Profiles
- GM - 1970 Chevrolet Nova SS 396
- Profiles - 1953 Studebaker 2R5 Pickup
- Profiles - 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 XL Gasser
- Americana - 1936 Cord 810 Convertible Phaeton
- Hot Rod - 1951 Mercury Custom Convertible
- Mopar - 1963 Dodge 440 Two-door Sedan
- Ford - 1963 Ford Falcon Sprint Convertible
- Corvette - 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Race Rat
Search This Issue
Page 6
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
Page 7
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
Page 8
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
Page 10
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
Page 12
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.
Page 14
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
Page 16
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
Page 17
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
Page 18
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
Page 20
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
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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
Page 22
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?
Page 24
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
Page 26
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,
Page 28
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
Page 30
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
Page 32
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
Page 34
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
Page 36
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
Page 37
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
Page 38
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.
Page 39
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
Page 40
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
Page 42
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
Page 43
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
Page 44
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.”
Page 45
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
Page 46
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.
Page 47
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
Page 48
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
Page 49
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
Page 50
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.
Page 51
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
Page 52
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
Page 53
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
Page 54
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
Page 55
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
Page 56
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
Page 57
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
Page 58
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
Page 60
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
Page 61
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
Page 62
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
Page 63
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
Page 64
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
Page 65
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
Page 66
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
Page 67
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
Page 68
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
Page 70
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
Page 72
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
Page 73
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
Page 74
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
Page 76
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
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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
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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
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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”
Page 81
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
Page 82
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
Page 84
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
Page 85
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Page 86
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
Page 88
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
Page 89
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
Page 90
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 &
Page 91
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
Page 102
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.
Page 103
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
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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.
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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+.
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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
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’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+.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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+.
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#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-.
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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
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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.
Page 123
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
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Page 124
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
Page 126
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
Page 127
For 24 years, Keith Martin’s Sports Car Market
has been the informed, authoritative voice
of the collector car hobby.
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Page 128
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