the lake for about 70 years. When it was recovered, it was in similar condition as our subject car. It had to sit on a dolly just to be moved around, as most of the car had succumbed to the lake water in a similar fashion as the 1957 Belvedere. The Bugatti sold at the Bonhams Automobiles d’Exception Auction at Rétromobile in Paris on January 23, 2010, for a whopping $364,700. At the time, a fully sorted, well-prepared #2 condition Bugatti had a valuation range of $150,000 to $400,000. What gives? The difference for this sale, or at least in 2010, is that the Bugatti was offered as a newly discovered treasure. In other words, the sizzle was sold while the steak was hot off the oak-fired grill. Sell ’em while they’re hot, so to speak. Not a rare car, but a rare story A 1957 Belvedere hard top is not hard to find. A total of 67,268 were built. Sure, this one is rare due to the method of how it became what it is — no argument there. But you aren’t going to drive it down to the ice cream shop now or ever. It will never be functional as an automobile again. So on this scale, the car has virtually no value. But as an automotive oddity, it has some merit. A unique collector — or let’s say at least two of them — could presumably bid this car to a distinctive level given the proper amount of marketing and a large television audience. On that scale, and with the stars aligning, I would guesstimate that the car would fetch a figure larger than $25,000 — but I don’t think it would exceed $100,000. But then again, anything can happen at high-profile auctions. The interior after a cleaning

The Plymouth in its current state More valuable rusty? Some have questioned if the work by Dwight’s shop has aided or diminished the value. This is debatable, and I’m sure if we asked several collectors we’d get several answers. The car was certainly more haunting and historical in its as-discovered condition. The clay and rust had preserved the car in an eerie state of decay. In that form, it had a unique look. By cleaning it up, perhaps some of the history was also washed away. On the other hand, Dwight’s work has preserved the car and stabilized the sheet metal. The car is now ready to be on display — provided that it is properly transported and cared for. This relic is somewhat like a 500-year-old painting that is no longer visible because of fading and oxidation. Conservators then carefully remove the surface oxidation, waxes and dulling varnishes. These preservations increase the value of the work of art when properly executed. Isn’t that what was done here? Shouldn’t the car be considered an object of art — or at least an artifact from the car-happy 1950s? A wildly speculative verdict Looking at the history, the current state of the car and the unique one-of-one provenance — coupled with a market that seems to be yearning for the odd and unusual, I’d suggest a value range of $40,000–$60,000 at a widely publicized auction. I do think the car might have pulled a considerably stronger number in 2007, while the sizzle was still crackling on the steak. But auctions can and do surprise us, so the true number is anyone’s guess. That said, I’m with Dwight; I’d rather it find its way to the Smithsonian, as that would be a more fitting end to this story. Imagine a time when a city would bury an entire car that would become a prize 50 years down the road. That in itself sums up the high-horsepower spirit of the United States during the 1950s. A May-June 2012 39

INSIDER’S VIEW The ACC question: It’s no secret that truck prices have been on the rise over the past few years. Do you think the values of classic pickups have topped out? Is the market overpricing them now? Are classic truck prices a bubble that’s about to burst, or are they finally getting the valuations they’ve long deserved? If you were to pick one truck as a best buy in the current market, which would it be? Crowd-sourcing an answer to your queries To be on the mailing list for next month’s question, go to AmericanCarCollector.com and sign up for our biweekly newsletter. Richard Sanderson, via email: As an old collector, my view is that the prices have taken a big jump in the past 18 months. The iconic ’48–’51 Chevy trucks that used to sell for $10k–$15k are now in the mid-$20s, and the perfectly restored ones are even higher. They were kind of discovered over this recent period; the prices have prompted more restorations and flips, but I think they will plateau. J. Demeo, Santa Monica, CA: First thought is that the “great” restorations will continue to sell for top dollar. This is a rule of thumb. The real question is how many trucks will the market bear? There were so many made. Are there an unlimited number of buyers? I doubt it. Steve Wyse, via email: Collector trucks fall between cars and tractors in popularity. At the current price, trucks certainly are at the top of their range if not a bit high. This is based on the number of collectors who want trucks, or at least not more than one truck in their collection. Ian Steward, Vancouver, B.C.: I don’t think old truck values have hit the top. They are usable classics that have the character that created the Western landscape. I think that values for originality will go up. Trucks like the 1938 Diamond T are where the values will go, but they need to be original. Dan Kingsford, via email: Many of us grew up with trucks and High-end value: 1954 Ford F-100 Custom, $55,000 ACC readers respond: Danny Ewert, via email: I just completed restoration of a 1964 F-100. It started out innocently enough. I bought it as a clean, unmolested survivor that was admittedly tired looking. I decided to clean the engine bay one weekend, and before the weekend was over, it was completely dismantled, and a nut-and-bolt restoration began. I think the truck is as much Americana as it gets. These were the workhorses that helped build this great country. It was on their backs that feed was brought to the livestock, furniture was brought to the city to begin a new life, supplies were delivered to the contractor and groceries were brought home from the supermarket. While Americans dreamed of fast and sexy automobiles to show off to their friends, it was these workhorses that quietly and without fanfare made America great. Like a beautiful woman whose beauty is only skin deep, the sexy European cars and many of the American luxury cars were temperamental, expensive to maintain and too high maintenance to enjoy. To use the analogy further, these trucks are more like the girl-next-door whose beauty runs much deeper than what you see on the surface. I think most Americans seek to get back to the core values that seem to be lacking lately. It’s my humble opinion this is now reflected in the collector car market. Collectors are looking back to the same values in their collection and are finding it in the American truck. Therefore, I predict these vehicles will continue to rise in value. Since nobody considered (in the day) preserving their truck for future generations, these vehicles were used pretty hard and few nice ones remain. Years past, people would have scoffed at the idea of pampering “service vehicles.” As a result, few honest and intact antique trucks are still around. Yes, a flashy redhead will still catch my eye now and then, but then I quickly remember why I gave my life (and my heart!) to the girl next door. 40 AmericanCarCollector.com The low end: 1971 Dodge D-100, $200 tractors in everyday use and respected their character and toughness. Today, a restored pickup is very nostalgic and can be enjoyed in local driving. It makes anyone who sees it happy and is a great conversation starter (“My Dad had one just like it”). They’re also useful, going to Home Depot or the Green Market. After all, they are trucks. Herman Caruthers, via email: From what I see, these prices are driven solely by the Boomers with a bit of extra money to spend. I do not see any Gen X, Y, Millennials buying these units. It is going to be really interesting to see what happens to the entire automotive collector market when the Boomers who grew up in the Golden Age of the Automobile die off and the romance is gone. Randy Arnold, Temple, TX: I live in central Texas, where there is an endless supply of old, restorable pickup trucks. It is not uncommon to find farm trucks that are 30-40 years old and still in use. The bottom line is that there is still an abundant supply of restorable trucks, so I don’t see sustained high prices for trucks. The really good ones are worth something, but not a lot.

Al Johnson, Seattle, WA: Yes, prices are a bubble — and it’s because of my Baby Boomer generation. We’re wealthy, our kids are out of the nest, and we’re nostalgic for the cars of our youth. How else to explain ’60s muscle cars going for Duesenberg prices? Same goes for ’50s-’70s pickups. I don’t think they’re going for inherent value, and once my generation dies out, I don’t think as many younger collectors will care. W.A. Scott, via email: Trucks by nature have led a hard life, so most have gone to the great scrap heap in the sky. Of those remaining, many have been subject to amateur restorations and/or rodded, hence the number of really good trucks restored to original condition is very small. As long as prices don’t exceed the cost of restoration plus a fair value for the truck itself, prices should be sustainable. Bob Licthy, Classic Motorcar Auctions, Canton, OH: We see some distinct patterns to the truck market. Yes, they bring big money at the auctions, but they must be pristine restored trucks to do so. Warmed-over farm trucks with some nice paint and wrong wheels go for light money. Pristine restorations on these trucks constantly amaze us with what they bring. They are fun to drive, handy around the house and welcome at most car events. We have been asked repeatedly to find such trucks for clients or companies looking to replicate a vehicle from early company history. What we find is that about 80% of these trucks get street-rodded. So when given the task to find a super clean or correctly restored vehicle, it is not as easy as you might think. They feel common, but are not when the perimeters of the search tighten up to “stock and pristine.” As a result, the modified trucks really drive the value of the restored ones up a lot. Oddly, the more common the truck, the more this appears to be true. Paul Harden, Newport, RI: I don’t think truck prices have topped out yet, but don’t see them going as high as some of the muscle cars due to the numbers of trucks built over the years. On the plus side is that trucks are readily available, parts are fairly easy to High-middle range: 1950 Chevrolet 3100, $30,975 come by, and the restoration costs are reasonable. One challenge is finding trucks that haven’t been beaten to death or have heavy rust. Mark Logan, via email: Have prices for the classic American truck market topped out? Hardly. Admittedly, collector car and truck prices have seen peaks and valleys over the last decade, with trucks lagging behind. However, with the growing interest of the younger demographics in the style and design of classic cars and trucks, offshore demand, and a slowly improving economy, prices in the foreseeable future should continue to rise. This is especially true since the U.S. dollar is under pressure from other currencies (Canada, Australia, Switzerland, etc.) and international demand for collector cars and trucks is showing signs of recovery. Customers spending a stronger currency will find bargains in the U.S., given a favorable currency exchange rate. While the classic-truck market will probably continue to lag behind the classic-car market, prices for both will continue to climb. It’s not just a U.S. market anymore. A

RUSTNEVER SLEEPS Desert Valley Auto Parts Sprawled over 40 acres and two locations, Desert Valley Auto Parts is one of the largest junkyards in the country. It was created in 1993 by Jason McClure and now has more than 5,000 parts cars available to keep your car alive — or bring it back from the dead. You’ll fi nd American cars and trucks from the 1940s through the ’80s. The biggest boon, of course, of a wrecking yard in the desert Southwest is the noticeable absence of rust. There are three ways to get parts from DVAP. There are “survivors” (more-or-less whole project cars), “yard” (parts from the cars in the yard) and “off rack” (individual or loose parts stored on racks). Members of the company are active in 22 national and international classic car clubs. So they have practice in sourcing those hard-to-fi nd trim pieces. Auctions and reality television have also been part of the atmosphere in recent years. (Tip courtesy of Jim Pickering.) Detailing What: Desert Valley Auto Parts Phone: 800.905.8024 Web: www.dvap.com Where: 23811 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85085 Where to troll for trash and treasure in some of the coolest junkyards in the world Wildcat Auto Wrecking East of Sandy, OR, tucked into the steep foothills of Mount Hood, sits the only all-Mopar wrecking yard in the Pacifi c Northwest. These guys also claim that their temple to Mopar recycling is “one of the largest in the universe” as well. More than 800 Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge and Plymouth carcasses — from 1979 back to the dawn of Detroit — wait to be picked over, with some available as projects. Depending on the time of year, you may need your 4x4 to get you there and back. Wildcat Auto Wrecking started up in 1989 by Ed and Phyllis Detailing What: Wildcat Auto Wrecking Where: 46827 SE Wildcat Mountain Drive, Sandy, OR 97055 Phone: 503.668.7786 Web: www.wildcatmopars.com Yost, and moved to exclusively Mopar vehicles in 1993. The yard ships internationally. They are known for quick ship- ping and as-described parts. Packaging is done carefully to help prevent scratching to that original, hard-to-fi nd part. The yard is closed Sundays and Mondays. (Tip courtesy of Rem Wilson.) WHERE DO YOU GO? If you have a place to score the rare and hard-to-fi nd, and want to share it with your fellow collectors, send me a line about it at chad.tyson@americancarcollector.com. AmericanCarCollector.com

Cheap Thrills B. Mitchell Carlson AS IT GETS As classic MODEL Ts ARE EASY TO FIND, AND THEY’RE RELATIVELY CHEAP. BUT YOU’RE GOING TO NEED SOME PRACTICE WITH THOSE THREE PEDALS 1926 Ford Model T coupe Detailing Years produced: 1917–27 (non-Brass Era) Number produced: 1,831,128 (1923) Original list price: $265 (roadster) Current ACC Valuation: $7,500–$12,000 Tune-up cost: $150 Distributor cap: N/A; commutator / timer lid: $100 From the William Eckhoff Collection • 4-cylinder engine • Standard transmission • Front window visor • Wood spoke wheels • Blackwall tires ACC Analysis This 1926 Ford Model T, Lot Chassis number: None Engine number: pad directly beneath the cylinder head, centered on the left side of the block. Clubs: Model T Ford Club of America, P.O. Box 126, Centerville, IN 47330-0126 Website: www.mtfca.com Alternatives: 1924–28 Chevrolet 1927–31 Whippet 1928–31 Ford Model A 1922–28 Star ACC Investment Grade: D (excluding the ultra-rare Out model) U126.1, sold for $7,000 at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, FL, on January 26, 2012. Is my slip in sales showing? While Henry Ford’s inexpensive Model T may have put the world on wheels, by the mid-1920s, its inherent simplicity was hurting sales. The T may have put people behind the wheel, yet human p Thrills B. Mitchell Carlson AS IT GETS As classic MODEL Ts ARE EASY TO FIND, AND THEY’RE RELATIVELY CHEAP. BUT YOU’RE GOING TO NEED SOME PRACTICE WITH THOSE THREE PEDALS 1926 Ford Model T coupe Detailing Years produced: 1917–27 (non-Brass Era) Number produced: 1,831,128 (1923) Original list price: $265 (roadster) Current ACC Valuation: $7,500–$12,000 Tune-up cost: $150 Distributor cap: N/A; commutator / timer lid: $100 From the William Eckhoff Collection • 4-cylinder engine • Standard transmission • Front window visor • Wood spoke wheels • Blackwall tires ACC Analysis This 1926 Ford Model T, Lot Chassis number: None Engine number: pad directly beneath the cylinder head, centered on the left side of the block. Clubs: Model T Ford Club of America, P.O. Box 126, Centerville, IN 47330-0126 Website: www.mtfca.com Alternatives: 1924–28 Chevrolet 1927–31 Whippet 1928–31 Ford Model A 1922–28 Star ACC Investment Grade: D (excluding the ultra-rare Out model) U126.1, sold for $7,000 at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, FL, on January 26, 2012. Is my slip in sales showing? While Henry Ford’s inexpensive Model T may have put the world on wheels, by the mid-1920s, its inherent simplicity was hurting sales. The T may have put people behind the wheel, yet human that that it wasn’t long after that they wanted something bigger, better looking, and/or more comfortable — even if it wasn’t as robust or as well built. After a total of 15 million were produced, the Model T was fi nally discontinued in 1927. Our featured car is somewhat typical on the outside, with a few reproduction chrome pieces that look the part. This car also was equipped with the period accessory Ruckstell two-speed axle conversion. They tended to be sold more for the TT trucks — or Ts converted into trucks, but did provide a means to get two more gears worth of longer legs for the main two-speed planetary transmission. This car’s motor sports concessions to modern technology. In a nutshell, the original electrical system was tossed out and upgraded. It now has a modern storage battery, alternator, starter, and distributor with electronic ignition. While it would lose points as a concours lawn ornament, this is a car that you can he side t upgrades ive — s much of cteristics. s rills B. Mitchell Carlson AS IT GETS As classic MODEL Ts ARE EASY TO FIND, AND THEY’RE RELATIVELY CHEAP. BUT YOU’RE GOING TO NEED SOME PRACTICE WITH THOSE THREE PEDALS 1926 Ford Model T coupe Detailing Years produced: 1917–27 (non-Brass Era) Number produced: 1,831,128 (1923) Original list price: $265 (roadster) Current ACC Valuation: $7,500–$12,000 Tune-up cost: $150 Distributor cap: N/A; commutator / timer lid: $100 From the William Eckhoff Collection • 4-cylinder engine • Standard transmission • Front window visor • Wood spoke wheels • Blackwall tires ACC Analysis This 1926 Ford Model T, Lot Chassis number: None Engine number: pad directly beneath the cylinder head, centered on the left side of the block. Clubs: Model T Ford Club of America, P.O. Box 126, Centerville, IN 47330-0126 Website: www.mtfca.com Alternatives: 1924–28 Chevrolet 1927–31 Whippet 1928–31 Ford Model A 1922–28 Star ACC Investment Grade: D (excluding the ultra-rare Out model) U126.1, sold for $7,000 at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, FL, on January 26, 2012. Is my slip in sales showing? While Henry Ford’s inexpensive Model T may have put the world on wheels, by the mid-1920s, its inherent simplicity was hurting sales. The T may have put people behind the wheel, yet human that it wasn’t long after that they wanted something bigger, better looking, and/or more comfortable — even if it wasn’t as robust or as well built. After a total of 15 million were produced, the Model T was fi nally discontinued in 1927. Our featured car is somewhat typical on the outside, with a few reproduction chrome pieces that look the part. This car also was equipped with the period accessory Ruckstell two-speed axle conversion. They tended to be sold more for the TT trucks — or Ts converted into trucks, but did provide a means to get two more gears worth of longer legs for the main two-speed planetary transmission. This car’s motor sports concessions to modern technology. In a nutshell, the original electrical system was tossed out and upgraded. It now has a modern storage battery, alternator, starter, and distributor with electronic ignition. While it would lose points as a concours lawn ornament, this is a car that you can he side t upgrades ive — s much of cteristics. s asmussen asmussen nd restorer d been ere $5 used he farm. m about e generally ot can drive t may have e back in , but it’s essarily se today. ver, in the utomatic mission d e v odel T mplest car hat is, if t have pred notions on ate a car. John Hollansworth Jr. Courtesy of Mecum Auctions l Carlson AS IT GETS As classic MODEL Ts ARE EASY TO FIND, AND THEY’RE RELATIVELY CHEAP. BUT YOU’RE GOING TO NEED SOME PRACTICE WITH THOSE THREE PEDALS 1926 Ford Model T coupe Detailing Years produced: 1917–27 (non-Brass Era) Number produced: 1,831,128 (1923) Original list price: $265 (roadster) Current ACC Valuation: $7,500–$12,000 Tune-up cost: $150 Distributor cap: N/A; commutator / timer lid: $100 From the William Eckhoff Collection • 4-cylinder engine • Standard transmission • Front window visor • Wood spoke wheels • Blackwall tires ACC Analysis This 1926 Ford Model T, Lot Chassis number: None Engine number: pad directly beneath the cylinder head, centered on the left side of the block. Clubs: Model T Ford Club of America, P.O. Box 126, Centerville, IN 47330-0126 Website: www.mtfca.com Alternatives: 1924–28 Chevrolet 1927–31 Whippet 1928–31 Ford Model A 1922–28 Star ACC Investment Grade: D (excluding the ultra-rare Out model) U126.1, sold for $7,000 at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, FL, on January 26, 2012. Is my slip in sales showing? While Henry Ford’s inexpensive Model T may have put the world on wheels, by the mid-1920s, its inherent simplicity was hurting sales. The T may have put people behind the wheel, yet human that it wasn’t long after that they wanted something bigger, better looking, and/or more comfortable — even if it wasn’t as robust or as well built. After a total of 15 million were produced, the Model T was fi nally discontinued in 1927. Our featured car is somewhat typical on the outside, with a few reproduction chrome pieces that look the part. This car also was equipped with the period accessory Ruckstell two-speed axle conversion. They tended to be sold more for the TT trucks — or Ts converted into trucks, but did provide a means to get two more gears worth of longer legs for the main two-speed planetary transmission. This car’s motor sports concessions to modern technology. In a nutshell, the original electrical system was tossed out and upgraded. It now has a modern storage battery, alternator, starter, and distributor with electronic ignition. While it would lose points as a concours lawn ornament, this is a car that you can he side t upgrades ive — s much of cteristics. s asmussen nd restorer d been ere $5 used he farm. m about e generally ot can drive t may have e back in , but it’s essarily se today. ver, in the utomatic mission d e v odel T mplest car hat is, if t have pre- d notions on ate a car. John Hollansworth Jr. Courtesy of Mecum Auctions AmericanCarCollector.com AmericanCarCollector.com

Only in recent years have values started to rise, as collectors are starting to see these cars in their historical context. This was the case with most original Model T owners — since most had never driven a motor vehicle before. Three pedals, no shift levers New T drivers will notice that there are three pedals and no shift levers to manipulate. And those three pedals generally don’t act like they would in a car fitted with a typical manual transmission, as the T doesn’t have a typical manual transmission. There’s also a brake lever to their left (one of the reasons that Model T bodies didn’t have a driver’s side door for several years), which plays an integral part. The left pedal is your high range / neutral / low range selector (from non-depressed to fully-depressed). Pulling the handbrake lever locks that pedal in the middle (neutral) position. The center pedal is reverse. It was the usual fashion back in the day that if you encountered a steep grade that would otherwise be impossible to climb, the car was backed up the hill to take advantage of its extra gearing. Finally, the pedal on the right is the brake (mechanical, on rear wheels only — better plan ahead if you want to stop). Common stopping errors include forgetting that you also need to push the left pedal down — and also that it only goes halfway down for neutral. Floorboarding both outboard pedals means you just downshifted into low gear, and you’ll likely stall the motor with the brakes fully deployed — that’ll likely get the car stopped, but you’ll also probably bounce your face off the windshield. If you want to go faster (relatively speaking, of course), move the lever on the right side behind the steering wheel down — that’s the throttle. Yep, just like a typical tractor. And you adjust engine performance with the spark advance (ignition timing), which is the other lever. No texting here Suffice to say that the overall driving experience takes all of your attention. You’ll be too busy to even think about texting — or using a cell phone, or doing anything else at all. Model Ts are not all that difficult to drive, but neophytes are put off by them simply because they look complex and aren’t very usable in modern traffic. As such, values have stayed rather low, and have not risen with any appreciable amount compared with almost any other “old car” in the past six decades. Only in recent years have values started to rise, as collectors are starting to see these cars in their historical context. This car had just enough done to make it somewhat usable on today’s roads, yet it retained most of the charm and unique driving experience that only a Model T offers. You couldn’t build this car for the money spent here. So all in all, this was a good buy for an example that will round out a collection. And every serious car collector at one time or another should have a Model T, just for the experience. A (Introductory description courtesy of Mecum Auctions.) B. Mitchell Carlson’s grandmother, Sigrid Beck Carlson, driving her then-new, pre-1926 Model T coupe May-June 2012 45 What, no GPS? Back when horsepower was still a literal comparison

Corvette Market John L. Stein WHAT DOES I f you have a collectible Corvette, you’ve likely wondered if you should or shouldn’t use it. Do you drive it — or the Tahoe or Silverado instead — to the bank, work or lunch on a given day? Maybe it’s raining. Maybe you’re concerned about door dings in some parking lot. Or possibly you just don’t want to put miles on the clock. These are all viable reasons for not using any collector car. But what are the reasons for using one? No right or wrong There is no right or wrong, philosophically, about whether to drive or hide a vintage Corvette. More often than not, the choice comes down to the attitude of the owner as much as practical concerns such as adding miles. Here’s a good example: Let’s say you own Bob Dylan’s harmonica used on the original “Highway 51” recording. Do you play that harmonica or just admire it in a glass case? It’s your property, and being used is its designed purpose — limited and careful use will not degrade it. But then again, no lips other than Dylan’s ever touched this instrument; it was last played when he sang at the Pixley Music using your Corvette really cost? PERFECTION DISAPPEARS WITH USE — AND SO DOES VALUE. BUT A FULLY SORTED VINTAGE CORVETTE MIGHT BE WORTH $10K MORE THAN A STATIC-DISPLAY CAR OF THE SAME QUALITY Festival; and some ethereal voice instructs you to never touch it. The Corvette connection Harmonicas are one thing and Corvettes are another. Because while you may play an instrument for years, with good care it may never show use. However, with a classic Corvette, every mile traveled appears on the odometer. If you have an exceptionally low-mileage original car, tens of thousands of miles will erode its value. Likewise, if you have a perfect body-off restoration that’s correct and authentic down to the last detail, then mileage, stone chips, heat cycling, fl uid seepage, and tire and brake wear will gradually erode its worth. Whereas a higher-mileage driver or an older restoration that already has miles on the clock is less likely to have its value eroded by use. Time takes a toll, anyway The passage of time can be just as degrading to a machine as use, and even perfect vehicles — even if left garaged and unused — are perishable to some extent. Over the years, rubber parts, such as window moldings age and shrink, oil and hydraulic seals stiffen and leak, vinyl seats and panels lose pliability, plastics get brittle, and polished and plated parts dull. Disuse does not necessarily banish decay. And only in the case of a Bloomington Survivor-type car is decay ignored in favor of originality. Your restored '67 435 isn’t going to be worth more if you leave it fi tted with time-worn restoration parts you let expire in your garage. Miles cost money. But how much? Editor Jim Pickering chal- lenged me to consider how to determine the dollar-cost of adding miles to a classic Corvette. On the positive side, putting Drive it or show it? 46 AmericanCarCollector.com miles on a car helps you improve it, because you will notice — and then repair — squeaks and rattles, oil drips, wheel alignment, brake adjustment, convertible top operation, fl uttering instrument needles, balky senders, noisy fans and a host of other defi cits in pursuit of having a “sorted driver.”

In this case, miles are a good investment because a sorted car is significantly more valuable than one that needs fettling. As a rough estimate, a fully sorted vintage Corvette might be worth $5,000 to $10,000 more to me than a static-display car of the same overall quality. Just as cars with “stories” are worth less, so is an unsorted garage queen. On the other hand, as noted above, miles on a perfect restoration can hurt street value. I recently saw a perfectly restored solid-axle Corvette sell at auction. It was done to such a high standard that it truly presented as a “new” 50-year-old car. Fittingly, the buyer paid a premium for this perfection. While it’s up to the buyer what to do with his new acquisition, a reasonable view is that perfection disappears with use — and so does value. In real terms, that $120,000 perfect solid-axle might lose $20,000 or more in value with even minimal use. A hard choice made easy So here is my summary judgment about when to use or not use a classic Corvette. The easy “yes” is when the car already has significant miles. I believe that any substantially original vehicle with a career mileage of 9,999 or less is a special case that should be preserved that way as much as is practical. Save that car, and go get a higher-mileage one to drive. But if it’s already showing tens of thousands of miles, then intelligent use will only add minutely to its degradation. Another important plateau is 100,000 miles. If you have a sub-100,000-mile car — and have the records to prove it — then try to keep it that way. You should preserve a car that has had a perfect body-off restora- tion with authentic details that will be compromised by use. And I’d also hide an as-new Bloomington Gold Survivor, rare as they might be, that has never been used, or that has gone just a handful of miles. There are very few of these around, and once they’ve been used they will never be new again. Do you really want to put another mile or two on the odo? While alive, you may as well live But all of the above logic crumbles in the face of our own mortal- ity. And sometimes the time we can truly call our own comes in short-lived snapshots of opportunity that, in the end, we discover are extremely precious. So when considering whether to drive or hide the Corvette of your dreams, I offer this last piece of perspective. If driving to Cars and Coffee, or racing at Sebring or touring Route 66 in a certain Corvette is your life’s desire, find the right car and do it. And don’t let anyone else say you shouldn’t. A May-June 2012 47

Horsepower Colin Comer RICKY BOBBY? Collecting GREAT, TURN-KEY STOCK CARS CAN BE HAD FOR $75K AND LESS — USUALLY FAR LESS buy, cheap to run and has some investment potential. What’s a guy to do? Simple: Historic Stock Car Racing. Yes, you too can have a NASCAR car in your garage instead of just on your TV screen. Numerous Historic Stock Car groups are out there, and they create venues for people to use retired NASCAR racers. And it isn’t as crazy as it sounds to actually buy one of these things. Think about the numbers for a second: NASCAR has about 80 million of the most loyal fans out there. It is a business that brings in more than $3 billion a year. The average team spends a reported $1.5 million developing each car. And a typical NASCAR race has more than 100,000 fans in the stands — every one of them wishing they could be out there behind the wheel. Nothing is as old as last year’s race Former big-name NASCAR runners offer an inexpensive entry into vintage racing appreciate a race car. Unfortunately, due to the huge popularity of the sport and the high V attrition rate for race cars, most truly special cars are getting quite expensive. Add to that the expense of maintaining cars when parts are no longer available — or the risk of crashing value right out of important cars — and entering the sport is a daunting proposition. Sure, there are racers built every day without history, or ex-SCCA sports cars that can be purchased reasonably, but they’re often far from collectible. You wanna go fast? Say you want a historically signifi cant car to race that’s cheap to 48 AmericanCarCollector.com intage racing. How can you not appreciate a sport that combines collecting historically signifi cant race cars with the art of actually driving them fl at out? Just like vintage road rallies and tours that offer opportunities to use old cars as they were, racing is really the only way to car, and NASCAR throws off a lot of cars. This, in my opinion, has created an opportunity. Thanks to the availability of these highly developed, professionally built cars and vintage racing organizations that welcome them, it’s quite easy for the average guy to play Ricky Bobby. Plenty of venues Two of the biggest Historic Stock Car organizations are the Historic Stock Car Racing Series (www.hscrs.com), founded in 1994; and the Stock Car Race Series (www.stockcarraceseries.com), founded in 2007. The HSCRS states that they are “an organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation and continued competition of former racing NASCAR stock cars. We believe these historic thoroughbred NASCAR stock cars belong on a racetrack and not in a museum. Only in friendly competition can these classic stock cars be best displayed for all racing enthusiasts to enjoy, as a form of living history.” Of particular interest is their “Historic” class that allows histori- cally signifi cant stock cars from 1981 to 1994 to run. The SCRS shares this same view of stock car racing and offers three classes: “Historic,” which is for cars from 1987 to 1995; “Contemporary,” for cars from 1996 to 2006; and “Vintage,” for cars from 1987 and back. Of course, other vintage racing sanctioning bodies such as the VSCDA, SVRA and HSR all have groups in which stock cars can compete.

Safety first So what about the cars, and how much does all this cost? First, these are very safe cars, which should be the number-one consideration when choosing a race car. They are easy to drive with a little training and practice — they’re both forgiving and tough. They have incredibly robust chassis and roll cages, which offer unequaled driver protection. I’m not saying you can’t kill yourself in one, just that it would be harder to do than in most any other vintage race car. While heavy at about 3,500 lbs, these cars have good brakes, power steering, and well-developed (albeit crude) suspensions. The best part is the power — most vintage NASCAR racers are now running 358-ci Ford Windsor-based engines that make upwards of 700 horsepower, backed by 4-speed transmissions that you can shift without the clutch once moving — and bullet-proof, race-spec Ford nine-inch rear ends. If you haven’t experienced 700 horsepower in a race car yet, you are in for a treat, both in raw thrust and sound. Secondhand parts, first-rate engineering While special parts are hugely expensive when new, there is a big secondary market of gently used NASCAR parts that can be had for pennies on the dollar. For example, Roush routinely sells last year’s backup engines on eBay for $15k–$17k. These engines would cost you $35k to build in the real world. Other parts, such as race-spec ring and pinion sets and mega-dollar shocks, are also sold for a mere fraction of the original race-team cost. Which one to buy? When shopping for a car, I’d recommend an original road-race- chassis car versus a speedway car. The road race car was built to race road courses, which is where all of these vintage events are held. The more historically significant a car is, the better. Look for big-name sponsorship and big-name drivers, and try for a pre-1995 car if you want to run at venues like the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Also, don’t buy a museum piece if at all possible — getting a dormant car truly race-ready can be a costly endeavor. Pay for the engine, get a historic car for free The best bet is to buy a car that is currently racing, has been maintained by a known shop and has current logbooks and records. This will help you avoid any big surprises the first time you race it. The best part? Great, turn-key stock cars can be had for $75k and less — usually far less. As an example, I recently purchased a 1994 Thunderbird that was built by the legendary Bud Moore Engineering and originally sponsored by Motorcraft. Its first driver was Geoff Bodine, who won the Save Mart 300 in it at Sears Point in 1993. For 1994, it was sponsored by Ford Quality Care and raced by Lake Speed. Dick Trickle raced the car in 1995. It was meticulously restored — with a fresh engine and full history — and I paid under $40k for it. $10k in prep and tires later, I was racing. Talk about bang for the buck. Where else can you strap yourself in to a 700-hp historic race car for under $50k? The future for this segment is bright. People love to see (and hear) these cars race, and a good vintage weekend will have 40 of them on the grid. Even when sitting still in your garage, they are great conversation pieces, and you’ll be the hero of every kid in your neighborhood if you let them sit in it. If you get bored with all of that, just sit around with your buddies and recite quotes from “Days of Thunder” or “Talladega Nights.” All things considered, sounds like it is time for a little Shake and Bake, wouldn’t you agree? A May-June 2012 49

Q&A Q: by Jim Pickering and Chad Tyson Send your questions to questions@americancarcollector.com. If we print it, we’ll send you an American Car Collector hat! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers ally enjoy this truck and just want to do the right thing. Any advice would be helpful. — Bill O’Brien, via email another 300 miles this summer are these: Should I restore this truck? Why not? Trade it in on a freshly restored pickup? What would you advise? Selling is not on the table. This was my first auction and it was a great time. I re- I am the buyer of the 1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache that Sports Car Market (ACC’s sister magazine) singled out as a Best Buy from the spring 2011 auctions. My questions after enjoying this smooth-running time capsule for Chad (left) and Jim series trucks (1955–59) have sold for in recent years. A 1958 Chevy Apache in #2 condition sold at Worldwide’s Houston Classic in 2011 for $24,750 (ACC# 177878). Our reporter speculated that the restoration cost more than the truck’s purchase price. A 1- condition ’57 3100 sold for $37,800 (ACC# 191389) at McCormick’s November 2011 Palm Springs sale. “Buyer paid a substantial premium, but definitely worth it. The truck bed will soon be loaded with trophies from the local shows,” ACC Contributor Carl Bomstead wrote. Barrett-Jackson’s 2012 Scottsdale sale had a 1958 Cameo sell for $93,500 (ACC# 193489). In total, just five Task Force pickups have sold for more than $80k at auction, ever. But most people will probably agree that restoring a preserved original is not a great idea. Why not? Because trucks like this are only original once, and while restored examples may be trophy magnets, documented low-mileage originals are extremely hard to find. And restoring it would be cost-prohibi- 1959 Chevrolet 3100 Apache — should it be restored? tive. On top of the $46k already spent, you’d be looking at maybe $12k–$15k in paint. The process wouldn’t stop there — trim, weatherstripping, interior, suspension rubber, wiring, and then on to the mechanical bits. Perhaps $30k would be the bottom end for its restoration. Would the truck break even come time to cash out at $70k–$80k? I doubt it. If you want to go the restoration route, A: The truck in question was sold at Barrett-Jackson’s 2011 Palm Beach, FL, sale for $46,200 — Ed. Bill, this is an excellent question, and it’s one we hear often. How do you know when to restore something and when to leave it alone? It all comes down to personal preference, and what you’re planning on doing with it. When this truck sold, ACC Auction Analyst Dale Novak reported, “This 3100 was simply rolling art. How the truck survived all these years in this remarkable 50 AmericanCarCollector.com condition made it exceptionally rare, which feels like an understatement. The original paint was great, as was the interior and balance of the truck. Forget your price guides, books and reference materials, as you can toss them out the window. Considering that I’ve seen restored examples bring this kind of money, this one was well bought.” The biggest question is which way do you want to go? If trophies are the goal and you’re not concerned with the truck’s originality, then restoration is a viable option. Let’s look at what restored Task Force I’d say go and find one that somebody else has already sunk their money into. Or get a cheaper one (found at low- to mid-teens in abundance in classifieds and at auctions) to restore. Stripping, painting, upholstering and all the other restoration costs will be about the same whether you start with a superb 9,300-mile truck or a 93,000-mile one. With increased interest in original- condition vehicles, and the rising values for trucks in general, I would not trade or restore it. This truck’s best purpose is as a rolling museum piece, driven a few hundred miles a year with everything done to keep it in as good, original condition as can be. But that’s just my opinion — it’s your truck, so the decision is ultimately up to you. — Chad TysonA

1958 Chevrolet Apache — sold for $24,750, the restoration likely cost more than the purchase price 1957 Chevrolet 3100 — sold for $37,800, but our auction analyst said the premium was worth it for a showstopper Most people will probably agree that restoring a preserved original is not a great idea. Why not? Because trucks like this are only original once, and while restored examples may be trophy magnets, documented low-mileage originals are extremely hard to find. May-June 2012 51

PROFILE CORVETTE 1960Corvette Race Rat CHEVROLET Pawel Litwinski ©2011 Courtesy of Gooding & Company The tight 90-degree turns of Sebring are merciless to brakes, and the rough, weathered tarmac can break any suspension. Chassis number: 00867S104420 by Tom Glatch for himself as a driver with strong fi nishes at Sebring, Nassau, Cumberland, Road America, Watkins Glen and Wilmot Hills. In addition to his racing exploits, Reed was the G in Long Island, NY, bought the Race Rat for a client. ACC Auctions Editor Tony Piff interviewed Mackay about the sale — and what it means to values of Corvettes with vintage-race history. Question: Who bought the car? Answer: The car went to a private collec- tor. We’ve known the car for years, and the owner was prepared to pay a certain price. I think we got a bargain and a half. I thought 52 AmericanCarCollector.com 52 AmericanCarCollector.com owner of RRR Motors in Homewood, IL. RRR was not only a distributor for Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Goodyear racing tires, it was the name of a racing club that George started in the 1950s. The acronym stood for “Reed’s Race Rats.” By the late 1950s, RRR Motors was competing in the premier American road racing events. Although George was typically behind the wheel of a Ferrari, he yearned for success in other categories. In 1960, he found a perfect contender in the Chevrolet Corvette. A deal for this buyer Kevin Mackay, owner of Corvette Repair eorge Reed of Illinois was a gentleman racer in the traditional sense of the term — wealthy, commanding and fi ercely competitive. By the late 1950s, he had already made a name Around that time, Reed contacted Nickey Chevrolet and ordered this RPO 687 race-optioned Corvette specifi cally for the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring. The car arrived in the fi rst week of March, shortly before the race. Nickey’s legendary engine builder Ronnie Kaplan was put to the task of creating a rock-solid engine that could withstand the rigors of the punishing 12-hour race. The car had made its way to Florida, where Reed enlisted renowned Corvette engineer Zora ArkusDuntov, who was there merely as a spectator, to help with fi nal race preparation. With his guidance, the suspension tuning was completed the morning of the race. The “Race Rat” took First in Class (GT-14) and an admirable 16th overall. The car fi nished the grueling race in 12 hours, 2 minutes and 30 seconds at an average speed of over 72 mph — impressive numbers for what was a heavily modifi ed production sports car. Of the six Corvettes entered, this was the only one to fi nish in the top 25. it would go over $500k, and in the future it could go $600k to $650k. Q: Would the buyer have gone over $500k? A: No. Q: $440k is a lot of money for a car that fi nished 16th at Sebring? A: It fi nished fi rst in its class. Big-tank, fuel-injection, Big-Brake cars with no race history are $300k and change, and Sebring is the most important race in America. That in itself makes this car desirable. Winning its class is unheard of. Go fi nd another. Q: What does this sale mean for values of other Corvettes with race history? A: Any car that went to Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona — those three tracks — those cars will always be important. The 1969 BFG “Stars & Stripes” L88 sold for $638k at RM Monterey in 2011, and the 1962 Gulf Oil racer sold for $1.485m at Gooding Monterey in 2008. I think this was one of the best deals of 2012.

ACC Digital Bonus After the race, this very special Corvette passed through the hands of two owners before it settled with John Jurecic in 1962. He gave the car a more discreet appearance so it could be used on the street, and he enjoyed it for a number of years before selling it to his rystosek in 1965. ek could no longer contain s car’s early racing history and hority Noland Adams. After a , Adams found a number of unique shed the car from an ordinary r was found to have an unusual erator, special fuel injection, the nch wheels and the “A” designan the build number indicating n LPO (Limited Production tion) 24-gallon fuel tank. r Krystosek retained the car until 4, when a noted California ector acquired it. During the tt few years, the Corvette was fully researched and restored s original racing colors. After it en disassembled and the paint or restoration, it was discovered e original factory and RRR 4 s gs were still intact, and certain ts had been installed were Digital Bonus After the race, this very special Corvette passed through the hands of two owners before it settled with John Jurecic in 1962. He gave the car a more discreet appearance so it could be used on the street, and he enjoyed it for a number of years before selling it to his rystosek in 1965. ek could no longer contain s car’s early racing history and hority Noland Adams. After a , Adams found a number of unique shed the car from an ordinary r was found to have an unusual erator, special fuel injection, the nch wheels and the “A” designa- n the build number indicating n LPO (Limited Production tion) 24-gallon fuel tank. r Krystosek retained the car until 4, when a noted California ector acquired it. During the tt few years, the Corvette was fully researched and restored s original racing colors. After it en disassembled and the paint or restoration, it was discovered e original factory and RRR 4 s gs were still intact, and certain ts had been installed were ACC ACC Analysis This car, Lot 44, sold for $440,000, including buyer’s premium, at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island auction on March 9, 2012. Like the American Dream itself, Chevrolet’s best racing technology was available to anyone with the desire to race and the money to do so. Sebring 1960 was a perfect example. With everyone’s focus on Briggs Cunningham’s well-publicized assault of Le Mans that year, little attention was paid to the 12 Hours of Sebring. It would take a privateer like George Reed to carry the Corvette’s torch in this event, and he did so admirably. A global race contender For the price of a well-optioned Cadillac, George Reed purchased a racing Corvette with all the right pieces — right from the factory. Building a ready-to-race Corvette in 1960 was as easy as selecting the right options on the order form. The key options were the 290-hp fuel-injected engine (Regular Production Order 579D) and the heavy-duty brake/quick steering package (RPO 687). The fuelinjected engine required the 4-speed manual transmission (RPO 685). RPO 687 required the Positraction rear axle (RPO 675) and included 15 x 5½ steel wheels (RPO 276), “dog dish” chrome hubcaps, larger fi nned brake drums and metallic brake shoes, and 6.70 x 15 blackwall tires. The rare, special-order 24-gallon fuel tank required the optional fi berglass hard top. All these options combined made an otherwise pedestrian Corvette into a strong competitor for its era. The one thing lacking in a privateer’s efforts was the knowledge and experience of GM’s engineers, but Zora Duntov, John Dolza, and others would often help these teams, at least in an unoffi cial capacity. Still, the “Race Rat” Corvette’s standing at the end of the 12 Hours of Sebring was certainly remarkable. It’s all the more remarkable considering the pounding a race car takes at this converted wartime airfi eld-turned-racetrack — long straightaways that can destroy the toughest engine. The tight, fl at, 90-degree turns are merciless to brakes, and the rough, weathered tarmac can break any suspension. A friend who wrenched American Le Mans Series cars tells me that 12 hours at Sebring is far more demanding on a vehicle than 24 hours at Daytona, or possibly even Le Mans itself. Yet George Reed’s nearly factorydelivered Corvette excelled. One shining moment defi nes price The “Race Rat” Corvette’s Sebring success elevates it above the typical SCCA Regional racer of the era — and those can sell for around $275k–$300k, depending on their options, condition and race history. But the Race Rat’s lack of other race history aside from the Sebring fi nish, and the fact that legendary Corvette drivers, such as Dr. Dick Thompson, never sat behind the wheel, limit its value to collectors, despite its originality and volumes of documentation. So, all things considered, I’d say $440k is about right for a Corvette that lived the American Dream, if only once. Well sold and bought. A (Introductory description courtesy of Gooding & Company.) May-June 2012 53 1962 Chevrolet Corvette “Gulf Oil” Lot 121, S/N 20867S103980 Condition 1- Sold at $1,485,000 Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach, CA, 8/13/2008 ACC# 117566 Detailing Years produced: 1960 Number produced: 119 (RPO 687) Original list price: $5,346 (as equipped) Current ACC Valuation: $68,000–$125,000 (non-competition) Tune-up/major service: $200 Distributor cap: $19.99 Chassis #: VIN plate on top of instrument panel at base of windshield Engine #: Pad on front of block below right cylinder head Club: National Corvette Restorers Society, 6291 Day Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45252 More: www.ncrs.org Alternatives: 1964 Shelby Cobra 260, 1957 Ford Thunderbird “Battlebird,” 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger convertible ACC Investment Grade: A Comps 1957 Chevrolet Corvette COPO Lot 31, S/N E57S104387 Condition 2 Not sold at $450,000 Worldwide Auctioneers, Seabrook, TX, 5/2/2009 ACC# 120368 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Lot 260, S/N J59S104283 Condition 2+ Sold at $275,000 ACC# 116109 RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 3/8/2008

PROFILE GM 1970Nova SS 396 CHEVROLET I’m now seeing these big-block Novas trending upward, and they have been for at least a few years Chassis number: 114270W362886 by Dale Novak • 396-ci 375-hp engine • Matching numbers • Wide-ratio Muncie 4-speed • 3.31 12-bolt Posi rear end • All dated components in restoration • Nova Nationals award winner ACC Analysis This car, Lot W193, sold for $43,460, including buyer’s pre- mium, at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, FL, on January 25, 2012. The Chevy II was introduced in 1962 as a no-frills choice for buyers in the market for cheap transportation. Unlike the Chevrolet Corvair, which had a number of revolutionary features, the mission of the Chevy II was just to be simple — which meant it was inexpensive, coming in at just over $2,000 in its most basic form. The Chevy II soon supplanted the Corvair in sales, and it became wildly successful, selling over 326,000 units in its fi rst year of production (for all body styles). The car came in two fl avors from 1962 through 1968. One could opt for the Chevy II model in the most basic trim, or buyers could step up to the Nova trim level, which offered more creature comforts and a sportier look. The Nova Super Sport was added to the line in 1963 to rave reviews as an affordable sport model. Throw some power at it By 1970, the Chevy II model had been dropped in favor of the Nova moniker, and the body was now in its third generation. The performance crowd — meaning street racers and drag teams — had already identifi ed the Nova platform as an affordable, easy-to-modify, 54 AmericanCarCollector.com lightweight street car that performed quite well in the quarter mile. Chevrolet took notice, and in 1969, it offered the fl yweight Nova Super Sport with a spunky 396-ci, big-block mill in two fl avors: the L34, with 350 horsepower, and the top-of-the-line L78, which made 375 horsepower. The big-blocks were both special-order items, with the 300-hp small-block noted as the top published engine spec. Most dealers ordered their Novas with the standard 350/300-hp engine. As such, very few Novas came equipped with the heavy-breathing 396. Out of about 307,000 Novas built (the exact produc- tion number is believed to be 307,280) only a handful — just under 6.5% — were sold in SS confi guration for all the SS models combined, which includes the smallblock 350 as well as the two big-block 396s. This puts us with a working number of 19,558 total Super Sports sold in 1970, most of which were standard 350/300-hp cars. The total amount of 396s built is believed to be 5,567, with 1,802 L34s and 3,765 L78s — but those numbers vary slightly from source to source. I’d rather have a Camaro or Chevelle Although Novas got plenty of respect from budget- minded performance buyers — those who knew their true potential — most of the younger guys who dreamed of a Camaro or Chevelle in their garage didn’t even look at the Nova line. Instead, the Nova was viewed as Grandma’s car or Mom and Dad’s four-door sedan. Car guys saw it as a plain-Jane grocery-getter with a six-banger under the hood. In SS trim, the car looked a bit more stylish, but it still lacked the sizzle of a Camaro or Chevelle, even if it was a competent street fi ghter with that available 375-hp 396. In 1970, Chevrolet sold about 37,244 Camaros with the 350 and 396 powerplants (the 307 was the Courtesy of Mecum Auctions

ACC Digital Bonus standard V8) and sold 62,373 Chevelle SS models for a total of 99,616, which illustrates my point. If a guy could afford a Camaro or Chevelle, the Nova was simply ignored in the showroom. tch-up tch- rd-generation Nova delines when it ues. The same popuayed out in 1970 still : If a guy can pony rvette, Camaro or , he’ll probably still at. : e a numbers-matching . This should mean e original factory78 is still there — ar was reported . p or replacement block. The car also , wide-ratio Muncie 4-speed and a t rear end with 3.31 gears — a very he street. t e seller, this Nova was also the red Nova Nationals win, which carries raction. This means the car was very correct, with the right parts numbers. For such an award, the car would have to be very well done indeed. So overall, it should be a great package. e Nice car, debatable paint In terms of condition and equipment, this car had it all. But there was one substantial issue: Our subject car was fi nished in Code 43, Citrus Green metallic. When the car crossed the block on live television, one of the fi eld commentators mentioned that he had a sudden yearning for some pea soup and didn’t know why. It’s a sentiment a lot of car guys share over a color like this — period-correct or not, the greens, browns, and burnt oranges of the early 1970s just aren’t popular these days. Should it have been resprayed in another color? That’s a tough question. Originality is becoming increasingly important in cars like this, so the answer is probably no. But a factory red or black example with the same options would likely be worth more. Gaining traction If you follow the market like I do, you’ll see a consistent trend when you study the numbers. I call it the vacuum effect. Whenever a particular make and model of car starts to pull more inspiring numbers, the market starts to take notice. In the case of the Nova, the 1966 and 1967 models have started to sell for larger coin, especially the L79s, which are now achieving impressive numbers on the auction block. For example, a 1966 Nova SS L79 327/350 sold for a whopping $96,800 at the Barrett-Jackson sale in Scottsdale, AZ, on January 18, 2010 (ACC# 155021). Generally speaking, when a sale like that occurs, it will refocus collectors and enthusiasts on the lesser, more affordable models. In this case, these are the third-gen editions — specifi cally, those built from 1968 to 1972, with the 1969 and 1970 SS 396 models at the top of the pile. I’m now seeing these big-block Novas trending upward, and they have been for at least a few years. In fact, most price guides now value an L78 Nova at the same level, or higher, than an identical L78 Camaro (even though only 600 L78 Camaros were sold). That’s an impressive statistic given the value placed on rarity in the muscle market. Final analysis This car was presented in very fi ne condition. The restoration appeared to be thoughtful, targeted and well-executed. The ACC Price Guide (which I contrib- uted to for this model) lists a high valuation of $36,000 for a solid 2+ car, with a 10% to 20% bump for a documented 4-speed. Using that math, you can add an additional $3,600 to $7,200 on top of the $36,000, which gives a total suggested value range of $39,600 to $43,200. Given this car’s condition, national provenance, and the questionable color, I think this result was a fair and equitable sale for both parties, with a bright upside for the new owner. Perhaps even slightly well bought. AI love it when my crystal ball is right. (Introductory description courtesy of Mecum Auctions.) May-June 2012 55 Detailing Years produced: 1968–72 Number produced: 3,765 (1970 L78) Current ACC Valuation: $39,600 to $43,200 (as equipped) Tune-up cost: $200 Distributor cap: $25 Chassis #: Top of the dash, left side, visible through windshield Original list price: $2,335–$2,533 Engine #: Pad on passenger side of engine forward of cylinder head chevrolet_nova.html Alternatives: 1970–71 Plymouth Duster 340 2-dr sedan, 1970 Mercury Cougar, 1970 Buick GS hard top ACC Investment Grade: B Comps Club: www.allchevynova.com More: www.oldride.com/ library/1970_ 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS 396 Lot 418, S/N 114270W329538 Condition 1Sold at $62,100 Silver Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/5/2010 ACC# 166136 1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 396 Lot F103, S/N 114279W506870 Condition 1Sold at $52,500 Carlisle Events, Carlisle, PA, 10/3/2008 ACC# 118075 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS 396 Lot 273, S/N 114270W196384 Condition 3+ Sold at $66,000 RM Auctions, Dallas, TX, 4/19/2008 ACC# 116521

PROFILE FOMOCO 1963Falcon Sprint Convertible FORD Blindfolded, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between this car and a Mustang out on the road Chassis number: 3H15F236541 by Tom Glatch • AACA Senior First Place winner • Rare Sprint with 260 V8, factory tachometer, wire wheel covers, buckets and console • No expense was spared on this very detailed restoration ACC Analysis This 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint convertible, Lot 50.2, sold for $30,800, including buyer’s premium, at the Barrett-Jackson Auction at Scottsdale, AZ, on January 15, 2012. “The pussy cat is now a tiger.” That’s what Jim Whipple, writing in the June 1963 issue of Popular Mechanics, said of the 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint. “We got a clue when we drove the new 164-hp Falcon Sprint V8 with 4-speed stick... More of the message came through as we listened to eyewitness reports of Swedish rally driver Bo Ljungfeldt’s record-breaking drives over Alpine black ice in the special sections of the Monte Carlo Rally at the wheel of the more powerful 235-hp Falcon V8.” Win in Monte Carlo, sell in Detroit? What was Ford’s popular-but-dull family-mover doing in the famous Monte Carlo Rally? Winning, actually — eight Falcons started, eight fi nished, with Ljungfeldt earning a class victory, setting some records along the way. Ford was busy moving its “Total Performance” message beyond stock car and drag racing, and the new Falcon Sprint in the showrooms and the Holman-Moody-prepared cars in the Monte Carlo Rally were a big part of that program. While the concept of an American-made compact car had been around for a few years, the concept of a performance compact was new. The turbocharged Corvair Monza Spyder and Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfi re started it in 1962, and Ford jumped in with the introduction of the Sprint in February 1963. The introduction coincided with the Sprint’s Monte Carlo exploits. “The Falcon Sprint, brilliantly designed to bring a new level of Rally-proven V8 performance to the compact fi eld” modestly proclaimed a full-page ad in the April 5, 1963, issue of Life magazine. Ford had hinted at the direction it was going to take when it allowed Car Life magazine to test an upscale Falcon Futura prototype, powered by the 260-ci V8 out of the mid-sized Fairlane, at Ford’s Romeo proving 56 AmericanCarCollector.com Courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. LLC

ACC Digital Bonus ground in the fall of 1962. They wrote: “With the appealing performance offered by the Fairlane V8 and the luxurious appointments of the Futura body style, the car becomes an aesthetically satisfying entity. Comparatively small yet spacious enough for four adults and their paraphernalia, it’s a nearly-ideal specialty vehicle.” Car and Driver later tested a production Sprint convertible with a 4-speed and saw “0-to-60 mph in less than 11 seconds consistently, and quarter-mile times were right in the high seventeens and low eighteens.” Pretty good for a pre-muscle car in 1963. Small block makes the car The key to transforming the Falcon into the Sprint was Ford’s 260-ci V8. New to the Fairlane in 1962, it would be the basis of not only the Falcon Sprint, but highly modifi ed versions also powered the Ford GT prototypes in their fi rst attempt at Le Mans in ’63 and the revolutionary Lotus-Ford Indy 500 cars that almost won that year. Also, the British AC Ace sports cars that a Texan named Carroll Shelby began importing were fi tted with the Ford 260 after Chevrolet turned him down. The engine weighed 50 lbs less than Chevrolet’s legendary small-block and delivered almost as much power. History was in the making, and Ford’s 260 was the start of much of it. Although introduced mid-model, the Sprint coupe sold well at 10,479 units. The Sprint convertible, however, is much more rare, with 4,602 built out of a total of 35,794 ragtops that year. Trampled by a Mustang While it is certainly a unique and appealing car, one look at our featured Sprint convertible reveals possibly its biggest fl aw — it’s just a little too cute to be taken seriously. The 1964 models rectifi ed that, with bolder Detailing Years produced: 1963 Number produced: 4,602 Original list price: $2,837 Current ACC Valuation: $10,000–$25,000 Tune-up/major service: $150 Distributor cap: $14.99 Chassis #: Stamped into the top of the inner fender on the driver’s side of the engine compartment Engine #: Tag attached under coil mounting bolt Club: Falcon Club of America More: www.falconclub.com/ Alternatives: 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder, 1963 Pontiac Tempest LeMans, 1963 Oldsmobile F85 Jetfire. ACC Investment Grade: C Comps styling and an optional 289-ci engine, but sales actually dropped a bit. The fate of the Falcon Sprint was sealed on April 17, 1964 — that’s the day the top-secret Falcon-based Mustang was revealed to the world. The Mustang, of course, ranks as one of the greatest automotive success stories ever, leaving the Falcon, and the sporty Sprint, nearly forgotten and forever devalued. I’ve driven both early Mustangs and Falcon Sprints, and blindfolded, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference. But a Mustang is, well, a Mustang, and a Sprint just isn’t. Expensive, even with celeb status So why would someone pay 30 large for a Falcon? Sometimes emotion trumps logic. A ’63 Sprint convertible that was owned at one time by singer Jimmy Buffett sold for $26,460 in 2007. We said of that sale: “Expensive for condition, but worth it for its history. Celebrity cars bring from zero to many times their retail value depending on who they were attached to and what the circumstances were. Buffett is not known for Falcon ownership, but he is known for the Florida free-spirit lifestyle. Well bought.” No other Sprint convert- ible this side of Margaritaville has come close to this price. In fact, an early Mustang V8 convertible in excellent condition would cost only a few thousand more than this Falcon. I can only assume the buyer had some emotional or nostalgic attachment to this car, or got into a spirited bidding war and ended up paying more than market. Or maybe the buyer was tired of the ubiquitous early Mustangs and just wanted something different. Whatever the reason, the buyer got a sporty ’60s convertible compact — at a pre- mium price. Very well sold. A (Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.) May-June 2012 57 1963 Ford Falcon convertible Lot 408, S/N 3H15V136923 Condition 4 Sold at $18,700 1963 Ford Falcon Futura Lot 184, S/N 3H15U122324 Condition 3+ Sold at $14,310 McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 11/22/2009 ACC# 152725 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/13/2009 ACC# 119082 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint, ex-Jimmy Buffett Lot SP152, S/N 3H15P236280 Condition 3Sold at $26,480 ACC# 44269 RM Auctions, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2/9/2007

PROFILE MOPAR 1963440 Two-door Sedan DODGE Marc Emerson If I had to guess, I’d say the seller probably had six figures in this car. Does that make it a deal at $37k? Yes and no Chassis number: 6232191984 by Jim Pickering • All-original body panels sporting 80% original paint • Body is laser-straight, and the fi nish is amazingly fl awless for a 48-year-old car • Chrome and brightwork are fabulous • Interior is all original and beautiful • Driveline is modifi ed and now sports a 680-hp Hemi, runs on pump gas • Dana 60 rear is frame-connected all the way to the front wheel struts with an eight-point roll cage • Four-wheel Wilwood disc brakes, American Torque racing wheels with Hoosier radials • Hoosier slicks and extra Torque Thrusts go with the car • No disappointments, no stories • Drive it to a show, take it out to dinner, or run 10.80s in the quarter mile ACC Analysis This 1963 Dodge 440 2-dr sedan, Lot S274, sold for $37,100, includ- ing buyer’s premium, at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in Kissimmee, FL, on January 28, 2012. This profi le is a fi rst for ACC. Why? Because we bought the car. ACC had been looking for a new addition to our garage — something that had both great visual appeal and lots of power. And, boy, did we fi nd what we were looking for in this Dodge. It isn’t the prettiest design Mopar ever came up with, but who cares when it has mostly original cosmetics and can run 10s in the quarter mile? 58 AmericanCarCollector.com The birth of the factory 426 In some ways, 1963 was the start of an era for Dodge. At that time, their cars had already been racing in Super Stock events across the country for a number of years. But the 1963 NHRA rulebook allowed for a specifi c overbore in factory engines — 0.030 inches instead of the 0.060 allowed in 1962, as long as the bore didn’t exceed 427 cubic inches — and Chrysler wasted no time modifying the popular 413 Wedge engine to fi t the new rules. With that rule change, the 426 Max Wedge was born into Super Stock racing — a displacement that carried over into the Hemi engine of 1964 and became legendary both in drag racing and stock car racing through the 1960s and 1970s. Those Max Wedge and Hemi engines became notorious in the Dodge 330s and 440s of the early Super Stock era — namely this homely looking design. So, this car model has a long history of going fast. Grandma’s grocery getter This particular Dodge wasn’t one of those high- profi le racers. It lived with a little old couple in Canada until a few years ago, when Gary Spencer, the seller at Kissimmee, bought it with 45k original miles on the clock. The couple was planning on giving the car to their grandson as school transportation, but he apparently wasn’t interested. It was a 318-ci V8 car with a push-button automatic, and according to Spencer, it was in great original condition throughout, with only a few dents and dings from a long life as a light-duty driver. If you’re a Mopar guy of a certain age — and you want to go racing — this is exactly the type of car

ACC Digital Bonus you’d want to score. The factorybacked Ramchargers used 330s in 1963, which look nearly identical to our car, aside from a few pieces of trim. And this one needed very little aside from race modifi cations. Once the car became Spencer’s, it went straight to ARC Race Cars in New Oxford, PA, where it was blown apart. Make it legal The shop was tasked with making the car SFI nine-second legal. Their work included building a roll cage, tying the unibody together with a solid subframe, installing a Super Stock rear-spring conversion, and more. Out back, 13-inch tires were made to fi t inside the wheeltubs, and a Strange Dana 60 was built with severe-duty axles, 4.10 gears and a racing spool. The cage was wrapped in vinyl to match the original interior components, including the removable door bars, and a proper green driver’s harness and window net were also installed. Bring the power This car’s original look is what turned our heads at fi rst, but what’s under the hood is what really got everyone at ACC interested. It’s an all-aluminum 500-ci Indy Maxx block fi tted with Indy heads, 10.5:1 Arias pistons, solid roller cam, balanced steel crank and rods, MSD ignition, a Demon 850 carburetor, and custom-made two-inch tube headers that reportedly cost $4k alone — they feature equal-length runners that snake around the front end’s torsion bars. The Hemi is joined to a special, race-prepped 727 TorqueFlite transmission with a reverse-pattern manual valve body, a 3,800-rpm ATI stall converter and a special high-strength-steel driveshaft. The package makes a reported 680 horsepower, runs at 180 degrees, idles at 900 rpm, and as noted above, runs 10.80s in the quarter with fat jetting in the carburetor. I’m pretty sure the car’s just a jet change away from 10.70s or 10.60s. Not bad, considering it runs on 92 octane fuel. Detailing Years produced: 1963–64 Number produced: 34,300 (V8-powered 440s in 1963, all styles) Distributor cap: $34.99 (MSD Pro-Billet distributor) Chassis #: Fender tag on driver’s side, under hood Original list price: $2,934 Current ACC Valuation: $20,000–$30,000 Tune up/major service: $400 est. (includes adjusting solid lifters and jetting carb) Engine #: Left front corner of block, below cylinder head (318 V8 — N/A for Indy Maxx Hemi) Club: Winged Warriors — National B-Body Owners Association, 7 Live Oak Lane, Palm Coast, FL, 32137 So what’s it like to drive this beast? It’s loud. The muffl ers take the edge off, but it still sets off other people’s car alarms and irritates the lawyers who work above ACC World Headquarters in Portland, OR. It has more power than you’ll ever need in any gear, and the engine’s response is instant. It builds RPM and bleeds it off quickly, so it’s fun to snap the throttle open while cruising — there’s no lag between leaning on the pedal and feeling your neck snap back. Everything works, including the wipers and heater, but the horn button has been wired to activate the line lock — using it is as simple as stabbing the brakes, holding the horn ring, and rolling into the throttle. Even at 13 inches wide, the rear tires simply give up, tearing themselves to pieces in clouds of white smoke. But both rear tires are locked together via that spool, so you’d better not be on the throttle in a corner, unless you want to end up in the ditch on the other side of the road. The manual valvebody 727 needs to be shifted by hand, so you’re pushing buttons for each upshift and downshift. And you have to look around the massive tach and tall hood scoop to see. Overall, you’re busy, and you can’t hear people’s accolades unless they honk before waving. But that’s okay, because most people do. Was it a deal? If I had to guess, I’d say the seller probably had six fi gures in this car. Does that make it a deal at $37k? Yes and no. From a pure street racer’s perspective, it absolutely was, since the modifi cations were all very well done, the parts expensive, and the details impeccable. Race cars aren’t usually this nice. But it’s a car that never was — a Hemi-powered ’63 with late-model performance goodies. So from a collector’s standpoint, this thing isn’t nearly as desirable as a factory-delivered 330 Ramcharger with a Max Wedge. But then again, those cars are typically well beyond $100k in the current market. Did we do okay? I think so. The parts alone are likely worth most of what we paid, and there’s a huge cool factor to that Hemi and the original paint — even if it has a face only a Mopar nut can love. A (Introductory description courtesy of Mecum Auctions.) May-June 2012 59 More: www.wwnboa.org Alternatives: 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air 409, 1963 Ford Galaxie 427, 1963 Plymouth Savoy Max Wedge ACC Investment Grade: C Comps 1964 Plymouth Fury 426 Lot 1275.1, S/N 3341276167 Condition 2 Sold at $77,000 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/18/2011 ACC# 168491 1964 Plymouth Belvedere 426 Lot 472, S/N 3245103935 Condition 2 Sold at $23,400 Bonhams, Los Angeles, CA, 11/13/2010 ACC# 168051 1964 Dodge Polara Super Stock Lot 487, S/N 6342228054 Condition 3 Not sold at $11,100 Kruse International, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/25/2007 ACC# 44445

The Cumberford Angle Good thing it’s fast and the front end, apart from the excessive acreage of shiny metal bars, not bad. The headlight treatment showed imagination and a certain restraint, although it would never be thought of as beautiful or elegant. S This box-like top is aerodynamically inefficient, but as the top speed attained is relatively low, it doesn’t much matter. omewhere, no doubt, someone with absolutely no aesthetic sensibility may actually like the way this car looks. But for most of us, it’s just incredibly ugly — its already dreadful styling further deteriorated by the clumsy doghouse on the hood. The side treatment is restrained, the two-toning done simply, Of course, those words were never intended to apply to a Dodge sedan, which was just a slightly evolved Plymouth — the same relationship Mercury had to Fords in the early ’60s. Altogether, though, with the apparent roll cage, the big doghouse on the hood and the general stance, the car looks tough, serious and purposeful. After enough time passes, almost any old car in good condition elicits interest and sometimes praise. When it’s also a known hard-ass racer, you kind of have to like it, even if it is ugly. You wouldn’t want to take a trip in it, but it would be good at a Friday night drive-in restaurant. A This externally-mounted mechanical fuel pressure gauge is a typical race-car feature, and keeping it external is actually a safety precaution, as running a pressurized fuel line up to the dash is a recipe for disaster. But it’s not aesthetically appealing. Robert Cumberford The indented section on top of the oversized air scoop stiffens the skin a bit. The intake should really have been on the aft end of this add-on box, though. The tail-high, nose-down stance clearly establishes the status of the car as a serious drag racer, a role underlined by the different front-rear tire sizes. Looking for all the world like the business end of a gigantic electric razor, the grille is a huge area of not-quite-chrome shininess. INTERIOR VIEW What a contrast with current practice: a slim rim, horn ring, tiny hub and absolutely fixed position, artfully designed to perfectly suit absolutely no one. 60 AmericanCarCollector.com A bench seat! It has been a long time since we saw them in daily drivers, but for a drag racer they’re just fine. Lighter than a pair of individual seats, and seat time is measured in seconds, not hours. The heads-up display was primitive and mechanical, but it did put the tach where the driver could see it easily while still staring down the strip. Placement of the quad headlamps was actually quite imaginative and interesting, but the single lamps at the front of the fenders seemed a bit old-fashioned for the times. For an afterthought add-on, this panel is quite professional looking. Ergonomics? Designers never heard the word, apparently. Jeff Brinkley

PROFILE HOT ROD & CUSTOM 1951Custom Convertible MERCURY Park a radical Merc alongside an upright, portly ’49 stocker, and you can appreciate what the top customizers and their clients had in mind Chassis number: 51LA39108M by Ken Gross and George Barris, and joined by Gil and Al Ayala, Gene Winfi eld and countless others. Designer Harry Bradley, writing T in the January 1991 issue of Rod & Custom, noted that the original ’49 Mercury design “was a tentative combination of old and new that was not as fresh as its sister cars from Ford or Lincoln, or its competition from General Motors.” He cited the Mercury’s long roof, “short, slumping deck,” two-piece windshield, “thick lower body proportions and old-style fadeaway fenders.” “Ironically,” Harry Bradley opined, “the styling fl aws that made Mercury less than new in the showroom were exactly what made the car so appealing to customizers. Virtually every line and shape was familiar to the Los Angeles custom shops that had been working with the 1940–48 Fords and Mercs for nearly a decade... When chopped,” Bradley noted, “the [Mercury’s] small windows and thick pillars had the familiar, sinister custom look. The long, fl owing Mercury roof could be given the same fl owing sweep into the rounded deck as the earlier cars had... To the customizer,” Bradley concluded, “the ’49 Merc was the perfect car, just waiting for the torch.” Bradley created a 10-car signature list that he called “The Original Radical Custom Mercs.” Two of 62 AmericanCarCollector.com he 1949–51 Mercury is considered by many enthusiasts to be the defi nitive custom car. Its somewhat bulbous stock shape and semi-slab sides were the perfect canvas for a legion of talented California customizers, led by Sam these cars, the Bettancourt ’49 coupe, and a ’50 coupe owned by Wally Welch, were originally done by the Ayala Brothers, and later re-styled or repainted by Sam and George Barris. There were only two Barrisbuilt convertibles out of these 10 seminal cars: a 1950 model built for Ralph Testa in 1951, and our feature car, a 1951 convertible, done for Fred Rowe in 1953. Fred Rowe’s Mercury convertible graced the August 1953 cover of Rod & Custom and was featured inside as e “Mercury of the Month.” Barris opped the windshield and door glass ur inches; and this car, tastefully -chromed, was lowered four inches n front and six inches in the rear. The ngine remained the stock-displacement 55-ci fl athead V8, but the block was ported and relieved, and it was fi tted with Edelbrock fi nned highcompression heads, an Edelbrock dual intake manifold, Fenton headers and dual exhaust. e n Barris fabricated a custom single- bar grille that incorporated the stock parking lights. The front portion of the hood was fl ared out to comple- ment the revised grille opening, and the headlights were frenched. A pair of 1950 Chrysler taillights were mounted in a much lower position in the rear fenders than the stock Mercury lights. Twin exhaust extensions ran through the rear bumper. Glen Houser’s famed Carson Top Shop in Los Angeles built a non-folding custom padded top for this car, and the shop also created a rolled-and-pleated interior in gray and white leatherette. When the top was removed, a custom tonneau cover hid the rear seat. Appleton spotlights and fl ared fender skirts fi n- Courtesy of RM Auctions Ken Gross archives

ACC Digital Bonus ished things off. The Mercury was fi nished in multiple coats of Burgundy Mist lacquer. In the 1950s, Rod & Custom, Hop Up, d Magazine spread el all over the country. ften served as his own ter, was featured all . Owning a Barris-built st medallions on the d as it got. w d & d w customized f “B” movies that ms and the California f the most notorious ick and cheaply d f d fi lms was “Running ” which featured the Bob a Mercury hard top s car, the Fred Rowe ped Merc convertible. a ventually, all too many customs, uding several of the “signature adical customs,” were junked or . Fortunately, the ex-Fred Rowe cury has survived. Bill Layman isted in Hemmings Motor News . It starred on the cover of Rod & n in February 1991. . n r/entrepreneur Kirk F. White bought the Mercury from Bill in the early 1990s for s really well done,” White says. e a Duesenberg.” s e a White showed the ex-Fred Rowe Mercury at the Burn Foundation Concours in 1991, where it won a major award. Kirk took it to the Grand National Roadster Show in Oakland, where it received the Best Custom Award. The Milhous brothers bought the Mercury for about $90,000 at a post-block sale at Barrett-Jackson. They subsequently showed the car at the Amelia Island Concours in a feature class of Mercury customs. ACC Analysis This 1951 Mercury Custom, Lot 825, sold on February 24, 2012, at the RM Milhous Collection auction for $423,500, including buyer’s premium. It was offered without reserve. Since I’m very familiar with both this car and its previous owner, I wrote both the introduction and the analysis in this profi le. Asked about the sale, Kirk White said, “I was thrilled. The car deserved it. This is an iconic piece — it’s the best Barris convertible ever.” A piece of history Justin Mozart, who owns and recently restored the ex-Wally Welch 1950 Mercury coupe (one of the Bradley Top 10), was one of the underbidders for the Rowe Mercury. “I threw my hat in the ring,” Mozart said, “and bid the Fred Rowe (Mercury) up very aggressively, but there is someone out there who thinks it was worth more than I do. These Mercurys are pieces of American history and Americana. Simply put, they are American icons. In the Fred Rowe car’s case, it is totally period correct and a 100-point restoration... the Fred Rowe (Mercury) is one of the few original radical customs. It was totally complete when Bill Layman purchased it. It has the original frame, the original fl athead, all the original speed equipment and trim, etc. It’s the right color, and it’s got the right stance. It really is a special car.” Too expensive? Did it sell for too much? I don’t think so. The top of the tree in vintage Mercury customs has to be the Barris-built Hirohata hard top. Owned by Jim McNiel and his wife, Sue, squirreled away for years and restored by many of the original Barris crew who built it, it’s a beautiful period piece with many innovative styling features. I think it’d be a $500,000–$600,000 car if it ever came to market. Using that assumption, the ex- Fred Rowe Mercury sold at a correct price. I think in the next fi ve to 10 years, selected primo hot rods and customs — cars with great provenance and history — will begin to be sold. When this happens, the “Original Radical Custom Mercs” will bring hefty sixfi gure prices, or perhaps even more. So while I would call this Mercury very well sold in the current market, it wasn’t overpriced — in fact, I’d call it well bought, too. A May-June 2012 63 1950 Cadillac Series 61 Custom by Rick Dore Lot 13, S/N 506281048 Condition 1- Not sold at $110,000 Bonhams, Carmel, CA, 8/18/2011 ACC# 183048 Detailing Years produced: 1949–51 Number produced: 6,759 Model 1CM convertibles in 1951 (Total Mercury convertibles, 1949–51: 31,865) Original list price: $2,597 Current ACC Valuation: $350,000–$400,000 Tune-up/major service: $200 (estimated) Chassis #: Plate on passenger’s side cowl, under hood. Engine #: Cast into top of bell housing flange on engine Club: Early Ford V8 Club of America, P.O. Box 1715, Maple Grove, MN 55311 Web: www.earlyfordV8.org Alternatives: None, really. Nothing in the custom genre compares to an original chopped Merc. ACC Investment Grade: A (for a Barris custom) Comps 1940 Mercury Series 09A Custom Lot 627, S/N 99A121762 Condition 1Sold at $166,500 Bonhams, Carmel, CA, 8/12/2010 ACC# 165804 1949 Mercury Custom Lot 229, S/N 9CM219042 Condition 2Sold at $46,200 RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 3/14/2009 ACC# 119816

PROFILE CLASSIC 1936810 Convertible Phaeton CORD Darin Schnabel ©2011 Courtesy of RM Auctions Cord owners became test drivers while the Auburn engineers worked frantically to improve numerous issues Chassis number: 2037H by Carl Bomstead front-wheel 81 system. But the new 810 had a V8 engine from Lycoming, one of E.L. Cord’s many companies, that was mated to an innovative 4-speed, electrically shifted pre-selector transmission. The smooth Gordon Buehrig-designed body was T 64 AmericanCarCollector.com an equally major step forward in automotive design, featuring a blunt-louvered “coffi n” hood, retractable headlights and the absence of running boards. Its reception at the November 1935 New York Auto Show was enthusiastic, and the orders poured in. Alas, production startup was slow, and by the time supply fi nally caught up with demand, many customers had changed their minds. Just slightly more than 2,900 examples of the Cord 810/812 were produced during an 18-month period, prior to the ultimate collapse of E.L. Cord’s automotive operations. About 600 convertible phaetons were built. The example offered here was previously owned by the late Robert C. Stempel, a former president and chief executive offi cer of General Motors. A recent inspection of the car confi rms that it retains its original engine. Recently, the car was selectively refi nished, the wheels were repainted, and a new set of whitewall tires was fi tted. Mechanically, the steering box was overhauled and the transmission’s electronic he 1936 and 1937 Cords were often referred to as “Baby Duesenbergs,” and the innovative series remains an undisputed collector favorite today. Like the L-29 that came before, the 810 was fi tted with an advanced pre-selector shift mechanism was checked over and serviced for proper operation. These Cords offer effortless cruising at modern highway speeds. With its open convertible phaeton sedan bodywork, this car also delivers a remarkably enjoyable driving experience, with room for fi ve. ACC Analysis This 1936 Cord 810 convertible phaeton, Lot 191, sold for $104,500, including buyer’s premium, at RM’s Amelia Island sale on March 10, 2012. E.L. Cord’s remarkable automotive career began shortly after he graduated high school, when he was selling used cars on a lot owned by Earle C. Anthony of Packard dealer fame. After numerous other endeavors, he became a part-owner of a Moon distributorship in Chicago. His distributorship was soon selling 60% of the factory’s output, and as he was awarded additional territories, the commissions piled up. By 1923, however, it was time to move on. Cord decided he wanted to manufacture automo- biles. For him, the obvious choice was to acquire the Auburn Automobile Company, which by 1924 was in dire fi nancial straits. The Chicago Gang, who owned the company, grudgingly accepted his terms, which included a buyout plan. With 700 unsold Auburns collecting dust on the back lots, he wasted no time in moving inventory piecemeal or in wholesale lots. His axiom, “Be different if you can’t be biggest,” was a harbinger of his plans for the future. New design, new problems The fi rst production model of the 810 came off the line in January 1936, only 28 months after Gordon

ACC Digital Bonus Buehrig’s unique styling ideas were fi rst discussed. Due to hurried production, Cord owners became test drivers while the Auburn engineers worked frantically to improve numerous issues. Problems included a lack n cars, ed out of por-locking g car comn was also a s of leaking CC Digital Bonus Buehrig’s unique styling ideas were fi rst discussed. Due to hurried production, Cord own- ers became test drivers while the Auburn engineers worked frantically to improve numerous issues. Problems included a lack n cars, ed out of por-locking g car com- n was also a s of leaking n n C Digital Bonus Buehrig’s unique Digital Bonus Buehrig’s unique styling ideas were fi rst discussed. Due to hurried production, Cord own- ers became test drivers while the Auburn engineers worked frantically to improve numerous issues. Problems included a lack n cars, ed out of por-locking g car com- n was also a s of leaking n 600 600 Cord d, but only re sold. In 936, the re was o Detailing Years built: 1936 Number built: 1,764 List price: $2,195 Current ACC Valuation: $115,000–$160,000 Tune-up cost: $350 Distributor cap: $125 Chassis #: Data plaque Engine #: Boss left side of engine block Club: Auburn-CordDuesenberg Club More: www.acdclub.org Alternatives: 1937 Packard Roadster, 1937 Cadillac Convertible Coupe, 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged cabriolet o 812, and d 810s were red and ofd s ACC Investment Grade: B Comps d as 812s. A Schwitzer-Cummins ercharger was adapted to the d 812 engine, and they were ntifi ed with external exhaust s covered in stainless steel CC Digital Bonus Buehrig’s unique styling ideas were fi rst discussed. Due to hurried production, Cord own- ers became test drivers while the Auburn engineers worked frantically to improve numerous issues. Problems included a lack n cars, ed out of por-locking g car com- n was also a s of leaking n 600 Cord d, but only re sold. In 936, the re was o Detailing Years built: 1936 Number built: 1,764 List price: $2,195 Current ACC Valuation: $115,000–$160,000 Tune-up cost: $350 Distributor cap: $125 Chassis #: Data plaque Engine #: Boss left side of engine block Club: Auburn-Cord- Duesenberg Club More: www.acdclub.org Alternatives: 1937 Packard Roadster, 1937 Cadillac Convertible Coupe, 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged cabriolet o 812, and d 810s were red and of- d s ACC Investment Grade: B Comps d as 812s. A Schwitzer-Cummins ercharger was adapted to the d 812 engine, and they were ntifi ed with external exhaust s covered in stainless steel , , it was the fastest American tion. But that was not enough . Cord’s automotive empire, curities and Exchange Commission was breathing down his neck, and he was unwilling to appear at their hearings. The Auburn Automobile Company fi led for bankruptcy on December 11, 1937. A needy example The 1936 Cord 810 convertible phaeton offered by RM was wearing faux-supercharged external exhaust pipes, and upon close inspection, it was showing serious signs of neglect. The top was dirty, the rear taillight lens was broken, and the rear bumper was scratched and worn. The brightwork was wearing thin and the door sills had become badly pitted. At fi rst glance, I could point to RM’s sale of a 1937 Cord “Sportsman” for $385,000 at their recent Arizona sale and state this car was a relative bargain. But the two Cords are worlds apart in condition. A more realistic comparison would be the 810 phaeton that Auctions America by RM sold for $92,400 at their Auburn sale in September 2011 and the 810 phaeton that RM sold for $105,600 at their Auburn sale in September 2010. The latter car was rated 2+ by the ACC reporter on the ground, and I could only come up with a 3- rating here, so I have to call our subject car very well sold indeed. Okay, our subject car was well sold at $104,500, but a 1937 812 SC “Sportsman” was fair at more than three times that. What gives? Well, the 812 is rare with only 64 produced, the lines are much cleaner and the 812 had many of the mechanical issues sorted out by the time it was introduced. An authentic “Sportsman” is on a pedestal that few Full Classics attain, and when offered, they far exceed the value of their less-desirable sibling. As such, both evaluations are realistic. At this sale, I think the advantage went to the seller, while the buyer has a bit of a project on his hands. A (Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.) 1936 Cord 810/812 convertible Lot 549, S/N 1984H Condition 2- Not sold at $105,000 ACC# 176681 Branson Auction, Branson, MO, 4/8/2011 1936 Cord 810 phaeton Lot 1060, S/N 2471H Condition 2+ Sold at $105,600 RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 9/2/2010 ACC# 166100 1936 Cord 810 phaeton Lot NR95, S/N 2471H (Same car as above) Condition 2Sold at $104,500 ACC# 119566 RM Auctions, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2/6/2009 May-June 2012 65

PROFILE RACE 1966Fairlane 500 XL Gasser FORD The appeal is in the visceral experience. Imagine the fury of dumping the clutch at 4,000 rpm, powershifting the Toploader, and trying to keep the car straight 66 AmericanCarCollector.com Chassis number: 6K47C182142 by Jay Harden manual transmission and a 4.11 Posi nine-inch rear end. The car sports a beautiful, laser-straight black paint T job and factory black bucket seat interior. The 390 motor is completely rebuilt. The Toploader 4-speed transmission is fresh and out of a true ’66 “S code” Fairlane. The one-off parts include a set of custom headers, as well as custom ladder bars and roll bar. This car is street legal. ACC Analysis This 1966 Ford Fairlane Gasser, Lot 1560, sold for $38,500, in- cluding buyer’s premium, at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ, on January 21, 2012. This is the type of car that makes my job diffi cult. I should be able to simply state that this 1966 Ford Fairlane was way too expensive for a car that’s a misrepresentation of what a Gasser really should be. I should be able to say that if the buyer wanted a nice Fairlane for cruising or a legitimate Friday night drag-mobile, more appropriate examples were present. Trouble is, I don’t agree with any of that. his very unique car has received a full rotisserie restoration. It’s been given the name of “The American Flyer” because it represents a true Americana vintage-style drag car. It’s been upgraded with a 390-ci V8, 4-speed Nose up Dubbed “Gassers” for the fairly obvious reason that they run on gasoline, the Gas classes were some of the very fi rst the NHRA started in the mid-1950s. Like the Dry Lakes racers that inspired the nationwide infection of speed and ingenuity, Gassers were typically built from undesirable cars that were not only multi-purposed and inexpensive, but accessible as well. Even the distinctive straight axles and nose-high attitudes that so unmistakably defi ned the Gassers were simply early and cheap attempts at managing every drag racer’s two worst enemies: vehicle weight and weight transfer. Required to have working lights, windshield wip- ers, starters, and even current registration and tags, the cars that fi lled the staging lanes with the /G or /GS moniker on their windows were the street machines of their day. The cars were often driven on the street, driven to the track — and then fl ogged unmercifully. The end of an era Participation, competition, and fan interest in the Gas classes had grown considerably by 1960, and so had the ever-constant pursuit of advantage. Slowly, the rules began to change, and the cars became more radical and purposeful. By 1966 — the year this particular Fairlane came to life — “Big John” Mazmanian; the Stone, Woods & Cook team; K.S. Pittman; “Ohio” George Montgomery; and the rest of the Gasser superstars Courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. LLC

ACC Digital Bonus were in the twilight of their era. The younger, lighter, and more aerodynamic pony cars, and to a lesser extent the Fairlane itself, were beginning to emerge. As a result, the raucous, wheelsser heroes were selves outgunned. provements in d tire technology med the sky-high d the street-fi ghter a it implied — irvant. A three-dollar A bi e ? bill So why would any- s rarely considered e build this car this ? Well, following s tt of the hot-rod and rowds, so the most obvious answer would Why not?” It’s completely plausible, likely, that this car could have been built he late 1960s. It’s not so diffi cult to imag,, brash racer with a pocketful of money to asser obsession. h g m — k ders become easier every day. Crate engines, CNC mills and online shopping have made 500 horsepower mundane, 750 horsepower pedestrian, and 1,000 horsepower commonplace. How fast you can go depends entirely on how much money you have. I’m intrigued with the new Corvettes, Camaros, h it is easy to imagine our young racer ough parental scolding — and older local g him as a roaring blur of misplaced m — it’s hard to argue with this car’s comtion. A tunnel-ram with two-fours feeding ches does a lot of talking without even rd, and harnessing that beast to a 4-gear beatin’ stick turning 4.11s is any hot rodder’s snowy Christmas morning with a red bow on top. This is the type of setup that separates the men from the boys, and isn’t that what it’s all about? Evolved performance As technology and manufacturing processes continue to improve, our lives as racers and hot rod- Mustangs and Challengers — and their seemingly effortless combination of performance and drivability, but I can’t say that I fi nd myself inspired. Instead, I’m inspired by cars that can be described accurately, and without exaggeration, as rude. And that’s just what this car is. Old-school cool The historian, the purist and the rationalist in me can’t help but look at this car as a misguided attempt to capitalize on the current resurgence of popularity that the true Gassers are experiencing in the market. But the hot rodder, the burnout maniac and the hooligan in me just can’t stop thinking about suckerpunching that 4-speed, terrifying my neighbors with those open headers, and confi rming all of my motherin-law’s worst fears about me. As a purposeful racer with no concessions for comfort or usability, this Fairlane will be a handful to drive. But for some, like me, the appeal is in the visceral experience. Just imagine the fury of dumping the clutch at 4,000 rpm, power-shifting the Toploader, and trying to keep the car pointed straight down the quarter-mile. Gassers of the ’50s and ’60s occupy very signifi - cant chapters in the histories of both American drag racing and American hot rodding, and their historical signifi cance is not up for debate. What is up for debate is whether $38,500 is a fair price to pay for a non-storied, unauthentic Gasser re-creation that works hard to bridge the gap between then and now. Considering the money paid probably failed to cover the cost of the build, I would say the new owner is ahead based solely on the sum of the parts. Add in the curb appeal of an angry, mechanical gorilla, and I’d guess the new owner was smiling all the way to the bank. Well bought. A (Introductory description courtesy of Barrett- Jackson.) May-June 2012 67 1950 Austin Dorset Drag Car Lot 670, s/n N/A Condition 4 Sold at $8,800 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/12/2008 ACC# 48592 Detailing Years produced: 1955–70 Number produced: 75,947 (1966) Original list price: $2,892 Current ACC Valuation: $12,000–$20,000 Tune-up/major service: $200 Distributor cap: $14 Chassis #: Located on top of dash, visible through windshield Engine #: On passenger side of block, behind starter (casting number only) Club: Fairlane Club of America, 340 Clicktown Road, Church Hill, TN, 37642 More: www.fairlaneclubofamerica.com Alternatives: 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air 409, 1964 Ford Thunderbolt, 1941 Willys Gasser ACC Investment Grade: C Comps 1966 Mercury Comet funny car Lot 1306, s/n N/A Condition 2+ Sold at $176,000 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/18/2010 ACC# 155047 1965 Plymouth Belvedere Altered Not sold at $81,000 ACC# 119954 Lot SP109, s/n R351160546 Condition 1- RM Auctions, Toronto, CAN, 4/3/2009

PROFILE TRUCK 19532R5 Pickup STUDEBAKER Trucks are still booming, and lowerproduction examples like this should prove to be a stable place to park your money Chassis Number: R612356 by B. Mitchell Carlson exception is the added seat belts). Receipts and documentation exist for every step A 68 AmericanCarCollector.com taken, including the fl at six motor, 3-speed transmission and rear axle, which have all been completely rebuilt. All itemized receipts and all documentation comes with the truck. Absolutely everything has been replaced and works and operates as it did from new, and it purrs down the highway at 60-plus mph. The detailed photos allow the truck to speak for itself. It will be a rare fi nd to see another one this nice. ACC Analysis This 1953 Studebaker 2R5 pickup, Lot 1470, sold for $25,750, includ- ing buyer’s premium, at the G. Potter King Atlantic City Classic Car Auction on February 24, 2012. Studebaker was always at the forefront of American truck manufacturers — even before motorized transport. Having gone into the wagon-building business in 1852, the Studebaker brothers knew a thing or two about how to get the goods to market. When Studebaker made the switch to self-propelled vehicles in 1902, they started out building electric- n almost perfect rotisserie restoration — absolutely everything has been replaced on this truck and was done by a Studebaker expert to assure that it was complete and historically correct (only powered machines. By 1908, they changed horses and went to gasoline engines, with the fi rst standardized light truck model appearing in 1912. When the Bob Bourke-designed, all-new, post- war 2R-series truck debuted in 1949, it was one of the cleanest-looking and best-styled pickups on the market. It carried Studebaker through the lean times of the mid-1950s to when the fi nal truck was built in December 1963 with very few style or mechanical changes. While the Lark sheet-metal-based Champ half-ton and three-quarter ton pickups of 1960 through 1963 looked radically different, they still sat on R-series chassis. I do have something of a biased opinion on Studebaker 2R-series pickups. My grandfather’s last brand-new vehicle was a 1952 Studebaker 2R5 pickup. It was the only vehicle that he kept after he retired and sold the farm in northern Minnesota in 1957. He kept it for over 20 years — into when I was a teenager in the late 1970s, and I fondly recall him driving it once in awhile. My grandfather’s truck was not as nice as our subject pickup — not even on the day he bought it new. In fact, he didn’t even get $25,750 for his whole farm in 1957. But I wouldn’t mind adding one to my collection someday just because of that. This is also one reason why pickups have been doing well in the market. For a lot of people, old trucks are touchstone vehicles to a simpler past. Not a unique sale RM Auctions had a near-identical blue-gray ’52

ACC Digital Bonus Studebaker 2R5 at their Phoenix, AZ, auction in January, where it sold at no reserve for $27,750. The fact that an upmarket auction house like RM would offer a Stude pickup speaks volumes on where trucks have gone over the past few years. Ten years ago, the truck wouldn’t have made it onto the RM auction block. Now, it seems like every auction must have a prerequisite well-restored pickup to represent that burgeoning market. More times than not, the restored trucks have been a Chevy/Ford thing, with those two makes having the highest selling examples respectively. However, Dodge and the independent makes — with International and Studebaker leading the charge — have seen the greatest increases in values, even surpassing Brand C and Brand F in price on numerous occasions. Restored, not whored There has been a trend within the past few years of dolling trucks up with more junk jewelry than a two-bit fl oozy. I’m talking about chrome bumpers front and rear on a standard model, trim rings and wide whitewall tires on the wheels, spotlights, windshield visors and gleaming wood planks with highly polished stainlesssteel retainer strips in the fl oor of the box. A trend of tacking glitzy exterior add-ons onto honest trucks — without any thought to what was original — had become carried away. Most pickups from the 1950s were not blinged out when they were new, as they were expected to work hard for a living. And if you did add on lots of chrome junk in 1953, 1955 or 1960, you were looked down on as some kind of wussy dork. Our subject Stude didn’t have that problem, as it looked factory-fresh. Dolled-up trucks have sold well at auction over the past few years, thanks to their shiny components. Then, most buyers were car guys who didn’t know a lot about trucks; they just bought them because they looked neat and didn’t know about — or give two hoots about — authenticity. Today’s truck buyers are more knowledgeable and refi ned about authenticity, and most would rather pony up a few more bucks for a truck done correctly — and well — than one that looks pretty. Serious collectors are starting to look past the glitz and instead examine the substance of historically accurate Detailing Years produced: 1949–53 Number produced: 32,012 (all 1953 truck models) Original list price: $1,404 Current ACC Valuation: $12,000–$28,000 Tune-up cost: $200 Distributor cap: $12 Chassis number: Data plate on driver’s side of cab, above step, on the seat riser. restoration work — like you would see on any other collector vehicle. While trucks tend to be rather basic, our example is equipped with the highly desirable, period-optional Borg-Warner overdrive unit. To make up for the lowpowered Champion Six, Studebaker equipped the 2R with low-geared rear ends, so overdrive was a somewhat popular option on these trucks in rural areas. This truck should move out at a pace that makes it livable in modern traffi c — although with kingpin front suspension and single-circuit brakes, I think I’d limit my freeway time. The price is right Our featured truck’s selling price was within two grand of the RM truck — and they sold on opposite sides of the country. I’d call that confi rmation that the price was market correct for this truck at this time. I don’t think the market for post-war pickups is going to be exploding anytime soon. A gazillion were built, and many of them are still out there as easy-toperform restorations. But restoring one yourself isn’t cost-effective — you’ll be money ahead to buy one already done. But trucks are still booming, and for the foresee- able future, lower-production examples like this should prove to be a stable place to park your money — with values slowly yet steadily accelerating, just like the Champion Six under this truck’s hood. Well bought.A (Introductory description courtesy of G. Potter King.) Club: The Studebaker Drivers Club, P.O. Box 1715, Maple Grove MN 55311 Engine number: Driver’s side top front corner of engine block Website: http://www.studebakerdriversclub.com Additional: American Truck Historical Society, P.O. Box 901611, Kansas City, MO, 64190-1611 Website: www.aths.org Alternatives: 1950–56 International L, R, & S-series pickup, 1950–64 Willys-Overland Jeep pickup, 1948–early 1955 GMC 150 pickup, 1948–56 Dodge B-series pickups ACC Investment Grade: B- Comps 1951 Studebaker 2R5 Pickup Lot 411, S/N R581874 Condition 5+ Sold at $2,430 Silver Auctions, Carson City, NV, 8/25/2011 ACC# 184467 1947 Studebaker M5 Pickup Lot F47, S/N 47718 Condition 2Sold at $19,080 Mecum Auctions, Monterey, CA, 8/21/2011 ACC# 184021 1951 Studebaker 2R5 Pickup Lot 315, S/N R573122 Condition 2+ Sold at $35,700 RM Auctions, Phoenix, AZ, 1/20/2011 ACC# 168749 May-June 2012 69

MARKET OVERVIEW A steady rumble TOP 10 sales this issue 1. 1948 Tucker 48 Torpedo sedan, $1,320,000— G&Co., p. 118 2. 1963 Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake roadster, $901,000—Mec, p. 80 3. 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline, $803,000—RM, p. 105 4. 1960 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, $440,000— G&Co., p. 114 5. 1930 Cadillac Model 452 Madame X rumbleseat coupe, $418,000—DKC, p. 106 6. 1933 Packard Twelve Model 1005 roadster, $352,000—RM, p. 105 7. 1931 Cord L-29 cabriolet, $341,000—RM, p. 105 8. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, $291,500— Mec, p. 78 9. 1941 Chrysler Town & Country Barrelback estate wagon, $286,000—G&Co., p. 116 10. 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window coupe, $270,300—Mec, p. 76 BEST BUYS F AMERICAN CARS HOLD STEADY AT EARLY SPRING AUCTIONS by Tony Piff ollowing on the heels of a hugely successful auction week in Arizona, the collector car world rumbled right along. The auctions covered in this issue consigned and sold more cars than ever — and grew their totals accordingly, while average price per car held steady. Such growth suggests that the auction houses are delivering the right cars to the right customers, while vibrant trading and realistic prices bodes well for collectors of American cars. n n n Mecum Auctions offered a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 convertible, sold for $198,000 at Auction America by RM’s Fort Lauderdale sale record-breaking 2,243 vehicles at their Kissimmee, FL, sale in late January — before the dust from Arizona auction week had even settled. Senior Auction Analyst Dale Novak noticed that the number of cars Mecum offered at this one sale was enough to rival all of Arizona, where the combined offerings of seven auction houses totaled only about 2,700. Another interesting comparison is to look at Mecum’s numbers for this sale a decade ago, when just 155 cars were offered and 76 car sold for a total of $1.7m. The total this year: $58.5m, with an average price per car of $38k. Mecum has built its business on American muscle, sports and collector cars, and business is good. A 1963 Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake was the high sale, at $901k (See the market report on p. 80). n n n The top slot at Leake’s Oklahoma City sale went 1. 1940 Cadillac Series 62 convertible, $71,925— McCk, p. 106 2. 1933 Buick Series 90 4-dr limousine, $68,200— AAbyRM, p. 96 3. 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, $66,000— AAbyRM, p. 98 4. 1948 Tucker 48 Torpedo sedan, $1,320,000— G&Co., p. 118 5. 1965 Pontiac GTO 2-dr hard top, $23,100— AAbyRM, p. 97 70 AmericanCarCollector.com to a Shelby as well. This one was a 1968 GT500 convertible, sold at $182k. Helped by that sale, average price per car increased to $21k from $16k last year, and overall totals jumped to $4.1m from $2.9m last year. The number of cars sold increased as well, to 196 from 181. Notable no-sales included a 1993 Chevrolet Lumina NASCAR racer, bid to $116k, and a 1971 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner, bid to $93k. Auction Analyst Phil Skinner was there, taking notes, inspecting the cars and watching them cross the block. American Car Collector will have a booth at Leake’s upcoming hometown sale, taking place June 8-10 in Tulsa, OK. Be sure to stop by and say hi. n n n At Auctions America by RM’s Fort Lauderdale sale, average price per car returned to $44k from the peak average last year of $51k, and overall totals dipped slightly to $16.9m from $17.1m. But the number of cars consigned broke 500 for the first time, with more cars sold than ever. Phil Skinner, a road warrior, covered this auction. Skinner watched American iron reign supreme at this diverse sale, capturing 20 out of the 25 top sales. A 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Phaeton was the top sale, at $341k, followed by some serious American muscle in the form of a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 convertible, which sold for $198k. n n n For the Market Report Roundup, we culled American car highlights from seven other important auctions: the Dick Burdick Collection in Texas, consigned by Dan Kruse Classics; Worldwide and G. Potter King at Atlantic City; McCormick at Palm Springs, California; and Gooding & Company and RM at Amelia Island. We also covered motorcycles sold at RM, as well as the all-motorcycle J. Wood & Company sale in Daytona. Concluding the market reports for this issue is Chad Tyson’s eBay column. This month, Chad explores the amazing deals to be had in the netherworld of the incomplete and the unfinished — check out these muscle car projects. A ACC 1-6 scale condition rating 1. Perfect: National show standard 2. Excellent: Club show-worthy, some small flaws 3. Average: Daily driver in decent condition 4. Meh: Still a driver, with some visible flaws 5. Questionable: A problem-plagued beast that somehow manages to run 6. Lost cause: Salvagable for parts

MECUM AUCTIONS // Kissimmee, FL Doubling down in Florida MECUM WENT “ALL IN” AT KISSIMMEE, WITH A RECORD-BREAKING 2,243 VEHICLES CONSIGNED FOR THE SIX-DAY SALE Report and photos by Dale Novak Market opinions in italics January 24-29 at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, FL. What would this year hold? Could the momentum coming out of Scottsdale translate to Mecum’s winter sale in Florida? All bets were on the table and Mecum went “all in,” with a record-breaking 2,243 vehicles consigned for the six-day sale. In comparison, for all of Scottsdale, a total of about 2,700 cars were W Mecum Auctions Kissimmee 2012, Kissimmee, FL January 24–29, 2012 Auctioneers: Mark Delzell, Jim Landis, Mike Hagerman, Steve Holt, Jon Hummer, Matt Moravec and Bob McGlothlen Automotive lots sold/offered: 1,546/2,243 Sales rate: 69% Sales total: $58,548,873 High sale: 1963 Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake, sold at $901,000 Buyer’s premium: $300 up to $5,499; $500 from $5,500 to $9,999; 6% thereafter, included in sold prices Mecum sales total $60m $10m $20m $30m $40m $50m 0 72 AmericanCarCollector.com 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 1963 Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake, sold for $901,000 up for grabs, and that’s for all seven auction houses combined. Whenever you hear dealers complaining about a sale, it’s usually a good sign for the auction company. “Too many retail buyers,” I heard one dealer mumble in protest. “That was all the money,” said another, and yet bidding continued. You get the picture. It takes a good stable of retail buyers to take a sale of this size through to the last day and the last car. This year, cars moved across the block quickly, swiftly, seamlessly, with money raining down on them at a rate reminiscent of auctions from before the market crash of 2008. Don’t get me wrong — it wasn’t a case of irrational exuberance, with overheated valuations, but rather a case of buyers who came prepared to buy and sellers prepared to sell. To say the market is showing some serious signs of life would be a colossal understatement. The high-sale honor went to the 1963 Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake, sold for $901,000. This car sold last year at the same sale for $927,500, so the seller took a haircut but still made the deal. Next up, a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 convertible sold for $646,600. This car was an airtight, fully documented example with a complete owner history. In comparison, a 1969 L88 coupe sold for $286,200. In fourth place (and, in terms of condition, the best car of the sale), a 1963 Corvette resto-mod found $270,300. Some other cars of interest included a 1955 Studebaker Commander, very well sold at $63,600; a 1969.5 Plymouth Road Runner M-code 440+6, which earned a respectable $72,080; and a 1969 Pontiac Trans Am sold for $87,500. It was a very nice #2 example that actually sold new in Kissimmee back in the day. Statistically, sales rose compared with last year, averaging $9.7 million per day versus $8.2 million per day in 2011. On a per-car basis, Mecum earned $37,920 this year, versus $38,595 in 2011. This sale has now become ground zero for collectors to enjoy a southeast winter venue in addition to — or as an alternative to — Scottsdale. Plenty of East Coast guys simply don’t want to travel across the country to head out west, and this is a great option for them. At the end of the day, the results were remarkable and were a very good indicator for the overall health of the market. Let’s hope the momentum continues.A ith the big news out of Scottsdale this year, all eyes were on Mecum’s Kissimmee sale, which took place

MECUM AUCTIONS // Kissimmee, FL GM #S147-1947 CHEVROLET FLEETMASTER convertible. S/N 2EKJ55015. Maroon/tan cloth. Odo: 531 miles. 216-ci I6, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Nice presentation of the quality ’47 Chevrolet. Driver door out of alignment. Steering wheel is cracked and yellowed. Nice dash. Vent windows are delaminating. Clean engine bay that is holding up well. Upon close examination, you can see that this was a fine example sporting an older, professional restoration. Cond: 2-. colors must have looked fantastic under the bright block lights, as did the gleaming chrome and contrasting wide whitewall tires. Price Guides seem to be lagging on these, and this sale is evidence of that statement. No harm done. Both parties should be pleased. #S91-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR convertible. S/N VC57N126149. Yellow/white vinyl/gray & white vinyl. Odo: 30 miles. 283-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, manual. Well-presented Tri-Five Chevrolet. A 270-horse edition. Body is not super straight, especially on the lower quarter panel areas. Driver and passenger doors out of alignment. Small chip in paint in the trunk channel. Power windows, very nice interior with well-done polished trim. Fresh engine bay with some oil staining evident. AACA first-place award Jr. and Sr. AACA Grand National Winner. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $48,000. The owner stated that the restoration was completed only 500 miles ago. That’s a fair statement, but it fails to let the buyers know how long ago the restoration occurred. Cars can unwind simply sitting in a garage, given enough time. This was a nice car, well done, and ready to enjoy by all appearances. I don’t know what the owner was seeking, but the money offered here should have been more than enough to get the deal done. #I49-1955 PONTIAC STAR CHIEF coupe. S/N P855H54894. Blue & white/blue & white vinyl. Odo: 9,110 miles. 287-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Strato-Streak V8. Fantastic color combination. Trunk a bit high and tight along passenger’s fender. Front acrylic jet ornament is cracking. Chip on passenger’s door. Steering wheel pitted. Very nice under the hood, neat and tidy. Looks to be a fairly fresh restoration with sharp, clean lines. Nice car, nice colors, well presented. Loaded with factory options. Cond: 2. the trim, and stainless trim is scratched in areas. Rear interior panel is torn, with some stains noted. Clean engine bay, although a bit weathered. An older restoration that is coming unglued in spots. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $82,150. A genuine SS convertible is a fairly rare machine to begin with, but this one was equipped with the oh-so-desirable 348 Tri-Power and a 4-speed. That lovely combination always draws a few extra bids up on the block. Nice overall presentation, but beginning to unwind in areas. Reported to be a frameoff restoration. I think the red mist set in on this one, as I’m sure it looked smashing under the bright lights. Well sold. #S70-1965 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top. S/N 237375P281516. Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 90,743 miles. 389-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Real GTO. Driver’s door out of alignment, and trunk sits a bit high. Blister noted on the top of the roof. Some microblisters evident. Older weatherstripping is cracking and looks dry. Door handles are scratched. Rear bumper over-polished. Interior looks to be a bit weathered and soiled, but tidy overall. Seat springs are weak. Nice steering wheel. Tidy under the hood, which still looks fairly fresh. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $118,720. Another well-presented car yields an attractive selling price. Mirrors showcased the chassis, and, overall, the car was very nice. It was show quality for the most part, as the awards noted. The only issue of note was the body, especially in the rear quarter panel areas, which showed some waves and inconsistent body lines. Otherwise, a gorgeous Tri-Five Chevy, and arguably the most valuable of the bunch. At market value with a nod to the buyer. #S107-1961 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS convertible. S/N 11867G159566. Red/white vinyl/red & white vinyl. Odo: 13 miles. 348-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Fitted with the 348 Tri-Power engine. Passenger door is wide. Some paint is rubbed off the A-pillar. Some touch-ups noted in the paintwork. Some small pitting noted in SOLD AT $40,280. This early Goat was fitted with the Tri-Power carbs, which bumps the horses up to 360. Desirable 4-speed, buckets and console all confirmed by the PHS documents. Good color combination helped the result as well. Just a nice driver-level GTO with all the right equipment and no apparent gaffes to fret over. A fantastic Saturday-night cruiser. A fair deal overall with an advantage to the seller. SOLD AT $46,110. You don’t see these very often, especially in this condition. Parts are not easy to come by, particularly the chrome and stainless trim. The period 74 AmericanCarCollector.com #S118-1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 396 convertible. S/N 136679B317447. Marina Blue/white vinyl/Parchment vinyl. Odo: 22,447 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, manual. Miles noted to be actual. Passenger’s door out of alignment, trunk skewed, driver’s door alignment in on the bottom. Grinding mark issue on driver’s side door. Original portions of interior show some yellowing. Driver’s seat vinyl is wavy. Poor

MECUM AUCTIONS // Kissimmee, FL door panel fit. Cheater top battery. Some documentation included. Cond: 3. Green/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 33,769 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Genuine RA III convertible. Passenger’s door wide at bottom. Endura nose gap is tight to the body. Scratch in rear deck. Convertible top fit could be better. Some touch-ups noted. Cracked paint as well as some noted shrinking in spots. Fresh interior, much of which looks new. Nice engine bay, clean and fairly fresh looking. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $67,500. This was a nicelooking convertible SS dressed out in an attractive color combination with desirable options. Seller stated that the miles were original, although much of the car had been restored. The documentation, which included the window sticker, manual, glove box envelope and the dealer package, certainly worked to strengthen the seller’s case. Attractive car, but with some needs when viewed with more scrutiny. Money offered seemed appropriate for the overall presentation. #S110-1969 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. S/N 223379N117179. White/white vinyl. Odo: 71,070 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Matching numbers. Plenty of documentation. Sold new in Kissimmee, FL. Driver door out of alignment, trunk wide on driver’s side, and passenger door is tight. Paint is well applied. Nice interior showing some light cracks and a dent in the center console. Some silver paint showing on some interior trim. Much of the underhood presentation appears fresh. Cond: 2+. states, so given that, I might even call it well bought. That said, it doesn’t get much better than this. Great car, right price, everyone should be happy. #S161-1971 PONTIAC TRANS AM 455 HO coupe. S/N 228871N131349. White/blue. Odo: 96,275 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Very nice presentation. Paint is well applied with very nice prep. Driver’s door is out of alignment at fender. Chip in passenger’s door handle. Old-school Jensen cassette player. Turned metal dash is in excellent condition. Driver seat sags and tilts to one side. Seat material is loose. Clean under the hood, but shows as a driver. Fitted with Edelbrock intake and aluminum heads. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $67,840. Very desirable RA III GTO with three build sheets, PHS documents, and photo documentation of the restoration. Plenty of nice options on the car as well, such as factory air, power seat and power windows. The color was probably a love-or-hate proposition, but green is growing in popularity among the buying public, and doesn’t seem to hold guys back as much as it once did. This was strong money given the overall condition. Well sold. #S78-1971 OLDSMOBILE 442 W-30 2-dr hard top. S/N 344871M152670. Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 16,853 455-ci V8, 4x1-bbl, 4-sp. W-30 Edition. Nice gaps overall, per factory for the most part, but driver’s door fit is a bit wide. Excellent paint prep with hardly a blemish in sight. Weatherstrip is coming loose in some areas. Light pitting in the chrome. Interior shows some light dirt and soiling, but not overly so. Extreme attention to detail overall. A very nice 442. Miles stated to be actual. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $33,920. Last seen at the Mecum sale in Kansas City in December 2011, where it sold for $26,500 (ACC# 196744). 1970–73 Trans Ams have taken a hit as of late because guys dumped the later models into the market by the bucket loads when they saw them selling on cable television for big money. Doing so dragged the market down across the board. This might be a good time to grab a 455 or Super Duty before word gets out. That said, the seller still managed to make a slight profit here. CORVETTE SOLD AT $92,750. This was the first-place winner at the Trans Am Nationals in August 2011. It was also one of the rare Parchment interior examples, of which, according to the seller, only 14 were ever built. Interestingly, the car was sold new in Kissimmee, FL. Beautiful car, well done, well preserved, and an investment-grade example of a rare Trans Am. Spot-on money in today’s market. #S124-1970 PONTIAC GTO Ram Air III convertible. S/N 242670B111155. #S178-1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N VE55S001514. Gypsy Red/light beige vinyl. Odo: 2,690 miles. 265-ci 195-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Micropitting in the dash chrome. Hood fit is uneven. Small blister on the headlamp surround. Fender spear shows some small dents. SOLD AT $58,300. Oldsmobile 442s have been on a fast-moving escalator as of late, especially W-30s in both hard top and convertible configurations. Here you have a Best of Show winner with very few nits to fret over, a 4-speed transmission, the right colors, and that has been beautifully restored. The low miles are actual, the owner May-June 2012 75

MECUM AUCTIONS // Kissimmee, FL Passenger’s door is cracking. Nose has small crack and some buff-through on edge of hood. Driver seat shows some light soiling. Carpet is stained in spots. Wheels scuffed and chipped. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $119,250. An NCRS Top Flight award winner, as well as Bloomington Gold and Silver in 2005. Last seen at Mecum Auctions, St. Charles, IL, on June 27, 2008, as a no-sale at $125,000 (ACC# 117098). At that time, the restoration was reported to be fresh to #1 standards. Condition will unwind even if a car is not driven much, and the value will drop accordingly. That was the case here, and this was the right number. A fair deal for both parties. #S167-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Big-Brake Fuelie convertible. S/N E57S105868. Signet Red/red vinyl. Odo: 16 miles. 283-ci 283-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Signet Red Big-Brake Fuelie. Driver’s door is out of alignment, and trunk is out at rear deck. Small blisters in the chrome with some light scratching as well. Very nice paintwork, only showing some sanding marks in the rear quarter panel. Small blemishes noted here and there. Very straight, atypical Corvette body. Top is a bit grungy. Driver door panel is separating, but with the balance of the interior being tight and clean. Hubcaps are well-weathered. Cond: 2. fours up top. Well done overall, and looks to be fairly fresh. Chip in driver’s door, trunk is high, and passenger’s door is in. Windshield is delaminating. Chrome is excellent, near show quality. The top is a tad yellowed. Paint is well applied with excellent prep. Quarter size touch-up noted on the parking light. Very nice interior, although the seat vinyl looks a bit loose. Cond: 2+. paint the overspray in the wheelwells black. Very well sold. #S226-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Split-Window coupe. S/N 30837S118096. Red/gray leather. Odo: 36 miles. 427-ci 550-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Full custom build fitted with an LS7 engine. Very small blemish in the chrome. Stunning engine bay, fresh with only ultra-picky detailing issues noted. Just about better than new no matter where you looked. Light microblisters in the windshield surround. A product of tens of thousands of restoration hours. Customized everywhere you looked. As perfect as it gets. Cond: 1. 10 SOLD AT $128,260. One of the nicer Corvettes at the sale, it garnered a 2+ condition rating. Reported to be one of 233 produced in 1961 with the big brakes, heavy-duty suspension and off road exhaust. Not much to fret over with this example. Fine to excellent in all regards, and ready for just about any collection. An investment-grade Corvette yields an investment-grade price. A fair deal for the buyer and seller. NOT SOLD AT $135,000. Last seen at Mecum Auctions, St. Charles, IL, on June 25, 2004, where it sold for $85,050 (ACC# 34218). The mileage has doubled since that time, or should I say only one mile per year. One of only 47 Big-Brake Corvettes. Nice investment-grade Corvette that’s produced about a 60% return thus far for the current owner. A Fuelie in this condition will trade hands around $100,000, so maybe a $35k bump for the Big-Brake rarity. Evidently, that wasn’t enough, and the seller is looking for a larger number. #S195-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Big-Brake convertible. S/N 76 AmericanCarCollector.com 10867S106613. Ermine White/blue vinyl. Odo: 1,061 miles. 283-ci 270-hp V8, 2x4bbl, 4-sp. A 270-horse model with two #F77-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 20867S106846. Roman Red/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 43,875 miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Driver and passenger doors are out of alignment, trunk gap is tight. Fuel filler door sits recessed into the body. Windshield surround is pitted. Fender cracked. Large touch-ups noted in areas. Fairly large crack in the hood, about the size of a half dollar. Wears Fuel Injected badges. Black dash paint is heavily microblistered. Steering wheel is chipped. Red overspray showing inside the wheelwells. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $270,300. My associate Craig Gussert and I literally look at hundred of cars every year. Some up close and some more casually. Some with a fine-tooth comb, determined to find something, anything, we can pick on. This was one of those cars. For any guy out there who wonders what a 1+ looks like, this was it. Better than new, and the best car at the auction—and there were a lot of cars at this auction. It will drop in value as it is used, but the buyer owns the best custom Split-Window in the world. #S109-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194675S115842. Milano Maroon/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 20,196 miles. 396-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Bigblock 396 equipped Corvette. Passenger’s door is slightly uneven. Small dimple on SOLD AT $50,350. This Corvette showed plenty of needs, and one would hope that the new owner looked it over a bit longer beyond walking by it at preview. Looked like a quickie fluff-and-buff to me, especially with how easy it would have been to the hard top. Very nice chrome and trim. Light scratches noted from polishing. Teak wheel. Interior appears as-new. Engine bay is well presented, clean and detailed, TOP 10

MECUM AUCTIONS // Kissimmee, FL but not over-restored. Knockoff wheels show some tarnishing. Fully restored and in excellent condition. Numbers matching. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $135,000. I don’t hand out #1 ratings casually, as the car needs to be better than when it left the factory. This Corvette, however, was very deserving. Well done, and done right. NCRS Top Flight, plus the Protect-O-Plate and warranty book come with the car. A complete body-off restoration with tremendous attention to detail. Probably worth about $150,000 in today’s market, so the seller was wise to hold out for more. #S96-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S116489. Red/red vinyl. Odo: 57,086 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Some buff-through on the paint. Faded paint noted as well. Crack by the driver’s side door. Scuff on rear bumper. Carpet in footwell is heavily soiled. Door jambs have some masking issues noted. Vinyl hard top included. Driver-quality engine bay that looks weathered and used, but original. No spare tire. Most likely a much older restoration that is unwinding. Cond: 3. Paint is well done with some dry spray noted on the nose. Small crack on the driver’s door. Headlamp bucket a bit tight. Polishing marks on the trim. Bumper shows some light scratches. Some very small blemishes on the center console. Engine bay very nice, not overdone. Cond: 2-. think these will gain some traction in the very near future. A fair deal at this time. #S22-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Pace Car Edition coupe. S/N 1Z87L8S903976. Black & silver/gray leather. Odo: 178 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A wrapper car with only 178 actual miles. Rare 4-speed model. Driver’s door sits in, and passenger’s door is tight to the quarter panel. Seams are beginning to show on the body. Interior shows light fading with some issues noted on the door panel. Engine bay offers a good look at how these cars looked when they left the factory. No fluff-and-buff here. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $291,500. Both cars, lots S100 and S100.1, presented about the same condition-wise, one being a coupe and one being a convertible. These cars were from a private collection, and the owner wanted them to remain together as a pair. Assuming about $150,000 for the convertible and $125,000 for the coupe if they sold individually, we are at six of one and a halfdozen of the other. Well sold. NOT SOLD AT $87,000. Last seen at Mecum Auctions, St Charles, IL, on June 27, 2009, selling for $105,000 (ACC# 175198). The seller states that approximately 20 red/red 67s were built, which must be by extrapolation since no real records exists as to the actual number. Includes some nice documentation, and claimed to be frequently judged. A two-time NCRS Top Flight winner. All that said, this was a very nice, driver-level C2 with the right awards, the right engine, and great colors. The seller was looking for more, but the condition didn’t support it. #S100.1-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194677S106594. Tuxedo Black/white vinyl/Saddle leather. Odo: 2,150 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Two cars sold for one price. This lot number, S100.1, sold as a pair with lot number S100; both Tuxedo Black L71-equipped 1967 Corvettes. Here’s a look at lot S100.1. 78 AmericanCarCollector.com 8 #T63-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194371S111361. Brands Hatch Green/green vinyl. Odo: 51,827 miles. 454-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Survivor look under the hood, which means it looks a bit weathered overall—driven and used. Some runs and sags in the paintwork. Driver’s door is wide. Plugs in the rear deck where a luggage rack used to be. Chrome is decent but driver level. No rivets or seams showing, and good paintwork overall other than a few missteps. Some rattle-can work evident. Center console is chipped and scratched. Carpet looks newer. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $37,100. It’s official; every auction must have at least one Pace Car edition Corvette with low miles. Not that it’s a bad thing, but if you ever want one, just show up at a decent-size auction and you’ll probably have a shot at one. Lots of stone chips given the miles noted, so maybe the seller lived near or on a gravel road. A 2011 Bloomington Gold Survivor. This is about the price range that they trade in, so I’d call it a fair deal for both parties. #S28-1981 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1G1AY8762B5100072. Beige & dark bronze/tan leather. Odo: 3,025 miles. 350-ci 190-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Miles stated as original. Stone chips along the door edge. Driver’s door out of alignment. Scuff on passenger’s door. Black-painted trim is in excellent condition. Some brush touch-ups noted. Crazing and cracking paint in areas. Interior presents nearly as new, other than small nicks and blemishes. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $24,380. The chrome-bumper C3s seem to have fallen on hard times, as they appear to have retreated to some lower valuations as of late. This is good evidence of that observation. Overall, this was a very nice driver big-block Corvette with air and a 4-speed. Not sure what the Corvette crystal ball is telling me, but I NOT SOLD AT $26,000. Last seen at Mecum Auctions, in St. Charles, IL, on June 27, 2008, where it changed hands for $26,500 (ACC# 117061). While that was TOP 10

MECUM AUCTIONS // Kissimmee, FL quite some time ago, the mileage has remained largely intact, with only 27 miles added. Selected for Bloomington Gold, Survivor and Benchmark in 2009. Also an NCRS winner in 2009, as well as scoring Top Flight status. Nice Corvette if a 1981 is on your radar, and obviously well preserved. If you drive it, the value is going to drop, so this one is destined for garage art status. The offer was about right. #F55-1982 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Collector Edition coupe. S/N 1G1AY0784C5104211. Silver Beige/Silver Beige leather . Odo: 23,601 miles. 350-ci fuel-injected V8, auto. 1982 Collector edition. Passenger door sits high. Marred, dull finish on the front nose. Chips and scratches from driving evident and easily spotted. Rear spoiler is marred all over, hazy as well. Fresh, clean interior still smells like shampoo. Steering wheel shows plenty of use. Wheels show some curb rash. A well-worn driver. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $13,250. Occasionally, I am surprised at how accurate my books can be. Dead-on, spot-on market money given the overall presentation, and maybe even a bit generous with the needs noted. There are plenty of these out there, and the color and styling are questionable, but probably all the rage in 1982, silk shirts and all. No harm. Drive it, enjoy it, and use it. #S105-1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Grand Sport coupe. S/N 1G1YY2254T5600634. Eng. # LT4. Blue & white/red leather. Odo: 527 miles. 350-ci 330-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. A no-reserve Grand Sport coupe with 527 miles. Slight wrinkle in the leather on driver’s seat. Bolster is fairly worn as well. Still smells new inside. Small scuff on driver’s door panel. Literally as delivered in 1996 other than a few signs of aging. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $53,000. Last seen at Kruse, Las Vegas, NV, on May 29, 2003, as a no-sale at $20,000 (ACC# 31262) with only seven miles on the odometer. Nine years later, that number has grown to $50,000, with an additional 520 miles on the car, or 57 miles per year. Whether you consider these cars as investments is up to you, but these sold for about $44,000 in 1996. The current market has spoken for one that looks like it’s fresh off the showroom floor. Well sold. FOMOCO #S82-1949 MERCURY 76 Flathead Eight convertible. S/N 9CM63257. Maroon/tan cloth/maroon & tan leather. Odo: 160 miles. 255-ci V8, 2-bbl, manual. Not much gloss left in the paintwork. No clear-coat, so most likely an older paint job, perhaps straight enamel. Some of the glass is delaminating. Seats look to be a bit lumpy. Pitted chrome on most of the interior pieces. Fuel staining on the engine block. Driver-condition engine bay. An older res- May-June 2012 79

MECUM AUCTIONS // Kissimmee, FL toration that is now unwinding in areas. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $65,000. The seller stated that the car was close to a 100-point restoration, which might be true, but the restoration must have occurred many years ago. The restoration was unwinding all over, but this was still a nice example with a terrific body. Fitted with a flathead V8 and rare power windows, seat and top. A very authentic car that remained very well preserved, but aging gracefully. This was a strong offer, and should have been more than enough for this car to have changed hands. #S25-1951 FORD CUSTOM DELUXE convertible. S/N 0476H5118884. Red/white cloth/red & white vinyl & cloth. Odo: 23,891 miles. 239-ci V8, 2-bbl, manual. Driver’s and passenger’s doors out of alignment. Chips and touch-ups all over the car. Paint bubbling at the rocker panels. Trim is pitted and worn. Working spotlights. Top fit is wrinkled. Older interior with a dull steering wheel. Equipped with a flathead V8. Driver shape under the hood. Cond: 4-. #S75-1959 FORD GALAXIE Skyliner retractable hard top. S/N B9KW143930. Indian Turquoise & white/turquoise & white vinyl. Odo: 30,066 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Both driver’s and passenger’s doors are out of alignment. Rear-view mirrors and spotlights are one unit, which was worthy of noting. Chrome and trim are scratched, and show some small dents. Cracks in the steering wheel. Glossy engine bay with some brushwork showing. Use of silver paint to replicate aluminum. Chassis is in average condition. Cond: 3-. documented and well known in the Cobra world, so all the buyers in this league knew exactly what they were buying. It appears that the seller took very good care of the car as it looked ready to use. These are market-driven collectibles, and only worth as much as the next guy is willing to pay for it. On this day, at this sale, it was $901,000. #S108-1964 FORD THUNDERBOLT 2-dr sedan. S/N 4F41K230585. Ivory/gold vinyl. Odo: 8,100 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Reported to be #68 of 100 factory lightweights built. Never tubbed or cut up for a roll bar. Claimed to be all original sheet metal. Rubber floor mat is torn. Nice, original-looking interior. Some pitting noted on the steering wheel. Engine bay shows well with aging and use, but some flat-black rattle-can work noted. A bit weathered overall, but with a historical museum style presentation. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $46,640. Skyliners tend to fire up most Ford collectors, but the Edselesque styling can hold just as many collectors at bay. This one was dressed out in some nice period colors, so it made for a nice presentation overall. The condition was just right for one that you could drive and enjoy. No harm done here, and a fair deal for both parties. #S220-1963 SHELBY COBRA Dragon Snake roadster. S/N CSX2093. Purple metallic/black. Odo: 12,648 miles. 289-ci V8, 4x2-bbl, 4-sp. Well preserved in full period drag gear. Stated to be the most winning competition Cobra in history. Winner of the NHRA World Championship while owned and driven by Ed Hedrick. A bit tattered on the edges, but well preserved in the same regard. A museum-worthy piece. Engine bay showed well, as did the interior. A very authentic presentation, and appears ready to drive. Cond: 3-. 2 SOLD AT $21,200. Lots of eyeball, but that quickly dissipated soon after you walked up to the car. Well worn in most regards without much to get excited about. Lots of needs quickly evident, with the bubbling rockers being one of the most concerning. The new owner might be chasing down the tin worm, which is time consuming and can be very expensive to repair. A fair price to pay given the condition, so let’s hope it drives out better than it looked. 80 AmericanCarCollector.com NOT SOLD AT $190,000. Factory lightweights are desirable machines, and they generally trade around the range seen here, at least in the current market. Nice presentation that gathered plenty of onlookers throughout the sale, but obviously not enough bidders at block time. In years past, these have traded hands for significantly more than the high bid here, so my guess is that the seller is holding on to that memory and hoping the market continues to strengthen. #S47-1966 SHELBY GT350 H fastback. S/N SFM6S1379. Black & gold/black vinyl. Odo: 81,285 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Genuine Shelby Hertz edition GT350 H. Very well done Hertz Shelby restored with an eye toward authenticity rather than a glossy showpiece. Passenger’s door is out of alignment. Some fish-eyes noted in the SOLD AT $901,000. Last seen at the Mecum Auction in Monterey, CA, on August 21, 2011, as a no-sale (ACC# 185183) with a high bid of $825,000. Fully TOP 10

MECUM AUCTIONS // Kissimmee, FL black paint, which hides nothing. Plenty of reproduction parts. Wood steering wheel. Very nice engine bay, again not over-restored. Goodyear blue-streak tires. Authentic-looking chassis, meaning that it wasn’t over-restored. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $151,050. This “rent-a-racer” Shelby, so called that because guys would rent them to race over a weekend, was well done overall. Not too shiny, glossy, or over-restored as so many are. That attention to detail garnished a 1st place vote in the Hertz class at SAAC-15 and SAAC-16. One of 999 built, so they aren’t particularly rare. These usually lag slightly behind their GT350 cousins, value-wise, but not this far behind. Great Shelby, done right. Well bought. #S11-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 302 fastback. S/N 0F02G206580. Medium blue metallic/black vinyl. Odo: 44,569 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Chips noted in paint. Blemish in roof paint. Clearcoat peeling in small areas. Bubble in driver’s side door. Passenger’s door and trunk lid are out of alignment. Pitted window vent trim. Tight, clean interior. Older engine bay restoration slathered with a greasy dressing. Leaking water pump with some very rusty water stains. Cond: 2-. through the flash chrome. Other trim is lightly scratched. Trim on door panel is coming loose. Arm rest is very wavy. Well done under the hood, near show quality. Cond: 2-. #S86-1964 DODGE 330 Lightweight sedan. S/N 6142236007. Red/red vinyl. Odo: 99,994 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Very rare factory lightweight Hemi race car. Decoded by Galen Govier. Other documentation present as well. Handpainted graphics. Passenger’s door is tight. Hood fit is poor. Chipped paint in spots. Aluminum bumpers, which is correct for the build. Steering wheel pitted. Small tear in headliner. No back seat. Finishing washers used to attach door panels. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $46,640. And now for something completely different. This car caught my eye not so much for the questionable styling, but for the 413 with dual quads presiding under the hood. Polaras seem to have been styled by the parts bin, meaning anything left over that would fit was bolted on. That said, the car was well done, straight and looked ready to use. These have been up-and-comers lately, but not by this much. Well sold, but this one is probably the best example around. #S63-1963 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL convertible. S/N 9233112746. White/white leather. Odo: 32,631 miles. Driver’s and passenger’s doors are out of alignment. Some pitting noted on the chrome and trim. Hubcaps are dented. Bumpers are rusty. Overall, interior is very much weathered. Steering wheel is chipped and pitted. Dash has small cracks noted. Paint and body look fine from 20 feet. A well-worn driver. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $58,830. A genuine Boss 302 Mustang. So stated on the block as well. No car card was attached at the time of sale, and that fact alone may have kept a few guys from taking a closer look at the car. Overall, it presented well with some indications of the car sitting idle based on the leaking water pump. Great colors. Nice Boss with some easily correctable issues for the new owner. Very well bought. MOPAR #S38-1962 DODGE POLARA convertible. S/N 5426159945. Black/red & white vinyl. Odo: 7,293 miles. 413-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Fewer than 6,000 miles since restoration. Very straight body with well done black paintwork. Minor fish-eyes noted. Run in the paint at the rear taillight. Trunk high at rear, and passenger door slightly out of alignment. Headlamp trim is polished 82 AmericanCarCollector.com NOT SOLD AT $105,000. This car had a very authentic look and style to it, and was one of my favorite picks of the sale. Claimed to be used in a Goodyear television ad during the running of the 1992 Indy 500. Good documentation included the original bill of sale and photos of the car from 1964 in full drag attire. Car was a bit tired, but not in a bad way. Exactly what one would expect of an old, “real” 1960s drag car. I agree that the car was worth more than what was offered here, so I think the seller was wise to hold out for another day. NOT SOLD AT $45,000. The seller claimed that more than $60,000 had been spent on the restoration, but, judging from the presentation, he may have meant pesos. Not that it was beaten to death, but this one had certainly been around the block more than a few times. White hides a lot, but this one showed plenty of gaffes and flaws, and was fairly rough in most regards. These are rare cars, so even in this condition they command a premium. This should have been enough. More than enough, actually. #S74-1969 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER 2-dr sedan. S/N RM21M9A260924. Vitamin C Orange/black vinyl. Odo: 31,400 miles. 440-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Genuine M-code 440+6 Road Runner. Vent window surrounds pitted. Few dents in the roof. Small bubble under the paint on passenger’s door. Trunk tight on driver’s side. Passenger’s door skewed. Some pitting on brightwork and chrome. Correct shift knob, which is rare to see. Taxi-cab interior, as most were built that way. Engine has been run, used, as it should be. Paint is flaking off the valve cover in mass. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $72,080. A genuine “M code”

MECUM AUCTIONS // Kissimmee, FL 440 Six Pack Road Runner. These are factory-built, go-fast cars, ready for the drag strip right out of the box. This one has been enjoyed, as molten rubber was sprayed along the bottom of the quarter panels. Galen Govier documentation, which is critical with a car like this. Reported to take 1st place at the Plymouth Nationals in 2007. Great driver with the coveted 4-speed transmission. Slightly well sold, but no harm done for the buyer. #S150-1971 DODGE HEMI CHARGER R/T 2-dr hard top. S/N WS23R1A160359. Dark gold metallic/black vinyl. Odo: 41,310 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Genuine Hemi Charger R/T. Rare car. Reported to be the original engine with Galen Govier documents and two build sheets. Nice, well-applied paint that is aging gracefully. Passenger’s fender does not fit well and looks lower to the body line than it should be. Chips noted in the paint. Some pitting noted in brightwork. Nice taillight trim. Faded gauges. Older engine bay restoration which remains in nice shape. Cond: 2. alignment. Bubbles along door edge on driver side. Some chips, nicks and other road rash evident. Microblistering noted in some of the paintwork. Decent interior that remains in good condition but is lightly soiled. Gauges are faded. Obviously driven and enjoyed. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $76,320. Started its life as a 318 car, as denoted by the “G” in the VIN. That said, these have been repopped in all sorts of configurations, but finding a genuine 1971 convertible to build from is not all that easy. Hats off to the builder for going with a small block build rather than cramming a Hemi under the hood. Plenty of options, including a/c and a 4-speed, helped with the final bid here. If you’re going to be creative and build a car, do it with as many desirable options as you can afford. Well sold. #S72-1971 PLYMOUTH ’Cuda 2-dr hard top. S/N BS23V1B118819. Orange/black vinyl. Odo: 313 miles. 440-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Genuine V-code ’Cuda. Shaker equipped. Microblisters in the trunk deck over most of the lid. Some prep issues noted. Solid and straight, with very nice gaps. Driver door is out of alignment. Rub marks in the chrome bumpers. Some interior pieces are cracked and split. Presents well under the hood. Overall, a well-done restoration, but aging now. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $90,000. Last seen at the Barrett-Jackson West Palm Beach, FL, sale on April 7, 2011, as a no-sale for an undisclosed amount (ACC# 177709). I find it odd how I can remember a car I reviewed a year ago but not remember where I placed my keys five minutes ago. One of only 63 built, but the lack of a 4-speed, and possibly the color, may have held guys back. Seller was probably looking for six figures. High bid should have been enough, given the overall presentation. #S71-1971 PLYMOUTH ’CUDA replica convertible. S/N BH27G1B390008. B5 Blue/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 68,122 miles. 340-ci V8, 4x1-bbl, 4-sp. Seller claims a “mostly original body.” Built as a ’Cuda clone. Finished in popular B5 Blue over white. Driver’s door is out of 259-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Older repaint. Passenger’s fender microblistered. Body gaps look good. Passenger’s door sits in. Newer interior trimmed out in fresh leather, which still smells new. Window crank handles pitted. Clean under the hood, but shows as an older restoration. Very nice chrome and trim. Great color combination. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $63,600. This is a hard-top edition of the Commander series. Very nice period colors, and, overall, a very nice presentation. The fresh leather really dressed up the interior, and it literally smelled like a new car inside the cabin. Included the original window sticker and build sheet, numbers-matching engine as well. Super nice, well done Commander that could see a 2rating with a small amount of fixes. Well sold.A NOT SOLD AT $85,000. The seller claimed a full rotisserie restoration to #1 condition. If that was the case, it must have been several years ago because the car is softening, as it should if it has been driven. Genuine V-code ’Cuda, which adds the triple deuce carbs up top generating 390 horses. These are rare, and even rarer with a shaker hood and 4-speed transmission. Believed to be one of only 21 built. E-Bodies still remain desirable in the market, and this was evidence of that claim. Still, $85,000 should have gotten the deal done. AMERICANA #S29-1955 STUDEBAKER COMMANDER 2-dr hard top. S/N 8420103. Blue & white/blue leather. Odo: 63,684 miles. May-June 2012 83

LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK Leake Auctions opens 2012 in OKC THIS SALE IS BUILT HEAVILY ON TRADITION, INCLUDING “NO COMMISSION FRIDAY,” WITH 100% OF THE BID GOING TO THE SELLER Leake Auction Company Collector Car Auction, Oklahoma City, OK February 17–18, 2012 Auctioneers: Dan Kruse, Jim Ritchie, Brian Marshall and Bobby Dee Lots sold/offered: 196/281 Sales rate: 70% Sales total: $4,148,595 High sale: 1968 Shelby GT500 convertible with 427 V8, sold at $181,500 Buyer’s premium: 10% Leake sales total $6m $1m $2m $3m $4m $5m 0 84 AmericanCarCollector.com 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible, sold for $30,350 Report and photos by Phil Skinner Market opinions in italics corrected until you get it right. Leake Auction Company was founded F by James C. Leake, who was one of the Sooner State’s pioneer broadcasters in radio and television. The old-car auctions were a way for him to buy and sell cars, make good friends in the hobby, extend lots of hospitality and make a little money in the process. Today, Leake’s daughter Nancy and her husband, Richard Sevenoaks, run the company, and they’re continuing the tradition of laid-back sales, up-front business practices and Oklahoma hospitality. The OKC auction has been a mainstay for more than 30 years, and it’s just a bit over 100 miles from Leake’s Tulsa headquarters. This sale is built heavily on tradition, including “No Commission Friday,” with 100% of the bid going to the seller. (The buyer still pays his full percentage.) This irst things first: When you’re in Oklahoma, Leake is pronounced “Lake.” This is reportedly due to the name’s English and Welsh origins, and you will be politely year, the first day saw 103 lots offered, with 84 selling successfully. On Saturday, two rings fired up, each with about 100 cars and a few re-runs from the no-sales the day before. Taking the high sale was a 1968 Shelby GT500, fitted with a 427 V8 from an unknown source. While the car was presented well, its unique selling point was that it carried a Shelby-issued VIN in addition to the numbers assigned by Ford. Shortly after production started, the practice changed, and five digits were simply added to the end of the Ford-issued ID numbers. The very appealing car also had a Marti Report authenticating it as triple-black from the factory. A strong selection of hard tops, con- vertibles and classic sedans outnumbered sports cars, and plenty of pickups were in the mix in this heartland sale. Leake is a strong supporter of American collector cars. American Car Collector will have a booth at Leake’s upcoming June sale in their hometown of Tulsa, OK. Bring on the hot cars and savory barbecue! A

LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK GM # 2430 - 1955 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr hard top . S/N VC55K070014. Red & white/ red & white vinyl . Odo: 68,634 miles. 265-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Good cosmetics, but not purely authentic. Non-original colors. Body and chrome all very good, light wiper marks noted on windshield. Interior done quite well, but with non-authentic soft trim. Underhood presents as factory-correct. Retains period-correct drivetrain. AM radio, clock and heater are the only major amenities. Cond: 3. said he had none. Sabre wheels could have been ordered, but the Brougham’s unique wheelcovers set it apart from other Cadillacs of the era and are more desirable. This car just had a lot of needs. Well sold. NOT SOLD AT $29,000 . For the car offered, I think the bid was right about market value. If it had the correct paint colors and a reproduction interior, this could have brought $35k to $45k. The seller likely has more into the car than what was bid, and he didn’t appear too eager to let it go. This might be one of those cars where you have to take a loss and learn from it. # 2481 - 1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO BROUGHAM 4-dr hard top . S/N 5770140321. Black/ brushed stainless steel/ tan broadcloth . Odo: 34,194 miles. 365-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Decent at a glance, less impressive upon closer inspection. Paint tired, chrome cloudy. Soft trim original and beat. The aluminum Sabre wheels are nice, but not right for the Brougham, which had special wheels and wheelcovers. Original air suspension has been replaced by traditional Caddy springs, a common improvement. Under the hood is a trio of 2-barrels, but for 1957 there should have been a pair of 4-barrels with the “bat wing” air cleaner. Cond: 4+. # 2450 - 1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr hard top . S/N F58K109264. Black & white/ turquoise, black & white vinyl . Odo: 49,144 miles. 348-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. A well-done, well-appointed car. Paint in very good condition, with no runs or drips or debris. Chrome all deep and fresh looking, bright trim recently polished. Minor hood gap issue due to new weatherstripping. Equipped with factory radio, clock, heater, dual antennas, backup lights, windshield washer, power steering and power brakes. R134A a/c using some original vintage interior components. Car sits well, runs smooth and seems to be in tune. Nice rumble with dual exhausts. Cond: 2. showing its age; original dashpad severely cracked and drying. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $5,500 . Real police cars properly restored rarely bring significant money. Made-up cars like this one seem to have more appeal. As a tired family sedan this would have been a $2,000 car. Add a $400 economy paint job, $100 graphics, a $250 top light and presto, it sells for $5,500. I would call this a win for the seller. For the buyer, should be some fun and no harm done, as the car really had a look. Steel wheels painted black and wearing basic hubcaps would finish it off proper. # 449 - 1963 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2-dr hard top . S/N 963K25592. Red/ cream vinyl . Odo: 19,623 miles. 389-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Appears to have led a rough life, now a rather bright shade of red over the original Yuma Beige, with wheels painted to match. Interior in fair shape. Underhood spray-can restored. Equipped with power steering, brakes, factory a/c (not working), proper console with vacuum gauge and steering wheel from a parts catalog. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $47,850 . Not a #1 car, not a #1 price, but a good honest car, sold for a touch over market. As with many Chevrolets of this era, the original owners loaded this one with extras. The one-yearonly body design appeals to a lot of collectors, but it isn’t the easist car to get parts for. Better to buy someone’s fully restored car than undertake your own project. # 204 - 1962 PONTIAC STAR CHIEF police replica 4-dr sedan . S/N 662A3547. Black & white/ gray cloth . Odo: 45,113 miles. 389-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Graphics added to a tired but solid family sedan. Beacon light on roof, but only half the lights function; oddly mounted spotlight finishes the package. No siren, extra red lights or radio equipment, but car does have power steering, power brakes and factory a/c (probably not working). Replacement upholstery is NOT SOLD AT $73,000 . In immaculate shape and with proper wheels, all the toys and everything working, these cars can easily hit the $150k mark and are well worth it. The accessories alone would be worth $10,000 to $12,000, but the owner 86 AmericanCarCollector.com NOT SOLD AT $9,500 . One of the most popular personal luxury sport coupes of its day, but everything done on this example worked to cheapen it. Considering everything working against it, the money offered seemed like plenty to me, but the car failed to sell across the block. A few folks followed up afterward to try and work something out, but nothing came together. # 181 - 1964 PONTIAC GTO convertible . S/N 824P28753. Medium blue/ white Colortex/ medium blue vinyl . Odo: 80,054 miles. 389-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Car has been given a cheap and cheerful re-do. Black overspray noted on the nice white convertible top. Scuffing and scratches on some bright trim. Glass shows no bubbles

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LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK and just very light scratches. Exterior plastics hazed. Very cloudy haze for the dashmounted instruments, 1980s sound system fitted, with speakers cut into side panels. Appears to be the real deal, but no mention of PHS documents—a “must” for these early GTOs. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $20,250. Bidding was a tad limited due to unverified heritage. For the price bid, there would have been room for investing in some research, and with lots of elbow grease it will be a much more appealing car. (One suggestion: Put on some stock wheels with either the full wheel covers, or the basic hubcaps.) #217-1968 CHEVROLET CAMARO RS/ SS coupe. S/N 124378L335713. LeMans Blue/black vinyl & houndstooth fabric. Odo: 36,586 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Very nice car now shows numerous dents on hood, fender tops, roof and deck lid, presumably from hail damage or a resentful spouse. Good glass all around. Interior looks fresh, with clean gauge faces. Equipped with factory a/c, hide-away headlights and the rather rare fiber-optic fender lights. Car kept locked, unable to verify RS/ SS factory status. Reportedly a Californiabuilt car. Cond: 3+. glass. Interior in fair shape. Engine looks right. Cond: 3+. in its original colors, it might not have pulled the money it did dressed up to look like a Judge that was never made. Not an “investment-grade” vehicle, but for the person wanting a head-turning Pontiac, this car fit that bill. If it went to a dealer’s stock, I’m not sure if there was room left for a profit; for a private party, this had to be bought for the fun of it. #2448-1969 CHEVROLET NOVA 2-dr sedan. S/N 114279W437572. Brown metallic/black vinyl. Odo: 7,496 miles. 396ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Outstanding workmanship. Body panels close to perfect, fit and gaps above factory specs. Chrome trim clean and bright, minor dent in the windshield bright trim. Strangely, both headlights are rotated 90 degrees. Cloudy instrument cluster. Underhood immaculate. No claims made to numbers matching, but car looks right all around. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $14,190. Verified authenticity is a must for investment concerns. While this car’s ID numbers cemented that it was a real GTO, even more documentation would be better still. That said, it looked very well bought at this price; more research and better detailing could pay off for the buyer. #2459-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 454 2-dr hard top. S/N 136370B13 4098. Gold & black/black vinyl. Odo: 1,820 miles. 454-ci LS5 V8, 4-bbl, auto. Presents very well. Sits level, paint and glass look fresh, clear and professional. Chrome less impressive, stripes imperfect. Reported to be numbers-matching. Needs fine detailing under the hood. Equipped with power steering and front disc brakes, base AM radio and heater, plus SS-styled wheels with raised white-letter Wide Oval radial tires. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $21,725. Camaros continue to be highly valued as collectibles, but the body dings on this one severely limited its potential on the auction block. I think this car could benefit greatly from a little time with a paintless dent expert. Another good reason for collector car insurance, which the seller of this car likely did not have. #457-1968 PONTIAC GTO convertible. S/N 242678B129431. Carousel Red/white ColorTex/white vinyl. Odo: 11,706 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Done up in Judgeexclusive body color and decals, although the Judge didn’t arrive until ’69. Bodywork is decent, brightwork looks good. Underhood needs some minor detailing. Equipped with power steering and disc brakes up front, plus hood-mounted tach and Rally II wheels, sans trim rings. Fitted with modern sound system and add-on gauges. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $30,350. Had this car been restored to such a level 88 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $41,800. This was a great car, and the money spent today was likely still less than it cost to build. There was lots of interest in the car, as it was fairly well known in the area and came from a prominent Chevy collection. Muscle cars are still on the soft side, and I initially heard that there was a $50k reserve on this car, but sometimes money in the hand is worth a parking spot back home. Well bought and well sold. No one should get hurt on this deal. #161-1969 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top. S/N 242379A101948. Dark brown metallic/black vinyl. Odo: 27,526 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. PHS documents confirm it’s a real GTO. No claims made, however, to matching numbers, and true miles unknown. Decent paint quality, although in a polarizing color. Body shows some repair to the rear quarters. Chrome very good, bumpers straight, some bright trim has a scuffed finish. No issues noted with the NOT SOLD AT $42,000. Still one of the hottest cars in the muscle-car market. According to the ACC Pocket Price Guide, these can go as high as $57k, and this example might have brought that much with better prep and promotion. It had lots of eye appeal inside and out. The supply of the LS5s is pretty constant, suggesting that the seller could do all right waiting for a while and trying again later. A little driving might even add to the car’s appeal. #169-1972 CHEVROLET C-10 Cheyenne pickup. S/N CCE142S106908. Gold & white/brown vinyl & plaid cloth. Odo: 38,314 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Straight and decent overall. From the outside, it looks like a full restoration; underhood and interior touched up with a spray-can. Trim scratched and faded. Bed wood in very good condition but not excel

LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK lent. Does have a fancy period AM/FM/CB radio. Equipped with power steering and disc front brakes. Left door handle very loose; right door has troubled unlocking. Rolls on original Rally wheels and freshlooking tires. Cond: 3+. coupe. S/N 30837S110563. Black/red vinyl. Odo: 10,085 miles. 327-ci 340-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. No sign of stress on the body in any of the usual places. Panels line up, even the headlights are at or better than factory spec. Slight brushing of some chrome trim. Some underhood venting weatherstripping has worked its way loose. Equipped with factory AM/FM, tach, no power windows or steering; modern R134A a/c and tinted glass added. No mention of matching numbers. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $7,975. Last year of the secondgen C-series pickups, and therefore the most fully realized design—in most price guides, the 1972 model has a bit of a jump over neighboring years. Truck values have gone through the roof for really nice preserved or original examples. This was just a wholesale price, but if the buyer makes it better by taking care of the details—such as reproduction bright trim, gas cap gasket, door handles and interior trim panels—he should easily come out ahead. Well bought. #2410-1974 CHEVROLET CAPRICE Classic convertible. S/N 1N67R4S194536. Burgundy/white ColorTex/ white vinyl. Odo: 28,398 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Body is solid with no signs of rust-out. Shiny paint, front and rear bumpers have had some recent chrome work. Interior well detailed, but driver’s inside door panel damaged. Lots of power equipment like steering, disc brakes, windows, seats and top. Engine bay is a mess. Offered at no reserve. Cond: 4. #2485-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194376S103714. Silver Pearl/gray vinyl. Odo: 82,791 miles. 427-ci 450-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Sharp restoration of an early production model. Paint icy smooth, no sign of stress repairs. Doors open and close with ease, hood lines up, as do rotating headlight doors. Equipped with original AM/FM radio, heater, clock and tach, sidepipes and teak wheel. Underhood comparatively weak and needs about an hour’s attention from a detail guy. Very well documented with claimed numbers-matching drivetrain. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $62,000. Snug fit, clean looks and the knockoff aluminum wheels all made this car quite a piece of rolling eye candy. Top bid was strong, but seller was looking for something close to $70k — which would have been in the ballpark for a #1 NCRS or Bloomington Gold car with matching numbers. But the Split-Window continues to be popular with collectors, and the seller may well have better luck soon. #2470-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 40867S110675. Riverside Red/white ColorTex/black vinyl. Odo: 39,691 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Lots of appeal. Top fits quite snugly. Some minor stress cracks spotted near headlights. Chrome decent but not deep. All glass in top condition with no wiper marks. Interior usable but could be improved. Equipped with AM radio, heater, tach and full wheelcovers with spinners. Odometer has probably rolled over once. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $13,000. All signs pointed to a car that had been driven hard and put away wet, with all the signs of driver neglect, but it looked pretty good on the turntable and attracted the interest of several bidders, bringing a larger bid than I. There appears to be a new interest in these final full-size convertibles, but the seller was hoping for more. CORVETTE #2457-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 90 AmericanCarCollector.com NOT SOLD AT $88,000. Due to different advertised horsepower ranking between early and late 1966 427s, there is a perceived value difference, despite the fact that the engines are identical. This car hit the lower end of the retail market but was above what most dealers would probably want to pay. While restoration costs continue to escalate, and the most economical way to buy a car is already restored, it helps if the seller cooperates in the deal making. Could have sold at this price. #2456-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194377S116043. Light yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 10,653 miles. 327ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Appears to have had a professional-level restoration a number of years ago. No sign of stress cracks in the body. Some minor scuffing on the chrome trim, and the headlight doors needed very minor adjustments. Glass good all around, tinted and without chips, bubbles or marks. Soft trim in very good condition, but some dash instruments look a little cloudy. Original AM/FM still in the dash. Wears base Rally wheels and optional sidepipes. Built for performance, so no power steering or brakes. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $33,000. The base 3-speed manual is rare but not valuable, as most buyers would have gone for the upgrade when new. But the ACC Pocket Price Guide gives a range of $33,500 to $63,500 for 327/300 coupes, making this look like a good buy with room for a cosmetic restoration and possible financial upside. NOT SOLD AT $38,500. 1967s remain in a league of their own. The car presented a pretty sight, but no claim of matching num

LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK bers put a limit on the value. Hoping for $40k isn’t totally beyond reason, but there were no home runs on this day. Maybe just a little more detailing, and the seller will hit his magic number. #2438-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z37W2S522942. Warbonnet Yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 90,948 miles. 454-ci 270-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fully cosmetically and mechanically redone. Body alignment very good, with no signs of stress or major body work. Chrome excellent all around. Equipped with all power amenities plus a/c. ’90s-era sound system installed neatly in the dash. Claimed full numbers-matching drivetrain. Underhood all in order with proper decals and stickers, but shows some evidence of use. Cond: 2. this price. At the price paid today, I think it was smartly sold and pretty well bought. #137-1980 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z878AS440249. White/red vinyl. Odo: 62,784 miles. 350-ci 190-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. White paint mismatched between various panels. Seat material does not look original. Later 1980s aftermarket radio poorly mounted in dash. Equipped with all the usual power amenities such as steering, disc brakes, windows and locks. Includes carrying bags for original glass tops. Rolling on 1978-style aluminum wheels in need of polishing. Car has had many owners. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $46,750. These first-years are the least desirable, due to quirks like 6-volt systems and the lack of a side vent for the passenger’s compartment. This was a decent driver bought at a decent, top-of-themarket price. I’ll call it fair to both sides. #2466-1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. S/N P6FH317490. Fiesta Red/white ColorTex/red & white vinyl. Odo: 80,520 miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored a number of years ago, a few liberties taken such as dipping many underhood parts in chrome, but exterior finished in its factory color. Very straight body panels, chrome has a light patina of wear. Equipped with both the manual folding soft top and lift-off hard top. Promoted as a California car with front and rear black plates. Equipped with Town & Country signal-seeking AM radio and working tach. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $25,300. Earlier models still command the spotlight, but as the last of the C3s with front and rear chrome and a hint of unbridled performance, interest in these cars continues to build. If your plan is to own and enjoy a car for a long time, these are the ones to go for, compared with the later computer-heavy cars. This was bought quite well. #2488-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 1Z67K2S519818. White/white ColorTex/black vinyl. Odo: 36,960 miles. 350-ci 270-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Not quite NCRS material. Repaint shows bits of debris in the paint. Close inspection of body panels shows no sign of stress or other issues of concern. Soft trim decent and appears mostly original; perhaps more wear than expected for mileage. Fitted with 1980s stereo system mounted in dash. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $11,825. This car needed some major cosmetics, and 1981 is not the most exciting year for the C3, but it would still make for a good entry into the Corvette world. I had it priced at $7k–$8k, so it made sense when the reserve came off at $7,500. But that’s when things started getting serious, with two bidders taking the car up in $500 jumps to the end. Very well sold. FOMOCO #2465-1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. S/N P5FH251259. Black/black & white vinyl. Odo: 62,288 miles. 292-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Older semi-professional restoration. No crazing of the paint, chrome is above average, body in very good shape including alignment between doors and rocker moldings. No sign of the soft top it was born with, but hard top fits well. Equipped with radio, heater, clock, power steering and brakes. 12-volt electrics added. Underhood neat and tidy. Part of a trio of T-Birds, all offered at no reserve. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $48,400. A number of important updates, such as improved ventilation, spare tire mounted to the rear and deepdish steering wheel all combined to make the ’56 T-Bird a winner with collectors. That said, similar examples in this condition have brought quite a bit less in recent auction action. Offered as part of the trio of no-reserve ’Birds, the seller hit a home run with this sale. He came within a cat’s whisker of the $150k total he was hoping for. #2467-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. S/N D7FH309648. Torch Red/white ColorTex/white vinyl. Odo: 75,648 miles. Another member of a trio of T-Birds offered at no reserve by one seller, this car featured the Signal Seeking radio, clock, tachometer, heater and clock. Also fitted with power steering, brakes, windows and seat. Aftermarket wire wheels are not correct, but popular. Reported to be California car from new, sporting Pebble SOLD AT $20,350. A few years back, this car would have been lucky to get bid to half May-June 2012 91

LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK Beach owners badge on the grille. Was factory red and came with a hard top, a rather late production but nothing unusual. Most disturbing was an ill-fitting headlight that could be fixed rather easily. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $54,450. Of the two-seat T-Birds, the 1957 remains the most popular because of its styling, having more power and being able to pull itself out the way of trouble. Also, the design of the rear fins flowing into the doors. Seller was delighted with this car’s performance on the block, and new owners will find plenty of enjoyment in the driving experience, but not a big return on their investment for the time being. #2435-1962 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4-dr convertible. S/N 2Y86H423488. Sandstone Tan/white/tan leather. Odo: 63,491 miles. 430-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. The words “rust free” have been scratched out on the car card. Some rust noted in the floor boards and in the trunk area, but outside sheet metal doesn’t show as bad, especially in the trouble-prone lower areas. Tired, uninviting patina overall. Chrome is dulled. Top complete, but functionality is questionable, as are other items. Well optioned, but no a/c. Cond: 4+. factory. What’s missing is the rear-window slats (kind of a must-have for the overall package). Underhood shows a little wear and tear; probably the weakest point on this ride. Mileage claimed actual. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $15,510. A couple of years ago, this would have been in the $5k–$6k range, but Mustangs are hot right now. The paint on this was dripping fresh, but I bet that the seller is money ahead, and with proper marketing and a little care, there might still be another $3,500 or $4,000 to squeeze out of it. Well bought and sold. #474-1968 SHELBY GT500 convertible. S/N 8T03S11599000132. Black/black ColorTex/black vinyl. Odo: 15,853 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Early production car. Workmanship very good but not flawless. Paint near perfect, but interior appointments show more patina than expected. Marti Report confirms that it was a triple-black car from the factory, but now fitted with a 427 instead of a 428, and alloy wheels instead of steelies. Displayed with top down, so no way to evaluate condition. VIN tag shows both Ford-issued and Shelby-issued numbers. (8D410C32A00132). Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $26,750. A unique color that you’d really have to like a lot. High offer was not too far off, but if the seller has to break even on money already spent on restoration, you can understand why they were hesitant on selling. Judging by the post-block interest in this car, the seller may well get a bit closer to the $30k he was looking and hoping for. MOPAR #178-1951 PLYMOUTH SPECIAL DELUXE convertible. S/N 1254652. Black/tan canvas/tan cloth. Odo: 28,686 miles. 217-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Heavy orange peel in paint. Some trim missing. Top might have been replaced during the Kennedy administration and shows some signs of decay. Interior is original, with cotton stuffing escaping the fabric under yellow plastic covers. Radio and heater intact, unknown if either works. Cond: 4-. NOT SOLD AT $21,000. With their simple and elegant slab-side styling, “kissing” suicide doors and drop top, plus plenty of power under the hood, these can make for truly splendid automobiles. They’ve been going off the charts when done to perfection lately. But considering the needs on this one, high bid should have been enough to get it sold. #157-1966 FORD MUSTANG convertible. S/N 6F08C354300. Red/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 78,629 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Very appealing, looks prepped for quick sale. Originally burgundy with black interior, now red over white. Original AM radio still in the dash. High-performance decals on the air cleaner, plus some chrome tidbits added to offset the spraycan restoration. Wears original-style wheelcovers. Delivered new to the Oklahoma region. Cond: 3-. 92 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $181,500. Nice Shelby, and the race-bred 427 is the more desirable engine, but not in a 428 car. The seller was looking for something in the $175k range, which I thought was out of this world for this particular car. But after bidding topped at $130k, long post-sale negotiations got the two parties to come together for this very impressive price. #2486-1971 FORD MUSTANG Mach 1 fastback. S/N 1F05M178312. Grabber Green & black/dark green knit vinyl. Odo: 96,207 miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Paint professionally applied and looks great. Heritage confirmed with full Marti Report, which agrees with the current color and all accessories, including the basic AM radio, heater-defroster, dash-mounted clock and the colored sport mirrors on each door. Car also has Magnum 500 wheels from the SOLD AT $8,250. This was the best $3,000 car I have seen sell for over $8,000 in quite some time. One might hope it will be restored back to its original condition, seeing as the factory drivetrain was still with the car and ran out reasonably well. But I predict that it will be reborn with a potent V8 of Mopar origins, which—while sad for the purist—might pay off for the person doing the hard work. #222-1965 DODGE POLARA 2-dr hard top. S/N D153289471. White/red vinyl &

LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK cloth. Odo: 63,169 miles. 383-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Probably just a family car with a big block for much of its life. Now repainted in its original color and showing some apparent rust repair. Chrome on bumpers looks new, but diecast trim shows some pits. Aluminum and stainless trim scuffed. Some pitting and tarnishing of interior chrome, which should have been polished before the sale. Rolls on Magnum 500 wheels and Redline tires. Equipped with power steering and power brakes; no word whether original AM radio and a/c are functional. Cond: 3. boom days, these early Hemi Plymouths never really broke the bank; they seem to be regarded by many as more of a “performance” car than a muscle car. In the current market, this sale was just about spot-on. #2483-1970 PLYMOUTH ’CUDA 2-dr hard top. S/N BS23V0B243964. Burnt Orange & black/black vinyl. Odo: 44,833 miles. 440-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Genuine V-code 390-hp 440 with matching numbers, certified by Govier. Restored several years ago and holding up well. Some spider-webbing on the paint, rain gutters a little sloppy. Interior tight. Equipped with shaker hood, factory Drag Pack, 3.56 Dana 60 rear end, Tic-Toc-Tach gauges, sport mirrors, plus the Rally Road wheels and proper tires. Pistol-grip shifter. Modern audio system installed. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $9,625. The perfect starter car for a future Mopar collector. This had just the right amount of eye candy, with Magnum 500 wheels and Redline tires, and the big-block 383 would offer plenty of power and yet be relatively tame. An excellent chance to learn about 1960s mechanicals, electricals and bodywork, or for the experienced collector, just a nice driver that no one would get too serious about. Well bought. #2478-1966 PLYMOUTH HEMI SATELLITE 2-dr hard top. S/N RP23H67308894. Red/black vinyl/bronze vinyl. Odo: 12,861 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Promoted as a a numbersmatching car. Appears to have seen little use in the past few years. Bodywork straight, paint good, except hood looks a shade darker than rest of car. Crack noted in the speedometer cover and some interior brightwork in need of attention. Original fender tag in place. Repro Mopar battery helps presentation. Magnum 500 wheels and Redlines top it off. The solid lifters make a bit of noise on startup, but car runs out quite well. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $92,500. This car was the real deal, from the Road Rally wheels to the unique color and graphics, but finding more than this high bid is going to be tough. Accurate production records do not exist from Chrysler Corporate, but not many of these Satellite-based Road Runners were produced. Despite that fact, they don’t have the same market appeal as the first-gen 1968–70 cars. AMERICANA #418-1951 STUDEBAKER CHAMPION business coupe. S/N G895671. Tan/brown broadcloth. Odo: 86,091 miles. 169-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. A bare-bones type of car, still running on its original 6-volt system. About the only accessory is an aftermarket heater and electric wipers. Very unique and somewhat appealing styling. Paint is kind of drab, almost a matte finish. Interior is clean, but far from exciting or spectacular. Dash features clean gauge faces and no pitting on chrome. Underhood could have benefited from a bit more detailing, but looks factory authentic. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $77,000. This could have been a $150k car at the height of the boom, but Mopar muscle took quite a hit in the collector car recession. Two years ago this sold for $78,840 at Silver’s 2010 Reno sale (ACC# 166329), and today it hit approximately the same number. Market-priced, then and now. Market-priced, but considering that this feels like the bottom of the market, well bought. #2477-1971 PLYMOUTH HEMI ROAD RUNNER 2-dr hard top. S/N RM23R1R105122. Medium green metallic/black vinyl/medium green vinyl. Odo: 49,177 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Body-off restored to factory configuration, confirmed by close inspection of fender tag. Excellent workmanship, no flaws noted in paint or trim. Interior excellent. Numbers-matching engine, not sure about transmission. Air Grabber hood. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $9,000. With few options and nothing to break, maintenance on a car like this is rather carefree, but that doesn’t do much for market appeal. These bullet-nose Studes have a strong cult following, but they don’t tend to be expensive—probably a C+ or B- future collectible. The price paid here was fair for both seller and buyer, and there may be some upside potential with proper detailing and presentation. A SOLD AT $77,000. Even in the pre-2008 May-June 2012 93

AUCTIONS AMERICA BY RM // Ft. Lauderdale, FL Spring break, Auctions America-style THERE WAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOVED VINTAGE AMERICAN CLASSICS 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/250 coupe, sold for $68,200 Auction America by RM Fort Lauderdale 2012, Fort Lauder dale, FL March 16–18, 2012 Auctioneers: Brent Earlywine, Mike Shackelton Automotive lots sold/offered: 388/568 Sales rate: 68% Sales total: $16,885,165 High Sale: 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial phaeton, sold at $341,000 Buyer’s Premium: 10%, included in price Auctions America sales total $25m $10m $15m $20m $5m 0 94 AmericanCarCollector.com 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Report and photos by Phil Skinner Market opinions in italics break. Auctions America’s Donnie Gould and staff seemed to have something for everyone — especially if you love vintage American classics. The crowd was strong, and a record number of bidders turned out from locations as far away as Europe. One of the major draws was a group of W about two dozen Corvettes from a Texas collector, and they ranged from a 1953 roadster to multiple latter-day Indy Pace Car editions, all offered at no reserve. The biggest sale from this collection was that first-year example, number 64 of 300, which changed hands at $176,000 — a strong price, but off the high-water mark seen several years back. The collection of Indy Pace Cars from 1978 to 1996 all hammered sold, but none of them brought in record-breaking money. What did break the charts was a big, chrome-laden 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special. It was superbly restored and went to a new home for $93,500. Pickups were not seen in great numbers, ith its balmy, sunny temperatures and gentle ocean breezes Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place for a spring but interestingly, there were three very unique Dodge Sweptside models on offer from three different consignors. All were award-winners, and all ended up going to new homes very near the $50,000 mark. Pre-war Classics appear to be making a real comeback in the market. The high sale was a 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial phaeton, sold for $341,000. A 1931 Cadillac Imperial V16 Fleetwood limousine brought $143,000, a 1937 Cord 812 Phaeton sold for $101,750, and a very unusual 1933 Buick sold for $68,200. The custom-crafted limousine wore coachwork from the Bronkhorst shops and had a connection to the royal family of the Netherlands. The supply of muscle cars was perhaps lacking by comparison, and many didn’t meet their reserves. That said, the secondhighest sale was a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 454 LS6 convertible at $198,000. There was a good supply of Shelby Mustangs, many of which sold, but prices were not as high as we’ve seen in other recent sales. Gould consigned and sold more cars than ever this time around, requiring an outdoor tent to shelter some of the overflow. If success continues at this rate, he’ll have to start looking for larger digs. A

AUCTIONS AMERICA BY RM // Ft. Lauderdale, FL GM #784-1933 BUICK SERIES 90 4-dr limousine. S/N 1153624. Eng. # 1159624. Red & black/black leather, silk & wool. Odo: 67,806 km. 345-ci I8, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Body appears to be in good condition, and uses construction techniques at least a decade behind U.S. body builders of the era. Fitted with trafficators and dual sidemount spares. Interior features leather seats for the driver, the finest fabrics for the passengers, rear-facing jump seats, and a cute little hole in the partition glass to tell the driver where to go. Mechanically in very good to excellent condition. Cond: 3. wear, gauge faces are clean and clear. Light wear on the driver’s seat. Underhood is tidy, but not sanitary. Perfect for touring, but not concours ready. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $28,050. Several bidders participated up to the $20k mark, which is where the reserve was lifted, but only two continued on past that point. While it had a heater and clock, there was no radio, despite the antenna, which would have contributed at least a $1,000 to the value. If the new owner is willing to put at least $10k into bodywork and paint, they might have a car with a $40k potential. Although there is not much margin for a big profit, there is enough to call it well bought. SOLD AT $68,200. This was one of the most unique “special interest” vehicles at Fort Lauderdale, and I really like the idea of royalty using a Buick chassis. The unmolested little touches such as the Scintilla taillights and original artillery-style steel wheels were very nice to see. For the price paid, I think this car was a real bargain, and, with some detailing and proper promotion, this car could find itself on the grounds of some top concours and auto exhibitions. One of the best bought cars at this sale. #743-1941 CADILLAC SERIES 60 SPECIAL 4-dr sedan. S/N 6340363. Black/brown cloth. Odo: 61,802 miles. 346-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Leaded seams are popping up all over the old repaint, and there are a number of amateur touch-ups. Windshield appears to be new glass, but the sides and rear look original with light bubbling. Interior is sharp with new fabrics close to factory. Door panels and headliner appear to be originals, and are free of stains and soil. Has new pedals with light #568-1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA convertible. S/N F58N220611. Light blue/light blue ColorTex/blue, silver & gray vinyl. Odo: 322 miles. 348-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Unique and correct color for this car, and paint was applied with full professional skill. Exterior includes rear spare tire carrier, fender skirts and simulated ports. Chrome and glass are both in top condition, and stainless is polished with no oxidization on the aluminum. Interior has been redone in correct color scheme and fitted with radio, heater, clock, power windows and front seat, but no rear seat speaker. I do think the transmission has been changed. Cond: 1. metal. All stainless polish deep and reflective. A small fortune spent on chrome work. Soft trim is all the finest original material, perfectly replicating what it looked and felt like when new. Loaded with power steering, brakes, windows, seats and antenna, plus a/c and proper T3 headlights with new plastic lenses. Wears a set of perfect and correct wheelcovers. No suggestion of it being shown, so tons of trophies waiting for this car. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $93,500. This was one of the high points of the weekend, with people talking about it re-thinking whether 4-dr models should be overlooked. Even at this price, the restoration costs had to far outweigh the return, but the new owner can count on this car being invited to shows and concours, and if it hasn’t been shown, it is a shoo-in for AACA, Cad-LaSalle and other groups. A really great car, a great buy, and hopefully the seller is happy, too. A world record. SOLD AT $85,800. Of the three ’58 Impala convertibles at this sale, this was by far the best. One of the other examples managed to roll to the block, and then right over it due to a brake failure. I found it refreshing to see one of these without Tri-Power, although it might have added another $5k to the final price. Considering the expense of finding a solid car, gathering the accessories, and performing the work, I can, without hesitation, declare this car well bought. #481-1959 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 4-dr hard top. S/N 59M074180. Wood Rose/tan broadcloth. Odo: 22,278 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Repainted in its original unique color, laid down on smooth, straight sheet 96 AmericanCarCollector.com #557-1960 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE convertible. S/N 860K5387. Dark red metallic/black ColorTex/red leather. Odo: 12,464 miles. 389-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Mileage is a guess due to the odometer numerals not lining up, which is about the only flaw on this car. Paint was liquid deep and well applied with no signs of sanding marks, repair, or other concerns. Underhood was spotless and equipped with power steering, power brakes and that wonder-trio of carbs. The 8-lug wheels, new tires and deep reflective chrome added up to a great car that received top honors from AACA clear back in 1998. This car has held up very well. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $82,500. Of the pair of these in this sale — and both were stunning — this one really popped. It sold at RM’s San Diego, CA, auction in June of 2010 for BEST BUY

AUCTIONS AMERICA BY RM // Ft. Lauderdale, FL $61,600 (ACC# 165091) and was considered a steal. Seen again in December 2011 in West Palm Beach, FL, at the Hollywood Wheels sale (ACC# 190172), it failed to reach its $100k-plus reserve. This is a sharp ride, and really needs a loving home rather than more trips over the auction block. The price paid was a fair deal, but hopefully it won’t see another auction block for a few years. #455-1965 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top. S/N 23737P145101. Nightwatch Blue/dark blue vinyl. Odo: 65,316 miles. 389-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Straight panels, good chrome, glass and plastic lenses. Minor micro-scratches in paint. Interior fresh-looking; firm seats have proper embossed pattern; newer-looking dash components; factory AM radio. With factory-installed Hurst wheels shod in Redline tires. Underhood is tidy, but intake manifold shows some seepage. PHS documents claimed, a good thing with these early Goats. Also equipped with Safe-TTrack rear axle, but no tach, which is a bit odd. Cond: 2. mirrors show the bottom is as nice as the top, even in the most remote accesses. Interior appointed with factory AM/FM and power windows, but no hp-robbing a/c. Wears split bumpers and Rally II wheels. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $41,250. Despite its name, the “396” actually had a displacement of 402. This looked like one of the best sales of these cars I’ve ever seen, and it should prompt us all to reconsider the market value of these cars. The early second-gen Camaros have stood in the shadows for a long time and are now coming into their own. A beautiful car and a big price, but still below restoration costs, so I’ll call this one well bought. CORVETTE #540-1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N E55S001064. Polo White/tan fabric/red vinyl. Odo: 159 miles. 235-ci 150-hp I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. If you have seen one 1953 Corvette, you have seen them all — except the quality and condition of this one were some of the best I have glimpsed. Paint is above factory standards, in that there are no cracks or seam lines to be found. Equipped with radio, heater and tach. Engine bay looks in order, but the lower recesses are in need of some cleaning and detailing, as are many suspension parts. Top and side curtains look fresh, as do the tires and wheelcovers. Bumpers line up, but car has the typical ill-fitting door issues. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $23,100. With PHS documents backing it all up, bidders raised their paddles with confidence. This car was well equipped, and with the set of original Hurst wheels as a bonus, it was one of the best buys at the sale. #446-1970 CHEVROLET CAMARO RS/ SS coupe. S/N 124870L522496. Cranberry Red & black/black vinyl. Odo: 78,401 miles. 402-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A very fresh restoration with attention to authentic details. Paint is excellent, stripes fully professional without wrinkle or bubbles. Numbers-matching V8 and transmission. Engine bay immaculate. A number of SOLD AT $176,000. Not too long ago, members of this elite group of Corvettes would have hit the $200k level in this condition, which shows a bit of a pull-back. I’ve seen some prime examples trade for just under the $160k mark, so it was good to see the bidding a bit stronger here, and the final price is a step up in values over recent months. With the 60th anniversary just around the corner, these will be in high demand at shows and celebrations, and #64 is one of the earliest. A very well bought car. #537-1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N VE55S001652. Harvest Gold/dark green fabric/dark green vinyl. SOLD AT $82,500. One bidder saw I had an interest in this car and started to talk it down. He said he had three of them, making it sound like he had no interest and was going home. Then I saw him (and several others) bidding on it. ’55s are rare, but values are still behind some later cars. There may be some undiscovered investment potential here. 60th anniversary celebrations next year will be looking for 1955s, and this would be a fitting example. Well bought. #549-1956 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N E56S003124. Venetian Red & Polo White/white ColorTex/red vinyl. Odo: 12,146 miles. 265-ci 225-hp V8, 2x4bbl, auto. This beauty was awarded NCRS Top Flight status a few years ago but could use some freshening. The paint was marred with a number of micro-scratches and a couple of surface imperfections. The interior was very clean and in order, and all instruments and gauges were clean and bright. Glass is in good condition. Engine bay needs detailing due to a fuel trail coming from the rear carb. A sharp ride, nonetheless. Cond: 2. Odo: 844 miles. 265-ci 195-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. No way to know if it was this color from the factory, but aging paint looks well applied. Number of small chips spotted on front fenders, doors and rear quarters. Chrome is good. Windshield clean and clear with no marks. Interior looks sharp and is an interesting color (though again, not verifiable). Minor crazing on shift knob. Underhood is in order with proper colors and parts all in place. Among the rarest of Corvettes, and a treat to see. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $72,050. The final price was right where the value should have been. It may have been a little low considering the May-June 2012 97 BEST BUY

AUCTIONS AMERICA BY RM // Ft. Lauderdale, FL dual fours, but it also took a hit with the Powerglide. The majority of the work needed on this car is simply detail, which should easily bring it back to Top Flight status. There are still a few awards out there to be captured, but let’s hope the new owner is also able to rack up a few miles. Market-correct price. #545-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N J59S103321. Inca Silver & Snowcrest White/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 2,217 miles. 283-ci 245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. At a glance, this car looks great, but it appears to be a bit shop worn. Paint shows some debris, and panel alignment is in need of adjustment, especially the hood and driver’s door. The trim on top of the left fender also needs some help. The hood is stuck closed, but the car did run well when it came to the block. Wheelcovers and whitewalls are clean. Radio, clock and tach are in place, and roll-up windows look clear. A decent, rustfree car that just needs some tweaking. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $71,500. Solid-axle Corvettes are still very strong players in this market but prices for some of them are still off the high of a few years ago by 25%–30%. Most of the dealers bidding bailed out when this hit the $60k mark, and the buyer got a very good deal. #530-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 30737S102210. Daytona Blue/dark blue vinyl. Odo: 50,158 miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Finished to proper NCRS standards. Not quite a #1, but pretty close to what the factory turned out. Some minor micro-scratches in paint, but no signs of stress. Interior retains original AM/FM radio, clock and tachometer. Underhood is sanitary and ready for judging. Proper decals, stickers and color application make for a solid presentation. Picture-perfect under the dashboard, even. Wears spinner wheelcovers on proper narrow whitewall tires. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $66,000. Pure and simple, this was one of the better bought Corvettes in Fort Lauderdale. While a number of little things needed to be tended to, with a value potential of closer to $90k, there is a lot of room for improvement and profit. For the collector, this was hands-down a bargain, and even more could be invested to make this a winning car in every way. Extremely well bought. #255-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 10867S107751. Tuxedo Black & Sateen Silver/black vinyl/red vinyl & cloth. Odo: 14,031 miles. 283-ci 270-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Solid lifter engine makes plenty of racket on startup, drawing attention to a very straight body. Paint very good, chrome bumpers show some light scuffing but are mounted evenly and straight, doors, hood and deck lid all line up well. Trunk difficult to release, but top is neatly stored with very clean bows. Fitted with proper radio, heater and tach. All gauges clean and clear. Underhood neat and tidy with clean aluminum intake. Spinner wheelcovers and proper wide whites finish the picture. Cond: 1-. 98 AmericanCarCollector.com some plated areas show pitting. Glass and lenses are both clear. Sidepipes and Rally wheels look neat and bright. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $34,650. While this car was far from perfect, the interest in it was strong. The car had a lot of recent work, such as battery, brakes and suspension. The seller’s claim of matching numbers was not verified, but a couple of prospects stopped to give it a good look. Interest in these early C3s is strong, especially the big-block cars. Bidding was very active, the reserve was lifted around $30k, and the auctioneer managed to squeeze out a little more. Although I would call this one well bought, I also think it was very well sold. #471-1973 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z37Z3S419721. Yellow/dark saddle leather. Odo: 21,927 miles. 454-ci 275-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Decent car with a repaint in original color. No sign of stress or body panel issues. Right door needs some minor adjustments. Factory interior shows wear a bit ahead of the odometer reading. Under the hood, the original smog pump is still in place. Fitted with factory a/c, AM/FM radio and full power options. Wearing Arizona plates, plus Rally wheels with radials, and lots of rubber on them. Runs out well. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $68,200. A very unusual color, combined with the tamest of engines and base transmission made this a very unusual example. It came off pretty well and saw lots of attention on the block, but bidding did not go much beyond the reserve. The seller did quite well, but the new owner, I think, did just a bit better. #824-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194679S723740. Daytona Yellow/black ColorTex/black vinyl. Odo: 17,577 miles. 427-ci 390-hp V8, 3x2bbl, auto. Repainted Daytona Yellow, this car started life as a Fathom Green machine. Color change was well executed, but there are some masking issues around the interior and engine bay. Interior is basic, but with custom, aftermarket radio emblazoned with “Corvette.” Top fit is good, but some detailing would be a benefit. Windshield header is scuffed, and SOLD AT $25,300. The last of the chromebumper C3s. They keep going up in value, so I would have to say this was well bought and well sold. The reserve was lifted at $20k, and bidding continued a little while longer. #546-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Pace Car Edition coupe. S/N 1Z87L8S905905. Black & silver/silver leather. Odo: 436 miles. 350-ci 185-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Preserved from new, this was a running example with the brakes and fuel system in good, working order. Original BEST BUY

graphics with no checking seen. Appears to have been stored indoors, but the paint has a number of swirl marks and light marring from dry dusting. Interior looks as if it has never been sat in, and the factory installed cardboard sill guards are still in place. T-tops have not been removed since they were installed at the dealership. One brake light is not working. Cond: 2+. AUCTIONS AMERICA BY RM // Ft. Lauderdale, FL FOMOCO SOLD AT $33,000. Ever wonder how many 1978 Pace Car editions exist that have fewer than 500 miles on them? At this price, I can only think that even with the ups and downs of the stock market, the money this car cost new could be doing some serious work in a good mutual fund account today. However, there are still collectors interested in these cars at this level, which is about where they have remained for the past five years or so. Market-correct price. #127-1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Grand Sport coupe. S/N 1G1YY2259T5600631. Admiral Blue w/ white stripes/black leather. Odo: 23,860 miles. 5.7-L 330-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Still wearing all its factory paint, but more pedal wear than expected for miles showing. Wears Fiske aftermarket alloy wheels. Equipped with original radio and working a/c. Underhood looks untouched save for some washing—stickers and labels have some fading but no cracked hoses or panels. Undercarriage not as well kept as rest of car. Cond: 2-. #806-1935 FORD MODEL 48 cabriolet. S/N 181392591. Dark green/tan fabric/saddle leather. Odo: 469 miles. 221ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Restored at least a decade ago, maybe two, and time is starting to take its toll. High-quality paint still has plenty of depth, but a small stress crack is noted in driver’s door. Well appointed car with factory radio, heater, clock, banjo steering wheel, rumble seat, and rearmounted, covered spare tire. Chrome is very good, as are the seats and trim. Light soiling on the soft top. Engine compartment is all in order, just as Henry built it. With greyhound mascot and California YOM plates, who could ask for more? Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $25,850. Why the original VIN tag was missing remains a mystery. There was nothing in the description about a salvage or rebuilt title, but with a state-issued VIN, there is plenty of room for concern. Considering the condition this car was in, and that major problem with the ID numbers, I would consider the amount paid for this car to be a gift, and call it very well sold. For the new owner, a little investigation might result in rediscovering the original VIN, which would be well worth the time and money. SOLD AT $46,750. Strong interest in these cars has taken the values up quite a bit in recent years. Despite its imperfections, I don’t think this type of price was attainable for this model just a couple of years back. 1935s are usually relegated to a 15%-20% discount when compared with the more stylish 1934s and more popular 1936 editions, but the performance of this drop-top had to be commended. Kudos to the auction house for attracting buyers willing to step up, and hopefully the car’s minor issues can be taken care of quickly. Well sold. SOLD AT $20,000. These Grand Sports do have some collectiblity. The seller had been looking to net around $24k, but when it no-saled on the block, he came to terms with reality in the very active post-sale department. A wise choice. Well bought and sold. 100 AmericanCarCollector.com #724-1957 FORD FAIRLANE 500 Skyliner retractable hard top. S/N MA32249. Red & white/white vinyl & red cloth. Odo: 16,008 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Appears to have been pieced together from several vehicles, and is missing some parts. Massachusetts–issued ID number negates any future hopes of authenticity awards. Pretty paint job. Chrome has lots of patina but is complete. Interior is done in original materials. One major issue is the missing luggage tub in the back, which is a $1,000 item when in good shape. Engine compartment has been given a quickie detailing. A chance to get a flip-top Ford for not a lot of money, but not much potential for growth. Cond: 3. #463-1963 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4-dr convertible. S/N 5Y86N424212. Black/medium blue leather. Odo: 35,811 miles. 430-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. In need of restoration. Black panels look straight and fairly smooth. Doors and hood open and close. Economy color-change repaint from light blue metallic. Interior is original and actually quite nice, but not sure if those miles are on the second run around. Only real option is a/c. Top kept down all weekend, so color and material is a mystery, as are operating conditions—a major red flag for these cars. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $27,500. With the top not demonstrated, buyers could only guess and bid, but the apparently rust-free body was a major plus. Reviving this car will be a substantial undertaking, but with closed sedans approaching the $50k mark in mint condition, these open car will do $80k— maybe even $100k at the right place in the not-too-distant future. #630-1967 SHELBY GT500 fastback. S/N 67400F7A02723. Lime Gold & white/black vinyl. Odo: 61,456 miles. 428-ci V8, 2x4bbl, 4-sp. Some debris is evident in the

AUCTIONS AMERICA BY RM // Ft. Lauderdale, FL paint, but the stripes were laid down with no bubbles or tears. Interior is fresh looking but has a slight patina of wear. Under the hood, all is in order with an eye toward detail and authenticity. Some signs of usage on intake and exhaust manifold. Some upgrades evident, including disc brakes on back wheels and MSD ignition and distributor. Shelby VIN tag has been loosened to reveal original Ford numbers. Cond: 2. about $9,500 on the block, but was a nosale on stage. However, the active postblock sales staff got this, and up to 25 other deals, done off the block. I think these cars should be bringing more, but the supply and demand is fairly well met, which keeps these cars in the bargain column for late 1960s luxury. I would call this one a fair deal all around. NOT SOLD AT $90,000. The seller was very up front about the car and its condition, and honestly believed his upgrades were pluses even if authenticity was affected. He did state, however, that the original parts were available. He also claimed that the auction house wanted the VIN tag loosened to reveal the Ford numbers, but I’ve never heard of that happening. Another ’67 also had its tag loose, but no Ford numbers were found on that example. Bid probably should have been enough. #740-1969 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK III 2-dr hard top. S/N 9Y89A841155. Black/ivory leather. Odo: 9,752 miles. 460-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. An early production unit from 1968, this car appears to be an all-original, low-mile car that was probably put away and forgotten rather than stored for collector purposes. Paint is original, and the chrome and vinyl top show just a bit of patina. There are some small dings in the hood. Glass is all original, also. Full-power car with a/c, and all options are reported to be in working order. Minor cracking in the driver’s seat. Cond: 3. #507-1969 SHELBY GT500 fastback. S/N 9F02R481035. Royal Maroon/black vinyl. Odo: 21,615 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Finished in original color combination and wearing its factory installed data plate. Restored with strong eye toward authenticity. Engine bay looks clean with all the proper stickers and decals. Body done on rotisserie, but perfection missed. Rear deck about ¼-inch out of line on left side. Fitted with base AM radio, a/c and full gauge package, which were all clean, clear and bright. Shelby’s autograph on glovebox door. Cond: 2+. looks to have been replaced. Original interior reeks of mothballs, but they appear to have done little good. There are a number of small holes in the seats, but the door panels and headliner have been spared. Fitted with original radio, clock, and heater. Mechanics reported to be in order. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $19,000. Of the three Airflow sedans present at this sale, this example was actually the weakest condition-wise, but was still quite presentable. A very nice 1934 sedan sold at $77,500, and another 1937 model, which was in much better condition than this one, was a nosale at $39,000. Seller was smart to hold on to this car even in its less-than-perfect condition. This car should be able to net at least $25k in today’s market. SOLD AT $75,900. Shelbys have started a comeback, but they are still a bit soft in the market. The seller was anxious and let it go. I didn’t see a Marti Report with this example, so new owner should do that as soon as possible, in order to establish the car’s pedigree and heritage. In the meantime, consider it well sold. MOPAR #848-1937 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW 4-dr sedan. S/N 7023319. Black/brown wool. Odo: 504 miles. 324-ci I8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. A mostly original car with maybe one repaint performed a number of years ago. Paint has held up well but could use a good polishing. Doors work well, but outer handles sag. Chrome has some pits, and glass NOT SOLD AT $65,000. While I have seen prime examples of this exact model top the $100k mark, it would take quite a bit more effort to bring this car to that level. While the body was quite nice, the chrome needed attention, and a full restoration under the hood would be most beneficial. The interior was probably the high point of this car, and the original wheels fitted with basic hubcaps and trim rings didn’t hurt. While the consignor might have wanted more, the bid was safe money to make this car financially viable. Well bought. SOLD AT $11,500. Miles had to be on second go-round, which contributed to the seemingly low price. The car was bid to #744-1948 DODGE CUSTOM convertible. S/N 31171762. Light yellow/black vinyl/dark red leather. Odo: 16,505 miles. May-June 2012 101 #779-1947 CHRYSLER WINDSOR Town & Country 4-dr sedan. S/N C455586. Maroon & wood/burgundy leather & tan cloth. Odo: 96,464 miles. 251-ci I6, 1-bbl, auto. Body panels line up well. Most of the original wood remains, but bits and pieces have been spliced in. Some veneer inserts are also showing a bit of bubbling. The very important roof rack is missing. Interior is all in order, and is fitted with factory radio, heater, Fulton sun-visor, dual factory fog lights, and spots. Underhood is well detailed with a silver-painted engine and upgraded 12-volt electrics. This car appears to have been rescued, but done so with valiant effort. Cond: 3.

AUCTIONS AMERICA BY RM // Ft. Lauderdale, FL 230-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Nothing hidden on this car. Although tired, it is remarkably complete. The paint was probably applied in the mid-1960s, and the same goes for the top and interior. The top was tired but still usable. However, the hydraulic lifts need some attention. Has the original radio, clock and heater. Engine is painted Ford Blue and is equipped with the Fluid Drive shifter, which is a plus. Electrics have been upgraded to 12 volts, and now uses a generator. Unfortunately, the bottom of the car resembled Swiss cheese. Cond: 3-. off the entire picture. Equipped with power steering and brakes. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $42,900. If I had parking spaces at home and a more understanding wife, this wagon would have come home with me. One of two identical models consigned here, this one had the eye pop to command a stronger price. Restoration work must have been in the $60k area, at least after the purchase of the car. The lesser example, lot 808, made $28,050, which also seemed correct for condition. This beauty was well bought. SOLD AT $15,400. Had the seller done some detailing, this car could have brought closer to $20k on the block. Top values on these cars are closer to the $40k range, but with major bodywork needed, it might be better to patch this one up and let someone else enjoy it. The mechanicals are simple on this car, and they were functioning as designed some 65 years ago. That being the case, I think the new owner got just a bit of a bargain. #476-1954 CHRYSLER NEW YORKER Town & Country wagon. S/N 76604152. Two-tone blue/two-tone blue vinyl. Odo: 65,620 miles. 331-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Paint laid down smoothly and evenly, starting with solid, rust-free sheet metal. Only major flaw is minor pitting on the chrome window-surrounds. Interior well appointed, with radio, clock, heater and power windows. Soft trim fresh and nearly new; cargo area flooring done in beautifully finished wood with chrome trim. Underhood clean; Hemi V8 was properly detailed. Wheels and suspension detailed to showquality. Wide whitewalls really set #533-1955 DESOTO FIREFLITE Sportsman 2-dr hard top. S/N 55243154. Red & white/white ColorTex/red & white vinyl. Odo: 29,240 miles. 291-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Impressive car, but presents as a quick restoration just so it could come and get sold. Not sure if paint scheme is correct for the car. Interior done well but without concern for absolute authenticity. Top not displayed but looks fairly new. Equipped with AM radio, dash-mounted clock, heater, power steering, brakes and top. Proper wire wheelcovers were probably done for economy’s sake, just like the rest of the car. Cond: 3-. gree. Chrome plating was above average, but does have some very light pitting on taillights. Interior is not authentic, but, for a driver, looks good. Still has original radio, clock, and push-button shifting. The chrome wire wheels are dazzling, and may help draw the bees to the honey. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $40,150. This car was last seen on August 17, 2007, at the Dan Kruse auction in Seaside, CA, where it was a no-sale at $35,000 (ACC# 46344). The popularity of these cars in the States simply does not compare with Scandinavia, where fins are the king of the road and chrome is the sign of wealth. Coincidentally, the two top bidders I spotted were both from that part of the world, and that is where this car will be heading. I’ll call it well sold, but the new owner might see as much as $70k U.S. for it once he gets back to Stockholm. NOT SOLD AT $62,000. Previously sold for $61,830 last August at Silver’s 2011 Carson City sale (ACC# 184455). Ever since a top-shelf 1956 DeSoto convertible hammered north of $300k at BarrettJackson in Scottsdale 2011 (ACC# 169899), these cars have been turning up in great numbers, but some are of far lesser quality, like this one. This car needed lots of TLC but had lots of potential. The car was worth every penny of the top bid and perhaps a little more, and the buyer is holding out for a bigger profit margin. #612-1957 DODGE CUSTOM ROYAL convertible. S/N 37276818. Gold & white/white ColorTex/black & white vinyl. Odo: 2,537 miles. 325-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. This was a perfect, driver-quality example of a model that continues to be shunned by American collectors but is big in Europe. Paint was done on a budget, and stainless trim is polished, but not to the highest de- 102 AmericanCarCollector.com #527-1958 DODGE D100 Sweptside pickup. S/N L8D1207226. White & light blue/white vinyl & blue fabric. Odo: 56,285 miles. 315-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Pro-quality workmanship awarded top AACA honors. Beautiful paint authentically applied, all bright trim looks showroom fresh. Interior fitted with proper vinyl and hard-to-find fabrics, black rubber floor mat. Sparsely appointed with no radio, clock or even a heater. Does have the push-button TorqueFlite transmission control. Minor staining on headliner. Underhood properly detailed with no signs of leaks or oil. The rare version with the stylish but fragile station wagon quarter-panels and taillights. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $49,500. These trucks are rarely seen, but at this Florida sale, “rarely seens” showed up in pairs or triplets. This was the cheapest of the three, but quality of all

AUCTIONS AMERICA BY RM // Ft. Lauderdale, FL three units was near perfection, the most expensive earning $55k. This seems to establish the value of these trucks jumping about 15%–20%. #453-1959 IMPERIAL CROWN 4-dr hard top. S/N M637103505. White/red leather. Odo: 39,718 miles. 413-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Massive amounts of money had been spent on huge amount of chrome. Sheet metal well prepped, starting with a solid original. Unfortunately it’s a more glaring Appliance White and not the more subtle ivory used by the factory. Rear portion of roof is not vinyl but a spray-on crinkle finish. Interior appears to be in the style of an original, clean and restored. Equipped with full power options plus a/c and AM radio. Great eye appeal with big bumpers, tall tail fins, big wheelcovers and correct wide whites. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $86,000. Mopar muscle is still on the light side of the money, and numbers matching still weighs heavily on these cars. Although the values have come down by as much as 30%, the high bid fell well short of a fair deal. This car did have a few workmanship issues, but nothing that couldn’t be fairly easily sorted out by a new owner. The owner was wise to retreat and sell another day. AMERICANA #443-1965 RAMBLER MARLIN fastback. S/N 4101102. Red & black/black vinyl. Odo: 64,472 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Offered by private collector who searched long and hard for as many N.O.S. parts as he could find. Workmanship is top-shelf, with good paint application on fresh metal very evident. Eye-catching original twotone. Couple of very minor flaws noted on lower rear quarter, no worse than factory. Interior well appointed with factory AM/FM, a/c, power steering and brakes. Upgraded with Halogen headlights, which makes it easier to see at night. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $26,950. These cars are every bit as outlandish as the 1959 Cadillacs and Lincolns of the day. Pay attention if you own one: step up for restoration costs, and you could reap major benefits. A few dollars more and a few wiser decisions for this car could have seen a much more impressive number. #653-1969 DODGE DAYTONA 2-dr hard top. S/N XX29L9B370735. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 60,061 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. The nose on this car lines up better than any I have ever seen, and is probably above original factory standards. Paint is very well done and was applied to the individual parts before assembly. Appears to have been given a full frame-off restoration. The interior is well done. All gauges and instruments are bright and clean except the speedometer, which has yellowed a bit. The engine bay is nicely detailed with original fender tags in place. Basic wheels and hubcaps hint that this car means business. Cond: 2-. Worldwide’s 2011 Atlantic City sale in February, where it sold for $17,600 (ACC# 169034). Official auction records show the car as a no-sale at $19k, but the seller told me he tried working with the high bidder to put together a deal closer to $25k, which I think would be right in line for this car. #420-1969 AMC JAVELIN SST fastback. S/N A8M795M198839. Big Bad Green/black vinyl. Odo: 10,165 miles. 343-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Restored fairly recently; true miles are not known. Paint is loud and well applied. No waves in the metal. Equipped with power steering, disc brakes up front. Gas pedal shows a bit of wear. Seats are full and not broken down. Original AM radio and a/c intact, but no mention whether they’re working. Magnum 500 wheels shod with new-looking tires. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $19,000. Another overlooked AMC entry. While not a muscle car, its unique looks and adequate power make it a car that collectors should give a second look. This example was recently seen at $4k–$5k, and the seller was right to hold. A NOT SOLD AT $15,000. Another example of an AMC performance car that was overlooked by many when new, and is still not the most sought-after vehicle today—but still worthwhile as a surprise package that turns heads and can make drivers of lesser cars jealous. This car deserved another May-June 2012 103

GLOBAL ROUNDUP from coast to coast Cars and bikes G. Potter King Atlantic City Classic Car Show & Auction Atlantic City, NJ —February 24–26, 2012 Auctioneers: Brian Marshall, Jeff Knosp Cars sold/offered: 205/405 Sales rate: 51% Sales total: $4,579,754 High sale: 1954 Cadillac Eldorado convertible, $88,500 Buyer’s premium: 5%, not to exceed $3,000 Report and photos by John Lyons Worldwide Auctioneers The Classics at the Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City, NJ—February 24, 2012 Auctioneers: Rod Egan, John Kruse Automotive lots sold/offered: 33/66 Sales rate: 50% Sales total: $2,104,420 High Sale: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429, sold at $222,000 Buyer’s Premium: 10%, included in sold prices Report and photos by Chip Lamb RM Automobiles of Amelia Island Amelia Island, FL—March 10, 2012 Auctioneer: Max Girardo Motorcycles sold/offered: 9/9 Motorcycle sales rate: 100% Motorcycle sales total: $282,150 Motorcycle high sale: 1923 Harley-Davidson 23 JS V-twin, $41,250 Total sold/offered: 101/115 Total sales rate: 88% Total sales total: $22,297,000 High sale: 1929 Cord L-29 Special Coupe, $2,42,000 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices Motorcycle report and photos by Somer Hooker Automobile report and photos by Carl Bomstead Gooding & Company The Amelia Island Auction Amelia Island, FL—March 9, 2012 104 AmericanCarCollector.com Auctioneer: Charlie Ross Cars sold/offered: 70/77 Sales rate: 91% Sales total: $36,057,800 American high sale: 1948 Tucker 48, $1,320,000 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in price Report and photos by Robert Malke McCormick’s Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction Palm Springs, CA—February 24–26, 2012 Auctioneers: Jeff Stokes, Frankie Bizzaro, Rob Ross Cars sold/offered: 376/514 Sales rate: 73% Sales total: $6,554,730 High sale: 1940 Cadillac Series 62 convertible, $71,925 Buyer’s premium: 5%, included in price Report and photos by Phil Skinner Dan Kruse Classics Dick Burdick Collection Rosanky, Texas—March 3, 2012 Auctioneer: Dan Kruse Cars sold/offered: 98/100 Sales rate: 98% Sales total: $4,547,675 High sale: 1930 Cadillac 452 Madame X rumbleseat coupe, $418,000 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in price Report and photos by John Lyons J. Wood & Company 25th Annual Daytona Antique & Classic Motorcycle Auction and Meet Daytona Beach, Florida—March 14–16, 2012 Auctioneers: Jerry Wood, Steve Dance Motorcycles sold/offered: 98/140 Sales rate: 70% Sales total: $619,625 High sale: 1948 Indian Scout 640 Big Base Racer $91,300 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in price Report and photos by Somer Hooker SOLD AT $37,400. This was an appealing little package. One climbs up into this little car with a bird’s eye view of modern vehicles. Although the mechanics are very SOLD AT $85,250. Stanley Steamers require a fair amount of effort to light off, but were some of the fastest machines of their day, with a top speed in excess of 40 mph. Because Stanleys of this vintage rarely come to market, I was a little surprised at the rather soft winning bid. However, the car has not run in an indeterminate amount of time, and resurrection will certainly require the assistance of a steam expert. It is an excellent museum piece as-is, and will have unbelievable road presence once running. Dan Kruse Classics, Smithville, TX, 03/12. #6-1908 MAXWELL MODEL LC runabout. S/N 1705. Black & red/black leather. RHD. Opposed 2-cylinder engine, 3-speed transmission, chain drive. The Maxwell is one of the great-grandfather corporations that eventually became Chrysler in the middle 1920s. Kept in public consciousness by comedian Jack Benny. Quality restoration likely more than 30 years old, but holding up fairly well. Some cracking of paint with seams showing. Intact, but mechanical condition unknown. Cond: 3+. CLASSICS #2-1903 STANLEY MODEL C Steamer runabout. S/N 307. Maroon/black leather. MHD. Excellent older restoration holding up very well. All period-correct accessories, including Neverout brass lamps. Wicker picnic basket intact and in excellent condition. All white tires appear new. Likely not run in many years. Excellent overall condition. Cond: 1.

ROUNDUP GLOBAL straightforward, parts won’t be plentiful. Were it to be restored today, the paint would be buffed and color-sanded to perfection. The current paintwork is likely much closer to original specification. Have fun with it as-is, or add a fresh straightforward restoration and hit the show field. This seems a fair price for both buyer and seller. Dan Kruse Classics, Smithville, TX, 03/12. #32-1929 AUBURN 8-125 boattail speedster. S/N 342441. Cream & orange/tan cloth/brown leather. Odo: 53,296 miles. 1970s-era restoration still shows well, paint only slightly nicked with scratches and shrinkage that do not overly detract. Chrome decent, but plating has peeled up right-hand side of windshield and is pitting on headlamps. Interior well preserved, engine compartment exhibits signs of touring and recent use. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $803,000. This was purchased by John O’Quinn at the RM 2008 Amelia sale for $1,200,000, where it was stated it was correctly priced. Well, that was then and in today’s world, the price paid here was about right for a Duesenberg on a downward spirial. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #43-1930 WILLYS-KNIGHT GREAT SIX Plaid-Side roadster. S/N 66B46319. Green & black plaid/black cloth/green leather. Odo: 481 miles. 255-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. A gracefully aging Pebble Beach-quality restoration that still wins honors. Not fundamentally exciting or unique, but very colorful and flamboyant in detail. 1930s styling features many Deco design cues, like the simple machined dash pod over natural wooden dash, alternating stainless and painted wheel spokes. Powered by expensive and innovative sleeve valve engine. Some sales literature, operation and parts manuals and a number of trophies and awards are included. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $341,000. This L-29 Cord sold for a well deserved premium. The only drawback is that it has won everything in sight, so the new owner has few options as far as showing the car. I would consider that a good problem to have. Well sold. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #189-1931 PACKARD DELUXE EIGHT Model 840 Convertible Victoria. S/N 188233. Eng. # 173560. Tan/brown/brown fabric/brown leather. Odo: 29,712 miles. The 840 discovered in Argentina in 1965 by Ed Jurist. Restored shortly thereafter. Engine number corresponds to a 1929 Packard. Correct Waterhouse styling touches in place. Older restoration now showing signs of age. Rear spares add to flowing lines of the Waterhouse design. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $165,000. This boattail has been rebodied, but unlike many, it actually started out as one. As such, the engine number matches the frame number. This is a wellknown car in AACA and CCCA circles. Despite being naturally aspirated and a bit dowdy, it is reportedly off for a trip across the ocean, due no doubt in part to provenance. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. 2127. Eng. # J103. Silver & black/black fabric/red leather. Odo: 72,305 miles. J103 was the first long wheelbase Model J built and first Duesenberg delivered to Canada. One of three convertible Berlines built. Originally fitted with Holbrook limo body. History known from new. Older restoration is showing signs of age. Battery box does not fit correctly. Paint lacking luster and wood window trim worn and chipped. Appears a bit tired. Cond: 3+. 3 #168-1929 DUESENBERG MODEL J convertible Berline. S/N SOLD AT $220,000. I saw this car displayed at the Concours d’Elegance of America at St. John’s (formerly called Meadow Brook) in Michigan in 2011. Establishing a market price for these rarely seen cars is difficult, as it simply boils down to how much two buyers want it. This price looked reasonable, considering the style, quality and presentation. Gooding & Co., Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. Yellow & green/Drab fabric/green leather. Odo: 12,840 miles. 322-ci I8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. A spectacular Cord L-29 that has been recognized with a trunk load of awards. Fitted with rare, but correct, FF 322-ci engine and front-wheel drive. Twelve-year restoration completed in 2009. Flawless paint and brightwork. Correct Drab fabric top. The best. Cond: 1. 7 #157-1931 CORD L-29 cabriolet. S/N 2930061. Eng. # FF4834. SOLD AT $154,000. This was last seen at RM’s St Johns July 2011 sale, where it was a no-sale at $230,000. Prior to that we watched John O’Quinn acquire the car at Gooding’s 2007 Pebble Beach sale for $330,000. At the price paid here, have to call it well bought, but incorrect engine is a concern. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. Black/tan canvas/black leather. Odo: 78,512 miles. Sold new by famed California Packard dealer Earle C. Anthony. Interesting history with high-profile owners. Restored in 1968. Has recently participated in several AACA Glidden Tours. Paint showing age with cracking on sidemount covers and blemishes on fenders. Leather seats showing wear. A very elegant Packard Twelve. Cond: 3+. 6 #165-1933 PACKARD TWELVE Model 1005 roadster. S/N 901454. SOLD AT $352,000. A stunning car but at a price. Needs a respray and some interior work to return to former glory. At price paid May-June 2012 105 TOP 10 TOP 10 TOP 10

GLOBAL ROUNDUP would expect a good-to-go Packard roadster. Perhaps the history adds a bit to the package. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #191-1936 CORD 810 convertible. S/N 2037H. Blue/tan canvas/white leather. Odo: 42,473 miles. Known as “Baby Duesenberg” with coffin-nose styling. Once owned by Robert Stempel, former President of GM. Older restoration is unwinding. Taillight lens broken. Tan top dirty and bumper dented from possible accident. Chrome worn and losing luster. Faux super-charged exhuast pipes added. Well past its prime. Cond: 3+. strong result, given the condition. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. GM #3-1907 CADILLAC MODEL M touring. S/N 23306. Black & red/black leather. RHD. Excellent older restoration still appears fresh. Leather upholstery looks new. The entire car is dripping with brass, including Dietz Orient brass lights. The combination of brass and the all-white tires makes a delightful presentation. Likely not run in some time, but appears totally intact and easily resurrected. A very nice 100-plus year-old tour or museum piece. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $418,000. Madame X Cadillacs are rare and beautiful automobiles. A CCCA Full Classic that would be welcomed at concours worldwide, this car was billed as one of the stars of the auction, and it certainly delivered. The hammer fell at the highest price paid at this auction, eclipsing even a mighty Duesenberg. Pricey for even a Full Classic Cadillac, but where will you find another? Fair all around. Dan Kruse Classics, Smithville, TX, 03/12. #38-1933 CHEVROLET MASTER EAGLE rumbleseat cabriolet. S/N 336927. Orange & brown/tan cloth/brown vinyl. Odo: 903 miles. Lacquer paint heavy with multiple defects and blemishes throughout. Body seems straight and solid. Nickel and chrome flat throughout. Tan cloth top faded and loose-fitting. Redone vinyl interior reminiscent of a school bus. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $104,500. This was your basic “needs everything” restoration. Had a neglected look that made you wonder what was neglected under the hood. A wonderful car when presented properly, but many checks will need to be written before reaching that state. Correctly bought, given condion. See the profile on p. 64. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #1762-1940 PACKARD 110 Club coupe. S/N 13857926. Centennial Blue/tan mohair. Odo: 71,205 miles. Very original car with new paint. Lots and lots of pitting on chrome and trim. Window-surrounds show pitting as well. Very original interior with light staining on seats. Wood worn with lovely patina. Original running boards, original clean engine bay with no additional detailing done. Clean original trunk with jack and spare. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $60,500. These Leland-built Cadillacs feature some of the most cuttingedge early auto engineering with their precision manufacturing techniques. We have noted a recent trend of stronger values for the more desirable, very early autos. A year ago, the winning bid of $60,500 might have seemed several thousand dollars too rich. In today’s market, this was a very fair price for both buyer and seller. Dan Kruse Classics, Smithville, TX, 03/12. S/N 702089. Eng. # 702089. Vermillion Red & burgundy/black leather/red leather. 452-ci V16, 2x2-bbl, 3-sp. Dual sidemounts, Pilot Ray lights, wide whitewalls, golf-club door, dual horns, radiator stoneguard, and mascot. An impeccable, quality restoration inside and out that stands up to the closest scrutiny. V16 engine is beautifully detailed and shows no use. Interior is beautifully executed in even the smallest details, including the interior woodwork, but would benefit greatly from a minor cleaning due to long-term museum storage. An excellent example of a highly sought-after Cadillac. Cond: 1. 5 #34-1930 CADILLAC MODEL 452 Madame X rumbleseat coupe. SOLD AT $25,725. This car looked great from 10 feet away, sporting what was arguably Packard’s best color for 1940 (a color they would eventually sell to Ford). The disappointment came on closer inspection, as the pitting and ignored exterior details became apparent. The fine original interior, however, I would not touch. The auction team worked hard for what was a very 106 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $22,000. This quasi-photogenic car presented much better in the catalog than in reality. While about the top of the line for Chevrolet in 1933, this example looked fit only for restoration. Well sold. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. Burgundy/tan fabric/tan leather. Odo: 55,712 miles. 346-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Stately and drivable Full Classic. Factory radio, heater/defroster, and clock. Also equipped with accessory “Junior” Trippe driving lights and California World’s Fair license plates. Restoration looks to be at least 20 years old. Body is straight, but with some slight pitting on the chrome grille. Soft trim is clean and tight, but top has some minor soiling. Hood mascot is excellent in every way. A great car for touring, or with a little help, to show. Cond: 2. #180-1940 CADILLAC SERIES 62 convertible. S/N 8324374. TOP 10 BEST BUY

ROUNDUP GLOBAL SOLD AT $71,925. What might seem like a tough price at first glance was actually quite reasonable for the new owner. With a little work, this car could be a money-maker. These cars are quite popular within the CCCA and Cadillac clubs, and with a little bit of cleanup, this car could be in the $90k$95k territory. That being said, I have to consider this car well bought. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #175-1941 BUICK MODEL 76C Roadmaster convertible. S/N 14212726. Lancaster Gray/black canvas/red leather. Odo: 28 miles. 320-ci I8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Numerous awards include Senior Gold at 2011 Buick Nationals. One of 1,845 convertible coupes produced in 1941. A recent restoration that has been maintained to a high standard. Passenger’s door out slightly at bottom, and minor bumper issue. Full leather interior. Powered by “Fireball” 8-cylinder engine. First year for fully enclosed headlamps. A very strong presentation. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $126,500. A strong price for a non-CCCA Full Classic, but this was a strong Buick Roadmaster convertible. The very limited production numbers and the large 8-cylinder engine surely strengthened the cause. All said and done, a fair transaction all around. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #1764-1942 CHEVROLET pickup. S/N 14HPJ22482. Burgundy & black/black vinyl. Odo: 76,850 miles. 216.5-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Stunning 20-year-old restoration. Very few flaws anywhere. Excellent paint and trim. Many accessories including rear bumper, stoplights, wooden bed, running boards, and spotlights. Correct interior is Spartan. No radio. Spotless, older detailed engine bay. Minimal wear anywhere. Cond: 2+. May-June 2012 107

GLOBAL ROUNDUP SOLD AT $25,200. This was one rare piece. By 1942, the USA was at war, and the car builders were being converted to tank and weaponry suppliers. This is likely one of fewer than 10 surviving, and it is a great looking truck. This was a half-ton truck, so it had the lighter-duty engine setup. Nonetheless, it is a truck worth owning given its rarity and condition. Well bought. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #1814-1949 CADILLAC SERIES 62 coupe. S/N 496225884. Burgundy/tan. Odo: 51,708 miles. 331-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Very highquality restoration with excellent gaps and panel fit. Superb prep and paint throughout. Perfect chrome and trim. Breathtaking interior with no detail missed on the restoration. Factory AM radio, clock, and heater. Exquisitely detailed engine bay, underside, and trunk. Original jack and tools. Original miles from new. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $60,500. This ws a middle-of-theroad Olds woodie wagon that sold for an appropriate price. In stellar condition these can hit six figures, but this one has a ways to go. Fair transaction all around. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #61-1951 PONTIAC SEDAN DELIVERY Model 2571 wagon. S/N P8UH58401. Black/brown vinyl. Odo: 41,917 miles. 268-ci I8, 2-bbl, auto. Very old restoration is not without surface flaws, shrinkage and waviness to exterior finish. Panel fit remains good, probably as built. Chrome and brightwork both appear older and may be original. Spartan interior includes a heater, although rear compartment is fully carpeted in high-quality materials. Engine compartment sports older detailing. Cond: 3+. very strong, but the car was purchased by a dealer, which would seem to confirm the car’s truly impressive presentation and condition. A very fair deal for a very nice car. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #421-1955 OLDSMOBILE SUPER 88 Holiday hard top. S/N 557C22926. Coral & white/coral & white vinyl. Odo: 22,476 miles. 324-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Claims are that this car was treated to a frame-off restoration, but, while clean, it isn’t perfect. Body looks solid, and panels line up well. No signs of body panel repairs or rust issues. Interior was done on a budget with a few shortcuts on materials. Glass is good. Windshield has been replaced, but rubber is looking a little tired. Chrome work costs some money, however, and the bumpers are deep and reflective. Fitted with original radio, heater, clock, power steering and power brakes. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $38,850. Sold in 2008 at Keith McCormick’s Palm Springs Auction for $33,863 (ACC# 118934). The market fall-off on these cars over the past six years is staggering. The restoration costs alone are likely twice what the car sold for (and possibly more). While not a CCCA-eligible Cadillac, it is still a stunning auto that would be welcomed at just about any event. Very well bought. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #202-1949 OLDSMOBILE SERIES 76 wagon. S/N 496B5148. Green & wood/red leather. Odo: 72,456 miles. Only 1,545 Series 76 wagons produced for 1949 and fewer than half had authentic wood trim. In mid-model year they switched to a full metal body with faux trim. This an original woodbodied example. Red leather interior shows signs of age and use. Equipped with period sun-visor. Attractive but under-powered. Older restoration with some needs. From O’Quinn estate. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $41,800. A striking car due to its body style and rarity (one of just 1,822 built in 1951) as a commercial-bodied Pontiac. It lacked the same curb appeal as Lot 4, the ’52 Pontiac Chieftain convertible, but it still sold well to someone about as fascinated with it as I was but with a little more love for the marque. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #1756-1954 CADILLAC ELDORADO convertible. S/N 546277279. Black/black cloth/black leather. Odo: 66,821 miles. 331ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Stunning in triple-black and fully restored. Fit and finish beyond factory ability, chrome and trim to near concours condition. Magazine feature car and an AACA award-winner. Engine and trunk highly show-detailed. Interior restored to correct specifications. Equipped with power steering, power brakes, AM radio and factory heater. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $14,070. An iconic American car that, for the price paid, may turn out to be a steal. Top-shelf examples are going for three times this money. The chrome needs some help, and a little detailing wouldn’t hurt, but, for the money paid, there is a lot of room to bring it up a notch. Even with a reasonable investment there should still be room for a comfortable profit margin. I would call this car extremely well bought. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #1835-1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR convertible. S/N VC56N067947. Yellow & black/black vinyl/yellow & black vinyl. Odo: 4,553 miles. 265-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Well kept restored car. Average door gaps and panel fit. Very nice paint prep and presentation with only small chips on some leading edges. Very good chrome and trim throughout. Interior excellent, with mild wear since restoration. AM radio, clock, power steering and power brakes. Detailed engine bay and trunk compartment. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $88,500. This car was really impressive. The triple-black color combination gave it an incredible presence, and no matter where the car goes, it will always be a draw for any collection. Price paid looked 108 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $59,850. With so many ’55s and

ROUNDUP GLOBAL ’57s everywhere, this car was a breath of fresh air. It was owned by a gentleman collector with only a few cars, and he had decided it was time to sell this one. He paid $60k for it several years ago and enjoyed the heck out of it during his ownership. He wisely pulled reserve once the car got into the $50k range, and once the bidding stopped, it hammered at $57,000. A solid result for a deserving car. Well sold. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #138-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR Convertible. S/N VC57L139902. Onyx black/black vinyl/red/silver patterned vinyl. Odo: 122 miles. Frame off restoration to exacting standards. Excellent panel fit and Onyx black paint glistened in Florida sun. Options include E-Z-Eye tinted glass, AM radio and spinner hubcaps. Rochester fuel injection developed one horsepower for every cubic inch. A well presented example. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $99,000. The 283 horsepower fuel-injected engine was certinly a rare option, and they will often add as much as $50k to the package. This properly restored “Fuelie” failed to gain much traction here and sold for a touch under the money. Well bought indeed. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #52-1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA convertible. S/N F58L131697. Rio Red/white vinyl/orange, black & gray vinyl. Odo: 2,029 miles. 348-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored a decade or so ago by a well-known custom car builder, and remains in great condition. Panel fit slightly off at left front fender to driver’s door, paint and body otherwise uniform. Chrome and brightwork exhibit a light haze and have some polishing marks. Interior and top remain as restored. Engine compartment nearly faultless. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $121,000. An AACA Senior car in 2005 and a more recent award-winner at the New England Concours in 2009, this was a nice example with the big 348 and factory a/c, plus some other good options. Prices for these cars are all over the map, but the good ones still break $100k on a regular basis. This one disappointed neither buyer nor seller. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #1752-1958 OLDSMOBILE 88 Holiday Fiesta 8-passenger wagon. S/N 587K14453. Red & white/red white leather. Odo: 5,297 miles. 371-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 3-sp. J-2 Tri-Power carburetors, 3-speed manual transmission, factory air conditioning, power seat, power steering and brakes. Highquality restoration completed in 1990 with some use and wear evident. Very unusual options combination likely make it a one of one. Award winner. Very unusual and scarcely seen station wagon. Cond: 3+. May-June 2012 109

GLOBAL ROUNDUP SOLD AT $42,525. This car was last seen at RM St. John’s, where it sold for $52,250 (ACC# 182996). It is an intensely handsome automobile with no B-pillars and lots of very unusual options. The age of the restoration is obvious at this point, but given its rarity, it still would probably rank fairly high on many would-be buyers wish lists. Seller was hoping for more, and took a substantial haircut with the auction and transportation fees baked in. Well bought. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #1745-1960 CADILLAC SERIES 62 convertible. S/N 60F078987. Blue/blue cloth/blue leather. Odo: 60,204 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Original car with cosmetic restoration. Nice paint with average chrome. New “Bumper Boyz”-style bumpers in the front and rear. Firewall vent inlets have some pitting. Some filler in the rockers and rear quarters. Aftermarket dashpad over the original. Autronic Eye and AM radio. Interior very original, with front seat recovered with wear evident. Older detailed engine bay and clean, tidy trunk. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $18,113. Top-condition Rivieras can reach well into the $40k region, and even $50k is reasonable when fitted with the GS option. However, the price posted here was fair for the seller, and maybe even a bit of a bargain for the new owner. The car is road-ready as-is, but also a worthy candidate for a restoration. Well bought. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #200-1965 PONTIAC CATALINA convertible. S/N 252675P301816. Medium blue metallic/white ColorTex/white vinyl. Odo: 72,424 miles. 421-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Sharp-looking car that presents well. Clean body, interior and engine bay. Even the top bows and storage boot are clean and tidy. Top looks fresh and has glass window. List of extras includes power steering, brakes, windows, driver’s seat and top. Features the accessory 8-lug wheels. Full gauge package, AM radio and a/c. Seats look to have been resprung, as they are tight and solid with no typical breakdowns. Car has great presence with the top up or down. Cond: 3+. oxidized, with typical Southern California smog pitting. Power steering, drum brakes, power windows and front seat, plus locks and radio antenna. Also features a/c and AM/FM radio. Mechanics basically untouched, and miles appeared to be from new. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $3,780. The price paid for the condition of this car was a bit under current book values, but not by very much. This is a car that would play well in Europe, especially in the Nordic countries, where taking as many people as possible along for the ride is encouraged. Everyone can then chip in for the $10-per-gallon gas, and these cars are thirsty. If going overseas, look for it to be offered for the equivalent of about $10k-$12k. Well bought. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. SOLD AT $45,150. Last seen at the Fairfield Concours d’Elegance Bonhams’ auction, September 2011 (ACC# 189767), where it failed to sell. This is a nice driverquality automobile that owner had substantially more into than it realized on the block. They were hoping for $60,000, but even with the great paint color and looks, the issues with the car held it back well short of reserve. Well sold. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #109-1964 BUICK RIVIERA 2-dr hard top. S/N 7K1163468. Coral Mist/white leather. Odo: 60,685 miles. 425-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. One of the most impressive personal luxury cars of the 1960s, this example appears to be fairly original. Paint is showing a bit of age but still has good gloss. Glass is good, bumper chrome has slight hazing, and minor pitting on the diecast trim bits. Interior is tight, but appointments show some patina and age. Fitted with full power and a/c, which was charged and working. AM-only radio. Deluxe spinner wheel covers. No signs of accidents or repairs. Cond: 2-. #201-1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO RS/SS coupe. S/N 124377L135529. Butternut Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 79,199 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Sports a recent restoration that appears to be a bodyon job with few miles since completion. Sprayed in one of the most popular colors available when new, and reported to be a real RS/SS example. I drove behind this car from L.A., and it drove out well with no smoke or wheel wobble, but did garner lots of thumbs-up for the driver. Hideaway headlights, Rally wheels, base AM radio, and more. Excellent workmanship for a car that was done on a budget with an eye toward resale and profits. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $32,550. I am often asked if Pontiacs will grow in value now that they are no longer in production. It was one of America’s longest running marques, there are many examples out in the market, and, for the time being, I am sure the supply of Pontiacs will meet the demand. In the meantime, though, GTOs and full-size showboats like this one will continue to be highly prized. A well bought car that was also well sold. I believe there may even be a little room for profit in the right setting. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #75-1967 BUICK ELECTRA 225 4-dr hard top. S/N 484397H248604. White/black vinyl/black cloth. Odo: 80,562 miles. 430-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. This was as close to luxury as you could get in the GM world without hitting Cadillac. An original black-plate California car that was wearing its original paint and chrome, although somewhat SOLD AT $30,975. Seller of this car had a good idea of what he had invested and where the market was, but this still ended up being a great buy that is well into wholesale territory for the savvy bidder. Firstgeneration Camaros are still hot property, and they should return to full strength in the marketplace in the near future. I would consider this car well bought because a restoration to this level can’t be bought for this amount of money. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #75-1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 396 2-dr hard top. S/N 138177K184066. Marina Blue/black vinyl/blue. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Excellent older paint holding up very well. Chrome and brightwork laserstraight and appear newly minted. Interior is all correct including console and tachometer, but could use some minor freshening. Engine compartment was previously nicely detailed, but now showing a little age (if very little wear). A nicely detailed 4-speed 110 AmericanCarCollector.com

ROUNDUP GLOBAL SS Chevelle in one of the most popular and sought-after color combinations. ship showroom in 1969. Correctable buffing marks on rear deck lid just held it back a bit. Chrome and brightwork faultless, as is interior. Engine compartment detailing completely correct and show-prepared. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $88,000. There is at least one car at every auction that leaves me shaking my head. This is undoubtedly a very nice car, but the money is out of the park. The 350-hp 396 V8 is a great engine but doesn’t add significant value the way the 375-hp would. The 1967 Chevelle SS ranks among the most popular muscle cars of all time, with Marina Blue being one of the most sought-after colors, but this is simply a great entry-level muscle car. The only explanation here is that two bidders both wanted this car very badly. Well sold indeed. Dan Kruse Classics, Smithville, TX, 03/12. #29-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO COPO coupe. S/N 124379N690437. Tuxedo Black/black vinyl. Odo: 15,550 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. High-quality body and paint arguably better than when it left the dealer- #399-1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 W-30 convertible. S/N 344670M414760. Gold & black/black ColorTex/black vinyl. Odo: 57,581 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. This car appears to have been given a full restoration. Miles claimed as original, but no verification is present. Also, no real claims of matching numbers, but all the proper W-30 items are present (red fender wells, W-25 hood, tach, Rally II wheels, sport mirrors, and four-speed). Excellent craftsmanship in body and paint, but left door sags a little. Underhood is very clean. Only issues are soft top fit and some under-carriage issues. Otherwise, a sharp car all around. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $140,000. Reportedly one of three COPO Camaros with a 4.56:1 rear end and kitted out with the M22 Rock Crusher transmission, it’s likely that the mileage on this one is original, making restoration that much more pleasant when done to this standard. Seller had a bunch of signs surrounding the car and hovered over all comers—a benefit in certain sales—but might have hurt him a little here, as it made careful examination difficult during preview. At the price bid, seller was correct to hold on. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. SOLD AT $28,875. Even though muscle cars are still a bit soft, this price seems light for a real, numbers-matching W-30. A few years ago, this car could have brought $55k–$60k in the right room, but today, in May-June 2012 111

GLOBAL ROUNDUP top wholesale, it should be able to push $35k. If it was a replica, although nice looking with plenty of horsepower, although I think I would have avoided it from an investment perspective. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. CORVETTE #150-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. S/N E57S103693. Cascade Green/tan vinyl. Odo: 70,832 miles. 283-ci 250-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Unusual combination of fuel injection and two-speed Powerglide, and fewer than than 30 Corvettes were so equipped. Fuel injection was a hefty $440 option in 1957. Car comes complete with optional hard top. Excellent panel fit exceeds factory specifications. Slightly more than 500 Corvettes left the factory with the attractive Cascade Green livery. Trunk full of awards including multiple NCRS Top Flight certificates. Cond: 1-. Meticulous workmanship, correct racing configuration and impressive presentation. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $440,000. The only ’Vette at the Gooding auction. It fell short of the $450k–$550k pre-sale auction estimate, but still brought plenty of interest and a respectable number. Very interesting car, but how do you put a value on a privateer racer? Only the buyers set that number. See profile on p. 52. Gooding & Co., Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #1478-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194375S120884. Black/green & black vinyl. Odo: 24,505 miles. 327-ci 300hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Cosmetic restoration to correct factory standards completed in 2010. Good chrome and trim, whitewall tires, spinner knockoff wheels. Retains original black vinyl seats with green carpeting. Engine bay ignored at restoration and very dirty. Equipped with AM radio, power steering and power brakes. Cond: 2-. original accessories intact. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $71,500. There was a little work to be done here, but the end result will be worthwhile—particularly with the original brown leather and L71 powertrain. Fairly bought and sold here. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #1454-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N 194678S424126. British Racing Green/tan cloth/tan leather. Odo: 44,768 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 4-sp. Cosmetic restoration of a claimed numbersmatching car, but minimal documentation to back it up. Top-of-the-heap example with the desirable 427/435 engine. Great color combination. Two related owners over the past 20 years. Nice fresh paint with original trim, which is pitted in spots. Good gaps and panel fit. Dirty engine bay appears SOLD AT $110,000. Rare and unusually optioned Corvettes are always prized commodities wherever there is a block to cross. The price reached here was about right considering the awards and trophies. If this car had been equipped with the manual 4-speed, one could expect to add about another $10k to the offer. Market-correct price. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. 00867S104420. White/white fiberglass hard top/black vinyl. Odo: 51 miles. 283-ci 397-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Special-order Corvette from the well-known Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago, with short but important history. Purchased by wealthy race enthusiast George Reed of RRR Motors (as in Reed’s Race Rats), the car was prepped 4 #44-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. S/N SOLD AT $40,425. There were several 1965 coupes at this sale, and this one featured the unusual (though not all that appealing) interior color combo of green carpeting and black seats. Prepping fiberglass for paint is difficult, and this car showed its fair share of minor prep issues. And why did the seller not spend a small amount of money to correctly detail the engine bay? All these things held back the action, resulting in a minor score for the buyer. Well bought. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #42-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 194377S114949. Sunfire Yellow/brown leather. Odo: 47,014 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Older respray on highly original car remains very presentable. Chrome and brightwork appear original, uniform and well-preserved. Kelsey-Hayes bolt-on alloy wheels may not original. AM radio. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $42,000. Reproduction trim is neither expensive nor hard to find, and an engine-bay detail is also easy. The car did not sell on the block with a high bid of $37,350, but then immediately sold post-block at an announced price of $40,000 plus commissions. New owner could address the easy issues and have fun with the car, or embark on a search for additional build data and perhaps discover that they purchased a diamond in the rough. Well bought. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #129-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE race car. S/N 194379S720117. Red/red. V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. The engine in this racer was replaced in 1978 after Don Yenko blew the engine at the Sebring 12-hour race. Fender flares added in 1980. This car won the 1974 SCCA SE Division A-Production championship. Red Recaro driver’s seat. Mechanical maintenance was performed in 2010. Listed in Registry of Corvette Racing Cars. Offered in as-raced condition. Cond: 3-. and campaigned at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring with a First in Class win, with the enlisted help of Zora Duntov. Completely restored 40 years later, with authentication by Corvette authority Nolan Adams. 112 AmericanCarCollector.com be original. Original leather interior nicer than in many restored cars. Engine bay hastily detailed with a rattle can, but most SOLD AT $37,400. Inexpensive entry to vintage racing with some rather big shoes to TOP 10

ROUNDUP GLOBAL fill considering others who have driven this Corvette. Stated to be ready to go, with extensive history including photos. Certainly cheap enough if all is in order. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #29-1975 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. S/N 1Z37J5S407267. Bronze/tan vinyl. Odo: 74,401 miles. 350-ci 165-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. While no major body panel damage is noted, the panel alignment seems a bit off. Born in Classic White, according to build plate. Fitted with rear-deck rack, 1990s era sound system, but with original security system lock still in place. Also wears updated 1978-style alloy wheels with tires that showed some wear and tear. Soft trim is supple but showing typical driver’s side wear and a few minor marks on the kick panel. Weatherstripping and rubber seals starting to show their age and break down. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $18,375. While there have been a few break-out sales of Model As in recent years, mid-to-high teens seems to be the norm. This pristine pickup sold correctly within that range. A fair transaction on both sides. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #158-1934 LINCOLN MODEL KA convertible. S/N KA3118. Maroon/black cloth/gray leather. Odo: 59,333 miles. 414-ci V12, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Restored in 1999 with Best in Class at Meadow Brook that year. Limited use since restoration. Paint and interior in excellent condition. Delightful woodgrain dash. Equipped with dual sidemounts and luggage rack. Only 75 examples produced. An elegant design. Cond: 2+. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #42-1940 MERCURY 09A convertible. S/N 99A1676225. Maroon/tan canvas/tan vinyl. Odo: 46,131 239-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 3-sp. Very nice, high-quality repaint in stock color. Excellent chrome and brightwork, including optional grille guard, fog lights and bumper ends. High-performance flathead V8 with many performance upgrades, including triple Stromberg carburetors. Tacky auto-parts plastic wiring, including crimp ends. Nice interior spoiled by odd, violet-blue-painted dash and trim. A very nice and rare car spoiled by a few ill-advised modifications. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $11,445. In Southern California, 1975 is a pivotal year because no smog certification is required, which makes these just a bit easier to get licensed and titled. With the lower values enjoyed by these cars, it is a bargain way to get into a vintage Corvette. At the price paid for this example, barring any hidden mechanical issues, I would consider it a very well bought vehicle. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. FOMOCO #2038-1929 FORD MODEL A pickup. S/N KY9893. Forest Green/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 911 miles. 200-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Lovely older restoration using correct reproduction and restored components. Nice accessories, including period fire extinguisher, driving lights and horn. Excellent door gaps, beautiful wooden bed, dual rear stop lights, and dead-on correct restored interior. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $192,500. Lincoln KAs usually lag well behind comparable Packards in value. This excellent example sold mid-estimates, but a V12 Packard roadster would have pushed $300k. This is every bit as strong a car, and a relative value, but little appreciation in sight. Well bought. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #26-1936 FORD LOCKHART TRIBUTE boattail speedster. S/N 12885875. Orange & black/black cloth/black leather. Odo: 101 miles. Hand-laid fiberglass body fits well, finish quality excellent with only small rub marks on panel edges. Cloth top fits well and looks good. Jaguar XK-inspired seats simple and unobtrusive. Engine compartment detailed with faux-Ferrari valve covers atop SOHC modular Ford V8. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $43,450. I’ve always thought the 1939–40 Fords and Mercurys are some of the best looking cars to ever come out of Dearborn. From a distance, this ultra-rare Mercury looked like it had it all. However, a closer examination revealed numerous value-strangling issues, such as the modified engine and oddly painted interior trim. The new owner paid a fair price, but should consider returning this beauty to totally stock specification to maximize future value. The hammer price was perhaps a tad high, but well bought nonetheless. Dan Kruse Classics, Smithville, TX, 03/12. #156-1941 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL convertible. S/N H124855. Champagne metallic/burgundy fabric/burgundy leather. Odo: 2,165 miles. 292-ci V12, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Appears to have an owner-directed restoration that is a few years old. Original drivetrain, but color and interior were foreign to this car when it was new. Body gaps and alignment are at factory standards. Paint is showing some patina and a bit of microscratches from dry-cloth dusting. Chrome is SOLD AT $104,500. I started out thinking that the big drawback to this was that it was done in fiberglass, but the amount of time and investment to craft it in metal wouldn’t have made up the difference at the higher price. I consider this slightly well sold, since it’s not exactly made to be driven except perhaps on a new airport runway. May-June 2012 113

GLOBAL ROUNDUP good, but not triple-plate deep. Side glass has some bubbling on the edges. Interior is fitted with original radio and heater, but it is unknown if hydraulic windows still work. Engine started and ran well. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $51,450. This Continental is considered a Full Classic, and the body was not altered or changed in any way. It could be restored back to its original appearance fairly easily. However, restoring one of these to an original state can be a very expensive endeavor. Done correctly, this car could be worth twice this price and could provide the owner with a substantial amount of prestige through its ownership. It was better sold than bought, but overall, not a bad deal. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #97-1942 FORD GPW jeep. S/N 4T39029. Green/green vinyl. I4, 1-bbl. The paint is faded, there are some dents in the body, and even some minor rust issues. Interior is non-original, department store vinyl. Nonrunning engine and non-existent brightwork or detailing. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $217,250. Values for Ford Sportsman convertibles have not varied for many years, and a properly presented example such as this should sell in this range. As such, a fair transaction all around. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #74-1949 MERCURY EIGHT woodie wagon. S/N 9CM46028. Blue & wood/brown vinyl. Odo: 36,960 miles. 255-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Well-preserved woodie, found in a barn in New England 10 years ago with 34,000 miles on the odo. Union-quality paint, wood looks solid and nicely finished, no apparent rust issues. Five-gauge dash (1949 only) looks complete, functional and original. Vinyl seats are full and tight. Three options noted: clock, radio and heater. The most desirable year of the 1949–51 Mercs. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $37,800. Station wagons continue to be hot in the market, and examples like this that have been authentically restored command strong prices. This price was still about $10k below some book values, which allows some room for profit if a dealer was the top bidder. With a deep detailing and maybe a tune-up, this car could be the star of any show, and could probably reach closer to the $50k mark. It had serious eye appeal, and the quality in the restoration was readily apparent. Well bought. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #1465-1956 FORD F-100 Step Side pickup. S/N F10R3L16570. Red/tan vinyl. Odo: 35,206 272-ci V8, 3-sp. Incredibly well-restored truck with perfect panel fit and wonderful paint. Better-than-factory-spec door gaps. Front and rear accessory bumpers, wide whitewall tires, wooden bed and original tailgate. Interior restored to original as well, with factory heater as the only option. Restoration completed in 2010, and was done off the frame at very apparent considerable expense. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $2,310. These early WWII Ford Jeeps are fairly rare, with the Willys version being much more plentiful. This little Jeep is in need of a full restoration. However, with a couple of days tinkering, it would likely run and drive. The buyer literally paid pennies for a very interesting military vehicle. Take it to the ranch and run the wheels off of it. Well bought. Dan Kruse Classics, Smithville, TX, 03/12. #200-1947 FORD DELUXE Sportsman convertible. S/N 799A16555859. Pheasant Red/tan fabric/red leather. Odo: 343 miles. 239-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. An older restoration that has been recently refurbished to high standard. Excellent panel fit. The car retains the majority of the original maple and mahogany wood. Hydraulic windows and seat. A very solid example. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $63,800. Favored by surfers in the 1950s as cheap, utilitarian transportation, woodies found a wider popularity with the California crowd in the early 1960s after the Beach Boys’ famous reference in “Surfin’ Safari.” This one was an appealing, usable example, with some manageable mechanical needs, and it fetched a fair price. I am sure the buyer was content. Gooding & Co., Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #372-1956 FORD COUNTRY SQUIRE 4-dr wagon. S/N M6RY140609. Light green & faux wood paneling/light & dark green vinyl. Odo: 7,605 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Fully restored a number of years ago by a well known Thunderbird expert. Seller was promoting the vehicle as a 312 V8 car, but the ID number and closer inspection hint that it may in fact be the 292 version. Sold by son of late owner, and done so with much sentiment attached. Very straight West Coast car. Colors inside and out scream mid-1950s. Chrome is deep, paint smooth, glass without issue. Some wear and fading noted on the wood panel inserts and fiberglass railings. Ran quite well on startup. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $25,725. This was the best pickup truck at the sale and had tons of eye appeal. Amazing attention was paid to detail everywhere on this truck. I spoke in my introduction about the great job the auction team did of staying on the money, making sensible arguments to the seller to lift reserve, and then coaxing more bids out of the audience. This truck was a prime example of their great teamwork, as it actually rolled off the block unsold, the reserve was then lifted, and another bid came in as the truck drove away. Slightly well bought. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #80-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. S/N D7FH123145. Willow Green/white vinyl/green vinyl. Odo: 22,600 miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. This two-owner car, dripping in fresh pastel Willow Green paint and corresponding two-tone green interior, displays 114 AmericanCarCollector.com

ROUNDUP GLOBAL a classic ’50s allure. Very nicely restored by an obviously seasoned ’Bird shop. The detail is very correct inside and out. Not a heavily optioned car, but equipped with the base 312 Y block, power windows, Town and Country radio, automatic, power steering, and both tops. Plenty of documentation and receipts. All in all, a great presentation. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $50,600. There are really only two iconic 1957 cars: the Chevy Bel Air and the Thunderbird. Marketed more as a lady’s car, the Thunderbirds made great hot rods for the boys. My second car was a ’57 ’Bird. I thought that this car would have brought a bit more, but it seemed like the crowd was more of a European buyers set. Great deal for the caliber of car. Gooding & Co., Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #73-1959 EDSEL VILLAGER 4-dr wagon. S/N B9UT733580. Black & white/red, white & gold vinyl & cloth. Odo: 84,510 miles. 332-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Very similar to a car seen at this sale two years ago, except that car was an ambulance and in better condition when it sold for $22,000. This car appears mostly original, and is wearing its factory colors and original interior, including the hard-to-preserve Phototex floor covering. Fitted with radio, heater, clock, and back-up light. Windshield is damaged with major crack through the center. The chrome and brightwork have a slight patina but are straight as an arrow. Cond: 3. pitted. Offered with pictures at Darlington. In race-ready condition. Cond: 3-. heavily around windshield. Interior pristine, as is top. Engine compartment well turned out. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $26,400. Price paid was certainly reasonable, but what the heck do you do with it? It’s not a real Holman-Moody car, but it will get you in a few vintage events, or stick it in the corner of your garage and make up some good stories. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #88-1964 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL Lyndon Johnson 4-dr convertible. S/N 4Y86N400925. White/white canvas/beige leather. Odo: 18,259 miles. 430-ci V8, auto. Older, used-car quality repaint, but most of the chrome and brightwork is in good shape. Top is in need of replacement. The interior leather upholstery is showing its age and is cracking. The engine is apparently not in running order and has a lot of wear and tear evident. Last registered for road use in 1983. Many areas dirty and soiled. The car requires a complete restoration, and I would bet the odometer is on its second pass. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $55,000. Restored originally over a decade ago and “freshened” last year, this was a pretty good-looking car all around. It bid to $50,000 on the block, but the seller held out for more, which he got in post-sale a day or so later. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #12-1965 SHELBY GT350 fastback. S/N SFM5S430. White & blue/black vinyl. Odo: 39,685 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. I clubraced this car 46 years ago in Lakeland, FL. It belonged to a friend of mine who bought it as a drag racer with the wrong engine. The current seller is also an acquaintance of mine, and he purchased the car many years ago. The car is a great driver, fairly correct looking in all respects, and ran very nicely. It has seen a lot of road duty, but still presents well. This car epitomizes Carroll Shelby’s intention: to drive the hell out of them. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $27,825. Edsels are rarely accused of being handsome machines, but the price paid here felt like an all-time record for one of these in any condition, and it was far from perfect. Station wagons are doing quite well in the current market, with some examples approaching and surpassing hard top models, but buyers are looking for authenticity, which was a big plus for this Edsel. I heard it was purchased by a dealer, so he may know someone who just had to have it. Very well sold. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #128-1962 FORD GALAXIE NASCAR replica Stock car. S/N AQE6208. White/red. Built as a re-creation of period HolmanMoody NASCAR stock car. Eligible for historic events such as Goodwood and Laguna Seca. Completed in 2007 using actual Holman-Moody parts. Recently refurbished with engine rebuild. Ford 427 has been balanced and blueprinted. Bumper and trim SOLD AT $46,200. The story here is that Lyndon Johnson loved to run the backroads and jump the hedgerows with this Lincoln at his ranch. Given the Texas dirt packed into every nook and cranny, I believe it. I was told, anecdotally, that Johnson knocked a hole in the oil pan more than once, and Lincoln dispatched a technician to install a special protective skid plate. It is a great story, but this car requires a total restoration. Even with the presidential connection, $46k is big money for an unrestored example. Well sold. Dan Kruse Classics, Smithville, TX, 03/12. #37-1965 FORD MUSTANG convertible. S/N 5F08K643867. Poppy Red/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 4,894 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. High-quality restoration must have hit a snag later on, as paint mismatch from right rear quarter into door is obvious. Body fit decent. Chrome redone, brightwork original and scratched, most SOLD AT $192,500. The right buyers were clearly not in the room when this one crossed the block. Among the Gooding crowd, a race Shelby would have had a much better chance of achieving strong money. The price fell well short of expectations, but the seller seemed satisfied. Well bought. Gooding & Co., Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #188-1968 FORD F-100 Ranger pickup. S/N F10YLC64419. Light blue & white/blue vinyl & cloth. Odo: 79,608 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Treated to a full cosmetic restoration. Thought to have originated in the Carolinas, but solid and well cared for. Nice original colors and deluxe interior. Pickup bed is clean and straight, no signs of dings or dents. Some of the brightwork has a slight fogging on the finish, and body-side moldings have a couple of minor dings. Glass is original to the truck and is clean May-June 2012 115

GLOBAL ROUNDUP and clear, as are the plastic lenses. Original tailgate opens and closes neatly. Fitted with AM radio, heater, and power steering and brakes. Cond: 2. although cloudy gauges do not appear to have been redone. Engine compartment shows some use. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $21,000. Ford trucks trail far behind Chevy trucks from this era in terms of desirability and value. At this price, though, it is a good sign that someone appreciated the styling and looks of this F-100. With the Ranger trim package, the new owner should be right proud of his purchase. Don’t think there is a lot of room left for this truck in today’s market, but a nice truck nonetheless. Well sold. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #33-1969 SHELBY GT500 fastback. S/N 9F02R482578. Grabber Yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 79,770 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Older restoration has its issues: Hood bowed about halfway down front clip, driver’s door fits poorly and rattles. Color a bit too fluorescent, likely due to modern materials. Chrome redone, brightwork original and both show some polishing marks. Interior well done and may have some originality. Engine compartment lightly detailed but exhibits signs of use. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $52,250. A Marti Report R-code Mach 1 in a great color. It just lacked some pop, with a decade or more since the major work was done. Hammer price plus commission accounted for all of these factors quite well. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. MOPAR #156-1933 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL CQ convertible sedan. S/N 7530043. Taupe/ brown/tan fabric/brown leather. Odo: 10,403 miles. Restored in the 1990s with limited use since. The CQ Imperial was Chrysler’s top offering in 1933 and only 264 were produced. Older restoration still presents well althought it is showing signs of age. Paint no longer sparkles and brightwork lacking a bit of luster. Jr. Trippe lights in front. A handsome Full Classic. Cond: 2-. little style in the tradional station wagon concept: real steel, real wood, Bakelite ivory, stainless, brass and copper. A handful of T&Cs have broken the $200k and $300k mark in the past five years, so this might be representative of the new market for a premium example. Gooding & Co., Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #443-1951 DODGE WAYFARER 2-dr fastback sedan. S/N D4250434. Light green/charcoal cloth. Odo: 77,654 miles. 230-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Unique body style that has been given an economy cosmetic restoration. Paint really needs some attention. Chrome trim is bright but not very deep. Original glass is starting to bubble, and there are wiper marks on the windshield. Interior was really done on the cheap with plain cloth totally devoid of authenticity. Under the hood is rather ratty, and there is no sign of any attempt to clean or detail. No radio, and the heater is not hooked up. There is a clock, but it is not working. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $82,500. While documented as one of 16 in Grabber Yellow with a Marti Report, the execution of this GT500 just wasn’t up to par. The high bid was enough for a better car; the seller was wise to let it go here. Worldwide Auctioneers, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #49-1970 FORD MUSTANG Mach 1 fastback. S/N 0T05R109834. Dark Ivy Green/black vinyl. Odo: 6,099 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Older accurate restoration of a solid original car. Paint lightly swirled throughout from repeated polishing. Driver’s door fit off and shuts poorly. Chrome and brightwork likewise older and uniform with no major flaws. Older interior generally tidy, 116 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $121,000. Price paid was most reasonable for a very presentable open Chrysler that will make a wonderful tour car. Now just go out and drive it. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. wagon. S/N 7703147. Eng. # C2879747. Burgundy & wood/burgundy leather. Odo: 64,379 miles. 242-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. One of fewer than 1,000 built in 1941. 20-plus-yearold quality resto job has held up well and is not overdone. Excellent wood, clean body, lots of trim and appealing details, like period roof rack, round yellow fogs, spotlight, sun visor, deco bumper guards and overriders. Comfortable leather seats, simple dash layout, evenly spaced varnished wood ceiling slats. Engine bay and chassis sufficiently fresh, correct and tidy. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $286,000. These Barrelback woodies put a 9 #35-1941 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY Barrelback estate SOLD AT $6,615. I think this is one of the more interesting body styles of the early 1950s. The Wayfarer roadsters and convertibles are highly sought after, but if more of these unique sedans were to come out of the woodwork, we could see a new market open up. Other early 1950s Mopar sedans have doubled in value over the past few years, and it is unlikely this model will be the exception. I think this one was exceptionally well bought. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #117-1959 IMPERIAL CROWN 4-dr sedan. S/N M637103291. Copper Spice/white vinyl. Odo: 38,967 miles. Chrysler’s top-of-the-line in 1959. Loaded with all the goodies. Aftermarket air. Interior trim pitted. White interior dirty. Numerous paint chips, which are surprising as it was stated to have been resprayed in 2008. Dual swivel front seats. TOP 10

GLOBAL ROUNDUP Six-way power seating. In need of some TLC. Cond: 3. transmission is not. It’s wearing an outstanding repaint in its original color. Does show some signs of swirling from dry-dusting. Body panels are very straight. Glass is excellent. Chrome is deep and rich, but some warping noted on rear bumper. Shaker hood. Leather interior fitted with AM radio, heater-defroster, Tic-Toc-Tach. Rally wheels and Dana Sure-Lock rear axle. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $33,000. This was last seen at RM’s Robson November 2010 sale, where it realized $34,100. It was stated to be well bought, but that proved to be not the case as the seller took a hit after fees and other expenses. Needs some attention to return to its former glory. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #195-1964 CHRYSLER 300K convertible. S/N 8443252143. White/blue vinyl/dark blue leather. Odo: 60,256 miles. 413-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. This particular example is in decent condition but has undergone an economy restoration. Presented with an older repaint. Top probably dating from early 1990s, but no major changes except maybe the top color. Straight body panels and good—but not great—chrome. Back window is fairly clear, with no major scratches or yellowing. Fitted with the usual power accessories such as steering, brakes, windows, seats, and top. Also has AM radio, clock, vacuum gauge and original manuals. Cond: 3+. contributed tremendously to a better understanding of pollutants in the environment. Many environmental regulations today stem from testing done with this car. Reserve was substantially higher than the high bid. While it is an important car, the market is limited, as it probably belongs in the Smithsonian. Seller was right to hold on at this bid, but will need to work hard to find the right buyer. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. AMERICANA SOLD AT $45,675. Mopar muscle is still fairly soft, as evidenced by the sale of this car. Back in 2007, this same vehicle could have hit $90k even with the add-ons. While not 100% authentic, it was a real “U code” 375-hp unit from the factory and has had a West Coast existence that started at the Los Angeles assembly plant. New owner probably won’t make a killing with this car in the next few months, but down the road it should bring a good return. Well bought. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. SOLD AT $20,475. “Letter” cars from just a couple of years earlier have top values pushing $200k, but the values of the ’63–’64 editions can drop off by up to 75%. When equipped with the base 4-barrel instead of a dual carb setup, the difference is even greater. This one was simply a decent driver. With some cleanup and proper marketing it could find a stronger price, but is not the type of material with which to make a financial killing. An interesting and unique ride that should be enjoyed on the road. Well bought. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. #148-1970 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T 2-dr hard top. S/N JS23U0E131367. Black/black leather. Odo: 18,836 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Seller claims that this is a numbers-matching engine, but the 118 AmericanCarCollector.com #1778-1970 PLYMOUTH SUPERBIRD EPA air-quality-testing model 2-dr hard top. S/N RM23UOA168703. Ice Blue Poly/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 10,878 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Built in 1972 by legendary NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Ray Nichels, this car was commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency as a mobile air-sampling vehicle. Two alternators, two batteries, power inverter, EPA air sampler, NASCAR roll bar, and fire suppression equipment. Restored to better-than-new standard with perfect paint and trim, interior, and engine and trunk areas. All EPA equipment expertly restored or recreated to original. Custom car cover and reams of documentation and restoration photos. Cond: 1. #1728-1948 STUDEBAKER COMMANDER Starlight coupe. S/N 4313189. Gray/burgundy cloth. Odo: 94,245 miles. 226-ci I6, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Long-wheelbase Studebaker for ‘48 (wheelbase 14 inches longer than Champion). Ten-year-old frameoff restoration. Hill-Holder transmission, overdrive, exterior sun visor, Viewmaster traffic light viewer on dash, and factory tissue dispenser. Excellent fit and finish, perfect paint, AM radio, some wear on seat and steering wheel. Very unique automobile. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $18,113. Give credit to the knowledgeable and enthusiastic owner. He had the car prepared for sale, knew technical data from memory and was engaging to talk to. He also understood the overall auction process but watched this sale enough to know how the boys on the block were working with buyers and sellers. Sure enough, the car came on the block, they held on the money, told the seller when things slowed, seller lifted reserve, the car bid a bit further and sold for fair money against a reserve of $20,000. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. NOT SOLD AT $175,000. Chosen by the EPA because it could withstand high speeds in a very windy environment, this car chased jet airplanes down runways and Blue/gray cloth. Odo: 5,227 miles. 355-ci H6, 2-bbl, 4-sp. Hailed as the most original and unmolested Tucker, still with 1948 air in the tires, repainted just once in 2009. Complete documentation. Really too many details to list, but trust me: Short of the respray, it’s an original car. Purchased at auction in 1950, when Tucker went into receivership, and used in the 1987 George Lucas-produced, Francis Ford Coppola- #78-1948 TUCKER 48 Torpedo sedan. S/N 1034. Eng. # 33541. BEST BUY

ROUNDUP GLOBAL directed film, “Tucker: The Man and His Dream.” Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $1,320,000. I just stood there reflecting on the car, the history and the movie, and trying to imagine what it would have been like. This movie car with all its history should have done more, considering that one recently sold for $2,915,000 at Barrett-Jackson’s 2012 Scottsdale sale (ACC# 192463). While everyone else here was overwhelmed by the $4m Porsches, the buyer here got a tremendous deal. Gooding & Co., Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #55-1949 DIAMOND T D201 1-ton pickup. S/N 2015376. Eng. # T746681. Red & green/brown vinyl. Odo: 137 miles. 237-ci I6, 1-bbl, 4-sp. Older, used-car quality repaint. All the irreplaceable trim is present, mostly straight, and nice. The original, nine main bearing “Red-Seal” engine appears totally original, and I would bet untouched. Interior paint and upholstery is close to original, but not perfect. Apparently, this truck has not been run in quite some time, and I would guess the tires are 30 years old. All in all, a very nice example of a very appealing truck. Cond: 2-. #251-1953 NASH RAMBLER Country Club hard top. S/N D153887. Light & dark green/dark green & tan woven plastic. Odo: 46,988 miles. 196-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Talk about cute, this car is in every way. A bit larger than a Metropolitan, but very similar styling with the ability to seat four. Body is very good, but not perfect, and the chrome is in about the same condition. The most interesting item on the car is the signed Petty hood ornament, which is a work of art in itself. Fitted with original radio and heater. Underhood has been cleaned up and detailed, but not a total restoration. No major maladies spotted. Cond: 2-. better trucks at the auction, and bidding seemed to support this. Studebaker trucks are scarce, and finding one of this caliber presented a great opportunity for the collectors at this sale. It attracted a crowd in the queue waiting to be sold, and the crowd followed it right onto the stage. Well bought. See profile on p. 70. G. Potter King, Atlantic City, NJ, 02/12. #197-1962 STUDEBAKER GRAN TURISMO HAWK hard top. S/N 62V19176. White/red vinyl. Odo: 52,334 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Car brought to market by private owner who has maintained ownership for more than 30 years. Body is straight and solid but has some minor scratches. Chrome is good, but not perfect, with no major pits. Windshield has minor bubbling on edges, and tinted side glass is in good condition. Power steering and power brakes, factory AM radio and heater, vintage aftermarket tachometer. Wearing a set of fairly new radial tires. Wheelcovers are basic, stock units. Overall, not a bad-looking ride, just not a 4-speed. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $16,275. I really believe that, with the right marketing, this car could be in the $24k–$26k range. It had great eye appeal, and almost every woman I saw look at this car had to give it a second or third look. That alone is a sign that its styling and appearance are winners, and I have even seen some rodded versions of these cars not do nearly as well as this stock version. I talked with the buyer after the sale, and he was a little concerned about maybe paying too much, but I assured him he had bought this car very well. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. SOLD AT $29,150. The auction catalog describes this Diamond T as “The Cadillac of Trucks.” I take slight offense to that statement. Having previously been offered an opportunity to examine the various bits of another example that was dismantled for restoration, I would describe the quality of these exceedingly over-built trucks as Duesenberg-like. This is a very nice truck, but I’ve seen other examples in stunning concours quality. The winning bid seems like truly large money for a driver-quality truck. Seller won this one hands down. Dan Kruse Classics, Smithville, TX, 03/12. #1470-1953 STUDEBAKER 2R5 pickup. S/N R612356. Green/brown vinyl. Odo: 44 miles. 169-ci V6, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Fully restored pick up. Highly detailed for show. Perfect paint. Gaps better than factory original. Rear bumper, taillights, detailed engine bay. Steel bed. Large file of ownership documents, restoration receipts, and photos. Only 44 miles since completed. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $22,050. In top condition with a supercharger and 4-speed, values can be expected to reach the low $40k range, which is a lot of car for not a lot of money. Owners of these cars are dedicated, much like Corvair owners, loving the underdog status while knowing they have a good ride. I think this car might have been better sold than bought, hopefully to a new private owner. McCormick, Palm Springs, CA, 02/12. SOLD AT $27,038. This was one of the May-June 2012 119

GLOBAL ROUNDUP Excelsior #104-1913 EXCELSIOR MODEL 7C motorcycle. S/N 40315. Gray & red. All of details on panels and striping seem correct. Period carbide head- and taillights are a nice bonus, and a period horn rounds out the accesories. Very crisp. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $38,500. A friend of mine rode one of these across the country in 2010. They are very user-friendly, even with a single-speed setup. This bike was well done. It was bordering on overdone, but then it is always a slippery slope when you get into restorations, isn’t it? Well bought at this price. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. Flexi #79-1920 FLEXI sidecar. S/N N/A. Black. Manufactured in Ohio and set up for a 1920s Harley JD chassis. Has some cracking paint on its 20-plus-year-old paint job. Interior in very good condition. Sidecar leans with bike for improved handling. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $29,700. This was good for both parties. Nicely done example of when HD and Indian were both mimicking the boxer design.This was a nice, not overdone restoration. J. Wood & Co., Daytona, FL, 03/12. SOLD AT $5,500. These were popular for racing in their day. Three people here knew what it was, and two of them were friends. Thin market item, but this was probably 20% of its actual value. Extremely well bought. J. Wood & Co., Daytona, FL, 03/12. Harley-Davidson #103-1912 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SINGLE motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # 8534B. Gray. Extremely well done bike with great attention to detail. Striping has been clearcoated over. All brightwork crisp. Cases over-polished. Fitted with proper period seat saddle. Fresh leather belt. Cylinder number matches the crankcase number. Cond: 1. 120 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $28,600. This was a nice exam- SOLD AT $27,500. All of the details were just right here. The restorer never crossed the line of overdone. Well bought RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #102-1923 HARLEY-DAVIDSON BOARD TRACKER motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # 23JDCA819. Green. An above-average example in very good condition with a pedigree going back to a known builder/racer. Has been campaigned recently at some vintage events. Engine has some trick components. Called a “Board Tracker,” even though the majority of these were run on dirt tracks. Engine speed is controlled by cutting out the ignition—imagine doing that at 100 mph! Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $41,250. A unique Harley that has a number of unusual options including rear mounted spare on Royal Tourits sidecar. May take a bit of mechanicial work to get it sorted out but attractive indeed. Price certinly seems fair. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #106-1934 HARLEY-DAVIDSON VLD motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # 34VLD6324. Red & black. Odo: 2 miles. Very nice restoration. Wheels enameled in nice contrast to red paint. Proper Corbin speedometer fitted. Solo seat. Clearcoat over the decals. Cases nicely cleaned. Exhaust is enameled and looks proper. Art Deco influence in styling and decals evident. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $27,500. Like many pieces of this period, this was restored to be in an office. All in all, a presentable bike and well bought at the price. I actually saw a guy ride one of these cross-country in 2010 in the Cannonball run. Very user-friendly. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #53-1921 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORT TWIN motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # 21WF1165. Olive Drab. Very well restored example of Harley’s only “boxer” motor. Paint was good.The shade was right for the era and the attention to detail helped propel the price up there. It would be close to impossible to restore one today. Cond: 1. ple. If you weren’t accustomed to brakes and a clutch, you probably could have fired it up and ridden it home. This had been clocked at 88 mph on a dirt track, but I imagine now someone will just be sitting on it as a stationary object and driving it in their imagination. Well bought for an interesting piece of Americana. J. Wood & Co., Daytona, FL, 03/12. #105-1925 HARLEY-DAVIDSON MODEL 23 JS Motorcycle. S/N J23J10510. Brewster Green. Odo: 4 miles. This 1923 Harley is powered by a Model J V-twin engine. The JS signifies it was for a sidecar which is a matching factory Royal Tourist. Offered with a number of options including Corbin speedometer and factory amp gauge mounted on tool box. In excellent cosmetic condition but has not been riden in many years. Cond: 2+.

GLOBAL ROUNDUP #103-1940 HARLEY-DAVIDSON WLD motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # 40WLD3603. Black & green. Nice H-D racer with all of the right stuff that you rarely find any more: Wico magneto, large aluminum oil tank and rarely seen 4-speed. Detail and colors very good. Cond: 1-. “50th Anniversary” emblem from the front fender. The panhead motor is iconic. Cond: 3. paint is very well done. Gold rims are incorrect color, too much chrome. Pedal crank is gold, too. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $35,750. Granted, during the DuPont years you could get some great colors, but not in some of the places where they wound up on this bike. It had lots of eyeball and had good workmanship, but value is hurt by lack of authentic details. Well sold. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. NOT SOLD AT $19,000. In the early years, dirt trackers were Harley’s meat and potatoes—”win on Sunday, sell on Monday,” as they say. Once upon a time, H-D 45s were the backbone of class C racing. Soon thereafter came the WR 45, which ran all the way into the 1950s. The seller here wanted $25,000, and he was right to hold on. J. Wood & Co., Daytona, FL, 03/12. #109-1941 HARLEY-DAVIDSON EL KNUCKLEHEAD motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # 41EL1569. Turquoise. Odo: 738 miles. Very nice paint in a popular color. All details correct, save a few period updates. With Superior Muffler exhaust, Hollywood bars and speed seat. 12-volt alternator fitted nicely, original 6-volt is included with sale. Plating looks catalog-correct and well done. Proper lighting. Looking underneath, you can see some grease—good evidence that the bike has been ridden and enjoyed. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $15,950. A funny story about Harley is that in the company’s 50th year in 1953, they didn’t think to celebrate the anniversary, so they just did it in 1954. These are quite pricey, and for a few thousand more, this bike could be made pretty nice. Well sold. J. Wood & Co., Daytona, FL, 03/12. #29-1976 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLH motorcycle. S/N 2A52015H6. Eng. # 2A52015H6. Black. Odo: 27,115 miles. Nice HD Shovelhead with all the accessories from the year. Very presentable. All AMF stickers in place. Good condition for the miles. Cond: 3+. #110-1947 INDIAN CHIEF motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # CDG2725. Burgundy. Odo: 12 miles. Good paint and right color for ’47. Most details are correct. Leatherwork is beautiful but wrong. Bags and seat way overdone. Leather mudflap fitted on front. Oil pump painted black. Rims hard chromed. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $30,800. Chiefs had a great Art Deco look, but somehow people feel compelled to pimp them up. This one had extravagant leather and chromework, but then, for a certain set of buyers, that is what sells Indians, it seems. Well sold. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. SOLD AT $34,100. The Knucklehead is one of the most beloved H-Ds. The ELs were 61-ci and very smooth compared with the 74s. This one was done just right as a period custom. Everything was bolt-on upgrades that were worth far more than what the OEM bits would have cost you to take it back. You couldn’t buy and restore one for this amount. My favorite bike here. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. #80-1954 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLE motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # 54FLE2160. Cream. Odo: 28,553 miles. A nice clean “rider.” No extras. I am not sure about the shade of the paint. Some incorrect chromed pieces, including primary cover. Missing the 122 AmericanCarCollector.com NOT SOLD AT $7,000. The era of the AMF is considered the dark years for H-D. Shovelheads get mixed reviews as a motor, but you could nonetheless rack up some miles on them. The seller wanted $7,500, and stuck firm to his price. He should have split the difference with the top bidder and walked away happy. J. Wood & Co., Daytona, FL, 03/12. Indian #108-1939 INDIAN SCOUT motorcycle. S/N n/a. Eng. # FC1602. Gold & red/. Odo: 1,165 miles. Sheet metal is all correct, and SOLD AT $91,300. The son of Floyd Emde has a replica of this bike that is “more accurate,” with decals, catch can, etc. He was also the underbidder here. (The high bidder was from Australia.) This was a nice original example that was restored with all original pieces. Well sold, well bought. J. Wood & Co., Daytona, FL, 03/12. #50-1948 INDIAN BIG BASE SCOUT motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # FDH140. Blue. A nice example of an Indian Big Base Scout. Great pedigree, ridden by Floyd Emde to the 1948 Daytona 200 win, and nicely to his colors. Presented with a large poster from Indian showing the win, too. Cond: 1-.

ROUNDUP GLOBAL #101-1948 INDIAN CHIEF motorcycle. S/N 3481879. Eng. # CDH1879. Black & white. Odo: 2,074 miles. Nicely finished post-war Chief. All in all, very accurate. Not the most stunning paint scheme, but nice. Cases are less than sparkling. Some discoloration of muffler, not uncommon, and indicates that the bike has had some miles put on it and been enjoyed. Upgraded with 12-volt system, but original generator is included. Cond: 2. GLOVEBOX NOTES 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 ROUNDUP GLOBAL A brief look at interesting cars that have passed through the ACC garage. HHHHH is best SOLD AT $22,000. This bike was redone by the late Tony Watson, known for his Indian restorations. It allegedly was built from the crank pin out as an AMA raffle bike. Well bought! You’d pay this for a scruffy one and then stand in line for a restoration for an equal amount. J. Wood & Co., Daytona, FL, 03/12. Wagner #102-1911 WAGNER STRAP TANK motorcycle. S/N N/A. Eng. # 68474. Red. Impeccable restoration. Paint and brightwork far beyond anything the factory ever did. Wears white Coker tires. No idea if it runs or not. Cond: 1-. PRICE AS TESTED: $49,310 LIKES: 6.4-L 470-hp Hemi is explosively powerful. 5-speed auto now has paddle shifters, and its ECU has been modified to provide faster and firmer shifts. Interior is comfortable and quiet, thanks in part to acoustic glass. Huge 14.2-inch front and 13.8-inch rear Brembo brakes offer substantial stopping power and great pedal feel. Chassis is stiffer than the outgoing model and offers a selectable Sport mode, which turns it rock-solid. GRIPES: 5-speed auto is much improved but still feels limiting. Really needs the 6-speed manual from the Challenger SRT8 as an option. You pay for the Hemi’s power with poor fuel mileage — it’s rated at 14 city and 23 highway, but I only managed about 11 combined. FUN TO DRIVE: HHHHH FUN TO LOOK AT: HHHHH OVERALL EXPERIENCE: HHHH VERDICT: I own a similar 2006 Charger SRT8, and switching back and forth between the two really underlined the new car’s improvements. If you don’t mind $60 fill-ups every week, this is a great four-door, four-seat muscle car for the modern world — and it’ll likely give high-powered European competitors in the segment a solid run for their money. — Jim Pickering SOLD AT $22,000. A friend used to call bikes like this “sugar glossed,” in that they never looked this good when new. You could not have restored this one for the sale price. A barn-find Wagner sold for $32,200 at the November 2011 auction of the Hartung Collection by Auctions America by RM (ACC# 189951), making this one look very well bought. RM Auctions, Amelia Island, FL, 03/12. A May-June 2012 123

EBAY MOTORS // Online Sales Muscle car projects HOW MUCH IS IT TO PLAY? by Chad Tyson etc.) cost multiples of the less-desirable models. B GM #230760215147-1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO coupe. S/N N/A. Black/black vinyl. Odo: 1 mile. 24 photos. Statesboro, GA. “I have spent hundreds of hours on this car. I have also bought several new parts that needed replacement. The rear quarter panels are new skin but they need to be set correctly. The hood and trunk lid are remans, the doors are good. Roof of the car is good on outside but has rust on inside. Floor pans need to be replaced. Here is a list of some new parts: quarter panel skins ($400), front upper header panel ($125), lower front header panel ($200), rear bumper ($150).” 18 bids. sf 80. Cond: 6. Condition inferred from seller’s descriptions; cars were not physically examined by the author. All quoted material taken from the eBay listings. (sf=seller’s feedback) bucket seat interior. Original motor and trans are gone, but original date-coded 12 bolt posi is still with it. Everything sandblasted. New floorpans and one-piece trunk. All bolt-on panels are original. Lots of trim, bezels, wiring and parts are with the car and labeled. No console or windshield. Engine is disassembled and needs to be gone through. I have a bellhousing and a ’72 402 2 bolt block with a rotating assy. There is no cam or intake.” 15 bids. sf 110. Cond: 6. Car needs both valance panels, front bumper, headliner, door panels and carpet. Front end has new lower control arms, bushings, and nice exhaust system. Comes with a running ’69 390, with all accessories. No transmission. Original 9-inch rear end. North Carolina title.” 12 bids. sf 160. Cond: 6. uying a collectible car that needs work is often the cheapest entry into the hobby. But a project can describe anything from a car that merely needs the driver’s seat reupholstered to a heap of parts that has housed generations of small, furry mammals. The journey through eBay Motors this issue shows most tend fall in the neatly in the bell curve, if just a little closer to the latter. The worst of the gathered appeared as if it lived in a snowdrift for years and the best will at least need reassembly and paint. None of that scared off potential bidders in search of bargains. As with completed and running cars, the ones with the right numbers (SS, Mach 1, SOLD AT $2,125. If you wanted the world’s cleanest subframe on a first-gen project, this was your dream. The new quarter skins were mocked up very well; not sure why they just weren’t welded into place. For the price paid with new parts already included, the new owner should be able turn the car back into a driver with plenty of headroom to spare come resale time. Well bought. #120876568805-1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 396 2-dr hard top. S/N 138177K148662. Primer/black vinyl. Odo: 38,000 miles. 23 photos. Chicago, IL. “Was born a 396 4-spd in Granada Gold/black 124 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $8,400. Number 2 condition cars can easily get close to $40k and beyond with the more desirable options. However, without the original block, or even a correct year block, this car would have a tough time reaching those totals. Not to say the new owner will be underwater with this car, but this was a bit of a hefty price for a pile of parts with plenty still needed. FOMOCO #150780516358-1969 FORD MUSTANG Mach 1 fastback. S/N 9102S119541. Gray primer/red vinyl. Odo: 80,000 miles. 20 photos. Harold, KY. “Nearly rust-free Mach 1 S-code 390 car. Paint was bad, so I sanded and primered it. Floor pans, lower quarters and dropoffs, tail lamp panel and right front apron replaced. Trunk pan patched. This is as solid as you will find. SOLD AT $8,500. Just drop the engine in (maybe after a rebuild), find a transmission and do the same, then add an interior and voila—you’ll have a primered ’69 Mustang. One of the more complete projects I found this month, but still a work in progress. Fairly bought. MOPAR #200731278911-1969 DODGE CHARGER 2-dr hard top. S/N XP29F9B378196. Odo: 100,000 miles. 23 photos. Little Rock, AR. “Been sitting in a shop for several years as a project that never got finished. It has rust in the inner/outer quarters, trunk, and floor. The rear valance will need replaced. The remainder of the car is solid, as are all the frame rails. Do not have any of the seats, gauges, motor or transmission. There is no windshield, but the rest of the glass is in the car and looks to be in very good condition. I can only provide a bill of sale. This is 1 of 7,398 with a/c and 1 of 9012 w/tinted glass.” 1 bid. sf 400. Cond: 6.

been picked apart. Missing lots of parts, but there are still some on it. Selling as is. Has front K-member, no rear end, no motor or transmission.” Best Offer. sf 1327. SOLD AT $4,000. Depending on where you get the body panels, you could double the money spent on the car ($3,400 guesstimate from a cursory glance of the photos and catalog look-up). Since it was originally a 318-ci car, I don’t think the new owner should feel any obligation to return it to stock condition. Throw in a hot big block or Hemi and burn rubber. After the rustedthrough floor is replaced, of course. Could be a good buy depending on how fancy the new owner gets with the restoration. #140718841613-1969 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER 2-dr hard top. S/N RM23H9G121192. Green. Odo: 1mile. 11 photos. Ogilvie, MN. “383 4-spd car. It is very rusty but has all body numbers, fender tag, VIN plate and a clear title. Car has been sitting outside for years and has Blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 100,000 miles. 13 photos. Gillette, WY. “Has 304 V8 in it now and 3-spd. Transmission is out and 304 hasn’t been started in over a year. Have extra 401 V8 to go with it, I would like to sell both together. This would make a nice project or parts car. Shipping is your responsibility or you can come pick it up. Again this is a project car, a roller pretty much, but is a solid car.” 1 bid. sf 1. Cond: 5. SOLD AT $1,000. Minnesota winters are not kind to vehicles, and this one has seen some bad ones. Only the back glass is still attached to the car, which means everything just came in the side and front. The quarter panels appear as if they spent a long time in snowbanks. Without heavy investment this could be a fun drag car, but show-quality hopes will put the new owner upside down in a hurry. Fairly bought, depending on the plan. AMERICANA #170801688190-1972 AMC JAVELIN SST 2-dr hard top. S/N A2C797H139391. SOLD AT $1,650. If the thrashed interior is any indication, this car was driven hard for a long time. Those straight, flat highways and rarely patrolled back roads in eastern Wyoming just beg for a car to be flogged. It doesn’t matter that it hasn’t been started in awhile, a rebuild should be in order. If not the 304, then the 401. The body appeared in usable condition, just very dirty. Solid buy at this price. A WHAT’S YOUR CAR WORTH? FIND OUT AT NOW FREE! The world’s largest collector car price guide based on over 700,000 sold transactions from . Updated weekly. www.collectorcarpricetracker.com May-June 2012 125

RESOURCE DIRECTORY Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 211, or email advert@americancarcollector.com Auction Companies Auctions America by RM. 877.906.2437, 5540 CR llA Auburn, IN 46706. Home of the 480-acre Auction Park in Auburn, IN, where the annual Labor Day Auction is held in conjunction with the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Festival. www.auctionsamerica.com. (IN) Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers. 815.568.8888, 815.568.6615. 950 Greenlee St., Marengo, IL 60015. Auctions: Orlando, Kansas City, Rockford, Bloomington Gold, St. Paul, Des Moines, Carlisle, and Chicago. Nobody Sells More Muscle Than Mecum. Nobody. www.mecumauction.com. (IL) Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles. 602.252.2697, 602.252.6260. 5230 South 39th Street, Phoenix AZ 85040. info@ russoandsteele.com; www.russoandsteele.com. (AZ) Advertisers Index Adam’s Polishes, Inc ............................39 American Car Collector ........................87 American Collector Specialties LTD ...121 ANPAC .................................................95 Auctions America .................................15 Auto Etc Neon ....................................127 B/E & A Restoration Parts Inc. .............61 Barrett-Jackson ......................................3 Bennett Law Office .............................126 Bloomington Gold ...............................6-7 Blue Bars ............................................127 Callaway ...............................................43 Camaro Central ....................................89 Carlisle Events ......................................37 Chubb Personal Insurance ...................13 Classic & Collectible Cars Las Vegas...41 Collector Car Price Tracker ................125 Competition Classics .........................121 Corvette America ................................111 Corvette Repair Inc. .............................77 Corvette Specialties .............................49 County Corvette .....................................2 D&M Corvette Specialists LTD ...........131 Gould Products Inc. dba Auto Ancestry 121 Greensboro Auto Auction .....................33 Grundy Worldwide ................................73 Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. ...........27 Heacock Classic ...................................11 Infinity Insurance Companies .............132 JC Taylor ..............................................85 Jim Meyer Racing Products Inc. ........103 Law Offices of Bruce Shaw LLC ........123 Lutty’s Chevy Warehouse ..................109 Mac Neil Automotive Products Ltd ....107 Matick Chevrolet ..................................43 Mecum Auction ...............................4-5, 9 Mid America Motorworks .....................17 MustangPoolTables.com......................31 National Corvette Museum .................127 Park Place LTD .....................................21 Petersen Collector Car Auction ..........127 Pro-Team Corvette Sales, Inc ..............99 Reliable Carriers ...................................71 Muscle Car City Museum ...................117 Russo & Steele LLC..............................29 San Diego Classic & Muscle Cars ........81 Silver Collector Car Auctions ...............23 Sports Car Market ..............................129 St Bernard Church..............................107 Swissvax USA, LLC ..............................25 The Chevy Store Inc .............................49 Thomas C Sunday Inc ..........................83 Tony D Branda Mustang & Shelby .......35 Tropical Chevrolet ................................43 Truespoke Wire Wheel .........................51 Wall Words .........................................117 Zip Products .........................................79 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) Corvette Parts & Restoration County Corvette 610.696.7888. Sales, service, parts and restoration. When it must be right. www.countycorvette.com. (PA) Mid America Motorworks 800.500.1500. America’s leader in 1953-2008 Corvette parts and accessories. Request a free catalog at www.mamotorworks.com. (IL) AutoBahn Power. Performance + Looks + Durability + Comfort = Autobahn Power! Autobahn Power is a veteran of vehicle modifications, parts and accessories. Our specialty has been to carry products that are better than original equipment in performance, safety and quality. Our warehouse, service shop and retail store are located in the Midwest for good access to all parts of the USA. We have completed literally hundreds of project cars. These performance vehicles are in enthusiast’s hands across the USA. Many of the cars are in daily use proving the durability of our workmanship and products. Check us out at www. autobahnpower.com. Classic Car Transport Intercity Lines, Inc. 800.221.3936, 413.436.9422. Rapid, hassle-free, coast-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) Insurance Hagerty Collector Car Insurance. 800.922.4050. Collector cars aren’t like their late-model counterparts. These classics actually appreciate in value so standard market policies that cost significantly more won’t do the job. We’ll agree on a fair value and cover you for the full amount. No prorated claims, no hassles, no games. www.hagerty. com. (MI) Corvettes for Sale Corvette Central Parts and accessories for all Corvettes. Corvette Central has been a leading manufacturer and distributor of Corvette parts and accessories since 1975. We offer the most comprehensive and detailed parts catalogs on the market today and produce a different catalog for each Corvette generation. All catalogs are also online with full search and order features. From Blue Flame 6 to the new C6, only Corvette Central has it all. www.corvettecentral.com. (MI) County Corvette. 610.696.7888. The most modern and best equipped Corvette-only facility in the nation. www.countycorvette. com. (PA) The Chevy Store. At The Chevy Store, you will find only the highest grade, investment quality Corvette and specialty Chevrolet automobiles. We take pride in providing our clients with the finest selection anywhere. Offering investment quality corvettes and Chevrolets for over 30 years! 503.256.5384 (p) 503.256.4767 (f) www.thechevystore.com. (OR) Museums National Corvette Museum 80053-VETTE. The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY was established as a 501(c)3 notfor-profit foundation with a mission of celebrating the invention of the Corvette and preserving its past, present and future. www.corvettemuseum.com. (KY) A 126 AmericanCarCollector.com

Keith Martin As the host of the television show “What’s My Car Worth,” I look at hundreds of cars each year that are crossing the block at auction. In our “Mailbag” section, we invite viewers to send us highresolution photos and some information about their cars, and we select some for an estimate of value. Here are a few of the recent cars that have been submitted; if you would like us to consider your car, please send a photo and description to mycar@whatsmycarworth.tv. And keep watching “What’s My Car Worth” on Velocity. 1967 AMC Marlin Background from owner: 2,545 built in 1967. Bought in 1987 by current owner. The optional 343-ci, 280-hp, 4-bbl Typhoon V8 was rebuilt at that time. Runs strong now. Replaced 3-speed auto transmission seven years ago as well. One garage mishap, resulting in a large scratch and ding on passenger’s side. Analysis: Marlins, whether Rambler or AMC, have never enjoyed a large following. They are a bargain compared with the similarly styled—and more common—1966–67 Dodge Chargers. Collectibility: C Market value: $10,000–$15,000 1949 Diamond T 201 1-ton pickup Background from owner: Frame-off restoration completed in 1999. Has won two preservation awards from the Antique Automobile Club of America. Also won 2010 Best Non-Passenger Vehicle at the Desert Concours in Palm Springs, CA. Top speed is 60 to 63 mph. Analysis: The truck market has come on strong in the past year, and the Diamond T is one of the more desirable makes. AACA provenance is a plus. Collectibility: C Market Value: $35,000–$50,000 1972 Plymouth ’Cuda Background from owner: 7,828 ’Cudas built in 1972. Powered by matching-numbers 340-ci V8, through a 727 auto to 8¾ rear end. Engine was rebuilt and uses Six Pack, produces 367 hp, 388 ft/lb. Eight-plus years were spent on rotisserie restoration. Most chassis parts are powder-coated, and the subframe connectors are welded in. Runner-up in Mopars at the Thunder Mountain show at Bandimere Speedway in Colorado. Analysis: ’Cudas will always have market appeal, even if the prices are not in the stratosphere of a few years ago. A ’72 is less in demand, as the big-block engines vanished after gas prices skyrocketed. The engine modifi cations boost the fun factor while driving but can be a drawback when it is time to sell. Collectibility: C Market Value: $13,000–$21,000 128 AmericanCarCollector.com

For 24 years, Keith Martin’s Sports Car Market has been the informed, authoritative voice of the collector car hobby. Subscribe Today www.sportscarmarket.com/offer65 Call 877.219.2605 ext. 1 Pocket Price Guides Every Year NEW! Receive Two

Surfi ng Around Carl Bomstead Automobilia on eBay Carl’s thought: There was a recent and well publicized sale of a McDonald’s Chicken McNugget that resembled President George Washington. It had been stashed in the seller’s refrigerator for the past three years, and after 71 bids, it sold for $8,100. Rather ridiculous, but the proceeds did benefi t the seller’s church. What was not so well publicized was the Chicken McNugget that was sold the same day and also resembled George Washington. It received 9 bids, sold for $5,100, and benefi ted no one other than the seller. In both cases there were warnings not to eat the McNugget. Really? No, I don’t have to make this stuff up. Truth is often stranger than fi ction. Here are a few others I didn’t make up, and they make a heck of a lot more sense than three-year-old Chicken McNuggets: EBAY#330693179831—OILZUM WATCH FOB. Number of Bids: 11. SOLD AT: $256. Date Sold: 3/3/2012. Oilzum was the brand name for the White and Bagley Oil Company, and the “Oilzum Man” caricature was well known, especially in racing circles. This watch fob, which is extremely scarce, commemorated Ralph Mulford’s win at the 1911 Vanderbilt Cup held in Savannah, GA. This was a bargain at the price paid. EBAY #110761821068—1934 ARIZONA COPPER MOTORCYCLE DEALERS LICENSE PLATE. Number of Bids: 20. SOLD AT: $1,224. Date Sold: 10/30/2011. Arizona first issued dealer license plates in 1915, but the most desirable Arizona plates are those from 1932 through 1934, as they were made of solid copper. This example had never been used and was somehow obtained from the DMV many years back. Expensive, but to a committed license plate collector, no worries, as the condition trumps all. EBAY#200713740292—POWERLUBE GREASE CAN. Number of Bids: 17. SOLD AT: $638. Date Sold: 2/20/2012. Power-Lube was the brand name for the Powerine Company that was headquartered in Denver, CO. Their distinctive tiger logo makes their advertising and products of interest for gas and oil collectors. The seller stated he owned this for 70 years and used the grease on the roller bearings of his roller skates. It was in excellent condition, and as such, the price was not out of line. EBAY #200713740292—APPLEMAN CERAMIC CORVETTE COOKIE JAR. Number of Bids: 7. SOLD AT: $750. Date Sold: 2/19/2012. Glenn Appleman made all sorts of whimsical ceramic cookie jars in the ’70s and early ’80s. The better known are “Sid’s Taxi” and the various automotive marques. This Corvette was 130 AmericanCarCollector.com signed and dated 1984 and had been given to Appleman’s photographer. It originally sold for $100, but they are now highly collectible and this one went for the going rate. EBAY #390393855695—PONTIAC PORCELAIN AND NEON DEALER SIGN. Number of Bids: 19. SOLD AT: $28,898. Date Sold: 3/4/2012. This was the smaller six-foot version of the very desirable and colorful Pontiac sign. It was finished with double-stroke neon, and the porcelain was stated to be as-new. It was also stated that it was removed from the O’Farrell Bros. Pontiac Dealer in 1974 and stored ever since. It was double-sided, with a bull nose end, and the neon and transformer had been recently replaced. An identical sign was sold at the recent Milhous Collection sale for $34,500, but that example had some touch-ups. As such, I’ll call this one expensive but well bought. EBAY #120851995715—1925 PIERCE-ARROW ARCHER HOOD ORNMANET. Number of Bids: 22. SOLD AT: $900. Date Sold: 2/8/2012. This was one of five versions of “Tireur d’Arc” (The Archer) and this version was actually used on the 1931 and 1932 Pierce-Arrows. It was marked W.N. Schnell, the designer, and was made of die-cast zinc. It appeared to be in excellent condition, and as such, the price paid was market correct. EBAY #170289958966—FORD SERVICE DOUBLE SIDED PORCELAIN SIGN. Number of Bids: 10. SOLD AT: $11,050. Date Sold: 3/4/2012. This very unusual Ford Service sign was in decent condition, with a few minor edge chips. It measured 48 inches by 31 inches and was dated 1952, which was consistent with the Ford logo. Ford guys are not known for overspending, but this was a rare sign and was well worth the price paid. A