May-June 2017 - American Car Collector

Profiles

Auctions

Leake Oklahoma City, OK February 24–26, 2017

McCormick’s Palm Springs, CA February 24–26, 2017

GAA Greensboro, NC March 2–4, 2017

Bonhams Amelia Island, FL March 9, 2017

Gooding & Co. Amelia Island, FL March 10, 2017

RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island, FL March 10–11, 2017

Motostalgia Amelia Island, FL March 11, 2017

Mecum Kansas City, MO March 24–25, 2017

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CAR COLLECTOR Volume 6 • Issue 33 • May–June 2017 AMERICAN ™ The Scoop CORVETTE 1968 CORVETTE 427/435 L89 CONVERTIBLE $96k / GAA Best-bet ’Vette, short of an L88 — Patrick Smith Page 54 6 AmericanCarCollector.com GM 1966 CHEVROLET NOVA SS L79 $79k / GAA Little Nova with a big punch leads the market — Chad Tyson Page 56 Eight Sales That Define the Market FoMoCo 1968 SHELBY GT500 KR CONVERTIBLE $117k / Gooding & Co. Nice price on a desirable drop-top Shelby — Tom Glatch Page 58 MOPAR 1970 DODGE SUPER BEE $40k / The Finest V-code Bee brings a market price — twice — Dale Novak Page 60 Keith Martin's

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HOT ROD 1932 FORD TUDOR STREET ROD $51k / Mecum Can a hot rod go out of style? — Ken Gross Page 62 AMERICANA RACE 1969 AMC AMX $15k / Leake This affordable AMX had it where it counts — Jeff Zurschmeide Page 64 1959 BOCAR XP-5 $160k / RM Sotheby’s Cottage-industry racer at a well-bought price — Thor Thorson Page 66 TRUCK 1985 FORD F-150 XL 4x4 SWB PICKUP $16k / Leake No-miles Reagan-era Ford shows a boosting market — B. Mitchell Carlson Page 68 1959 Bocar XP-5, p. 66 David Bush ©2017, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s May–June 2017 7

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The Rundown COLUMNS 10 Torque: Parts to make a whole — Jim Pickering 48 Cheap Thrills: 1949–51 Ford Shoebox Sixes — B. Mitchell Carlson 50 Horsepower: New Yorker nostalgia — Colin Comer 52 On the Market: They may not look like much, but Checkers offer an affordable, durable and iconic slice of Americana — John L. Stein 130 Surfing Around: Must-have automobilia — Carl Bomstead FEATURES 22 Good Reads: AMC Motorsports, Definitive Camaro Guide, Creative Industries of Detroit, and Isky — Mark Wigginton 26 Desktop Classics: 1929 Cord L-29 Special Coupe — Marshall Buck 28 Snapshots: Images from Amelia Island, dual Northwest events fire up the 2017 season, and a vintage racer pits at World of Speed 122 Junkyard Treasures: One shop is crushing it in Oklahoma — Phil Skinner USEFUL STUFF 14 What’s Happening: Car events of note 16 Crossing the Block: Upcoming auctions 24 Parts Time: Aftermarket pieces for your car 26 Cool Stuff: Miniature V8, fine photography and a portable garage 34 Wrenching: How to make that original paint look its best 42 Your Turn: Shades of rarity, plus some Alumathoughts 44 Readers’ Forum: Your best car buys 78 Market Moment: 1969 Chevrolet Nova Pro Touring — Jim Pickering 96 Market Moment: 1976 AMC Gremlin — John Boyle 117 One to Watch: 1965 Ford Mustang — Jim Pickering 8 AmericanCarCollector.com KR convertible Mathieu Heurtault, courtesy of Gooding & Company Cover photo: 1968 Shelby GT500 120 The Parts Hunter: Vintage speed parts on eBay Motors — Pat Smith 124 Showcase Gallery: Sell your car in ACC’s classifieds section 126 Resource Directory: Get to know our advertisers 129 Advertiser Index AUCTIONS 70 Market Overview Top 10 auction sales and best buys, and flipping instant classics — Garrett Long 74 GAA — Greensboro, NC A 76% sales rate realizes a $13.7m record at GAA — Mark Moskowitz and Jeff Trepel 86 Leake — Oklahoma City, OK The new Bennett Event Center hosts a $10.4m auction, with 405 of 549 vehicles sold — B. Mitchell Carlson 98 Mecum — Kansas City, MO 309 of 496 lots sold in KC brings in $7.3m — Brett Hatfield 108 McCormick’s — Palm Springs, CA Just a shade under $6m in the desert, with a 66% sales rate — Carl Bomstead 116 Roundup American vehicles on Amelia Island from Gooding & Company, RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams — Pierre Hedary, Carl Bomstead, Mark Moskowitz, Jeff Trepel, Larry Trepel

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Torque Jim Pickering Impala Hunting T his month’s Readers’ Forum question is all about our best car buys — those cars that were steals, deals, or just turned out to be a lot better than we ever dreamed they would. For some of you, it was a brush with an icon, like a 427 Cobra or Ram Air Firebird for a lot less than the current market level. For others, it wasn’t about rarity but instead accessibility — Cutlass Supremes, Mustangs, Corvettes, and so on. That got me thinking a lot about my own best buy, and while I’ve had a few cars over the years that could easily qualify, when I really dug down and thought about it, I ended up way back in time in a place I didn’t expect. B-body in the bushes In 1966, Chevrolet built close to 1.5 mil- lion full-size models — Bel Airs, Biscaynes, Impalas and Caprices. Of those, 116,400 were Impala SS models with V8 engines. About 47,000 convertibles were sold that year — reportedly the second-mostpopular drop-top in America, just behind the Mustang. One of these cars — a special Impala SS 396/325 in Marina Blue with a white top and a white interior — wound up derelict in the blackberries near the building my father’s company moved into in 1990. A little lunchtime trespassing led to Dad’s discovery of the Impala, and as he was a GM guy without a GM project, he couldn’t resist protracted negotiations with its owner. Eventually my family had the title to a factory SS — most of one, anyway — and third-grade Hot-Wheels-loving me was over the moon at the thought of building a real car with Dad. That SS led to weekend swapmeet trips to the far reaches of Oregon, hunting for Impala parts that might be a little bit better than what we already had. I got good at spotting ’66 gauges, consoles, tilt columns and bumpers in piles of GM stuff. But the best part, at least for me, was the parts cars. Buy cheap, sell cheaper In the ’90s, quite a few of those 1.5 mil- lion 1966 B-body Chevys were still around and available for sale in the Nickel Ads or just by knocking on a door and asking about the mossy car in the yard. Most were priced anywhere from $50 to $200 each. Some were 4-doors, some were decently optioned 10 AmericanCarCollector.com My all-time best buys were parts cars, but they offered more than just parts Our SS kicked off a parts-car hunt — and a bunch of best buys coupes and convertibles that were at the time considered to be way too far gone to save. So we’d buy them, strip what we needed, and send them on their way to a salvage yard. Every few months, another particularly rough example would come home on the car trailer. I remember a red non-SS convertible with no floors that donated its complete cowl and windshield, a maroon Caprice that gave up a 12-bolt and its front-end sheet metal, a teal ’65 wagon that had a sweet-running 396, and a house-paint-white Bel Air 4-door that lost a bunch of its interior bits and pieces. One car — a black Caprice — donated only a couple of photos, including one of its transmission crossmember to help aid in proper reassembly. I kept a photo of it for a long time, and I wish I still had it, as that same Caprice ended up in my own garage years later. For me, all this was a gold mine of fun because I got to take things apart with real tools in an environment where scratched paint didn’t matter. Dad taught me the basics of wrenching on these cars, from how to hold a screwdriver through how to remove a rusty bolt. From there, we mastered the removal of delicate trim, bulky doors, fenders, suspension components and more. The end result of all this, other than the learning aspect, was a goldmine of parts, all stored in a shed, ready and waiting for the day of Impala reassembly — a day that’s still to come. Parts to make a whole It’s funny how fast the world has changed with regard to classic cars. The Impalas we parted out, once considered too far gone and only worth $100 or so, are now selling in worse condition for a lot more than we ever paid. Reproduction parts, once thin on the ground for these cars, are popping up like crazy to fill voids in the market now that originals are hard to get. A great example are Classic Industries’ all-new B-body gauges, featured on p. 24, pictured alongside some originals pulled from Dad’s parts shed this past weekend. I’ve had some cool cars — Camaro SS, Charger SRT8, K10 pickup — but when I really think about it, they don’t truly match up to those parts cars I owned by extension. Even though those rough Impalas were bought only to donate their parts, they did a lot more, from hands-on training through simple fun with Dad. That counts for a lot more than what we paid. So there you have it. My best buys. Yours start on p. 44. A

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WHAT’SHAPPENING Let Us Know About Your Events Do you know of American-car-related events or happenings that we should publicize? Contact us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208 or online at comments@ americancarcollector.com. McPherson College Car and Motorcycle Show The world-famous McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program and the school’s C.A.R.S. Club is throwing their 18th Annual Car and Motorcycle Show. Graduates of this program help keep our old cars running. More then 275 cars and thousands of gearheads will arrive on campus on May 6 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Automotive Restoration Program. McPherson is the only college in the United States to offer a bachelor’s degree in the restoration of classic and antique collector cars. Students organize and run this event, and the McPherson College Campus, at 1600 E. Euclid Street, McPherson, KS, is the place to be. Admission, which includes entering your car, is $20 on the day of the show. 773-5787228, www.mcpherson.edu (KS) AACA and Classic Car Club of America Meet in Auburn For the first time ever, the AACA and the Classic Car Club of America will have a joint National Meet. The big event is scheduled for May 11–13 at Auburn Auction Park, 5536 Country Road 11A, Auburn, IN 46706. Members of both clubs will judge the same cars on the same day. Don’t miss the flea market and car corral, which run all three days of the show. Admission is free to the public, but you must be a member of the AACA or the CCCA to enter a car in the show. Visit www.aaca.org for more information. (IN) 14 AmericanCarCollector.com Corvettes at The Brickyard Bloomington Gold will arrive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when the track is still warm from the Indy 500 Race. This year’s celebration of Corvette excellence and originality hits The Brickyard from June 22 to 24. Laps around that famous track are on the menu this year, so bring your Corvette. Your speed on the track will be limited to 60 mph, but the thrill of coming out of a turn and hitting the straightaway is a bucket-list experience for any gearhead. This is the 45th year of this long-running Corvette show, and thousands of Corvette lovers flock in each year. This is the place to see the nicest, most-original Corvettes around. Many people hope their car is original enough to win a coveted Gold Certification, a Survivor Award or the top-of-the-mountain Benchmark Award. This is more than a judging event. The GoldMine has dozens of Corvettes for sale, there is a Corvette sale area, driving tours and much more. www.bloomingtongold.com (IN) A

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CROSSINGTHE Upcoming Auctions (Images are courtesy of the respective auction houses unless otherwise noted) BLOCK by Garrett Long Star Car: 1969 Ford Boss 429 at auctions america in auburn, In May Silver Auctions Where: Spokane, WA When: May 3 Last year: 31/65 cars sold / $161k More: www.silverauctions.com Vicari Auction Where: Nocona, TX When: May 4–6 More: www.vicariauction.com Collector Car Productions Where: Mississauga, ON, CAN When: May 5–7 More: www.ccpauctions.com VanDerBrink Auctions Where: Hustisford, WI When: May 6 More: www.vanderbrinkauctions.com Smith Auctions LLC Where: Jonesboro, AR When: May 6 More: www.smithauctionsllc.com 16 AmericanCarCollector.com Auctions America Where: Auburn, IN When: May 11–13 Last year: 287/393 cars sold / $7m More: www.auctionsamerica.com Featured cars: • Star Car: 1969 Ford Boss 429 • 1968 Shelby GT500 KR Mecum Where: Indianapolis, IN When: May 16–21 Last year: 1094/1562 cars sold / $48.2m More: www.mecum.com Featured cars: • 1968 Chevrolet L88 coupe • Star Car: 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z11 • 1970 Buick GS Stage 1 convertible Silver Auctions Where: Missoula, MT When: May 20 Last year: 44/73 cars sold / $461k More: www.silverauctions.com Lucky Collector Car Auctions Where: Tacoma, WA When: May 20–21 Last year: 125/187 cars sold / $1.3m More: www.luckyoldcar.com Dan Kruse Classics Where: Midland, TX When: May 27 Last year: 76/146 cars sold / $1.4m More: www.dankruseclassics.com June Russo and Steele Where: Newport Beach, CA When: June 2–4 Last year: 160/283 cars sold / $6.4m More: www.russoandsteele.com VanDerBrink Auctions Where: Warrensburg, MO When: June 3 More: www.vanderbrinkauctions.com Bonhams Where: Greenwich, CT When: June 4 Last year: 81/105 cars sold / $5.4m More: www.bonhams.com Featured car: • Star Car: 2005 Ford GT

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CROSSINGTHE BLOCK Star Car: 1963 Chevrolet Impala Z11 at Mecum’s Indianapolis, In, sale Leake Where: Tulsa, OK When: June 9–11 Last year: 391/571 cars sold / $8.4m More: www.leakecar.com VanDerBrink Auctions Where: Sioux Falls, SD When: June 10 More: www.vanderbrinkauctions.com Mecum Where: Portland, OR When: June 16–17 Last year: 297/478 cars sold / $9.3m More: www.mecum.com Featured cars: • 1968 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro • 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible • 1963 Plymouth Savoy Max Wedge Electric Garage Where: Calgary, AB, CAN When: June 16–18 More: www.theelectricgarage.com Motostalgia Where: Indianapolis, IN When: June 17 Last year: 29/72 cars sold / $1.6m More: www.motostalgia.com 18 AmericanCarCollector.com Silver Auctions Where: Coeur d’ Alene, ID When: June 17 Last year: 32/78 cars sold / $393k More: www.silverauctions.com Barrett-Jackson Where: Uncasville, CT When: June 21–24 Last year: 553/574 / $25.7m More: www.barrett-jackson.com Raleigh Classic Car Auctions Where: Raleigh, NC When: June 23–24 More: www.raleighclassic.com Southern Classic Where: Murfreesboro, TN When: June 24 More: www.southernclassics.com Auctions America Where: Santa Monica, CA When: June 24–25 Last year: 163/258 / $13.9m More: www.auctionsamerica.com A Star Car: 2005 Ford GT at Bonhams’ Greenwich, CT, auction

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Publisher’s Note Keith Martin CAR COLLECTOR Volume 6, number 3 May–June 2017 GeT In TOuCh email: comments@americancarcollector.com Publisher Keith Martin executive editor Chester Allen editor Jim Pickering Art Director Dave Tomaro Digital Media Director Jeff Stites editor at Large Colin Comer auction editor Garrett Long Senior Data Specialist Chad Taylor Copy editors Yael Abel, Dave Tomaro auction analysts Andy Staugaard Dan Grunwald Pat Campion Jeremy Da Rosa John Boyle Michael Leven Cody Tayloe Joe Seminetta Jeff Trepel Morgan Eldridge Pawel Litwinski, courtesy of Bonhams John L. Stein’s column examines the affordability and usability of a rugged american icon on p. 52 W Prudent Purchases and Checkered Histories e’ve all got a special car that was our “deal of a lifetime.” Mine was an unrestored, original-paint 440 4-barrel, 4-speed bench-seat Superbird that I bought out of the Autotrader for $21,000 in 1986. I sold it a few months later for $25,000 and thought I had made the deal of a lifetime. ACC readers like you have chimed in this month; you can read about their “best buys” starting on p. 44. Did you ever think that Checkers would be collectible? Best known for their role as taxi cabs in New York City, the few that survive in good condition are starting to command higher prices. John L. Stein gives you the inside scoop starting on p. 52. We head up to our friends at Griot’s Garage in Seattle for advice on how to safely and effectively polish your original paint. It’s a different process than dealing with a repainted car; find out the differences on p. 34. And finally, we’ve got exclusive photos of the American iron that was being shown at the Amelia Island Concours, and the detailed auction reports you’ve come to expect covering Mecum, Leake, McCormick’s, GAA and more. A Contributors Carl Bomstead Colin Comer John Draneas Chad Tyson John L. Stein Marshall Buck Dale Novak Phil Skinner Information Technology Brian Baker Web Developer Ian Burton SeO Consultant Michael Cottam advertising and events Manager Erin Olson Financial Manager Cheryl Ann Cox advertising Coordinator Jessi Kramer aDVerTISInG SaLeS advertising executives Darren Frank darren.frank@AmericanCarCollector.com 877.219.2605 x 214 Cindy Meitle cindy.meitle@AmericanCarCollector.com 877.219.2605 x 213 SuBSCrIPTIOnS Subscriptions and Customer Service Coordinator Susan L. Loeb Subscriptions 877.219.2605 x 1 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., M–F service@AmericanCarCollector.com 503.253.2234 fax @AmericanCCMag COrreSPOnDenCe Phone 503.261.0555 Fax 503.253.2234 General P.O. Box 4797 Portland, Oregon 97208 Fedex/DhL/uPS 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100 Portland, Oregon 97232 email help@AmericanCarCollector.com Feedback comments@AmericanCarCollector.com Web www.AmericanCarCollector.com Chad Taylor See more american iron from amelia Island on p. 28 20 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 © 2017 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 Travis Shetler Jack Tockston Mark Moskowitz Adam Blumenthal Bob DeKorne Doug Schultz Pierre Hedary Daren Kloes Brett Hatfield Larry Trepel B. Mitchell Carlson Ken Gross Tom Glatch Michael Pierce Jay Harden Mark Wigginton Jeff Zurschmeide AMERICAN JOIN US Keith Martin's

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GOODREADS by Mark Wigginton The History of AMC Motorsports: Trans-Am, Quarter-Mile, NASCAR, Bonneville and More by Bob McClurg, CarTech, 204 pages, $28.96, Amazon AMC isn’t the first car company that comes to mind when you think racing heritage. Neither are the Nash and Hudson marques, but the merger of those two companies in 1954 was massive. The result was AMC — and a checkered racing history. Bob McClurg, with more than a few great titles under his name, has taken on a wee bit of a challenge with AMC Motorsports, chronicling a program that publisher CarTech calls “the Rodney Dangerfield” of American motorsports. With five years of research, McClurg has put together a smart, informative and readable history of AMC racing successes (even Hudson and Nash made contributions), with interviews of some of the big names of racing who campaigned the red, white and blue racers. There were AMC programs on drag strips, NASCAR and even Roger Penske’s Trans-Am team, but real domination was never in the cards for American Motors at the track. But sometimes losing causes make for great stories, and this is one of those. Lineage: ( Fit and finish: is best) Creative Industries of Detroit: The Untold Story of Detroit’s Secret Concept Car Builder by Leon Dixon, CarTech, 192 pages, $29.36, Amazon Drive by most any industrial campus and it gives few clues about what’s going on inside. It could be mundane or groundbreaking, but hiding in plain sight behind a bland façade, helped by a close-mouthed cadre of workers, it remains a cypher. That describes the humble building that housed Fred Johnson’s Progressive Welder Company in Detroit in the 1930s. Johnson and partner Rex Terry changed the way cars were welded there, but when you have solved your clients’ welding challenges, you need to branch out to survive. So Johnson and Terry cre- ated an entire campus of related automotive (and aeronautic) problem solvers, from designers to engineers. They solved design and production problems for a good cross-section of Detroit’s car companies. They were able to quickly, nimbly and with great skill create prototypes, cars of the future and the rest of the auto-show eye-candy that brought the punters to the stores. It’s a fascinating deep-dive into a company most people have never heard of — a company with a fascinating history that changed Detroit. Lineage: Fit and finish: 22 AmericanCarCollector.com Drivability: ISKY: Ed Iskenderian and the History of Hot Rodding by Matt Stone, CarTech, 208 pages, $34.95, Amazon In California in the ’60s, if you didn’t have an “ISKY” decal on your car and one of his cams in the engine, you were nobody. Heck, to avoid the stigma, I had one of his cams in my Bugeye Sprite. I’m not sure it was faster, but it sounded cooler at idle… Matt Stone, former editor of Motor Trend Classic, pulls story after story out of Ed Iskenderian, from Muroc dry-lakes racing before World War II to his growing business and racing history. Along the way, Isky became known as an innovator in the shop as well as a marketer. ISKY is a fun read about a guy who knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish and how to go about doing it. Lineage: Fit and finish: Drivability: Drivability: The Definitive Camaro Guide: 1970½–1981 by Jason Scott, CarTech, 192 pages, $30.24, Amazon Considered the second-generation Camaro, the mid-1970 body was actually the third new body style, after the 1967 original launch was revamped in 1969 — back in the day when pressure was on to change the look every couple of model years. The Gen II Camaro went through three of its own upgrade versions, with models for 1970–73, 1974–77 and 1978–81. Jason Scott, longtime motoring journalist and former editor of Muscle Car Review, takes you through all of the myriad engine, trim and suspension offer- ings — what today would be a bewildering array of options. He also helps identify problems with the components, problem areas and solutions, giving you the tools to evaluate, at least superficially, a potential purchase. It’s a nice guide for someone on the prowl for a Gen II Camaro. It’s a quick once-over, a gateway book for the Camaro-addict-to-be. Lineage: Fit and finish: Drivability:

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PARTSTIME by Jim Pickering New Products to Modernize Your Street Machine new Gauges for your Impala The gauges in your 1966 Impala, Bel Air, Biscayne and Caprice have been on the job for over 50 years. Chances are the needles are faded, the faces are dirty and the clock is only right twice a day. Classic Industries has solved those problems with its line of new OER full-size dash gauges — each an exact reproduction of the originals, down to fonts and finishes. If you’ve ever tried to clean an OE set and smeared the print on the gauge faces (like the set at the top of the image above), you need these. The speedometer is $289.99, the clock is $269.99, and the fuel gauge is $169.99. Get them at classicindustries.com. Break It In right Modern oils ju keeping your fla Those tappets ha their cam lobes d break-in, which u sults in a comple all over again. B Purple’s Break-I is up to the task, w high levels of zin and phosphorous to offer maximu protection durin those critical first moments of your fresh engine’s life. It also promotes good ring seal. Get it at your nearest auto part store. Learn mor at royalPurple. com. Modern Mixture for Ford Fe Speedmaster’s individual throttle-body EFI intake brings your old Ford big-block into the modern tuning world while still having that old-school performance look. When combined with a fuel-injection controller like the FAST EFI Fuel Management System, this polished setup gives great, crisp performance and can support up to 1,000 hp. That should be enough for your Cobra. Priced at $2,000 at speedmaster79.com. 24 AmericanCarCollector.com

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COOLSTUFF Gearhead Toys Conley’s Precision Stinger 609 V8 model engine has all the goodies of its larger counterparts, such as a full ignition system, a pressurized, dry-sump oiling setup and integrated 12-volt starter. And no, this is no static model. It actually runs. You can even swing for a supercharged version. Fire it up for your friends or build something fun for it to power. Prices start at $8,257.75. You know you want one. I do. Find out more and check out the video at conleyprecision.com. Photography With a Story Looking for a great Father’s Day present? Fine art from Nancy Weezy Forman is the perfect gift. Specializing in “Rustography,” Forman’s art shows the life of vintage vehicles after their glory days, still sporting the scars from daily use but adding the toll of the weather and time, making for beautiful and sometimes haunting photography. There are also pieces highlighting vehicle nameplates as well as photos of memorabilia. Pictures start at $295. Find the perfect one and learn more at nancyweezyforman.com. by Chad Taylor No More Weather Woes Nothing is more frustrating than trying to do some touch-up work or detailing on a car when rain or dust-filled wind comes along to ruin your progress. Car Capsule has the solution: a portable workstation to put up in your driveway or on the job site. This large, high-peak garage is inflatable and can be completely enclosed. At 25 feet long, it is large enough for most vehicles to comfortably fit. It also includes two circulation fans and two charcoal filters to keep that air fresh and clean. $5,995 at carcapsule.com. A Little Drone Goes a Long Way Like it or not, drones are here to stay. Probably the most practical drone is Odyssey Toys’ Pocket Drone. It is the size of an iPhone 6 and will literally fit in your pocket thanks to its fold-in motors. It can record HD video and photos. Plus, with its small size, you can take it with you anywhere and capture views your phone can’t replicate. Not into photography? It still is a blast to fly around your back yard. Available for $60 on Amazon.com. Find out more at odysseytoys.com. DESKTOPCLASSICS by Marshall Buck 1929 Cord L-29 Special Coupe Sometimes a true bargain comes along. Case in point is this model, produced many years ago by the Danbury Mint. Danbury doesn’t make models anymore, but since they made so many of these wonderful Cords, you can still find them almost every day on eBay — and often for less than the original price of $199. Externally, this model perfectly captures the real one-off Cord. Although it also has opening panels, and chassis detail, the overall detailing is minimal, so it’s best to display buttoned up — except for maybe opening the upholstered leather rumble seat, which also has a hinged center armrest. The roof is also covered in the same leather. Paint finish is terrific, especially with all the fine gold pinstriping. Don’t look at the interior. The engine bay is a bit better, and can be seen by lifting either side of the double-hinged hood. 26 AmericanCarCollector.com Detailing Scale: 1:16 Available colors: Blue, as shown Quantity: Estimated 10,000-plus Price: $100 to $200 (eBay) Production date: 1992 and 1996 Web: www.ebay.com Ratings Detailing: Accuracy: Overall quality: Overall value: is best ½

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SNAPSHOTS Images from Amelia Island American cars at the $116m auction week Photos by Chad Taylor a Marmon Wasp at the amelia Island Concours d’elegance The 1968 Pontiac “Jerry Titus” Firebird Trans a David Gooding and auctioneer Charlie ross keep the bids coming on a 1968 Shelby GT500 Kr convertible, which ultimately sold for 28 AmericanCarCollector.com

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am awaits a new owner at Bonhams. The car sold post-block for $225,000 r $116,600 (see profile, p. 58) a 1969 Tasca-Ford Mustang Boss 302 Trans am crosses the block at rM Sotheby’s, to the tune of $320k May–June 2017 29

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SNAPSHOTS Early Bird Gets the Parts Whoever brought this 1961 Corvette project likely had fewer worries about wet weather than other display-car owners Rainy days at The Corvette & High Performance Meet and the Early Bird Swap Meet launch the Northwest’s car year Story and photos by Jack Tockston I n anticipation of spring, thousands of car enthusiasts gathered at two of the earliest major swapmeets in the country, held at the Western Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, WA. First was the 43rd Corvette & High Performance Meet on February 10–11, 2017, with typical winter rain, which some outdoor vendors didn’t mind, but most were cozy and dry within two buildings — one large, one gigantic. Although “Corvette” is in the name, parts and displays included all domestic performance marques in a family-friendly atmosphere. The following weekend, the same venue hosted the 51st Annual Early Bird Swap Meet (February 18–19, 2017), sponsored by the Model T Ford Club of Tacoma, WA. Again, the crowd was huge despite more rain. Although a vintage marque group puts it all together, whatever vehicle is your passion, you’ll probably find the parts or services you need (or whole cars) at friendly prices. Having attended both events for over two decades, I’m always amazed at the huge turnout of both vendors and buyers. They’re worth checking out if you’re in the area next February.A 30 AmericanCarCollector.com Two large buildings offered swapmeet-goers shelter from the rain Performance Meet displays veered beyond Corvettes, such as this 1955 Chevy Gasser

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SNAPSHOTS Hits the Museum Circuit World of Speed displays America’s first foray into Formula One Story and photos by Garrett Long Scarab W hile established Brits and Italians were duking it out on the Formula One track in the late ’50s, Lance Reventlow, scion to the Woolworth company, threw his hat into the ring with an American twist. Spurred by his team’s racing success on home soil, Reventlow was committed to compete in F1 using only American parts, including building an engine from scratch. The result of his team’s efforts was the Scarab: an all-aluminum, American-made F1 car that belonged above any bed frame and could make any SCCA competitor shake in its pit lane. But it was developed too late. Detailing What: World of Speed Where: 27490 SW 95th Ave., Wilsonville, OR 97070 Phone: 503.563.6444 Web: www.worldofspeed. org When the front-engined Scarab entered the 1960 season, the midengined revolution was taking place in Formula One — where that engine layout is still used today. Ultimately, although the Scarab didn’t achieve the success in Formula One that Reventlow aspired to, the at- tempt is still a landmark among the scarce American endeavors in F1. During the Scarab’s stay at Oregon’s World of Speed, where it has been on exhibit for a few months, Museum Curator Ron Huegli said, “It’s a real pleasure to have a car of that caliber at the museum. It’s been really well received. People really didn’t know much about it. It’s been a good opportunity to educate the community, which is what we really want to do.” The Scarab is a handsome car, with athletic curves and trumpets for carburetors. Sporting a logo more suited to a comic-book villain and a bright-blue livery, the Scarab rightfully deserves its own exhibit. Although the Scarab’s next exhibit has not been decided, its significant place in American racing history is sure to draw a crowd. A 32 AmericanCarCollector.com

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WRENCHINGHOW-TO THAT ORIGINAL SHINE Make your car’s original finish shine like a fresh paint job — without hurting its originality GRIOT’S GARAGE PARTS LIST Spray-On Car Wash, 22 oz., P/N 10984, $14.99 by Jim Pickering S hiny, deep paint has always been the go-to for car people looking to turn heads with their classic cars. But for car purists — especially those concerned with originality over everything else — there’s nothing better than having that OE paint on your classic. For years, original paint wasn’t a priority for many car restorers, and that has made original-paint cars relatively rare today — with those cars that do have OE finishes sometimes valued higher than their resprayed counterparts, because “it’s only original once.” But those original finishes have lived full lives and have the bumps and bruises to show it — scratches, thin spots, cracking, you name it. If you have an original-paint car, however, you don’t need to choose between a great, deep shine and that all-important originality. If you’re careful, and if you use the right methods and products, you can eliminate imperfections and bring a lot of depth to your car’s original paint without hurting what makes it so special. We got together with Nick Griot and Sam Battersby — a couple of the experts at Griot’s Garage in Tacoma, WA — to show you the right way to make your car’s original paint look its best while maintaining its integrity. Here’s how we did it: 34 AmericanCarCollector.com Paint Cleaning Clay, 8 oz., P/N 11153, $19.99 Speed Shine, 35 oz., P/N 11146, $13.99 BOSS Long-Throw Random Orbital Polisher, P/N BG15, $365 BOSS Correcting Pad, set of two, P/N B120F5, $23 (2) BOSS Perfecting Pad, set of two, P/N B130F5, $23 (2) Correcting Cream, pint, P/N B120P, $24 BOSS Perfecting Cream, pint, P/N B130P, $20 Foam Pad Conditioning Brush, P/N 15548, $15.99 Best of Show Paste Wax, 9.5 oz., P/N 10871, $24.99 PFM Terry Weave Towel, set of two, P/N 55586, $19.99 (2) PFM Detailing Towels, set of three, P/N 55526, $19.99 (3) PFM Dual Weave Wax Removal Towels, set of four, P/N 55525, $19.99 (4) Three-inch Red Foam Wax Pads, set of three, P/N 11263, $13.99 (3) Palm Grip Pad Holder, P/N 10637, $9.99 TIME SPENT: About eight to 12 hours, depending on vehicle size DIFFICULTY: J J (J J J J J is toughest)

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1 Our subject car is this beautiful 30,000-mile 1959 Buick Invicta. As you can see, it’s already in pretty good overall shape, but a little bit of polish work will bring it up another level and add a bunch of depth to its original paint. 2 how can you tell if it’s original paint? Give the car a visual examination for age-related imperfections. Check the door jambs and underhood for evidence of tape lines or overspray. Also look under hard-toremove trim pieces, such as on this Buick’s fin (a), for evidence of overspray. We found none. Thin spots (b) are also good clues that you’re dealing with original — or at least old — paint. But the best method is to measure the paint’s thickness, and we’ll get to that in a second. a b 3 The first step is an overall cleaning of the car. Start with a wash, or in this case, as the car was free of heavy dirt, we went after the surface with Griot’s Spray-On Car Wash (P/N 10984) and a microfiber towel, using straight drying motions from front to rear to eliminate the possibility of grinding contaminants into the paint surface. A waterless product such as this replaces a soap/water method to prevent damage to delicate areas of the paint/trim and removes the possibility of water settling in common rust areas. 4 5 The surface may be clean, but it’s not free of contaminants — you can tell by the tactile feel and sound you get by rubbing the back of your hand across the surface you just washed. The noise and resistance is caused by embedded contaminants in the paint surface — for the best results, these need to be removed before you move on to polishing. This will also help expose the true nature of the paint. Paint Cleaning Clay (P/n 11153) is your best bet to remove those contaminants, as it’s abrasive-free and built of a soft compound that’s safe for older, original paint. May–June 2017 35

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WRENCHINGHOW-TO 6 Starting with half or a quarter of the 8-ounce clay bar (don’t use it all at once — in case you drop it on the ground you’ll still have some left), spray down the surface you’re working with Speed Shine (P/N 11146) and work the clay across it, on the base of your fingers, in a cross-hatch pattern. Use a liberal amount of Speed Shine to ensure the tacky clay doesn’t stick to the paint surface. As it removes the fallout, sap, road grime and water spots, it’ll start to glide easier across the surface. 7 That dirty surface is how you can tell the clay is working. All you need to do to expose a fresh, new clay surface is fold it over onto itself and continue. You’ll want to complete at least two passes with the clay bar and Speed Shine before wiping the surface down with a soft, clean microfiber cloth. Then run the back of your hand across the surface and note the difference now that it’s clean and free of contaminants. The surface should feel perfectly smooth; if not, repeat the process. 8 here’s a good example of what remains after a good cleaning — note the swirl marks and deeper scratches that show up under di- rect light. We can fix this. 9 Before moving on, it’s time to check paint thickness. Why? Because any sort of machine polishing removes a small amount of the paint surface, and we need to know we’ve got enough surface to work with before diving in. The best way to do this is with a paint-thickness meter. The larger the number here, the more paint there is. Check all over — it’ll clue you in to any thin spots you can’t see, or any touch-ups you might have not otherwise known about. Resprays generally come in at the 12–14 mil range (1 mil = 0.0254 mm). Here, this panel shows 9.7 mil, reinforcing our belief of original paint. 36 AmericanCarCollector.com 10 now that you have a clean surface and you know how much paint you’re working with, it’s time to think about what approach to take. Starting with the least-invasive approach is best, and then step up from there as needed. Since we’re only dealing with removing some light defects, going conservative is our best bet. 11 It’s random orbital time. Why? Because doing this kind of work by hand will take you forever, and you won’t get the re- sults you’re after. Note we’re not using a rotary polisher, which is a great tool but has a much smaller margin for error and can cause burns in inexperienced hands. Instead, we used Griot’s BOSS Long-Throw Random Orbital Polisher (P/N BG15) and the Orange BOSS Correcting Pad (P/N B120F5) with Griot’s Correcting Cream (P/N B120P), applied liberally at first to the surface of the pad. This setup is relatively low-impact and serves as a great starting point for light-tomoderate correction.

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WRENCHINGHOW-TO 12 The trick here is to start out slowly to spread out the product, and to only work a small section at a time so you can watch your work. Increase your speed from there, using light pressure on the tool, and let the compound do the work. Count your passes over the section you’re working — you want to do no more than two to three passes as a test. One pass equals up-down and side to side in the area you are working. 13 Stop to check your work. Wipe down the area with your microfiber towel and inspect to see if you’re satisfied. If you aren’t happy with the result, you can always step up to a stronger pad and polish — although for original paint, you may want to consider leaving some of those deeper blemishes alone. We measured our paint again and saw we’d removed 1 mil of paint. We decided it wasn’t worth going thinner on our original paint in the drive for perfection. 14 note the color transfer the orange pad got while working our small section. Pads do load up with paint and polish, which can cause heat and will stop a pad from doing its job. Griot’s sells a special orbital pad cleaning brush specifically for this problem (P/N 15548). Simply run the tool against the brush to clean it. Consider you’ll need two pads per process per car — a big car like our Buick may require three or four pads per process. 15 now it’s time for Griot’s Perfecting Cream (P/N B130P) and a BOSS Perfecting Foam Pad (P/N B130F5). We’re step- ping up to an even more fine abrasive here, which further refines the paint, removing any haze and improving depth and clarity. 16 We worked the same area, this time using no pressure on the tool as it spun the pad. The idea here is to float the pad across the surface, letting it do the work for you. Again, aim for only a couple of passes here. Note how much material it removed compared to the harsher pad and compound used in the last step. 18 17 Wipe down your surface to remove the Perfecting Cream and you should see a vastly improved surface over what you started with — but the job’s not yet done. 38 AmericanCarCollector.com Decide on a process before moving on to complete the car. If this light work did the trick, repeat this around the car, doing less in areas where you noted thinner paint (edges, seams, etc.). You don’t want to polish an entire car and then realize you have to do it all over again with a different process.

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WRENCHINGHOW-TO 19 how much improvement can you expect? We used a tape line to show the contrast in before and after. You be the judge. 20 now to seal in the results. Here we used Griot’s Best of Show Paste Wax (P/N 10871), which is great for maximum color, depth and clarity of paint finish thanks to a high concentration of carnauba wax. 21 using a foam applicator, spread the wax over the area you worked to seal the clean surface, and let it set up for 20 to 30 minutes before removal. 22 use the finger-swipe method to check to see if your wax has set. If you can mark it up without any real resistance, you need to wait longer before removal. Once it’s set, buff it off with a clean microfiber towel. 40 AmericanCarCollector.com 23 nal paint! A here’s our final result — note the tape line again. The black section we worked (on the left) now has much more clarity and depth, and with the wax protecting it, it should stay looking great for a long time. Not bad for origi

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YOUR TURN Tell Us What’s On Your Mind What’s “Rare”? I have noticed the term “rare” applied to many cars in in both American Car Collector and Sports Car Market. In the last issue of ACC, the 1970 Chevelle profiled (March/April 2017, p. 50) was listed as being incredibly rare — one of only 2,144 made. Really rare? Maybe there was a low survival rate of original cars due to what everyone did to them in the muscle car era. But is it really incredibly rare? If the Chevelle is incredibly rare, what is the following? I own a desert find, for lack of a better term, all-original 1963 Studebaker Lark Regal Wagonaire with an Avanti R1 engine with a 3-speed column shift. According to data compiled on R-series Larks by the Studebaker Museum and others, this is the only one made like it. This is not the more common Daytona version (49 made) but the Regal trim level with rubber mats (nine made, all drivetrains). The car is all-original, never restored. I am the second titled owner. It is an original California car documented by the build order, all numbers matching. You will never find another. I think the term “rare” is becoming overused in the collector car market. — Tom Stoka, Elgin, IL Jim Pickering, ACC Editor: Tom, you make a great point here, even if we didn’t actually call that Chevelle “incredibly rare.” “Very rare,” yes — but we’re splitting hairs. Regardless, I stand by our assessment of that L78’s rarity in its presented condition. There are shades of rarity that aren’t well defined beyond simply using the word “rare.” Is your Studebaker “rarer” than a 1970 375-hp eat your heart out, 1970 Chevelle: one of one 1963 Studebaker Lark regal Wagonaire with an avanti r1 engine and 3-speed column shift SS Chevelle? Absolutely. Are more buyers going to pine after that barn-find Chevelle? Nothing against the Stude, but probably. It’s a perfect reminder that as much as everyone in the market likes to use the term, “rare” is relative. So you’re 100% correct. But the fact of the matter here is that rarity is just not weighted as much as desirability when it comes to value. So maybe that’s the takeaway here. Alumathoughts Thoughts on the Alumatub (March/April 2017, Hot Rod Profile, p. 56): A wonderful piece of engineering and craftmanship. But it’s butt ugly. Look at the proportions. The original buyer purchased the vehicle because it is unique, and that it is. There is no functionality to the vehicle. NONE! It doesn’t appeal to the “Classic Buyers,” and frankly, there are a very limited number of Ron Prattes buying hot rods. Make no mistake, it is unique, but there simply is a very finite market for this type of vehicle, beyond the person it was built for. “CadZZilla” will bring some big bucks, but nowhere near the seven-figure price suggested in your article. — Buddy Cousins, Ashland, VA 42 AmericanCarCollector.com Contact us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208 or online at comments@americancarcollector.com The alumatub: Butt ugly? Ken Gross, ACC Contributor: Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. Judged in the minimalist tradition of Lil’ John Buttera’s Silver Bullet, I think this smooth alloy A is functionally cute — and I’d drive it, classic hot rod or not. Troy Trepanier just showed a similarly Ken’s preference, but he’s a bit biased sculpted Model A Tudor at SEMA, so the Boyd billet tradition endures. As for CadZZilla, Buddy and I can take bets now and we’ll just have to see what it’s worth — if Billy Gibbons ever sells it. PS: I admit I like my traditional all-steel ’32 much better.A

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READERS’ FORUM Your All-Time Best Car Buys n n n This month’s ACC Reader’s Forum question comes from Chad M.: I’d love to hear some stories about ACC readers’ best car buys. What was the best car you ever bought, what did you spend, when did you buy it, and what about it made it such a good deal? Readers respond: About four years ago, I was at a Christmas party at my sister’s home. One of her friends came up to me knowing that I was a car nut and asked if I was interested in a ’66 Mustang 6-cylinder automatic coupe he’s had in his garage for the past 10 years. He said he’d take $100 for it because he just wants the room back. I thought it must be a wreck if it had been sitting for 10 years and he was only asking $100. So I declined. Later my son-in-law arrived and I mentioned it to him. He was interested and went to see the car. What the seller failed to tell me was that the car had been restored just before he bought it, and was in excellent condition. My son-in-law bought it on the spot, and I learned a lesson to always check out a car in person before I make a decision. — Rich G., via email n n n This could be called the best of times, the worst of times. I bought a ’65 Shelby Mustang, SFM #30, after seeing the car at Carlisle. This was in 1979 or 1980. $12,500. Just restored with all the right parts. Now for the bad news: I sold it for $15,000 the next year. Grrr. — Jerry L, via email 44 AmericanCarCollector.com My all-time best buy was a two-owner 1987 Mustang GT hatchback with a T-roof. The car has 90,000 miles on it but it was in unbelievable condition and had been well maintained by the previous, careful owners. When I brought the car home, it needed nothing but a tank of gas and garage space. And the best part? $5,800. I purchased this car in April of 2015. — Dave H., Glasgow, PA n n n My best purchase was a 1972 Cutlass Supreme convertible. It was a very nice car, 350/4-speed, Pewter Silver with black bucket seats and top. It was odd in that Supremes usually had a lot of options and this one didn’t — other than the full console, Rally wheels and factory 8-track player, it was a stripper. No power brakes, no a/c, nothing. I bought the car in 2001 for $9,200 and enjoyed it in the summer/ fall for nine years, putting about 1,500–2,000 miles on it each season. I added correct year/model sport steering wheel and sport mirrors, a new top boot and new tires. Other than routine maintenance, I didn’t do a thing to the car other than drive it and have fun. I sold it in 2010 for $18,000, basically doubling my money on it

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Crowdsourcing Answers to Your Car Questions Contact us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208 or online at comments@americancarcollector.com get me a ’Vette — she did! We drove away from the dealership March 10, 2017, after paying just over $60k for a car that had an MSRP of nearly $66k. What made the event so special was the fact that I told my father back in the mid-1960s that someday I would have a Corvette. — Eldon and Elaine Koch, Aiken, SC n n n 1994 Impala SS. Bought new. Read about car in Chevy High Performance. Had an article from the SEMA show. I had to find a dealer who was going to get one — not all dealers were privy — only the big guns. I put my order in and paid list price, which was around $23,400. Had to wait for delivery. Still have the car, with 123,000 miles on it. — Jim B., via email 1962 Golden anniversary Chevrolet Impala SS, with original old-man hubcaps thrown in on the deal after all the years of enjoyment. I wish I could do that on every car I owned! But I really do miss that car, and every time I see a ’70–’72 Cutlass, it brings back memories. Today, my “toy” is a 1972, all-original, 46,000-mile Stingray con- vertible, red/black, 350/4-speed with tilt/telescoping wheel, factory AM/FM, power windows. Great car to drive and a real head-turner. — Scott T., Cincinnati, OH n n n My best car buy was my 1962 Golden Anniversary Chevrolet Impala SS. In 1973, when I was just out of high school, I had a gold Impala with a 283 (not an SS). I never should have sold it, but had to pay the rent at age 18. So when I was surfing Craigslist a couple years ago and saw the twin to my former Impala, I jumped in the car with checkbook in hand. I was drawn by the color “Anniversary Gold” and it wasn’t until I arrived that I learned that this beautiful SS was also a factory 4-speed. I bought it for $17,000. Then I began researching the VIN and engine numbers, only to learn that not only was it a matchingnumbers car, but was a 300-hp 327 and one of 353 Anniversary Gold Special Edition Impalas produced to celebrate Chevrolet’s 50th Anniversary. Urban myth says only one per Chevrolet dealer was delivered, and this one went to a dealer in Salt Lake City originally. As I was getting ready to pull away after I had purchased the car, the seller asked, “You don’t want the original old-man hubcaps, do you?” Needless to say, I could not get the spinners on quickly enough to complete the fresh-from-the-factory look. I drive it all the time (weather permitting) and have had countless people tell me how they had once owned a ’62 Impala, and it is great to be able to say I did as well and now I have another that won’t be getting away. — Mike K., via email n n n $6,000 in 1974, $567,025 at auction in 2005 In 1974, I bought a 427 Cobra for $6,000. It needed a lot of work, but is still the best buy in my lifetime. — Carl M., via email, former owner of CSX3159 (Motion Performance King Cobra) n n n See next page for “Cheap Thrills” columnist B. Mitchell Carlson’s best-buy saga of “The Hippie Van” This under-the-money 2017 Corvette Stingray fulfilled a My all-time best buy — auto, that is — is a 2017 Corvette Stingray. Actually, my wife purchased it for me as fulfillment of a long-standing promise that whenever she could afford it, she would longtime dream for eldon and elaine Koch May–June 2017 45 n n n In 1979 I was looking for a first-gen Firebird for my wife as a fun weekend driver. It had to be an original 400 4-speed car and in a color she liked, preferably a ’67. One Sunday I was looking through the classifieds in the Seattle paper and spied an ad for a 1969 Firebird 400 4-speed with (supposedly) the RAIV engine and with only 13,000 miles. We didn’t know all the production numbers back then, but knew that anything RAIV was uncommon and VERY cool. I had my doubts it was a true RAIV car, but figured it was worth the 100-mile drive to have a look. Upon arriving, we saw the back end of a Matador Red ’69 poking out of a garage. The seller was a nice guy who quickly explained that some of the engine parts were not on the car. Bummer! I could see the Ram Air heads were in place, but there was a Holley in place of the Quadrajet and none of the Ram Air pans were there. Tube headers replaced the stock manifolds. A quick drive assured us the car was as solid as one would expect a 13,000-mile car to be, but I questioned the seller’s price considering the missing hard-to-find parts. “Oh, they’re not missing, they’re just not on the car,” says the seller. “They’re in boxes in the garage.” An inspection of three large boxes of parts showed us that indeed, everything was there except the exhaust manifolds. We shook hands on the seller’s asking price of $2,500, and we had ourselves a beautiful red Firebird 400, and a true factory-built RAIV at that. The truly amazing thing about our buying this car is not just the price, but the fact that we were the third people who had gone to look at it. The first two guys thought it was too much money! Needless to say, this gem became my fun fair-weather driver, and I started a new search for my wife’s Firebird. — Ric P., via emailA

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READERS’ FORUM Cheapest Thrill: The Hippie Van Cheap is good, free is better, but the Hippie Van proved to be the best of all by B. Mitchell Carlson W hen Editor Pickering told me that we were going to have a readers’ survey of our all-time best car deals, I figured the time was right to share my ultimate best deal Cheap Thrill that I’ll ever have: The Hippie Van. The Hippie Van was a 1961 Chevy Corvair Corvan 95 6-door panel van I owned from fall of 1998 to June 1999. It had earned that moniker from the previous owner, due to it being upholstered from roof to ceiling in orange shag carpet. Whoever did that had to be color blind, because it was painted light blue. Its other odd characteristic was that it had a back porch made out of iron plate, which made the front push bar less obvious. I ended up purchasing it from the estate of a fellow local Corvair enthusiast whom I knew well. I was one of a cadre of Corvair Club members who assisted his widow in selling off his parts, cars and scrap. As I also purchased two of the cars for myself, coordinated with ACC’s Military History contributor Stuart Lenzke on another three, plus bought plenty of parts, I was one of her better customers. She mentioned that the Hippie Van was also sitting behind the garage, and it needed to go, too. After making sure that it started, I asked what was going to become of it. She said, “The first person with $50 takes it.” I actually had to go home and think about it, but I claimed it the next day. Since it ran the day before, I figured I could drive it home. But when I put the selector for the Powerglide automatic into D, it did nothing. The next evening, I returned with a trailer. While getting ready to load it, the widow pulls out the envelope with the title — with a check attached. “Here’s the title,” she said, “and since you were such a help dealing with the estate, just take it and here’s $50.” Yep, she paid me to take it. Once back at my garage, it was a simple push off the trailer to get into the diagnosis, which ended up being a missing clip on the throttle-control lever. Presto! It drove! The Hippie Van became my winter beater once the snow started flying. I started to really get why the guys in the Corvair Club loved them for winter duty. It always started and had excellent traction. Even the defroster generally did its job. When my refrigerator quit on me during a particularly nasty Minnesota cold snap, the van became Mother Nature’s most perfect deep freeze until I got a replacement a few weeks later. In June every year, our club is one of the host clubs for an All-GM car show. So, of course, that June I had to bring the Hippie Van. I made it a point to park right next to the Corvettes. After a while at the show, a guy who’s been an on-again, off-again member showed up. He was pleased to see the Hippie Van again. Mentioning that he was now part of a 1960s rock cover band and that they were looking for a period gear-hauling rig, he asked me if it was for sale. “Well, I suppose it could be. Make me an offer.” “How ’bout $700?” “SOLD!” We did up a quick bill of sale, and he paid me a deposit of $350, as that was all he had on him. The remainder was to come within the month, and he’d then get the van. Now with $350 burning a hole in my pocket, I hit the swapmeet. Returning about an hour later with most of the $350 spent, I ran into the buyer again. “You know,” he said, “I’ve been thinking twice about the Hippie Van…” I’m thinking, Oh no, the deal’s going to unwind, and I pissed away most of the money. “… and usually I don’t end up going through with deals like this…” the buyer continued. Now I’m really hosed. “And to make sure that this time I go through with it,” the buyer said, “I went to an ATM, and here’s the rest of the money to pay for it.” Whew! So, when all was said and done, I sold a vehicle for $700 and made $750 profit on it. Cheap is good, free is better; what’s best is if you can get paid to take it and then sell it! A 46 AmericanCarCollector.com

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Cheap Thrills SHOEBOX SIXFits ... I If the Don’t get the engine hoist out — Ford’s only post-Model T flathead six is actually pretty decent f you can call Henry F disdain of 6-cylinder e century, mostly out of s When Ford’s son Ed with him to expand fro Model T and Model A 4-cyl platform, Henry wouldn’t he Even odd and exotic combin as Henry’s fascination with t ation, but never a six. Indeed configuration, doubling dow monoblock flathead V8 for 1 thing that saved Ford Motor C internal quagmires and loss o share, it was that V8. However, the ever- growing V8 was deemed as too much engine for some buyers —especially Depression-era farmers and businesses. In a market rife with economical sixes, a eight was thought of as over travagant and more costly to l Initially, Ford fought ba 1937–40 136-ci 60-hp flath despite the smaller displace fully compete with Chevrol about anyone else in the ent and simple. So Ford finally g of the 90-hp 226-ci flathead 6 Market competitor While it may seem like F they were actually meeting the 6-cylinder market ne that was just as well se’s — if not better. It e lubrication and all insert ith a four-main-bearing aft. The six wasn’t just for cars, either. The pickup truck market in particular was almost exclusively 6-cylinder territory, outside of the V8 Ford and 4-cylinder Crosley and Willys. Ford’s flat six 48 AmericanCarCollector.com uring World War II, Ford ntinued to make the six, ng it to use in the G-622 s “Burma Jeep” GTB series he could’a had a V8, but seems happy enough with a six of 1½-ton trucks it was building for the U.S. Navy. After the war, Ford continued with the six. 1947 saw a few subtle changes for an increase to 95 horsepower — essentially the last substantial change to the engine. Even when Ford introduced their all-new post-war car for 1949, nothing changed under the hood. The flathead six was still available. Yet by then, the writing was on the wall and the flathead engine — be it inline or vee configuration — was on the way out. Six or nothing — almost Ford’s first all-new post-war automotive engine was a replacement for the flathead six — the 215-ci (later 223) overhead-valve inline six for 1952. It was first not just because the flathead V8 was a case of “it works, don’t fix it,” but because Ford had briefly considered going exclusively to OHV six power. Henry Ford II’s “Whiz Kids” had nearly convinced The Deuce to B. Mitchell Carlson

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meet GM head-to-head in products to gain market share. That meant the Ford was only going to have an equivalent Chevrolet OHV six under the hood. The V8 would stay, but only for Mercury and Lincoln. Wiser heads prevailed, and Henry II kept V8s available under Ford hoods. In the new “shoebox” 1949s, any Ford bodystyle was available in a six or V8. Starting in 1950, the convertible and mid-year wagon became DeLuxe V8-only cars, as was the mid-year-introduced Victoria. The six also saw its last change: a bump up in the compression ratio, gaining five more pound/feet of torque. All this continued into 1951, when the Victoria became a proper 2-door hard top. 1951 also was the first year of the optional Ford-o-Matic 2-speed automatic transmission — which was available on the sixes, at least initially. Easy entry point While almost all trim levels and bodies were available with the six, most installations tended to be into Tudor and Fordor sedans. Once they aged past the point of being used cars, without a V8, they were essentially ignored. Today that’s a different story. While a six in a ’49 convertible or wagon has value as being an oddity, and in F-series trucks has been far better accepted for longer, the other body styles are now starting to be appreciated. What’s more, they provide a very economical way to enter the collector car hobby. A good number of these cars that have surfaced in the market in recent years are older original examples, generally coming out of estates or long-term (if not original) owners. These present an excellent value for a car just to futz around with at local events with friends and family. While not having the hot-rod ability of a V8, the sixes have more low-end torque and are actually better cars to have for today’s lowspeed cruising events (where you’re mostly parked with your cool ride anyway) such as Back to the 50’s, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Hot August Nights. Keep the hood down when you park it and you’ll look just as cool as your V8 brethren. Do a split-manifold, dual-exhaust conversion (or if you find some of the few vintage speed parts for them) and you’ll have folks wondering where the hopped-up Chevy Stovebolt is hiding. Parts availability for these engines may not be as easy as the flathead V8s, but they are out there in circulation, helped by their truck usage. Since the rest of the car Detailing Years produced: 1949–51 Number produced: 17,229 (1949 only; as 1950 and ’51 totals do not separate six vs. V8); 3,338,860 (all 1949–51 production) Current ACC Median Price: $9,075 Tune-up/major service: $150 Distributor cap: $25 VIN location: Stamped on cowl (1949–50) or patent plate on the cowl (1951). Also on the left side of frame near radiator Engine # location: Stamped on top of clutch housing is the same regardless of the motor (aside from the 1949–50 center emblem in the bullet grille denoting 6 or 8), restoration and maintenance is otherwise equal. Indeed, you have two less trim pieces on a ’51 six, as they lack the “V8” call-out emblems on the front fenders. See, it’s saving you money already. Worst-case scenario, now you can say that you are at par with your Club: Early Ford V8 Club Web: www.earlyfordv8.org, www. inliners.org Alternatives: 1949–54 Chevrolet Styleline and Fleetline, 1949–51 Plymouth, Dodge and DeSoto, 1947–52 Studebaker Champion ACC Investment Grade: C pals with stock Plymouths, Studebaker Champions, DeSotos and even Pontiac sixes of these same three years. They made do quite well with flathead sixes for 68 years, so why not a Ford? A May–June 2017 49

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Horsepower Colin Comer BEATER DAYS how much are memories worth? In this case, about $5,600 You can go back again. Sometimes even without a tetanus booster typical Midwestern Mopar, its white exterior under siege by rust, yet its bright red interior decidedly mint. But the real attraction was its 440-ci 4-barrel engine with 350 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. I bought it in the mid-1980s from a neighborhood kid I only knew I as “Chrysler Matt” for obvious reasons. I suspect Matt came to own the New Yorker on a tip from his older brother, who worked at the local assisted-living facility. I remember racing against Matt and his New Yorker with another friend in his 1960 Cadillac from a 50 mph roll. We lost. The Chrysler was the fastest junker in town. One cold fall day, I saw Matt working at the gas station, sans Chrysler. He said the car stopped running and was told its timing chain had jumped. It was sitting on a nearby street, collecting parking tickets and was at risk of being towed. So he offered to sell it to me for $500 as-is. I needed a winter beater and offered $100. After very tense negotiations, I think we settled on $212 — which, coinciden- 50 AmericanCarCollector.com just bought a 1966 Chrysler New Yorker. Why? Pure, blind nostalgia. I purchased my first “winter beater” when I was in high school. Yep, it was a 1966 New Yorker. Mine was a Town Sedan — the bottom-of-the-line 6-window, 4-door post car. It was your tally, was all I had. I set to getting my “new” car off the street before I lost it to the tow yard. After charging the battery, I cranked the car over. It sounded okay. So I popped the distributor cap and verified the rotor turned when I cranked it some more. Hmm. I checked the ballast resistor, a common failure point, but it was transferring voltage to the coil just fine. And then I noticed that the ignition points weren’t opening. Ha! I opened them up to the standard matchbook gap and tried to start the car. It fired on the first revolution. Lucky for me, there was nothing wrong with that mighty 440. I was ecstatic. Chrysler Colin A little maintenance, some Tiger Hair fiberglass body filler packed in the more egregious rust holes, a Sun tach screwed into the driver’s side A-pillar, a pair of glasspack mufflers and dual black Le Mans stripes over the top, and I was rolling. Oh, I also tossed the almostrusted-off fender skirts, painted the wheels bright red and mounted a set of nearly-bald Pirelli P77 tires gained from the junk pile at work. For winter use I might as well have installed casters on all four corners, but free tires were within my budget. Barely. I loved the Chrysler. It could hold an impressive number of people, was shockingly fast and virtually bulletproof. But by the first summer I didn’t need a winter beater anymore, so I sold it — wait for it — back to Matt. For about a grand. By fall Matt had screwed it up again, or lost his plates due to those parking tickets or something I don’t remember. So I bought it back. At a discount, of course. Same deal: maintenance, rust-hole fixing and back into service. It survived another winter admirably, even

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after I slid it off the road and knocked over a cement light pole. Zero damage to the Chrysler, I might add. In nicer weather the Chrysler still provided great entertainment, from block-long smoky burnouts to high-speed highway missions. Once I was pulled over after a State Patrol airplane paced me at an estimated 120 mph. I pleaded my case with the trooper on the ground, explaining that he must have the wrong white car as my old car could never go THAT fast. His reply? “Yeah, kid, I’ll go look for the other white ’66 Chrysler with racing stripes.” To this day that was the biggest ticket I’ve received. Luxury-sized regret All good things must come to an end, and eventually my parents didn’t want that behemoth beached in their driveway anymore. I attempted to sell it to Matt again since that had proven effective in the past. No such luck — he was tired of losing money on it. So I sold the mighty New Yorker to a stranger for a few hundred dollars. At the time I was relieved. But not too may years later, I really started to miss the old girl. It had never let me down, and was honestly one of the best cars I had owned — maybe because I never once had to worry about hurting it or its value. A few years ago, I was cleaning out an old desk and found some paperwork for the Chrysler. I immediately had an old high-school classmate, now a police detective, run the VIN. But it was gone. Out of the system. Presumed current owner: Mother Earth. But this hunt ignited a search for another ’66 New Yorker, models which, it seems, are edging towards extinction. My wife, bless her heart, had even secretly called my friends who remembered the car to help her find one like it as a surprise. She eventually confessed details of her failed plan. With that, we both gave up. Then a few weeks ago, while walking through the Big 3 Swap Meet in San Diego, we stumbled upon a ’66 New Yorker. I stopped cold. My wife gave me the “what? Why are you stopping?” look wives are so good at. I pointed at the car, and she said, “Well, if that’s a ’66 New Yorker, I think we have to buy it.” Ten minutes and $5,600 later, it was mine. It’s pretty mint — a far better car than my old rust bucket. It’s a hard top, not a sedan, and is beige over gold. But as a California car, it’s also something I’ve never seen before: a rust-free New Yorker. I don’t need fiberglass. Or a tetanus booster. It’s loaded up with power everything, air conditioning, a factory AM/FM with reverb, and even an original CB car phone — a far cry from my old plain-Jane New Yorker. But sitting in it, holding that clear Lucite steering wheel and looking at that space-age dash cluster, the memories come back in a rush: the “COLD” light on the dash when you start it. The pull-out two-ZIP-code ashtray with junk drawer. AM broadcasts crackling through that singular dashboard speaker. It’s all very familiar, with good reason. I’ve been here before. Blasting back to the past The New Yorker hasn’t made its way east yet to add a “why is THAT here?” element between stuff like Cobras and GT350s. I’m wondering how living with it will compare to the memory of the one from 30 years ago. Will I abuse it like I did that poor old winter beater as an invin- cible teen? Will it ever see a blizzard? Absolutely not. But am I just a little tempted to paint the wheels red and lay down a nice Le Mans stripe in Centari enamel? You better believe it. And, of course, I’ll remember to always carry a screwdriver and matchbook cover to gap the points. A May–June 2017 51

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On the Market Worth John L. Stein CHECKING OUT Despite a mighty homely appearance, 1956 to 1982 Checkers actually offer a huge amount of fun for the money same period were likewise born to work and have gained a robust following among collectors — with associated value gains — just the same. And so simply being a “work” tool needn’t exclude a vehicle from either collectibility or value growth.) The prototypical Checker is the com- mercial taxi (repurposed for “retail” customers as the Marathon sedan), and neither currently appears in the ACC Pocket Price Guide. However, NADA shows 1962 through ’82 models averaging from $10,000 to $14,000 depending on year, and the ACC Premium Auction Database lists 60 that have appeared at auction, with a $14,356 average sales price from 2015 through 2017. One estimate indicates that 5,000 This 1978 Checker cab sold for $7,700 at a 2015 Bonhams auction Pawel Litwinski, courtesy of Bonhams Detroit), from 1956 through 1982, the classic Checker taxi cab, and its Marathon family sedan, station wagon and limo derivatives, are just as iconic as muscle cars — except their status came not as road burners, but as people movers in New York City and other large metropolises. The Checker has much that’s needed to fulfill its status as an icon, W including its totally unique, all-American design, its dutiful fulfillment of an essential transportation role over a 26-year span, and the fact that so many people saw it, rode in it, and benefited from its service. Checkers are famous in entertainment as well, with supportive roles in film and television including the “Taxi” series with Danny DeVito, which ran from 1978 to 1983. Incredibly, aside from required emissions and safety changes, Checkers changed little over two-and-a-half decades of production. Uber underdog Usual value drivers for American classics from AMX to Zimmer include design, performance and exclusivity, none of which, unfortunately, the Checker possesses. Bulky and utilitarian to suit its primary role as a cab, its mission was completely different; Checkers were by design work tools rather than any sort of lifestyle statement. (It’s worth adding that pickups of the 52 AmericanCarCollector.com hen it comes to collectibility, achieving icon status really helps. Obvious automotive proof points for this theory include Corvette, Shelby or anything with Hemi power. But as it turns out, not all American icons ascend in value evenly. Case in point: the Checker. Built in essentially the same form in Kalamazoo, MI (the “other” Checker taxis and sedans were built annually, including far fewer station wagons and luxurious limos. Even scarcer were the stretched Aerobus airport shuttles (the “unicorns” of the Checker world, so to speak), multi-door stretch wagons built for hauling a dozen or more passengers. I can’t remember the last time I even saw one, and they’re not listed in any guidebook that I’ve ever seen. Go fish. Real steel, and plenty of it Let’s examine what makes a Checker a Checker, with a fair eye. Despite what some might call a mighty homely appearance, these cars actually do offer a lot of fun for the money. The Marathon was typically available with a choice of Chevrolet 6-cylinder or V8 powertrains (with periodic diesel availability), can carry up to eight passengers, can hold an enormous amount of camping, luggage or sporting equipment (outpacing virtually any other collector vehicle except maybe a Suburban or Travelall), and is built close to what I’d imagine military standards would be. Regarding durability, it’s hard to imagine any vehicle of the period using more iron and steel — and less aluminum and plastic — than the Checker. Which makes it eminently and endlessly repairable and fixable today. I happen to know something about this, having once purchased and then driven a New York City Checker taxi cab from the Big Apple to Los Angeles. A few easily rectified maintenance issues aside, the car dutifully sailed clear across North America, its 105-hp six trundling along without complaint. Here are my picks among five Checker varieties. Station wagon — The Jeep Grand Wagoneer has found a robust fol- lowing of late, but as they are reasonably plentiful, a properly presented Checker station wagon will raise the ante at the club. Rarely seen nowadays, they’re not only unique, but highly useful.

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1973 Checker Marathon wagon, sold for $14,850 in november 2016 Town Limousine — A rarity then and now, this long-wheelbase unit was for private owners desiring a luxurious American ride with classic style. The Limo was outfitted with such features as a vinyl-covered roof with “opera” windows, and up-level interior materials. Take that, Cadillac. Taxi — Outfitted with fold-up supplemental rear seats, a bulletproof cab partition, and fleet upholstery and livery, Checker cabs lived a hard life. However, rust and crash damage may be the only things that can stop one; the last NYC Checker taxi left service in 1999 after nearly a million miles. Marathon — While sharing the same bodylines as the taxi cab, this customer version provides your best chance of blending into the “normal” car world while still enjoying a unique American automotive experience. The 1969 model enjoyed Checker’s highest output, 300 hp, from its 350-ci V8. 1972 Checker aerobus limousine, a $2,250 sale in 2016, shark fins generally not included Aerobus — The only reason this stretch isn’t higher on this list is that it’s just so doggone big. That said, if you have a pack of friends to take to an auction, race or swapmeet, here’s your ride. Marathon modding Today the Checker’s iconic design, “all steel” construction, and low value all combine to offer interesting possibilities for building a restomod. How about a Pro Street Marathon or a Panamericana road racer? Or perhaps a Baja 1000 version with skid plates and KC driving lights, or even a Callaway-inspired Marathon AeroWagen? I’ve yet to see a single Checker so modified (no surprise, really!), and while requiring time, money and steel — all for a highly dubious prospect of any monetary return — such a hybrid would definitely draw attention. If you’ve “done up” a Checker, send us a photo and info on it to comments@ americancarcollector.com. Maybe we can get a party started. A May–June 2017 53

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PROFILE CORVETTE 1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 427/435 L89 CONVERTIBLE Corvette Bronze Blue Chip Courtesy of GAA Classic Cars With the L89 numbersmatching drivetrain, the K66 ignition and good original condition, this car is a solid bluechipper for any serious collector 54 AmericanCarCollector.com 54 AmericanCarCollector.com VIN: 194678S406169 by Patrick Smith • Part of the Tyson Collection • Top Flight Award Winner in September 2011 • Original, legible tank sticker • 427/435 hp • Matching-numbers engine • Aluminum head option • Close-ratio 4-speed transmission • 3.70:1 differential • Corvette Bronze with tobacco leather interior • Power windows • Power brakes • F41 suspension • Telescopic steering column • Transistor ignition • Tinted glass • Auxiliary hard top ACC Analysis This car, Lot ST0099, sold for $96,300, including buyer’s pre- mium, at the GAA auction in Greensboro, NC, on March 4, 2017. It was offered without reserve. When the all-new Corvette body finally broke cover in the fall of 1967, controversy appeared to be its middle name. Fans were delighted with how closely the Sting Ray resembled the Mako Shark show car. Detractors noted a reliance on gimmick items such as hideaway windshield wipers and excess length, as well as a disturbing lapse of quality control on early examples. Road & Track had to swap their L71 for a small block due to problems, while Car and Driver refused to do a review of their test car, citing quality control issues. Nevertheless, it was an exciting, visceral automo- bile that offered a lot of bang for the buck. Buyers had a cornucopia of small- and big-block engines from which to choose. Power choices In 1968, the 435-hp L71 drew major attention due to its position as top-horsepower V8 in the line-up. The L71 also had eye appeal for casual enthusiasts due to the luscious Holley tri-carb system and unique chrome triangular air cleaner. The 435 also drew attention away from the real savage of the pack: the 430-hp L88. A full-bore race engine disguised with terrible street exhaust manifolds and dumbed-down ignition timing curve, the L88 gained 100 horsepower just with proper headers. GM didn’t want Walter Mitty types driving an L88 — it was for pros. For most, the L71 was a better choice, as in stock form, the 435 was plenty fast, and the usual super-tuning tricks could take it into the 12s in the quarter. It was a good package. The L71 was an iron-block 427 stuffed with 11.1 pistons, Holley triple 2-barrel carbs (two R3659As and one R4055A) plus a Winters aluminum intake

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COLLeCTOr’S reSOurCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the aCC Premium auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Years produced: 1967–69 Number produced: 624 (1968) Original list price: $5,125 Current ACC Median Valuation: $81,500 Tune-up/major service: $660 Distributor cap: $249.95 (K66 brown Delco Remy cap) Engine # location: On engine block in front of passenger’s side cylinder head VIN location: Driver’s side A-pillar, dashboard driver’s side manifold. A solid-lifter camshaft was used, along with a set of closed-chamber rectangular-port heads. The bottom was fortified with forged crankshaft and four-bolt mains. If you added the L89 option, you got the same heads in aluminum. It gave you a minor break with detonation, but with 11:1 compression, any original L89 needs race gas to live today. The key here was in weight savings — about 80 pounds off the nose of the car. When it comes to performance, the L71 was a strong, but not invincible, runner. Car Life mag recorded a blistering 13.41 ET at 109 mph. A Hemi Charger could take it, as could a Hemi Road Runner, but both cars would have to be 4-speed Super Track Pack jobs. In the ’60s, the biggest worries this ’Vette had were L88s, but that ended in 1970 when a fleet of big-bore A-bodies appeared en masse to cause grief. Good equipment, nice color This particular car has desirable goodies such as the K66 transistorized ignition system, off-road exhaust system, F41 front and rear high-performance suspension and the M21 4-speed close-ratio transmission. Our subject car also has power windows, power disc brakes, telescopic steering column and CO7 auxiliary hard top with extra-cost C08 vinyl covering. The final coup de grace is the magnificent Corvette Bronze paint finish. It isn’t a particularly rare shade, with 3,374 produced, but not many of them were repainted to original over the years. It seems to be a color one either loves or loathes. With the L89 numbers-matching drivetrain, the K66 ignition and good original condition, this car is a solid blue-chipper for any serious collector. Perhaps the best part of this deal is how close you are to getting supercar L88 performance without the bank-busting cost. You even get a radio — something L88 owners were denied. That brings us to the selling price: Was $96,300 a steal? 2014 was a good year for L89 sales, as a few crossed the block. The average for a solid, no-stories convertible was $77,000. A nice numbers-matching L89 ragtop with F41 and off-road exhaust sold at Worldwide Auctioneers for $71,500 (ACC# 243567). Another convertible sold at Russo and Steele’s Scottsdale event in 2014 for $85,000 (ACC# 232323) Previous auctions for that car garnered high bids of $35,000 and $54,000 in 1998 and 2001, respectively. It has been described as an “honest driver” and “10-footer.” Like so many other cars, they’re frequently purchased for resale, with commensurate rising prices. The L89 option adds a healthy — some say up to 50% — rise in value on a matching-numbers L71. On examples with MIA engines, the bump is a lot smaller. Many of these cars were wrenched on from new because, let’s face it, multi carbs were cool, and making them run right demanded a fair bit of work. It wasn’t unusual to start out removing the fuel-bowl vent tubes from the outboard carbs to kill the backfire problem and wind up swapping over to a big double-pumper 4-barrel and intake along with a lumpy cam. Once these became used cars, strange things happened. Seven years ago it was possible to get a really nice L89 convertible for $50k. During the midst of the worst economy in ages, astute buyers picked all the low-hanging fruit off the trees from distress sales. Things tightened up in 2014, and now we’re seeing a minor uptick in L89 prices. Our subject car sold above ACC’s $81,500 median value. The buyer got a first-year Shark that won awards, is a numbers-matching 4-speed car, has excellent period colors and a tank sticker. Due to a yearlong absence of sales on this combo, I’m loath to say this was a steal, but I believe it was well bought, and I think it will look like an even better deal over Cars.) Club: National Corvette Restorers Society Web: www.ncrs.org Alternatives: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6, 1969 Dodge Super Bee A12 440 Six Pack, 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 ACC Investment Grade: A Comps 1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 L89 convertible Lot 24, VIN: 194678S401487 Condition: 3 Sold at $71,500 Worldwide Auctioneers, Montgomery, AL, 5/2/2014 ACC# 243567 1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 L89 convertible Lot S645, VIN: time. A (Introductory description courtesy of GAA Classic 194678S404502 Condition: 3 Sold at $85,000 Russo and Steele, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/14/2014 ACC# 232323 1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 L89 convertible Lot 503, VIN: 194678S402492 Condition: 2+ Sold at $72,600 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV, 10/15/2008 ACC# 118327 May–June 2017 55CC 55

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PROFILE GM Chevy II With a Punch 1966 CHEVROLET NOVA SS L79 This little Nova packs a wallop, both on the strip and on the market VIN: 11836N104742 by Chad Tyson • Part of Davis Collection • SS 327-ci 350-hp L79 • 4-speed Muncie • 71k actual miles — fully documented • Original Protect-O-Plate • Matching-numbers engine • 12-bolt Positraction rear axle • Over $80k spent on rotisserie restoration in 2013 ACC Analysis This car, Lot ST0092, sold for $79,180, including buyer’s pre- mium, at GAA’s auction in Greensboro, NC, on March 4, 2017. Nova Joe Back in high school, I had a friend named Joe. Joe wasn’t a flashy guy, nor did he do anything academically or athletically unique. The only thing people really noticed about him was his slight hunchback. That lone distinction led one of the less-fortunate bullies to briefly goad, prod and generally make life miserable for Joe. That is, until he shoved Joe against a brick wall on the backside of the high school. A flash of arm and jacket and the instigator was down — cupping his swelling and bloodied nose. Joe and I talked cars a bit — probably as well as most high school guys do — and took part in a 56 AmericanCarCollector.com particularly silly game of comparing ourselves to cars. I’ll pretend not to remember embarrassing thoughts of pining to be a Shelby GT500. I go there simply to say this: If Joe were a car, he’d be an SS L79 Nova. Unassuming, perhaps recognizable from certain angles, but when pushed, packs a helluva right hook. Right-hook foot The car’s respective right hook is linked directly to the right pedal. In the mid-1960s, GM brass was already familiar with fitting hot engines into unexpected chassis. See the 389 fitted into a Pontiac Tempest, for example, creating the GTO. Or the 330 into the Olds F-85, creating the 442. So why not take the hot Corvette small block and put it in the compact? The 327-ci 350-hp L79 has one of the highest horse- power-to-cubic-inches ratio (1.07:1) of any American V8 of the time. And it’s no real wonder why, with 11:1 compression, forged pistons and an aluminum intake. The only Chevrolet V8s rated higher during the 1960s are the Corvette-only 327/360 (1.10) and 327/375 (1.15) — plus two one-year wonders, the 283/315 (1.11) and 396/425 (1.073). Sure, this is based on advertised horsepower — which had a funny way of understating real horsepower — but it does provide a point of common reference. Courtesy of GAA Classic Cars

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COLLeCTOr’S reSOurCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the aCC Premium auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Year produced: 1966 Number produced: 3,547 Original list price: $2,671 Current ACC Median Valuation: $55,000 Esoteric as that argument may be, here’s a lucid one: In stock form, with that 600-cfm Holley, it takes 15 seconds at 95 mph to cover a quarter mile in this Chevy II. And there isn’t much to give away its performance pedigree. Two SS badges, a pair of Super Sport scripts and matching 327 V8 fender flags are the only external markers differentiating this from any other 1966 2-door X-body. This is a sleeper, pure and simple. Documented restoration I write this without the benefit of an in-person in- spection of the car. But GAA does a commendable job with their online catalog and photo availability — on par with many of the national traveling auctions. First and foremost, the VIN starts 118 — on the VIN ag, on the Protect-O-Plate, everywhere. So we know it is a Chevy II Nova SS V8. That makes it just one of 3,547 L79 SS Novas GM produced for 1966. The seller stated that the car has 71k actual miles, with a matching-numbers engine. Unfortunately, there were no available images for the engine number. This is an excellent opportunity for a friendly reminder that you (or a surrogate) should always inspect the car in person before flipping up that bidder’s paddle or writing that check. Visually, the car is striking. Yes, it helps that white over black is a great a contrast, but the light reflects smoothly and evenly on the car’s long sides. And I’ll be damned if that isn’t a spot-on Ermine White. The black vinyl interior is as the General shipped it. David Lee took delivery of the car on October 28, 1965, from Joe Creamons Chevrolet in Eustis, FL, per the Protect-O-Plate accompanying the sale. Among the rest of the documentation was the owner’s guide, a feature accessories brochure and restoration binder. L79s lead Nova pricing ACC has covered L79 Novas before in two “Quick Takes.” One was unrestored and was not an original SS. It sold for $41,250 (#24, Nov/Dec 2015, p. 69). The other car (#9, May/June 2013, p. 66) was a factorybuilt SS restored to the nines. Mecum sold that one for $219,950. I’m fairly certain that some users still haven’t picked up their jaws from the floor in the deep pockets of ChevyTalk’s 1962–67 Chevy II-NovaAcadian sub-forum. The 2017 SCM-ACC Pocket Price Guide shows us there hasn’t been too much movement in the market for these cars. The median value is pegged at $55k. Now that’s the middle of the market, with half of the sales above and half below that point. And really, this car fits on that continuum. Near $80k for this restored Nova might shock the less informed, but the comps show us that it’s the going rate for this level of this car. Mecum sold a recently restored ’66 SS L79 for $88k at Kissimmee in January (ACC# 6823233), while Barrett-Jackson also had a ’66 SS, but it wasn’t an L79 and sold for $42,900 (ACC# 6816741). It’s pretty easy to look at ACC’s Premium Auction Database and see recent auction sales for 1966 Novas in one setting. What pops out even more is the tiers of pricing — anything over $75k was an SS L79. That’s not to say they all sold over that price, but they were the only Novas to do so. In fact, the only Novas of any year or sub model consistently worth more than a ’66 L79 SS are Yenko and COPO examples. Much like my friend Joe, this car might not catch everyone’s attention, but underestimate the power and value at your own risk. Nobody wants a bloodied nose — behind the school, at the dragstrip or on the block. Well bought. A (Introductory description courtesy of GAA Classic Cars.) 1966 Chevrolet Nova SS L79 Lot S147, VIN: 118376N156888 Condition: 2- Not sold at $175,000 Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis, IN, 5/17/2014 ACC# 243852 1966 Chevrolet Nova SS L79 Lot S215, VIN: 118376W118485 Condition: 1Sold at $74,520 ACC# 265683 Mecum Auctions, Seattle, WA, 6/5/2015 Club: National Nostalgic Nova Web: www.nnnova.com Alternatives: 1967–69 Barracuda Formula S, 1966 Chevrolet Corvette L79 coupe, 1968–69 Dodge Dart GTS Engine # location: Pad forward of passenger’s side cylinder head Investment Grade: B Comps Tune-up/major service: $150 VIN location: Tag on driver’s door jamb 1966 Chevrolet Nova L79 Lot 5095, VIN: 116376N151058 Condition: 4+ Sold at $41,250 ACC# 266690 Auctions America, Auburn, IN, 9/1/2015 May–June 2017 57

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PROFILE FOMOCO When Green Saves Some Green 1968 SHELBY GT500 KR CONVERTIBLE Mathieu Heurtault, courtesy of Gooding & Company The KR is a sought-after Shelby, and this one’s color may have made it a great buy — if you like Lime Gold VIN: 8T03R21322403949 by Tom Glatch • Well-optioned example of the GT500 KR • Finely preserved and largely original • Finished in era-evoking Lime Gold • Recently serviced and collector owned • Documented by Marti Report, maintenance records and copies of factory build sheets ACC Analysis This car, Lot 8, sold for $116,600, Gooding & Company auction on Amelia Island, FL, on March 10, 2017. It was offered without reserve. The cover of the October 1968 issue of Car Life magazine asked the question: “Shelby’s GT500 KR — was it worth stealing?” It seems the car promised them by Ford was stolen just before delivery. It was recovered but so badly damaged that another Shelby had to be brought in. The 1968 Shelbys looked worth stealing, with new fiberglass front fenders, hood, and grille surround bringing the Mustang’s appearance up a big notch. There were new convertible versions of the GT350 and GT500, too, with a stylish integral roll bar. Then there was the GT500 KR, or “King of the Road,” which replaced the GT500 when the 428 Cobra Jet engine became available on the Mustang. Shelby still designed the upgrades and specified the equipment, but the reviewers noted “every year the Shelby Mustang is a little less Shelby and a little more Mustang.” 58 AmericanCarCollector.com 58 AmericanCarCollector.com including buyer’s premium, at the Part of the problem was Shelby no longer built the cars. In 1965, Shelby built just 521 street GT350 Mustangs and 36 GT350 R racers in the car’s first year, but in 1966, that jumped to 2,378 units. Keeping up with the demand was challenging Shelby American, and they had quality issues with the fiberglass parts, with much hand reworking required. When the spectacular 1967 GT350 and new 428-powered GT500 were unveiled, sales soared even more. Then in late 1967, Shelby American lost the lease on their two large buildings at Los Angeles International Airport due to runway expansion. “Even if our lease hadn’t expired, we did not have the capacity at the airport to build the number of Shelbys that Ford wanted to sell,” said Shelby American’s General Manager at the time, Peyton Cramer. For 1968, the Shelby Mustangs would be built at A.O. Smith, a large automotive supplier in Ionia, MI (ironically, they supplied Corvette bodies at one time). From here on, Shelby Mustangs were built by Ford. Carroll Shelby was too busy running Ford’s Le Mans-winning endurance-racing operation to care much, and Shelby American was expanding into the Trans-Am and Can-Am series for Ford. King of the Road The original 428 engine was nothing great, but the Cobra Jet benefited from heads and intake derived

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COLLeCTOr’S reSOurCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the aCC Premium auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Club: Shelby American Automobile Club hampion 427 “Side Oiler.” Ford p (wink, wink), but with a streetear gear, Car Life saw 0–60 in 6.9 med the quarter-mile in 14.57 at andling was good, but with that ast iron under the hood, it was a oposition to manage without bonespension. Unlike previous Shelby , this year they chose a softer ride. g a Shelby GT350 or GT500 put ve class. Only select Ford dealers e price put them out of the reach of yers — $4,472 for the GT500 KR r the companion convertible. Still, was it worth stealing? Car Life responded, “The King of the Road will wow the neighbors, cover ground and make drivers ry Mustangs eat their hearts out. ” Shelby’s magazine ad described the KR as “for the man who wants everything in one car.” This really was truth in advertising. Previous Shelbys chose raw performance over creature comfort. Then the KR model disappeared in 1969 and the cars had almost no input from Carroll Shelby. The ‘69 sold so poorly that many were converted into 1970 models to finally get rid of them. That’s precisely why the 1968 GT500 KRs are among the most valuable Shelby Mustangs on the market — they hit that sweet spot of performance, comfort and style. The rare and historically significant 1965 GT350 models command top dollar, especially the 36 GT350 R racers built for SCCA competition. But good GT500 KR Shelbys, especially the rare convertibles (517 built), have broken $300k at sale time. The current median price, as listed in the 2017 ACC Pocket Price Guide, is a much lower $160,800. Not all that glitters is Lime Gold Considering all that, why did our feature GT500 KR ragtop sell for $116,600? It has good credentials throughout, but there are any number of issues that can pop up that might limit value on a car like this. It’s an automatic, and it is lacking some options such as 10-spoke wheels and air conditioning. But here, one factor stood out above the others — color. The Code I “Lime Gold Metallic” paint is truly po- larizing. Personally, I really like it and wouldn’t mind this car in my garage one bit. But I can understand many potential buyers holding out for a different color such as Acapulco Blue or red. Still, is a Lime Gold Shelby GT500 KR worth that much less than one of another color? At least on this day, it looked that way. At almost $200k below the best of the best and well under the current market median, I’d call this Shelby a steal of a deal for what it was — and well worth the price paid.A (Introductory description courtesy of Gooding & Company.) 1968 Shelby GT500 KR convertible Lot 668, VIN: 8T03R206130 Condition: 1Sold at $203,500 Barrett-Jackson, Uncasville, CT, 6/22/2016 ACC# 6803744 Tune-up/major service: $350 Distributor cap: $295 (NOS) VIN location: Tag riveted to driver’s side inner fender Engine # location: Pad on the back of the block, driver’s side Year produced: 1968 Number produced: 517 (KR) Original list price: $4,594 Current ACC Median Valuation: $160,800 Web: www.saac.com Alternatives: 1968 Yenko Camaro 427, 1968 Ford Mustang GT 428 CJ, 1968 Mercury Cougar GT-E 427 ACC Investment Grade: A Comps 1968 Shelby GT500 KR convertible Lot 1338, VIN: 8T03R213321 Condition: 1Sold at $143,000 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/16/2017 ACC# 6816734 1968 Shelby GT500 KR convertible Condition: 3 Lot 109, VIN: 8T03R21037803762 Bonhams, Monte Carlo, MCO, 5/12/2016 ACC# 6799962 May–June 2017 59CC 59

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PROFILE MOPAR Market-Price Bee 1970 DODGE SUPER BEE Courtesy of The Finest When I wrote about this car in 2011, I concluded that the value in the car was solid — but not to expect a bunch of appreciation. That has held true VIN: WM21V0G145036 by Dale Novak and pop-out rear windows, it is among the rarest of Dodges. Of the 15,506 Super Bees produced in 1970, fewer than 200 of the 440s were coupes. Only 87 had automatic transmissions. T 60 AmericanCarCollector.com 60 AmericanCarCollector.com ACC Analysis This car, Lot 104, sold for $39,600, including buyer’s pre- mium, at The Finest Collector Car Auction in Boca Raton, FL, on February 11, 2017. It was offered without reserve. In 1970, the Super Bee was offered as a pillared coupe or hard top and could be had with three different engine choices. Buyers could opt for a 383, 440 Six Pack or the thundering 426 Hemi. Our subject car came with a V as the fifth VIN digit, which denotes the 440 Six Pack engine. The package put out 390 horses. The Hemi only ratcheted up the ponies to 425, so the cost per horsepower for that engine was disproportional. As such, a total of 1,268 Super Bee V-codes were ordered in 1970 versus 42 Hemi cars. Total Super Bee production came to 15,506 units, so the V-code option represents just over 8% of production. I’ve seen this BEEfore This is my second swat at this particular 1970 Dodge Super Bee. I first profiled this car in ACC’s his Super Bee came equipped with a 440 with three 2-barrel carburetors, a forced-air “Ramchargers” hood, a Mopar automatic with column shifter and Rallye wheels. A coupe model with the defining side pillars sister publication, Sports Car Market, in the July 2011 issue. This gives us a great opportunity to chase this Bee around for a second spin. Dodge Super Bees (and Plymouth Road Runners) are not all that difficult to find. They were built in big numbers, and most of the larger muscle sales will include at least one — and oftentimes far more than that. The difficult part is finding a great example. The 383 models (the base model) are rather common. There’s nothing wrong with that, as they are affordable muscle cars that are also affordable to own. As you dig deeper into the hive, they become a bit scarcer. Obviously, the Queen Bees of the model run are the Hemi cars, which are the rarest of the bunch. Our subject car is one of those 1,268 “V-code” 440 Six Pack Super Bees. While that may sound like a healthy number, many have been lost to age attrition, meaning rust, wrecks and lead-foot disease. The V-code machines are sought after — many a Mopar guy would rather own the triple-deuce 440 than a finicky Hemi (if he actually wants to drive it). Plus, the cool factor of three 2-bbls lined up over the potent 440 is a killer setup. Tracking value Our subject car appears three times in the ACC Premium Auction Database. It first shows up in 1991 at a Mecum sale, where it failed to sell with a high bid of only $13,500 (ACC# 457) with 75,000 miles on the clock. In the next outing, VIN 145036 sold for $38,500 at a Worldwide sale in 2010 with the mileage creeping

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COLLeCTOr’S reSOurCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the aCC Premium auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Years produced: 1968–70 Number produced: 15,506 (1970), 1,268 (1970 440 Six Pack) Tune-up/major service: $300 (with Six Pack) Distributor cap: $25 VIN location: Driver’s side dash under windshield Engine # location: Original list price: $3,074 Current ACC Median Valuation: $32,900 (plus 15%–25% for 4-speed) up to 80,625 (ACC# 162658). And, finally, our last sighting was at the Barrett-Jackson West Palm Beach sale in 2011, where I first looked over the car. That’s our highest sale to date at $48,400 (ACC# 178134). The mileage between the Barrett-Jackson sale and The Finest sale has just about remained unchanged at approximately 85,000 from 2011 to 2017. The intrinsic value of using the ACC data points is great. Tossing out the 1991 sale (before the explosion of muscle car values), we can follow our subject Super Bee from 2010 through 2017. The car has likely changed little since the Worldwide sale in 2010 — and less than 5,000 miles have been put on the car over the past seven years. If anything, the probability that the restoration has mellowed from static storage is relatively high. By the numerous and very high-quality photos displayed at The Finest’s website, you can see that the car remains in very nice condition. The 440 Six-Pack workhorse was also reported to be the original engine, and for the most part, the car is exactly as seen by yours truly at the 2011 Barrett-Jackson sale in West Palm Beach. It’s a very nice driver-level example — one that you can buzz around in and not feel like you’re squishing the value of the car into the pavement. To Bee or not to Bee When I wrote about this car in 2011, I concluded that the value in the car was solid — but not to expect a bunch of appreciation. By my observations, the muscle car market has been showing signs of some sideways movement lately. Sellers need to work harder to make a great first impression. Buyers appear to be more cautious before opening their checkbooks — which is a good thing. Also, the rush to purchase just any muscle car is waning. Don’t get me wrong — great cars that are rare and airtight are still bringing strong interest — but I think the buyers are being more vigilant. While the car may have changed hands since 2011 and this sale, the easy math shows an $8,800 hit from sale to sale. This does not account for carrying costs such as insurance and simple maintenance costs — and the big one: auction fees. One would also have to suggest that there was some transportation expense from one sale to another. Even without hiring a disheveled math professor, you’re at a $10,000 loss from 2011 to 2017. I’d chalk that up partially to the aformentioned sideways market. The bonus on this Super Bee is the obvious big plus: the V in the VIN. On the other hand, you’ve got a muscle car with an automatic on the column and a bench seat in a coupe configuration (rather than a hard top). That’s never going to wind up a bunch of muscle car buyers. I know plenty of very thoughtful collectors who simply won’t buy a column-shift automatic muscle car — even if the deal is well into the plus column. It just doesn’t push the right buttons for many buyers. There’s another strike. Of course, the real value with any classic car is in the experience of owning it. So if a Banana Yellow 440 Six-Pack 1970 Super Bee is the honey in your tea, then by all means, have at it. This one appears to be a fine example, provided you can live with the column-shift automatic. However, if your quest is to seek out an asset with the potential of appreciation down the road, I stand by my 2011 comments: It’s still a solid buy — and more so this time around — but with limited upside. A (Introductory description courtesy of The Finest.) Club: The Super Bee Registry Web: www.superbeeregistry. com, www.moparnats.org Alternatives: 1968–70 Plymouth Road Runner, 1968–70 Dodge Coronet R/T, 1968–70 Dodge Charger Passenger’s side of block by oil pan ACC Investment Grade: B Comps 1970 Dodge Super Bee 383 Lot 367, VIN: WM21N0E107642 Condition: 1- Not sold at $35,250 Auctions America, Carlisle, PA, 4/25/2013 ACC# 216209 1969 Dodge Super Bee 383 Lot F107, VIN: WM21H9A253849 Condition: 3+ Not sold at $26,000 Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 11/30/2011 ACC# 190184 1970 Dodge Super Bee 440 Six Pack (subject car) Lot 356.2, VIN: WM21V0G145036 Condition: 2 Sold at $48,400 Barrett-Jackson, West Palm Beach, FL, 4/6/2011 May–June 2017 May–June 2017 61

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PROFILE HOT ROD & CUSTOM 1932 FORD TUDOR STREET ROD Ripe for a Redo Today, cars like this one simply look dated, like bell-bottom trousers, flared collars, wide ties, fat belts and padded shoulders. But does it matter? 62 AmericanCarCollector.com VIN: 5129531 by Ken Gross • Less than 2,000 miles on a frame-off restoration • 426-ci Hemi V8, headers and dual exhaust • 700R4 automatic transmission • Solid front axle/independent rear suspension • 4-wheel disc brakes • Custom two-tone red and beige paint with accent striping ACC Analysis This car, Lot S110, sold for $50,600, including buyer’s pre- mium at Mecum’s auction in Los Angeles, CA, on February 17–18, 2017. It was offered without reserve. Sticking with tradition Although the supremely creative nature of hot-rod- ding and customizing permits pretty much anything, there are some “rules” where hot rods are concerned. Traditional rods, built with authentic Ford parts, the way they were done in, let’s say, the 1940s, tend to follow a pattern. Highboy roadsters run modified flathead V8s and manual gearboxes. They have chopped tops, steelies, blackwall bias-plies, banjo steering wheels, Stewart-Warner gauges and ’39 Ford taillights. These cars are usually painted black, or red, or a ’40s-era Ford color such as Cloudmist Gray. Or they’re finished in suede (primer). Small-block Chevy V8s are permitted: 283s and 327s — not 350s, 383s or 400s — and they’re best painted factory orange with Corvette valve covers. They don’t have V6s, ever. And modern alloy wheels are simply wrong, as are early ’50s Pontiac taillights (they’re for coupes), four-bar suspensions, teal, pink or other modern paint colors, scallops or other “modern” graphics, tweed cloth interiors and, well, you get the point. So if I said you could have a full-fender ’32 Ford Tudor with a 426 Hemi and dual quads, you might be interested until you actually saw this car — with a much-too-contemporary beige-over-red paint scheme, an oddly drawn trim graphic, a 700R4 automatic, tilt steering, mindless modern instruments, power windows, a solid front axle coupled with an independent rear end, and banal alloy wheels. Ghosts of future past If you pull out a few issues of Street Rodder from the 1990s, you’ll see a surprising number of modernized street rods that look like this car. So let’s do a little chronology — but remember, we’re generalizing here. Right through the ‘50s, guys built old-style cars with vintage parts — often flathead V8s, juice brakes David Newhardt, courtesy of Mecum Auctions

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COLLeCTOr’S reSOurCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the aCC Premium auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Original list price: $550, build price unknown Current ACC Median Valuation: $39,750 (all 1932 Ford) Years produced: Unknown, estimated 1990s Number produced: 18,836 DeLuxe ’32 V8 Tudor sedans. Unknown built like this one and other mechanicals from wrecking yards. As the muscle car era ensued, and big OHV V8s supplanted wheezing flatties, some guys modernized their cars further with wheels, transmissions, seats and even dash panels rescued from wrecks. In the ’70s, the trend was to keep a car stock- looking on the outside, even forsaking body modifications, but sharply updating engines and running gear. During the fuel crisis, some guys did install V6s and even modern 4-cylinder engines, but thankfully that throwback didn’t last long. Over the next two decades, the trend toward modernization grew with the adoption of bright contemporary colors and graphics. Boyd Coddington and Lil’ John Buttera led the charge with scads of billet and simplified bodylines, ironing out many of the traditional Ford components and styling cues for a then-desirable “smooth” look. As a traditionalist, I looked askance on those antics, and was delighted just before the turn of the century when a decided back-to-basics trend ensued — I even started some of that with my own ’32 roadster, which had nothing visible that dated from later than the early 1950s. Hot-rodding has always been about making a car faster, cleaner and better-looking, so there was a rationale for some of the ’90s-era changes, but today, cars like this one simply look dated, like bell-bottom trousers, flared collars, wide ties, fat belts and padded shoulders. No accounting for taste However… somebody felt good enough about this Tudor to “restore” it, and someone else wrote a check for $50k. This car, several resto-mod mid-’50s Chevys and a ’34 Willys coupe with a blown 350 Chevy were part of the Euell Barnes Collection, sold by Mecum in Los Angeles earlier this year. Barnes was an Arizona drag-racing enthusiast. His cars were hardly traditional. The buyer here paid a lot for a Deuce doorslammer that’s not terribly attractive. ACC Editor Jim Pickering commented, “I’ve always considered street rods to be where hot rod guys go to mature — like Cadillac CTS-Vs compared to Corvettes — power steering/power brakes/automatic transmissions/billet everything. Style and relative comfort are key in the street-rod scene, but style trends don’t always age well. This one is so stuck in the 1990s it’s not even funny. “But we do see a lot of cars like this one sell,” Jim added. “So here’s the question: Leave this alone or update it?” Consider a do-over If it were mine, I’d jettison the entire interior, the indie rear suspension, and the too-fat wheels and tires. Refinish it in glossy black, add steel wheels and skinnier rubber like Coker’s new American Classic radials, and fit a broadcloth or black leather gut, period valve covers and Stelling & Hellings air cleaners. Even then, you wouldn’t be fooling anyone, but you’d have a much nicer-looking ride. If you were handy, you could do that for under $20k, offset by a few bucks made selling the components you removed. Jim notes that ’60s-style rods have returned to fash- ion, which could serve as a roadmap for later trends. But I don’t think graphically garish, mixed-metaphor cars like this one will suddenly be back in style anytime soon. Or ever. If you did buy this Tudor and backdate it, could you expect to recoup your investment? I think that’s unlikely. But hot-rodding isn’t about investing. It’s about personalizing your car for speed and style. No one in his right mind expects to make money on the exercise. Sure, it happens sometimes — but don’t count on it. The seller spent a lot more than $50k building this ride, and so by that account the new owner got a good deal here. Assuming he likes it as-is, he’s home free. Well bought and sold. If he spends half again as much on the backdate mods I outlined, he probably won’t make it up in this decade, but he’ll have a decent street cruiser with wider appeal that’ll run away and hide from a lot of other cars. Life is short. I’d go for it. A (Introductory description courtesy of Mecum Auctions.) 1934 Chevrolet Master sedan Lot 165, VIN: CA02629 Condition: 2 Sold at $26,730 Lucky, Tacoma, WA, 5/30/2014 ACC# 243967 May–June 2017 63 Lot 484, VIN: 18356921 Condition: 1Sold at $63,800 1933 Ford Model B 3-window Leake Auctions, Tulsa, OK, 6/6/2014 ACC# 244016 1932 Ford 5-window, Boyd Coddington Lot 123, VIN: 4764995 Condition: 2+ Sold at $52,250 ACC# 6816881 RM Sotheby’s, Phoenix, AZ, 1/18/2017 VIN location: 18-prefix Ford VIN is stamped on the front frame rail on the driver’s side. Non-Ford assigned VINs (as here) are typically on cowl or door jamb Engine # location: N/A Clubs: Goodguys, National Street Rod Association (NSRA) Tune-up/major service: $250 Distributor cap: $15 (426 Hemi) More: www.good-guys.com, www.nsra.com, Alternatives: Other ’32 Ford coupes and sedans built in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. ACC Investment Grade: D Comps

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PROFILE AMERICANA 1969 AMC AMX Budget Muscle Machine Courtesy of Leake Auction Co. Everyone seems to like the AMX, but they’ve never commanded the kind of money that other muscle cars of the era routinely see VIN: A9M397X330730 by Jeff Zurschmeide • 390-ci V8 engine • 4-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter • Carter AFB Competition Series 4-bbl carburetor • MSD ignition • Power steering • Power brakes • Factory wheels with beauty rings • Pioneer AM/FM/cassette • AMX# 13555 • Air-conditioning delete ACC Analysis This car, Lot 722, sold for $15,400, including buyer’s pre- mium, at Leake’s Oklahoma City, OK, auction, held February 24–26, 2017. It was offered without reserve. The AMX (for American Motors eXperimental) is a car that the automotive community can’t seem to make up its mind about. On the one hand, this car was hailed in its day as one of the best muscle cars ever designed, and sometimes you’ll see a pristine example go for big money. But it’s just as common to see good examples that don’t make their estimate, or that go unsold without bids that meet a reasonable reserve. What’s up with that? Back to the beginning The AMX was designed in the mid-1960s and de- buted for the 1968 model year. AMC had been teasing 64 AmericanCarCollector.com 64 AmericanCarCollector.com auto shows for a few years with AMX prototypes, and as usual, the production model was far more mundane than the concepts. But at the time, people thought it would give the brand-new C3 Corvette a run for its money as America’s favorite sports car. When it was launched in February of 1968, you could get the new AMX for $3,245. That money got you the special AMX 290-ci V8 engine at 10:1 compression with a 4-barrel carb making 225 horsepower. A 4-speed floor-shift manual transmission was standard, but a 3-speed automatic with floor shift was optional. The main option that you should care about is the Go Pack, which cost about $266. That got you a 343-ci engine at 290 horsepower, dual exhaust, upgraded cooling, power disc brakes in front, limited-slip differential and a handling package. You could also order the Go Pack with an X-Code 390-ci engine at 315 horsepower for about $343.25. Of course, the 390 was the engine to have. Not much changed for 1969, as the AMX was a mid-year introduction. The base price went up by $50, and AMC offered several special option packages including a California 500 with sidepipes and a Super Stock with dual carburetors. 1970 was the last year for the authentic AMX, and the 290 and 343 engines were dropped. A 360-ci V8 was now the base engine, rated at 290 horsepower. The 390 was boosted to 325 horsepower for that year.

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COLLeCTOr’S reSOurCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the aCC Premium auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! The Go Pack was available with either engine. American Motors dropped the AMX after 1970, likely because sales had never really taken off. But they kept trying to sell the ade. e was a top velin C revived 977 and d on the 8 and the om 1979 OLLeCTOr’S reSOurCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the aCC Premium auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! The Go Pack was available with either engine. American Motors dropped the AMX after 1970, likely because sales had never really taken off. But they kept trying to sell the ade. e was a top velin C revived 977 and d on the 8 and the om 1979 e e original ith the ered ndous rmance argain price. 0–60 was ured at 6.6 seconds by Car iver magazine in 1968, with -mile time of 14.8 seconds e showroom floor. The short e made the AMX more r to turn than most of its etitors, so it could be used ts car racing. In 1969, an k second place at the SCCA f a field of 16 competitors. A reasonable example In the muscle car scene, the AMX occupies a peculiar position. Everyone seems to like them, but they’ve never commanded the kind of money that other muscle cars of the era routinely see. That’s good news for AMX enthusiasts, because it keeps prices down to earth — for the most part. Through all three years of production, just 19,134 cars were built. Of those, 7,364 received the 390 and a 4-speed manual transmission, and 5,371 had the 390 with an automatic. The 290, 343 and 360 versions saw about 1,000 of each built per year. So most of the AMX cars you see at auctions now are 390s, and most of them are original 390s. And here’s the thing — you see a lot of these cars at auction. Since the beginning of 2016, our database records 23 AMX models crossing the block. Most of them Detailing Years produced: 1968–70 Number produced: 19,134 (all years), 8,293 (1969) Original list price: $3,297 Current ACC Median Valuation: $24,800 Engine # location: Cast into bottom side of block Clubs: American Motors Owners Association Web: www.amonational.com Alternatives: 1967–68 Chevrolet Camaro, 1968 Ford Mustang GT, 1968 Plymouth Barracuda sold between $20,000 and $30,000, with occasional outliers for truly exceptional cars and junkers. One good-quality car sold for $27,500 (ACC# 271389) in March and then failed to sell in October at a high bid of $26,500 (ACC# 6804896). Our subject car must have been a disappointing sale, since it was offered at no reserve and garnered only a $15,400 winning bid. We don’t have a lot of information on it, but it’s a 390 with a 4-speed manual and what appears to be the full Go Pack. The paint looks good, as does the interior. At least, they look as good as they ever did — AMC build quality and interior design in this era were middling at best. Eyesores on the sale car include a 1980s-era tape deck and a whole bunch of mods in the engine bay. The seller should have made the effort to find something like an original air cleaner rather than a cheap filter sandwiched in chrome. The MSD ignition system could at least be hidden from view, and the plug wires should be sorted. It looks like a set of tube headers have replaced the stock exhaust, and that powersteering pump is unlike most AMX units. The mark of an extremely amateur mechanic is also visible in the cheap replacement battery cables. Both of them are red to maximize the potential for a catastrophic electrical screw-up. Yet for all that, this car is far more right than wrong. Unless there’s something going on that was undisclosed and not clearly visible, it’s a light weekend’s work and a little parts hunting to set this car right. Maybe the brown-car curse kept the bid from going higher, but the best I can say is that I’d buy this car myself at the price paid. Well done. A (Introductory description courtesy of Leake Auction Co.) ACC Investment Grade: B Comps Tune-up/major service: $200 Distributor cap: $11 VIN location: Plate at driver’s side base of windshield, plate welded to top of right wheelhouse panel under hood 1969 AMC AMX 390 Lot F120, VIN: A9M397X170908 Condition: 3+ Sold at $42,900 Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis, IN, 5/20/2016 ACC# 6799894 1969 AMC AMX 390 Lot 36, VIN: A9C397X149730 Condition: 3- Not sold at $15,250 ACC# 6799723 Silver Auctions, Portland, OR, 4/15/2016 1969 AMC AMX 390 Lot 259, VIN: A9M397X1000029 Condition: 2Sold at $28,080 Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 9/26/2014 ACC# 252385 May–June 2017 65CC 65

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PROFILE RACE 1959 BOCAR XP-5 Hot Rod Sports Racer Bocars were notorious for being brutally fast in a straight line, but they were not very sophisticated when it came to brakes and handling 66 AmericanCarCollector.com VIN: XP5043 by Thor Thorson duction ceased. Some 40 complete cars are believed to have been built, including an estimated 15 XP-5s. Chassis 043 is among those XP-5s constructed T using a modified Triumph chassis from the Bocar factory. As such, it is fitted with Triumph front-disc brakes, Chevrolet 11-inch rear drum brakes, and a suspension geometry more agreeable to its racing pedigree. ACC Analysis This car, Lot 267, sold for $159,500, including buyer’s pre- mium, at the RM Sotheby’s auction on Amelia Island, FL, on March 11, 2017. The late 1950s were the glory days for hot rods and home-builts. The post-war economic boom was in full swing, America had saved the world with its industry, inventiveness and can-do attitude, and cars were still relatively simple machines with bodies completely he outrageous Bocar of the 1950s was the dream of Bob Carnes, who constructed the cars in Denver, CO. No two were alike. Six iterations were built through 1961, when a fire engulfed the Bocar shop and pro- separate from frames and drivetrains. There were really no rules about what was legal for either a street or a racing machine. As long as your vehicle had fenders, headlights and some number to identify it, getting a “pink slip” and license was pretty much just a matter of going to the state, filling out a form and handing over some money. Road-racing cars were even simpler. Rules did exist for production-car racing, but the rules for the Modified class were essentially fenders and two seats, with engine displacement defining which class you ran. Both hot-rodding and road racing were growing like crazy during this period, and there was always plenty of room for new ideas and approaches. Power and fiberglass Other big factors that came into play were Chevrolet’s 1955 introduction of the small-block V8 and BorgWarner’s 1957 introduction of the T-10 transmission. The small block was a revelation for a mass- produced and easily available engine. It was compact, David Bush ©2017, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

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COLLeCTOr’S reSOurCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the aCC Premium auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! with a low center of gravity. The T-10, introduced with the 1957 Corvette, was specifically designed to match the small-block V8 and was the first 4-speed fully synchromesh transmission that could easily handle V8 horsepower. Together, the two anchored the first real American sports car in the Corvette and provided the core for endless fast-car fantasies in American enthusiasts. The introduction of the fiberglass auto body was the last strand in the cat’s cradle of factors that pulled together to make low-production specialty cars possible. The method of making very fine glass fibers was discovered in the late 1930s, but these fibers were originally used as insulation. After experimentation during the war, techniques for combining glass fibers with resins to create structural shapes were developed in the late 1940s, and the first practical car bodies were seen in the early 1950s. The clear advantage was that while stretching steel into curved shapes took industrial-level tooling and presses, and forming aluminum required extreme levels of artistry and time, a talented and committed amateur could create a mold and build a fiberglass body in his backyard. By the mid- to late 1950s, a cottage industry had sprung up to produce and sell fiberglass bodies to hobbyists. Bill Devin led the group, with Kellison and Victress, among many others, building sports car bodies that would fit over the small block and T-10. From this base it was only natural that a few of the more talented, serious, ambitious, and/or wellfinanced enthusiasts would start to think in terms of creating their own frame-up racing cars. The most famous of these was Lance Reventlow, the Woolworth heir who hired Troutman and Barnes to build his Scarab racers, but there were others. Bill Devin, who was doing very well building bodies for others, started building the Devin SS with its own bespoke chassis in 1957. Jim Hall started racing the Chaparral 1 in 1957 as well. The time was right for specialty racers with American V8 power. Building the Bocar Bob Carnes was a successful Denver business- man who took to road racing and hillclimbs in the years after the war. He started small and light with a Porsche spyder, but quickly succumbed to a horsepower addiction and bought a Jaguar XK 120, which very soon got a Cadillac V8 and became known as the “Jagillac.” In 1957 he took the leap to build his own special racers called Bocars. The idea was to combine the light weight and handling of the Porsche with the horsepower that the new Chevy V8 could offer. He set up a shop and created a series of three one-off racers as he developed the concept — logically designated the X1, 2 and 3. These were all 2-seat sports cars built with racing in mind, using fiberglass bodies of his own design, Chevy V8 power, and T-10 transmissions mated to May–June 2017 67 an American live axle in back. The intent had always been to develop a car that he could sell, and by the time Carnes got to the fourth iteration, he felt he had a competitive car, so that became the XP-4 (P for production). It was available either as a complete car or a kit, and he sold about five before moving to the improved version, the XP-5. The big changes were better drum brakes and moving the engine back in the chassis to improve weight distribution. It’s hard to say how many Bocar XP-5s were built before a fire ended things —somewhere between 15 and 30 depending on to whom you listen. A few were built completely in the shop using their special tubular space frame and torsion-bar suspension, others were built and sold based on Triumph TR3 chassis and front suspension, and others were simply sold as body-plusparts kits. It appears that about six have survived. I remember Bocars from my youth; they were notorious for being brutally fast in a straight line but not very sophisticated when it came to brakes and handling. They were technically streetable (Bocar did offer street-car options including a radio) but only a fool would try. Value of a one-off How well the variants worked and what they are now worth both depend on the example, with the factory-built tube-frame cars being the top. By far the best was the one built for the Meister Brauser racing team that Augie Pabst and Harry Heuer drove beside the Scarabs in 1959. It sold for $412,500 at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in August 2016 (ACC# 6804202). Our subject car was one of those built as a complete car by the factory using a TR3 chassis, and as such has some collector interest beside its core value as a toy for vintage racing. As a vintage racer, it will be welcome anywhere and attract attention because of its rarity and historic importance, but will be lucky to run above mid-pack in any actual races — it won’t have a chance against a Lister or even a good Devin SS. It is neither a serious collectible nor a really competitive racer, but it is fun and interesting for either purpose. I would say fairly bought.A (Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.) Detailing Club: Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) Current ACC Median Valuation: $286,000 Cost per hour to race: $600 VIN location: Unknown Engine # location: Pad on block below right cylinder head Years built: 1959 Number built: 15–30 (complete cars vs. kits) Original list price: Varied, $5,000–$9,000 More: www.svra.com Alternatives: Devin SS, Lister Chevrolet, Chaparral 1 ACC Investment Grade: B Comps 1959 Bocar XP-5 racer Lot 153, VIN: XP5003 Condition: 1Sold at $412,500 ACC# 6804202 RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, CA, 8/18/16 1959 Bocar XP-5 racer Lot F193, VIN: XP5043 (subject car) Condition: N/A Not sold at $160,000 Mecum, Monterey, CA 8/17/16 ACC# 6808328 1958 Devin SS sports racer Lot 211, VIN: SR206 Condition: 2+ Sold at $182,321 RM Auctions, Monte Carlo, MCO, 4/30/10 ACC# 162408

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PROFILE TRUCK 1985 FORD F-150 XL 4X4 SWB PICKUP Built Market Tough Courtesy of Leake Auction Company 1980s Ford F-150s have one foot in vintage style and the other in 21st century functionality VIN: 1FTEF14N6FPB17551 by B. Mitchell Carlson • 302-ci EFI V8 engine • SelectShift 3-speed automatic transmission • Only 12,445 miles • Short box • 4x4 with lockout hubs • Power steering • Power brakes • Air conditioning • Dual exhaust • Twin-traction-beam independent suspension • Factory 15-inch sport wheels • Upgraded Ford AM/FM/cassette stereo • Original delivery paperwork • Purchased new from Harry Holder Motor Co., Owensboro, KY ACC Analysis This truck, Lot 418, sold for $15,950, including buyer’s pre- mium, at Leake Auctions’ sale in Oklahoma City, OK, on February 25, 2017. It was offered without reserve. When Ford downsized the F-series for 1980, I recall hard-core die-hard Blue Oval fans, and truck users as a whole, bemoaning this as the end of the world as they knew it. Cars got downsized, not trucks. How do you downsize a working vehicle? Surely Ford would 68 AmericanCarCollector.com 68 AmericanCarCollector.com lose the title of the best-selling truck in the USA — a title it wrestled from Chevy in 1978. It didn’t work out that way. What Ford did was build the first full-size pickup to factor lighter weight along with aerodynamics, rather than breaking out the cleavers and trimming an existing platform. While still a full-sized truck, it was slimmed down with less bulk, to include thinner-gauge body steel and glass. This produced a taut, neatly styled truck that as time progressed has aged well, yet has still held up for real work. Leaner and meaner The first styling changes were introduced for 1982, with a new grille incorporating the corporate Blue Oval logo in the center — now used on all vehicles in all global markets, their best-selling one in the U.S. no longer excluded. There was also some semblance of performance, with a high-output version of the 351-ci V8 introduced in 1984 and fuel injection as an option — initially on the evergreen 302 V8 — in 1985. It proved to be the start of a short trip to the future, since after 1986, every F-series engine was fuel injected. The F-series was lightly restyled in 1987, most notably with integral headlights and rounded wheelwell

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COLLeCTOr’S reSOurCe: The easiest way to track a car’s value over time is the aCC Premium auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, make, model, VIN and more. Sign up at www.AmericanCarCollector.com. Detailing Years produced: 1980–86 Number produced: 348,565 (1985 F-150s) Original list price: $7,799 Current ACC Median Valuation: $11,198 openings. Most pundits felt that it didn’t flatter the design, and even despite a cleaner refresh in 1992, the earlier 1980s model years are generally considered to be the best-styled of the group — never losing a beat in the sales race, and not only remaining as the bestselling truck, but the best-selling vehicle in the USA. With the first step up from the basic Custom pack- age, our featured XL was fairly well equipped when it rolled out of the Twin Cities Assembly Plant. Options on it include the 190-hp fuel-injected 302 V8, 3-speed automatic transmission (since Automatic Overdrive wasn’t available on 4x4s yet), power steering, power front-disc brakes, full gauge package, and AM/FM/ cassette stereo. This, in 1985, constituted a wellequipped pickup. Personal experience When I saw this truck at this auction, it didn’t really bowl me over. Even with the low-miles virgin cargo box, it did show some light interior sun fade. Then again, I’m not a fan of Raven Black, and without a contrasting color or graphics — just a red pinstripe — it really didn’t jump out and scream, “Look at me.” No, this came off like just another once common-asdirt 1980s F-150 that’ll do north of $10k, so I passed it by. However, I also have a rather up-close-and- personal knowledge of the collector values of these trucks. Not only did I use this generation of F-series regularly when I was in the Air Force, but my father bought a Wimbledon White and Midnight Blue Metallic 1984 F-150 XL Explorer package LWB pickup brand new. He kept it until he died in 2014. Two years after he bought it, he was assigned a company van. As such, his F-150 was only used as a daily driver — at seven miles a day — for two years. When my family conducted his estate auction, that pickup attracted the greatest interest compared to his other cars and vintage tractors. While it had 91k miles on it, he maintained his truck fastidiously and literally kept every single piece of paper associated with it — the invoice, window sticker, all service records, and even every receipt for every tank of gas its 302 V8 burned though. However, almost to a person, prospective buyers made the exact same statement after examining the truck: “Too bad it doesn’t have four-wheel drive.” The only person who didn’t say that proved to be the high bidder, becoming the second owner at $4,600. Without the excuse of saying “too bad it doesn’t have four-wheel drive,” this sale at Leake shows what multiple parties are willing to pay up for what used to be just a nice used truck not all that many years ago. Add in the low miles, and lots of folks who do like Raven Black, and the final price here not only makes sense in 2017, but in the future could be the type of truck driving people to say, “Dang, why didn’t I step up and buy it when it was only $16k?” Practical classic The same reasons my dad had for keeping his F-150 for three decades play into part of what makes these trucks increasingly popular today. These trucks are simple, comfortable and reliable. They have one foot in vintage style and the other in 21st century functionality. At over 30 years old, these trucks qualify for collec- tor/vintage/historic licensing — and insurance — in most states. They lack Nanny State airbags and ABS (I’ll take no ABS over the half-baked 1987–96 rearwheel-only system), but on the other hand they are one of the last trucks that have an “analog” feel to them, and can be readily used in modern traffic. Additionally, these things are of an age where buy- ers have sentimental reasons to want them. A parent, relative or friend had one; or maybe they even had one years ago and now miss it (or to be more honest, miss that time). If you’ve been watching the market, you’ll note these are the same reasons folks started buying — and the values started exploding for — 1967–72 Chevy pickups over a decade ago. The two trucks even share similar styling traits. While we at ACC have seen an upwardly building market on all of the Big Three pickups of the 1980s, it’s especially so on the Fords. With that in mind, this truck may seem fully priced today, yet in a few years you may be bemoaning the fact that you didn’t get in while it was this cheap. A (Introductory description courtesy of Leake Auction Co.) May–June 2017 69CC 69 1985 Ford F-150 XLT Lot 168, VIN: 1FTDF15N8FNA45063 Condition: 4+ Sold at $4,070 ACC# 6810456 Club: American Truck Historical Society Engine # location: Boss on top rear of the engine block, at the bellhousing Tune-up/major service: $200 Distributor cap: $10 VIN location: Tag on driver’s side base of the windshield, decal on the driver’s door jamb Website: www.aths.org Additional: www.f150forums. com Alternatives: 1981–86 Chevrolet K-10, 1980–93 Dodge W-100 Power Wagon, 1980–86 Ford Bronco ACC Investment Grade: B Comps Leake Auctions, Dallas, TX, 11/17/2016 1985 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat Lot ST0140, VIN: 1FTCF15H1FNA24643 Condition: 1Sold at $25,440 GAA, Greensboro, NC, 7/27/2016 ACC# 6803920 1985 Ford F-150 Lot F238, VIN: 2FTDF15N7FCB50618 Condition: 2Sold at $17,280 ACC# 265299 Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis, IN, 5/14/2015

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MarKeT OVERVIEW March Mellowness After a big rise, Ford GT prices stall in the market MarKeT MOMENT When the 2017 Ford GT was announced, there was some side chatter about potential turbulence in old, run-of-the-mill GT prices with its space-age younger brother taking up all the space in Ford’s show booths. Now that they have been rolling into owners’ driveways for a few months, their impact on the previous model is nonexistent — at least so far. Three auctions in this issue Still new with only 47 miles logged on the odometer — 2006 Ford GT heritage edition coupe, sold for $502,900 at Gaa’s 2017 Spring auction — bucking the recent price trend by Garrett Long sale was a sales rate of 76% — just 1% off of 2014’s record. Mecum hit their numbers, offering no surprises with a strong total of $7.4m — down a million or two L from years prior. This was Mecum’s only Kansas City auction that (just barely) offered fewer than 500 cars, which probably had something to do with their total, as the average car price achieved here was their secondhighest yet. McCormick’s seemed to have the same experience as Mecum — a drop in sales total and number of lots, but saw their second-best average car price. McCormick’s ended the weekend with a 66% sales rate, a step up from last year but off the 70% range high of 2013–15.A BEST BUYS 1987 Buick Grand national coupe, $24,610—Gaa, nC, p. 78 70 AmericanCarCollector.com 1970 Plymouth hemi ‘Cuda 2-dr hard top, $154,000—Mecum auctions, MO, p. 106 1953 Mercury Monterey convertible, $24,150—McCormick’s, Ca, p. 112 2009 Dodge Challenger Drag Pack racer, $33,170—Gaa, nC, p. 85 1960 Chevrolet Impala convertible, $60,500—Mecum auctions, MO, p. 100 eake dipped a bit from last year in almost all categories. But they still experienced the second-best auction they have had in Oklahoma by a large margin. They were down $2m from 2016 in total sales to $10.4m and offered 549 cars with a 74% sales rate. GAA had a record auction in more ways than numbers, as analyst Mark Moskowitz will explain. They sold $3.5m more than last year, and the only category that wasn’t a new record for their spring sold Ford GTs for very respectable prices. In the ACC Premium Auction Database, the average Ford GT price has hovered around $300k–$350k since 2014 and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere with the results we’re seeing — hardly the tornado some were expecting. The lowmileage Heritage Edition even went for a price that would have netted the buyer a 2017 GT — if they could get on the waiting list. But that exclusive list might be the reason for the stability in the first-gen GT market: It will take some time for the market to become saturated enough for the siblings to start showing up side by side on auction day. — Garrett Long

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MarKeT OVERVIEW TOP 10 SALES THIS ISSUE 1 1929 Stutz Model $1,705,000—RM Sotheby’s, FL, p. 116 M coupe, 2 1938 Graham 97 $770,000—RM Sotheby’s, FL, p. 116 cabriolet, 3 1933 Packard convertible, $522,500— RM Sotheby’s, FL, p. 118 Twelve Victoria 4 2006 Ford GT $395,900—GAA, NC, p. 82 fastback, coupe, $502,900—GAA, NC, p. 82 Heritage Edition 5 1965 Shelby GT350 2001–02 Dodge Viper Viper prices have been stable in the $45k–$55k range for years. That’s about to change. Because the Viper offers an experience so different from modern performance cars, demand for them is bound to go up. If you’re looking for a Viper, a late second-gen is the snake to go with. The 2001–02 models fixed potential frame cracking, beefed up the differential and came with ABS. They are also quite a bit cheaper than the newer generations, and are still an attractive car that doesn’t look as cartoonish as the first iteration. So whether you want a fresh example to lay dormant until the market smartens up or a fun weekend driver at the bottom of its depreciation curve, the Viper will play both roles. — Garrett Long 6 2006 Ford GT Leake, OK, p. 94 7 2005 Ford GT 8 2005 Ford GT GAA, NC, p. 82 coupe, $341,000— Mecum Auctions, MO, p. 106 coupe, $330,000— coupe, $321,000— auctions and Totals in This Issue $70.8m 9 1968 Pontiac Trans top, $225,000—Bonhams, FL, p. 117 Am racer 2-dr hard 10 1967 Chevrolet ible, $160,500—GAA, NC, p. 80 Corvette convert72 AmericanCarCollector.com $10m $20m $30m $40m $50m $60m $70m $80m $0 February 24–26, 2017 February 24–26, 2017 Oklahoma City, OK Leake McCormick’s Palm Springs, CA Greensboro, NC March 2–4, 2017 GAA Amelia Island, FL March 9, 2017 Bonhams Gooding & Co. Amelia Island, FL March 10, 2017 RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island, FL March 10–11, 2017 Amelia Island, FL March 11, 2017 Motostalgia Kansas City, MO March 24–25, 2017 Mecum Buy It now What to purchase in today’s market — and why $30.6m $10.4m $5.8m $13.7m $10.5m $4.6m $7.4m

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GAA // Greensboro, NC GAA — Greensboro GAA is on the upswing with record attendance and sales GAA Greensboro, NC March 2–4, 2017 Auctioneer: Tyson Question automotive lots sold/ offered: 423/553 Sales rate: 76% Sales total: $13,651,439 high sale: 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition coupe, sold at $502,900 Buyer’s premium: 7%, minimum $700, included in sold prices registrants were up 20% after Gaa brought some of their best cars yet Report and photos by Mark Moskowitz and Jeff Trepel Intro by Mark Moskowitz Market opinions in italics ACC 1–6 scale condition rating for vehicles in Market Reports 1. Perfect: National show standard 2. excellent: Club show-worthy, some small flaws 3. Average: Daily driver in decent condition 4. Meh: Still a driver, with some visible flaws 5. Questionable: A problem-plagued beast that somehow manages to run 6. Lost cause: Salvageable for parts G 74 AmericanCarCollector.com AA typically offers about 500 vehicles throughout its three-sale year. That consistency is a tribute to GAA’s desire to keep an orderly and reliable format. This March, however, everything else was different at the company’s best auction of the year. Crowds were bigger. A massive parking facility overflowed. Registrants were up 20% over previous sales, and among them were bidders from 30 states, as well as Austria, England, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. Sell-through was 76% for a record total of more than $13m, nearly doubling the totals of their most recent October auction, when only one car sold for greater than $100,000. A dozen cars eclipsed that mark during this auction’s Saturday session. The secret? Collections. A few unidentified dealers brought ample numbers from their stock, but four named — mostly private — collections were the big attraction. The O’Neal Collection of highly modified cars of the ’60s and ’70s was offered on Friday. The remainder featured restored or well-preserved American iron from the past 50 years. The highlight was the Carlton Tyson Collection of 23 cars presented with a separate and detailed glossy catalog and offered with no reserve — a decision disclosed after the catalog was published. More than one-fourth of the offerings at GAA were Mustangs, Camaros and Corvettes. Some notable examples were from the Tyson Collection, featuring consecutive-year Z/28 Camaros from 1967 to 1973. The collection’s four vintage Corvettes, including a 1963 black Split-Window and a 1967 427/435 convertible, were among the top 15 auction sales. Another Tyson car was the auction’s top sale, a “wrapper” Heritage Edition Ford GT. When bidding stalled around $400,000, auctioneers sweetened the pot. A position in the Supercar Class at the Pinehurst Concours was thrown in, resulting in the car selling at $502,900. More than one out of eight offerings were trucks — restored, preserved, or commonly converted to a resto-mod. Fewer than 50 cars came from the first half of the past century. As it approaches the five-year mark, GAA Classic Car Auctions seems to be firing on all cylinders. An increase in buyer and seller commission to 7% has not hindered participation. Bidders view cars in a well-lit, attractive setting, and those early enough to arrive Thursday are treated to a barbecue. Seating is spacious and there’s a new luxury balcony for high rollers. The website adds to the experience as well, as it is easy to navigate. GAA’s management has a declared interest in bet- ter serving the foreign and sports car market; others should take notice too. A

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GAA // Greensboro, NC GM #ST0118-1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z28 coupe. VIN: 124377N195222. Ermine White w/ black stripes/white vinyl. Odo: 100 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Headline car and part of Tyson Collection. Excellent white paint. Panels straight and gaps appropriate. Deterioration of finish on the metal grille surround. Stainless around lights showing some age. Rare white interior excellent. Engine compartment restored and detailed with appropriate paint marks. Said to be correct-dated engine block with original transmission and rear end. Power frontdisc brakes. Comes with reams of records and MacNeish certification. Cond: 2+. and “aahs.” No restoration needed; a few easy upgrades such as repairing the cracked steering wheel and buying real tires would bring this car up to a 2. A well-bought above-average car. #ST0100-1968 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS coupe. VIN: 124378N400296. Corvette Bronze/black vinyl. Odo: 22,168 miles. 396ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Another no-reserve car from the Tyson Collection. Few options on this car, other than power disc brakes, AM radio and the deluxe exterior trim package. Original Corvette Bronze car, a mid-year color for Camaro. Beautiful, smooth paint on better-than-new panel fit. Some chrome pieces a little cloudy, others very good. Basic-black interior doesn’t have a tach, but in excellent condition. Minor cracks in steering wheel. Original Chevrolet mag wheel covers. Very tidy under hood with modern battery. Nothing to complain about here. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $107,000. 1967 Camaro Z28s are an ACC Grade-A collectible. 602 were made. Values may have peaked in the mid 2000s. All that held this back was a not-toouncommon replacement block. Buyer got a great car and seller a price that was market or better. A fair exchange. #FR0035-1967 BUICK GS 400 2-dr hard top. VIN: 446177H236302. Ivory/Parchment vinyl. Odo: 49,842 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Nice driver-quality muscle car. The consignor stated he drove it 300 miles to the auction with no problems. Equipped with Super Turbine 400 automatic, factory air, AM/FM radio and power steering, brakes and seat. Older restoration with no history given. Decent older repaint with slight orange peel or discoloration here and there. Chrome mostly good. Panel fit good, but passenger’s door difficult to open. Inside, the claimed-original interior fabrics and hardware are mostly very nice. Steering wheel cracked at spokes. “Eldorado Legend” lettered tires spoil the effect; it’s a proud Buick and doesn’t need tires named after both a Cadillac and an Acura. Clean engine compartment. Cond: 3+. quality of the restoration. The car is fast, rare and near perfect. Lesser cars have gone for more. Fairly bought then and now. #ST0114-1973 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 coupe. VIN: 1Q87T3N162657. Burgundy metallic/black vinyl. Odo: 21,385 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Well-optioned car with factory air (first year on the Z/28), power steering and brakes, AM/FM with 8-track and much more. Attractive Dark Red Metallic paint shows some micro-scratching, mild orange peel and light staining. Possibly could be improved with a major detailing. Large chips at left rear corner and on spoiler need work. Some pitting on rear-bumper chrome. Window trim rather dull. Very dark interior in excellent condition overall, but shows aging to the “plastic chrome.” Clean used-car engine compartment. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $48,150. Along with Lot ST0099 (ACC# 6827694), the 1968 Corvette, part of the Tyson Collection’s reenactment of the 1968 “Hugging Cousins” ad (in which the Camaro was described as a “sporty car”). Selling price on the money for a nice SS. Both seller and buyer did well. #ST0115-1970 BUICK GS Stage 1 2-dr hard top. VIN: 446370H192267. Green/ white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 987 miles. 455ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Rare GS Stage I and one of 664 with a 4-speed. The product of a twoyear mechanical restoration in the previous decade. It scored 399 of 400 points at the 2009 GS Nationals. Paint, panels and engine compartment all exceptional. The only interior flaw seen was separation of the leftrear interior panel from body. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $29,960. Another Tyson Collection low-mileage, no-reserve Camaro. By 1973 the Z/28 was still a good performer, but had evolved from the intense enthusiast car of the Gen 1 and early Gen 2 Z/28s into a milder, heavier, more luxurious muscle car. In fact, for 1973, Chevrolet dropped the Camaro SS and the now-softer Z/28 took its place. This was a decent example, but not as sharp as most of the other Camaros in the Tyson Collection. Its deficiencies are easily and inexpensively resolvable—if the new owner can avoid a new paint job. I was surprised at the strong price garnered for this car. Rather well sold. #FR0028-1975 PONTIAC GRAND VILLE convertible. VIN: 2R67W5P196499. White/ white vinyl/ivory leather. Odo: 21,160 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Remarkable timewarp Detroit behemoth. Miles “believed to be original.” Based on condition, it could even have been less. Loaded with options, including adjustable pedals, AM/FM with cassette, split-bench seat and full gauges including laughable “economy” vacuum gauge. Close to show quality inside and out. Cheap sill plates dented as usual, but otherwise difficult to find many flaws. New radials. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $23,005. Desirable GM muscle car with excellent specification. Awesome “Star Wars” air cleaner sure to draw “oohs” 76 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $83,460. A factory hot rod with bigger valves, higher-lift cam, increased compression and a re-jetted Quadrajet carburetor. The owner told me it was an impulse buy for $74,200 at a 2011 Mecum auction; he was impressed with the obvious

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GAA // Greensboro, NC MARKETMOMENT 1969 Chevrolet Nova Pro Touring 2-Door Sedan SOLD at $53,250 GAA, Greensboro, NC, March 4, 2017, Lot ST0150 VIN: 114279W427495 SOLD AT $22,470. I thought this glamorous summertime cruiser was a real gem. Only 200 pathetic horsepower for the size of the engine, but that’s not the point. Would be a hit at Cars & Coffee and very competitive in AACA judging. Amazingly well preserved. A lot of car for the money, as they say, if you have a big enough garage. One of my favorite “under the radar” cars at the auction, and quite well bought. #ST0106-1978 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. VIN: 2W8728N170933. Black/red velour. Odo: 24,432 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Canadian car from the Tyson Collection with no a/c. Amazing black paint with rare polishing marks. Excellent graphics. Gaskets around driver’s window slightly worn. Red fabric on sides of buckets has become discolored and hardened. Interior carpet and seat panels excellent. All cranks, levers, switches and knobs work well. Slight loss of chrome on plastic headlight knob is about the only interior trim abnormality that I see. Wheels are perfect. Engine compartment, clean and neat. Power steering. Power front-disc brakes. Documentation includes factory build sheet. Cond: 2+. From the beltline up, this Nova looks basically stock: SS tail panel and grille, two-inch cowl hood, all the proper stainless trim, etc. But with its huge staggered wheels, track-attack stance, massive brakes, oil cooler behind the grille, and totally custom interior, this’ll never be mistaken for anything other than what it is: a cornering machine in Nova’s clothes. Pro Touring got its start in the 1990s, and I think it was almost a knee-jerk reaction to the tubbed and blown Pro Street trend that came prior. Pro Street cars were all about straight-line dominance, or at least the look of it, while Pro Touring is about a complete, balanced package — with special emphasis given to cornering abilities. Pro Touring items such as custom control arms, springs, huge brakes, mini-tubs with wide rubber, and huge sway bars all work together to give flat-out road-holding abilities to this Nova. Muscle-car looks, supercar handling. It also has air conditioning, a 6-speed manual and a late-model LS2 engine with an aftermarket cam and tune. In total, it’s a usable muscle car that should run with modern Corvettes, Porsches and even some exotics. But here’s the rub, and it’s common to all custom cars: Once you change a car from stock, value becomes a harder thing to nail down. This one brought $53k, which is expensive for a secondgen Nova, but that bid is still likely below what this car cost to build. Good deal or not? That comes down to whether you consider the Pro Touring movement a fad. But to me, showing a pair of Nova taillights to a Carrera Turbo in the twisties is worth every penny paid here. That’ll never get old. A 78 AmericanCarCollector.com AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $32,635. Incredibly well-cared-for example of an unmistakable Pontiac pony car, which seems to attract more attention than its contemporary GM, Ford and Chrysler brethren. Prices have shown a significant upward trend over the past four years, and this one was well bought. 447196. Black/black & gray fabric. Odo: 29,319 miles. 231-ci turbocharged V6, auto. Part of Tyson Collection. Bought here two years ago for $30k (ACC# 6773193). Attractive black paint with some polishing marks and a single scratch in hood. Panels straight. Gaps excellent. Interior fabric and carpets excellent. Engine compartment mostly clean, although it could use some detailing. Wheels and glass without flaw. #ST0101-1987 BUICK GRAND NATIONAL coupe. VIN: 1G4GJ1172HP — Jim Pickering BEST BUY Scott Smith, courtesy of GAA

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GAA // Greensboro, NC Power steering and brakes. Digital dash, Concert Sound II. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $24,610. Not the rare and highly collectible GNX, but still an attractive and extremely quick car for its era. This Grand National has traveled 550 miles since its previous purchase here for $5,300 more. The car was offered with no reserve, and an astute buyer scooped up a bargain. CORVETTE #ST0098-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. VIN: 30837S114689. Black/red vinyl. Odo: 4 miles. 327-ci 340-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Shown with 2009 NCRS Top Flight Blue Ribbon. History of frame-off restoration. Paint nearly flawless. Rare polishing marks. Panel fit and gaps are excellent. Chrome excellent with rare small pits. Excellent window and windshield trim. Door function excellent. Weatherstripping loose and glue sloppy inside of door front on both sides. Upholstery accurate enough to be New Old Stock. Some scratching and wear on console cover. Glass is excellent. Engine compartment immaculate, with appropriate orange overspray and preserved decals. Some oil on the ground beneath this car. Cond: 2+. white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 60,141 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Part of Davis Collection and said to have been restored in 2013, at a cost of $117,000. Excellent paint, with a few inclusions on the frontpiece in the clearcoat. Excess fiberglass beneath the right-front hood surround suggests previous repair. Panels and doors are straight with excellent fit. Rare scratches and quite minimal pitting of windshield trim. Bumper chrome shows minimal flaw. Spotless engine compartment and interior upholstery. Door panels a bit stiff. Gauges and dashboard are excellent. Slight wear of console trim. Replacement wheels appear to have proper satin finish. Cond: 2+. sheet and plenty of other documentation, including detailed restoration records. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $160,500. The owner stated that this was a 36,000-mile car when the restoration commenced. Multi-optioned big-block Corvettes with three deuces and a 4-speed in concours condition command a premium in the marketplace. Missing from this car was peer review; it had not been subjected to an official NCRS award show. The bid was light but successful in a no-reserve auction. SOLD AT $147,125. An ACC Grade A collectible in the midst of rising trend line. The 23 Tyson cars in this auction left little to question about authenticity and quality, and this synergy seemed to support all their Chevrolet offerings. This was an excellent car and a fairly bought, although a nod goes to the seller. #ST0095-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194676S116922. Blue/ SOLD AT $82,390. A well-executed restoration which used a number of replacement parts and sold for the right price. Its trim plate looked odd, as if it had been hit from behind or placed over a protruding object. Did the lettering look right? The window sticker displayed only the first seven characters of the VIN, and the auction house vehicle highlights read “Window Sticker Not Provided by Auction,” which I have never seen before. Read on another valuation site, “If you are spending more than you can afford to lose on one of these vehicles, it is prudent to consult a professional.” S115183. Green/ white vinyl/green vinyl. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Presented as having matching numbers and an original tank sticker with a copy on display and factory sidepipes. This was a show-quality car with great paint, interior and engine compartment, with few deviations from a new car. Presented with the original order 10 #ST0119-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194677- #ST0099-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194678S406169. Corvette Bronze/bronze hard top & tan soft top/Tobacco leather. Odo: 31,505 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. L89 427 with factory aluminum heads (one of 624). Close-ratio gearbox. Well optioned with power brakes, power windows, detachable hard top, telescopic steering wheel, tinted glass and more. NCRS Top Flight certification in 2011. Outstanding paint quality, now with minor micro-scratching. Excellent chrome, except for windshield surround. Window and door gaskets show some wear, but interior nearly flawless—unusual for a C3 Corvette. Extremely clean underhood. Firestone Super Sport Wide Ovals with very yellowed whitewalls. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $96,300. Another good-looking Tyson Collection car selling at no reserve. Purchased by Carlton Tyson along with a similarly colored 1968 Camaro SS (Lot ST0100, ACC# 6827688) to re-create the Chevrolet “Hugging Cousins” magazine ad of 1968. Needs a few easy upgrades, but overall leagues ahead of your typical 1968 Corvette. Price was substantial, but not out of line for the condition and engine configuration. (See profile, p. 54.) FOMOCO 80 AmericanCarCollector.com #ST0131-1936 FORD MODEL 68 woodie wagon. VIN: 182465168. Tan/black canvas/ TOP 10

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brown leather. Odo: 16,459 miles. 221-ci V8, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Decent panel fit, except front doors seem to hang a bit lower than they should. Smooth tan paint. Wood generally very good, but not perfect inside and out. Few cracks and little deterioration, but one small area of repair needed in right rear door. Could use refinishing in a few places, but overall presents well. Black-canvas roof material looks very nice from the side and front, can’t see the top part. Roll-up windows in front doors, but other windows are canvas panels like side curtains. Attractive inside, but front seat seems lumpy and uncomfortable—perhaps needs restuffing. Dash looks good. Very tidy underhood, with some components repainted. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $42,800. Reportedly owned by one family until 2014. No restoration history shown. Not a show winner, but very attractive and usable as-is. The values of woodies of all types have been declining, but likely will level off. This was a good-looking car at a modest price and represents a good value for the buyer. #FR0064-1937 FORD MODEL 78 coupe. VIN: 183721508. Black/brown fabric. Odo: 12,299 miles. One-owner car for the past 51 years. Attractive and mostly smoothly applied black paint. Some pitting over rightrear fender and hood. Scratched right-front fender. Panels are straight and fit is good. Painted pinstripe. Bumper chrome excellent. Other trim less bright, with extensive polishing marks but no dents or rust. Periodaccessory fog lights. Fabric upholstery, carpets and headliner clean and neat and appear of appropriate vintage. Factory heater and rare factory radio. Steering wheel in excellent shape. 1940 Ford 24stud engine. Twelve-volt system with alternator that appears to be a stock generator. 1946 Ford hydraulic brakes. Chromed dual exhaust. Cond: 3+. May–June 2017 81

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GAA // Greensboro, NC NOT SOLD AT $29,000. Late ’30s and early ’40s Ford coupes were once a hot item; now it takes an excellent example to gain buyers’ attention. This period restomod was just that, exemplifying great care expended throughout the past half century and worth more than the price bid. #ST0080.1-1965 SHELBY GT350 fastback. VIN: SFN5S477. Wimbledon White w/ blue stripes/black vinyl. Odo: 79,074 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Documented two-owner car. I came back to this car a couple of times because the documentation stated it was restored in the late 1980s, which I found almost impossible to believe because it was almost perfect. The paint, chrome, wheels, interior and everything else were near flawless. I kept thinking that I must have overlooked some statement about a second restoration. I never could find that, but I feel sure it must have had a recent refresh. I’m no Shelby American judge, but the only flaws I could find were a couple of very minor spots of surface corrosion under the hood and rather agedlooking hood hinges compared to the surrounding parts. Cond: 1-. 5 Commando and perhaps the more-rugged Toyota FJ40. This was one of a handful of Broncos at the sale. Of the two reviewed here (see also Lot FR0211, ACC# 6827679), this one was in better (restored) condition, but the other one had a V8 and an interesting backstory. The 170-cid I6 in this vehicle is no barn burner; I saw a 0–60 figure of 21 seconds! Both Broncos brought very strong prices. Well sold. #FR0211-1969 FORD BRONCO utility. VIN: U15GLE29149. Empire Yellow/white fiberglass/Parchment vinyl. Odo: 39,935 miles. 302-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. This 302 Bronco was in lesser condition compared to Lot FR0069 (ACC# 6827673), but it had a V8 and a better story. It also was a higher trim level, carrying the Sport Bronco package. A two-owner car with one repaint in (approximately) original color. Grungy in many ways, but amazingly well preserved for a working vehicle. Original interior is quite patinated but okay; driver’s seat is torn. Floor covering is poor and warrants replacement. Filthy underhood with much surface rust, but certainly original. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $395,900. 1965 GT350s are much more rare than 1966s, of which almost four times as many were built. The sales price here is consistent with other recent examples in the ACC Premium Auction Database and other sources. If anything, it was a bit of a bargain. GT350 prices may have leveled off in the past six months or so, but given the rarity of the 1965, it should retain its value or appreciate over time. Well bought. #FR0069-1969 FORD BRONCO utility. VIN: U15FLD98946. Red/white fiberglass/ ivory vinyl. Odo: 83,813 miles. 170-ci I6, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Restored first-generation Bronco. A recent, clean restoration for a simple vehicle. Red repaint very smooth, but the white fiberglass top has much orange peel. Both outside door handles very stiff, making it hard to operate doors; easier to reach in and use inside handles. Parchment seats lightly soiled, remainder of interior quite impressive. Very clean engine compartment. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $32,635. The first-generation Broncos have an appealing simplicity to them in this age of hyper-complex SUVs and crossovers. Competed well with the IH Scout, Jeepster 82 AmericanCarCollector.com registered and always stored in a climatecontrolled facility. Paint, interior and engine compartment without flaw. Very close inspection of wheels, front spoiler, grille and surrounding paint showed no evidence of 517 miles traveled. All four options including McIntosh Stereo, lightweight forged-aluminum wheels, painted brake calipers and racing stripes. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $321,000. This car was outshined by a minimal-mileage Heritage Edition Ford GT (Lot ST0120, ACC# 6827636) which received a $180k higher bid. Though this seemed like a bargain, the sale was marketcorrect, which leaves one to ponder the worth of orange highlights and 470 fewer miles traveled. Y400202. Heritage Blue & orange/black leather. Odo: 47 miles. 5.4-L supercharged V8, 6-sp. Heritage Edition Ford GT bought from Dale Jarrett Ford, protected, placed in climatized storage and now offered by the original owner with complete documentation. Equipped with all four options including a McIntosh sound system, racing stripes, painted brake calipers and forged alloy wheels. Wrapper car with exterior, interior and engine compartment as good as new. Cond: 1. 4 #ST0120-2006 FORD GT Heritage Edition coupe. VIN: 1FAFP90S06- SOLD AT $33,170. The original owner of this Bronco was the mayor of the city of Avalon on Catalina Island, CA. He bought it at Beverly Hills Ford on Wilshire Boulevard, and the car still sports that license plate frame. The 302 V8 version was a definate performance upgrade over the 170-ci straight six, with nearly double the horsepower. While I was inspecting this Bronco, a woman walked up and mentioned she had owned one just like it and said she thought it would bring “over $30,000.” Keith Martin should hire her! Another example of very strong prices for first-generation Broncos. #ST0122-2005 FORD GT coupe. VIN: 1FAFP90S95Y401900. Red/ black leather. Odo: 517 miles. 5.4-L supercharged V8, 6-sp. Said to have never been 8 SOLD AT $502,900. Poster car for the collection, the catalog and the show. Offered at no reserve and with the extra inducement of a guaranteed spot in the Supercar Class at the upcoming Pinehurst Concours. 4,000 Ford GTs were made, and prices for these seemed to have been drifting down as of late. While this GT was the rare Heritage Edition (343 made) and had only showroom mileage, the bid seemed exuberant. Seller should be happy. #FR0097-2007 SHELBY GT-H convertible. VIN: 1ZVHT85H675352033. Black w/ gold stripes/black fabric/black vinyl. Odo: 34,644 miles. 4.6-L supercharged V8, auto. Later Hertz rent-a-racer. Paint showing a bit TOP 10 TOP 10 TOP 10

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GAA // Greensboro, NC of age, with scratches and dings on front fascia. Sides panels are straight, but hood fit is off. Fabric top in excellent condition. Driver’s seat shows wear, with leather loss on side bolsters. Remainder of interior has held up well. Engine compartment is clean. Three of four wheels show curb rash. Tires appear relatively fresh. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $29,425. These GT-H Shelbys seem to be losing their luster in the presence of countless other modified Mustangs. Eight months and 85 miles ago the car seemed a bit fresher, when a $29,000 bid at GAA’s Greensboro auction in July last year was rejected (ACC# 6803953). This time the car was exposed to more buyers and the seller accepted their judgement. MOPAR #ST0035-1935 DODGE DU coupe. VIN: DU155954. Aqua metallic/tan mohair. Odo: 38,489 miles. Delightful Dodge Brothers coupe owned by one Los Angeles family until 1971. 2001 frame-off restoration in North Carolina. Super-smooth paint nearly flawless; some chrome slightly mottled or tarnished, but no harm. Driver’s door hard to shut. Slight damage to front corner of hood, probably from opening or closing it improperly. Lovely interior close to perfect, which includes such luxuries as a rear-window sunshade. Neat as a pin under hood, with just enough patina to show it’s been driven. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $26,000. You’ve seen scores of 1935 Fords; when was the last time you saw a 1935 Dodge? Probably never, yet Dodge was fourth in the U.S. sales race in 1935, behind only Ford, Chevrolet and Plymouth. Thankfully, this handsome coupe managed to escape life as a street rod and instead became an AACA multiple award winner around 2005. Very little deterioration in the years since. A great example, but I think significant demand for this sort of car is long past and the high bid of $26,000 may represent all the money. Let’s hope I’m wrong and that a buyer who likes it as much as I did can be found. #ST0121-1946 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY convertible. VIN: 7400604. Royal Maroon/burgundy cloth/burgundy leather & tan cloth. Odo: 89,737 miles. 324-ci I8, 2-bbl, auto. A woodie on an altogether higher plane than the 1936 Ford wagon (Lot ST0131, ACC# 6827693). Beautiful body-off restoration by recognized experts, prior to 2003. Deep, rich and smooth maroon paint— not brand new, but still impressive. Glossy wood near flawless. Outstanding door fit for a woodie. Unblemished chrome—even the windshield surround gleams. Beautifully fitted, high-quality convertible top. Slow and rather mysterious Fluid Drive transmission not a plus, but comes with the territory. Platinum Award winner at the 2016 Boca Raton Concours. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $155,150. This car has been a bit of an auction frequent flier (raising the question: Why?), sold five times by RM between 2003 and 2013, and once in 2016 at Barrett-Jackson at Las Vegas (ACC# 6809796). Woodies have drifted downward over the past few years, and this car has sold at roller-coaster prices ranging from $104,500 in 2003 (ACC# 1556979) to a peak of $187,000 in 2007 (ACC# 1570388). Clearly some owners have taken a big loss. But the car itself remains an outstanding example, receiving above-average results here and reversing the prior downward trend. #ST0042-1962 CHRYSLER 300 2-dr hard top. VIN: 8223138053. White/red cloth and vinyl. Odo: 71,129 miles. 413-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Handsome example of a non-letterseries 300 hard top. Documented oneowner car from 1962 to 2006. No restoration history. Decent repaint on straight, wellfitted panels accompanied by excellent chrome. Fabulous AstraDome instrument panel. Interior fabrics and hardware authentic and well done, with a few flaws including warped rear package shelf. However, would be more appealing with optional bucket seats and console rather than the bench seat here. Very clean under hood. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $28,890. In 1962, Chrysler replaced the Windsor with the 300 Sport to inject some of the glamour of the 300 letterseries cars into its mid-level series. This was successful, with about 24,000 300 Sports sold in 1962. I didn’t see documentation that established the big 413 came with the car originally, but it seems probable based on the ownership history. A strong price for a non-letter-series 300, but this was a strong example with a very strong engine. A very appealing car for the buyer’s money, although possibly little profit opportunity. 84 AmericanCarCollector.com #FR0140-1968 PLYMOUTH GTX convertible. VIN: RS27L8G183860. Forest Green/ white canvas/two-tone green vinyl. Odo: 16,655 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Nicely equipped GTX with power steering, disc brakes and windows, Sure-Grip differential, in-dash tach and wood wheel. No a/c, however. Correct 440 engine not original to this car. Forest Green paint looks more metallic than I remember, but well applied and attractive. Fresh white canvas top with glass rear window looks like it needs to spend more time up to reduce the wrinkles. Refinished interior components much nicer than

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GAA // Greensboro, NC usual for this era of Mopar. Equipped with BFG T/As on correct Magnum 500 wheels, but the spare is a more appealing Redline tire. Cond: 2-. sented as never raced or driven, as this, and all of the 100 built, came without a differential. Thus in near-showroom condition. These cars used little body filler and appear unfinished. Lightweight parts including Plexi side windows used and of course it was powered by a Hemi. Wheels are for support and not for racing. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $55,640. Readers may not realize how uncommon GTX convertibles were when new. Only 1,026 1968 GTX convertibles were built versus almost 18,000 hard tops. This car sold for a strong price, well above the ACC Pocket Price Guide median. Given the rarity and condition of the GTX convertible, the buyer should have no regrets. #FR0261-1970 DODGE DART 2-dr hard top. VIN: LM23H0R313763. Black/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 66,260 miles. 340-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Heavily optioned Dart including a/c, power steering, Rallye dash with tach, dual exhaust and more. No restoration history with car. Unusual black paint with white bumblebee stripe and vinyl top. Paint well done, but with various minor scratches and imperfections. Redline tires with dog-dish hubcaps give purposeful look. Panel fit good, except passenger’s door is out at bottom. Chrome just okay. Interior is extremely nice, with fabrics, trim and hardware far beyond the level you typically see in a Mopar of this vintage. Clutch pedal looks alarmingly close to floor. Handsomely restored underhood. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $33,170. Prices of these have languished since release. Bidder paid a slightly above-average sum, but I believe lightweight factory racers will be appreciated in the future. Think lightweight Galaxy, Thunderbolt or any number of factory-lightened sports cars. Well bought. AMERICANA #FR0205-1970 AMC AMX 2-dr hard top. VIN: A0M397X108397. Bayshore Blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 51,515 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Well-equipped example with 390 V8 “Go Package” with Ram Air hood, plus power steering and power disc brakes, tilt, AM radio with 8-track tape player (original Santana 8-track tape in glovebox), rim-blow horn and more. No a/c, however. Goodquality older repaint in sober dark blue shows a little age and lacks a little sizzle. Good chrome except for side window surrounds and drip rails, often an area where corners are cut during restoration. The interior is mostly decent, with a few issues such as the very loose center armrest/storage bin and the broken brake-release lever. Nonstock exhaust. Correct Magnum 500 wheels. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $35,310. The “H” in the VIN stands for the 340 4-barrel V8, which was more than capable of turning the somewhat dowdy Dart into an actual swinger. This was certainly not your grandmother’s Dart; between the 340, the 4-speed, and unusual colors, this was a genuinely enticing presentation. Needs a few things to be a solid no. 2 car, but none appear to be serious. The price was strong for a Dart, but given the overall quality of the car, I think the buyer got a fair deal. #ST0103-2009 DODGE CHALLENGER Drag Pack racer. VIN: 83. White/gray cloth vinyl. 6.1-L fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Pre- SOLD AT $36,380. A handsome AMX in perhaps overly dignified colors. Far from perfect, but some minor improvements could result in much higher marks. The hammer price was exactly at the price guide median; the car seemed “above median” to me, so well purchased. A nice counterpoint to its ubiquitous contemporaries, the Camaro and Mustang.A May–June 2017 85 BEST BUY

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LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK Leake — Oklahoma City Leaded Gas Collection brings premium muscle and prices Leake Auctions Oklahoma City, OK February 24–26, 2017 auctioneers: Jim Richie, Brian Marshall, Dillon Hall, Casey Enlow automotive lots sold/ offered: 405/549 Sales rate: 74% Sales total: $10,411,665 high sale: 2006 Ford GT coupe, sold at $341,000 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices Being a three-quarter ton made the final bid appropriate — 1971 Chevrolet C20 pickup, sold at $15,950 ACC 1–6 scale condition rating for vehicles in Market Reports 1. Perfect: National show standard 2. excellent: Club show-worthy, some small flaws 3. Average: Daily driver in decent condition 4. Meh: Still a driver, with some visible flaws 5. Questionable: A problem-plagued beast that somehow manages to run 6. Lost cause: Salvageable for parts Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson Market opinions in italics N 86 AmericanCarCollector.com ew to the OKC Fairgrounds, on the western half of Oklahoma City, is the Bennett Event Center. After a delay that prevented it from opening last February, it’s the new home of Leake Auctions for their annual February event in the Oklahoma capital. It proved to be a good venue, as most of the cars actually fit inside, compared to previous years, which required batches of cars to be spread between a few buildings. Only the Sunday cars were not in here initially, but after the Friday segment completed, the sold cars were moved out and the Sunday cars rolled in. A wise move, as it kept things from being too crowded. For the second year in a row, the big news was the offering of a large collection on Saturday at no reserve. This year, it was the 50-car Leaded Gas Collection of premium muscle cars. Unlike most major collections that have come to auction in recent years, this one wasn’t a liquidation sale or a sale to settle an estate. Rather, these cars were part of an ongoing collection, with the lots on offer here cut loose by the owner to make room for more cars. A car from this collection — actually the first car offered from it — proved to be the high sale of the weekend: a 2006 Ford GT. This low-mile example sold for $341,000, besting last year’s top sale here — also a Ford GT from the highlight featured collection, at $303,600. This top sale was one of the only increases from last year. Compared with 2016, most of the numbers were slightly lower — average vehicle price, number of lots sold and the total sales, which were down by $2m. Nothing drastic, and well within the bell curve of annual fluctuations. Granted, some of that was the mix of cars, although both years featured large collections that sold on Saturday afternoon. Once again, Leake’s friendly staff did a commend- able job of keeping things moving on the two auction rings on Friday and most of Saturday, while conducting the no-reserve Sunday segment with only one ring. While Oklahoma City may be off of some folks’ radar as a collector car hotbed, Leake has made this a significant venue for what would otherwise be a drab winter between the Arizona and Amelia Island auctions.A

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LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK GM #464-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR convertible. VIN: VC57T238300. Matador Red/ white vinyl/red & silver vinyl. Odo: 1,095 miles. 283-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Equipped with power steering, power brakes, a/c, power windows, power seat, padded dash and Wonder Bar AM radio with dual power antennas. Dealer-accessory Continental kit and fender skirts. High-quality concise restoration in recent years. Paint and chrome plating quality better than original manufacture. Body-panel fit is no worse than par for original build quality. The only non-stock item under the hood is a modern battery. Moderate fuel staining on and under the carburetor, otherwise the engine bay presentation is near concours quality. Quite clean on the bottom of the car also, but has had a few dents pounded out. Light soiling on the door armrests and visors, but otherwise has a like-new interior. Tires are newer white radials, while the one on the Conti kit is a yellowed bias ply. Cond: 2+. color-change carpeting and dashpad. Authentically detailed under the hood as part of the restoration, now showing some light dinginess on the top of the engine. R134a fittings on the a/c system. Very clean matte black chassis, with correct red primer body bottom. Cond: 2-. down to gutting it out, sorting out the botched rust patch-up and cut-rate fixes that have plagued a great number of older Corvair redos. Good news here is that this is one of the few vintage cars that Millennials have taken a shine to, and values have finally been marching up in recent years. Aside from being no reserve, it was truly bid to where it belonged at this point. SOLD AT $110,000. One of 1,285 Biarritzes built in the first year of the retreating tailfins. The reserve was dropped at $80k, which was the start of a several-minute bidding war that never jumped by more than $5k steps, culminating in a market-correct final sale for an example that’s almost too nice to drive, yet isn’t nice enough to be a dedicated concours lawn ornament. NOT SOLD AT $89,000. Whenever I see a ’50s car like this, so heavily loaded with options and accessories that the springs are almost down to the stops, I always wonder how much of it was actually on the car when new. Without documentation, and since the body tag was either obscured or missing, the realist in me is left to believe that it probably started out as a green 2-barrel car with power nothing that had a dozen years worth of parts-hunting trips to Hershey crammed into it. Bidding looked to be more of a case of keeping the ringmen in tune, so I wasn’t the only skeptic. #469-1960 CADILLAC ELDORADO Biarritz convertible. VIN: 60E26805. Red/white vinyl/white leather. Odo: 740 miles. 390-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Factory-optional a/c. Stated that it received a frame-off restoration in 2013. Better-quality color change repaint from the original Ebony Black. Modern replacement windshield, with new seals—in addition to all-new door seals. Door fit is okay, with slightly wider gaps facing the front fenders than to the rear. Betterquality-than-factory bumper replate, with professionally reconditioned trim on the outside. Inside, the original plating is lackluster at best and has light pitting on most pieces. Authentically reupholstered seats, with light wrinkling at the driver’s position. All-new 88 AmericanCarCollector.com #403-1963 CHEVROLET CORVAIR Monza convertible. VIN: 30967W173906. Twilight Turquoise/white vinyl/aqua vinyl. Odo: 81,928 miles. 145-ci H6, 2x1-bbl, auto. Powerglide automatic, hand-brake flasher, push-button AM radio and two-prong spinner wire-basket wheel covers. Modern aftermarket wood-rim steering wheel. Old repaint, which is splotchy and has acquired a mostly matte finish on all upper body surfaces (not that the body sides are much better, either). However, it does have new rubber brake lines and tires on all corners. Also stated that it was converted to electronic ignition and electric fuel pump last year. CORSA membership decal on the rear quarter window. Seats are likely original, as they are more yellowed than the door panels or reproduction dashpad, and have some seam splitting. Faded period original seat belts. Clean and functional engine bay, rather than authentically detailed. Cond: 3-. #545-1968 PONTIAC LEMANS Safari Sport Truck concept pickup. VIN: 233698P109210. Mayfair Maize/black vinyl. Odo: 34,555 miles. 350-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Originally built in late 1967 from a new LeMans 4-dr sedan and El Camino by the owner of New York Pontiac dealer Adirondack Auto Sales, who presented it to GM as a proposal for a production vehicle. Chassis is from the LeMans; the El Camino from the cowl back was put on it and the LeMans front clip was shaped to fit. LeMans interior transferred over. Originally had full wheel covers, now repop Rally II wheels. Restored in 2013. Excellent door and panel fit. Mostly black undercarriage, with chipping from use and a dual exhaust system. Good original interior components, with the greatest wear on the carpeting. Detailed back to stock as part of the restoration, now showing light soiling and heat cycling from limited use. Suspension sits high up front, low in back. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $38,500. While John DeLorean and company at Pontiac nixed the concept, GM did take enough notice to be convinced that there was a market for an up-market El Cow. As such, this vehicle can be considered the genesis for the 1971 GMC Sprint. Sold at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in 2014 for $41,040. Nobody I talked to here expected it to pull that kind of money this time around (aside from the consignor). I factored it to repeat the last sale—since everybody even borderline interested in it knew that number—but most interested parties pitched numbers from $25k to $32k at me beforehand. When all was said and done, it was hammered sold to an online bidder. SOLD AT $4,400. This sort of made me twitch in a way, since I have a ’62 and this would be a near dead ringer for my car— apart from mine having a vastly better paint job over a zero-rust, New Mexico body. This is a car that hopefully someone got into knowing that they’ll have a few years to play around with it at local cruise nights, then get #533-1970 CHEVROLET NOVA Yenko Deuce 2-dr sedan. VIN: 114270W370883. Dark blue metallic w/ white stripes/black vinyl. Odo: 32,586 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Equipped with an LT-1, power brakes, AM radio and hood tach. Verified by the Yenko Registry. Magnum 500 wheels with Yenko center caps and repop Wide Oval tires that are starting to yellow. Professional restoration within the decade. Superb base/

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LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK clear repaint and decal application over it. Replated bumpers and mostly replacement trim. All-new door and glass rubber. Good door fit (for a Nova). Redyed dashboard, reproduction seats and carpeting. Modern aftermarket ammeter and oil-pressure gauges added beneath the dashboard. Exceptionally clean and well detailed under the hood. Modern coating on the tube headers. Some of the wiring is less than professionally installed—especially across the radiator support bracket. Mostly glossyblack undercarriage. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $18,000. The only way to get the optional 4-speed manual transmission in a ’79 Trans Am was with the Pontiac 400 V8 bolted to it, as the 403 Oldsmobile that was frequently used this year was automatic only. Stated on the block that “we’re really close” to selling it. So close that it was bid more than its worth. SOLD AT $118,250. One of those cars that is faked so much that it’s hard to believe it’s a real one, even if it’s a small-block Nova. The consignor kept chiding the bidders from the podium for “not opening up your wallets” on this one—to the point of stating that he paid $125k a few years ago. Welcome to the classic-car marketplace. Sometimes they don’t automatically go up when you pay retail going in and sell at no reserve going out. And certainly not when you tell a room full of dealers to spend more money. Sold to an online bidder, who hopefully realizes that just because it’s a Yenko doesn’t give you the right to print money. #413-1971 CHEVROLET C20 pickup. VIN: CE241Z610177. Blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 80,638 miles. 402-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Per the original glovebox door build sheet, factoryinstalled options include power steering, a/c, full tinted glass, chrome hubcaps, gauge package and push-button AM radio. Modern electronic sound system has displaced the latter. Better-quality repaint, at least where they intended on painting it. Replated bumpers and mostly reproduction trim. Exotic wood used for the cargo bed and aftermarket polished stainless attachment strips. Good door fit. Overspray on various interior components, such as the pedals, dimmer switch and heater box. Authentic reproduction seat vinyl and hard plastic door panels. Heavily biased to stock under the hood despite tube headers. Mostly semi-gloss black-painted undercarriage. Modern steel rims and radials. Cond: 3+. “ SOLD AT $15,950. Chevrolet was making it a point to go after the burgeoning RV market during the now highly popular 1967–72 generation of trucks. The Custom Camper package bumped up the GCVW rating with heavier springs, bigger radiator and higheroutput alternator, in essence making it a heavy three-quarter ton. If the consignor had only put the raised white lettering on the tires facing the inside and not used later-era hubcaps, this would look totally bone-stock. A rather nice truck; if they were more attentive about masking off the paintwork, I’d have bumped this up to a 2- condition. That and being a three-quarter ton made this final bid appropriate rather than too light. #2421-1979 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. VIN: 2W87Z9N148431. Mayan Red w/ gold graphics/tan vinyl. Odo: 65,647 miles. 400ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Optional WS-6 handling package, four-wheel disc brakes, Positraction, tilt steering column and a/c. Snowflake alloy wheels shod with older economygrade radials. Modern DIN sound system displaces the stock radio. Generally good prep work on the repaint on the outside, although they got a bit lazy masking the door jambs. Uneven hood gaps. Wider door gaps at the front fenders. Good repro graphics application. Both doors also rattle a bit. Older replacement windshield, with window tint film on the rest of the glass. Heavier nicks and scratches on the door-top trim. Older engine bay cleanup, now with a light coating of dust. R134a converted. Frontseat inserts are a different type of vinyl and slightly off hue from the back-seat inserts. Replacement dashpad. Newer matte black painted undercarriage. Cond: 3. CORVETTE #523-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: J59S107320. Red w/ white coves/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 27,862 miles. 283-ci 230-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Stated that it has the 283 under the hood, but the stamping pad is illegible and “350 HP” decals are on the valve covers. Said valve covers are buffed out. Front enginemount bracket and hood latches have been chrome plated. Motor is painted black rather than Chevy Orange. Superb body prep and paint application, but is not correct Roman Red. Superb door fit and even shut lines. Unlike most C1s, both doors sit perfectly flush with the body. All four headlights are halogens. Replated bumpers and well-fitted brightwork. Even the headlight bezels fit perfectly to the front fender upper trim strips. Expert installation of the reproduction seats, door panels and carpeting. Mostly glossy black undercarriage, aside from newer brake lines, rebound strap and exhaust system. Wide whitewall radial tires. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $90,200. While auditorium indoor lighting (such as sodium halide lamps) can sometimes play tricks with paint hues, this is still a non-stock red, no matter how you illuminate it. The repaint almost comes off as an iridescent lipstick. However, since it doesn’t come off as easy—or as cheap—as lipstick, at least two folks appreciate the top-notch workmanship put into it and bid accordingly. One of those cars that is faked so much that it’s hard to believe it’s a real one, even if it’s a small-block Nova. 1970 Chevrolet Nova Yenko Deuce 2-dr sedan 90 AmericanCarCollector.com ” #1150-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 30867S101636. Riverside Red/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 99,999 miles. 327-ci 340-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Optional Signal Seek AM radio, hard top, and 3.55 Positraction, per the reproduction window sticker. Stated that it was originally equipped with an auxiliary hard top, but one wasn’t seen or mentioned. Also has the NCRS shipping-data report, showing it was sold new by Paul Motor Co. of Concordia, KS. Older okay repaint over average prep

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LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK work. Hood fit is off to the point that there’s paint wear alongside the passenger’s side hood hinge. Body contour is off compared to the headlight buckets. Door gaps and fit are better. Good replacement soft top, with the seals redone the same time as the vinyl. Seats and door panels are likely older replacements, rather than being redyed. Faded original carpeting. Electronic cassette stereo displaces the stock radio, with speakers crudely tied off under the dashboard. Washed-off motor. Aftermarket intake manifold, chrome-plated alternator, and flat-black air-cleaner cover. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $118,250. Was shopped rather extensively four years ago, with multiple hits in our auction database, before being sold at Mecum’s Dallas auction in September 2013 for $123,050 (ACC# 6729535). A particularly valuable car for someone in the Golden State, but not so much in the other 49. Even at that, this was a tad under the money, yet not what I’d call well bought. SOLD AT $42,350. In today’s market, it’s not often that we run into an off-grade midyear Corvette. Yet this car proves once again that if it’s not a Split-Window, an iffy ’63 doesn’t fare much better than a 1964 on the block. Once the online bidder was at $37k, the reserve was cut loose, garnering three more bids and making for a good day for the seller. #519-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194677S114916. Sunfire Yellow w/ black stinger/yellow hard top, black vinyl soft top/black vinyl. Odo: 92,995 miles. 427-cc 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Stated that it was professionally restored a decade ago. Equipped with California emissions engine, restored with all smog gear intact. Overall, engine bay is quite authentic and generally tidy, with only some light grease and dirt in crevasses, plus fuel staining below the carburetors. Undercarriage is just as authentically restored, and arguably cleaner. Stock Rally wheels shod with Redline radial tires. Better lower body and door jamb prep than when originally manufactured. High-quality bare body repaint. Good headlight bucket and door fit, with the lower section of the doors both slightly lower than surrounding bodywork. Better-than-originally manufactured bumpers. Refurbished and/or reproduction trim. All-reproduction interior soft trim, with no appreciable wear. Cond: 2+. #530-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Indy 500 Pace Car coupe. VIN: 1Z8748S901870. Black & silver/tinted panels/silver leather. Odo: 31,345 miles. 350-ci 220-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Optional AM/FM/CB radio. Stated that the 31,345 indicated miles are actual. Moderate orange peel on the body paint. Very light coverage on the nose, which through polishing has already started to wear through to primer in places. Also has several chips on the front clip. Original bodyside graphics are in the original boxes in the back of the car. Original tires are overdue for replacement due to checking and tread down to the wear bars. While it’s generally original under the hood, it hasn’t seen much cleanup in several years. Seats and carpeting only show light wear, while the steering-wheel rim has heavier yellowing and the horn button is askew. Heavy rust staining on the driver’s shoulder belt, like it was hung up on the seat rails for some time. Not much done on the undercarriage since 1978, aside from replacing the original mufflers. Cond: 3+. shield post. Better-quality repaint over the all-steel body. Fuel staining on the paint below the gas-filler neck gasket. California license plate, last updated with 2008 tabs. Original-quality replacement bumper plating, along with the other brightwork. Good door and panel gaps. Minimal top wear. Interior door panels are wrinkled along the top edges, smooth-fitting seat upholstery work from the same time. Light soiling and staining on the tan rubber floor mat. Light paint chipping on the bottom of the woodgrained dashboard. Tidy and generally stock under the butterfly hood. Almost entirely semi-gloss black-painted undercarriage, with more dust from sitting than driving. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $59,500. Ah, a pure undistilled 1933–34 Ford roadster—without even so much as wind wing glass or whitewall tires. Few and far between, in this age of Tupperware street rods. While not restored to the level of being a concours lawn ornament, this was bid short of what it’s worth. The consignor was firm and fast at $65k, so this was a bridge that didn’t get built this weekend. SOLD AT $31,900. While originality is a holy grail of Corvettes, nothing is scarier than radial tires from the 1970s. Unless they are on a minty original concours car (this certainly isn’t) with virtually no use, I’d only trust them to be rolled on and off a trailer. While this has the most desirable powertrain, it’s better off running free on the highways—with new shoes—than having the owner being continually disappointed in any judging above the local Dairy Queen’s Show-and-Shine. Sold well. FOMOCO #2500-1934 FORD DELUXE roadster. VIN: 18756901. Black/tan cloth/brown vinyl. Odo: 14 miles. Restored five years ago. Dealeraccessory-style cowl lamps and Greyhound radiator mascot. Modern aftermarket clampon peep mirror on the driver’s side wind- 92 AmericanCarCollector.com #2444-1954 LINCOLN CAPRI convertible. VIN: 54LA7955H. Light blue/tan vinyl/white & dark blue leather. Odo: 76,877 miles. 317-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional power windows and power seat. Better-quality older repaint, with a period-correct sheen. Rechromed bumpers and most trim. Stainless moldings buffed out, yet still lack brilliance. Vent-window frames are original and show some light scuffing, along with their seals showing some light dry rot and masking lines. Well-fitted replacement top. Seating leather has a mellowed “lived in” look and feel. Heavily yellowed original armrests and plastic dashboard fittings. Modern replacement carpeting. Authentically detailed under

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LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK the hood as part of the restoration, which now is starting to show some soiling from use, especially on the intake manifold around the carburetor, along with the exhaust manifolds and cross-over pipe. Glossy black paint on most of the suspension components, with undercoating on everything else below. Radial wide whitewall tires, starting to yellow on the edges. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $48,675. Some may think it odd that a Ford product used a GM transmission. Considering that the same scenario existed in the 1970s with Lincolns using GM Frigidaire a/c systems, it was hardly a one-time liaison. Indeed, all we have to do is look at the newly introduced 10-speed automatics that Ford and GM jointly developed and are producing that are now in everything from F-150 Raptors to Camaro ZL1s, to show that the automotive industry is most incestuous. The reserve was lifted at $42,500, which got the bidding picked up from plodding along to actively gathering another two grand in $250 steps. #133-1957 FORD FAIRLANE 500 2-dr sedan. VIN: C7GT202077. Red & white/black & white vinyl. Odo: 36,780 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Masked-off low-budget repaint, within the past few years. Rust leaching out from panel joints and bare steel fasteners. Lousy door fit. Economy bumper replate and select brightwork replacement. All plastic exterior trim is faded. Right brake light doesn’t work. Low-budget seat redo, in generic vinyl and pleats, fitted loosely over the seat frame. Modern AM/FM/cassette deck— missing a knob—in the dash. Aftermarket twin pack of gauges mounted below the dash to the right of the steering wheel, juryrigged toggle-switch arrangement on an old gauge bezel to the left. General appearance and fixtures are more akin to the latter engine. Older engine repaint in white with red metallic valve covers. Heavier paint burning around the carburetor on the intake manifold. Aftermarket aluminum radiator. Fresh rattle-can undercoating, newer bias-ply wide whitewalls. Cond: 3-. shuttle it all over the country. And this is from someone who generally likes ’57 Fords. Sold well. #465-1963 FORD GALAXIE 500 2-dr hard top. VIN: 3N66R140581. Rangoon Red/red vinyl. Odo: 22,998 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Reproduction data plate, applied after a bare-body repaint. Masking lines on the door glass whiskers, which are also starting to lift at the edges. Professionally refurbished or reproduction side trim. Slightly wavy bumpers with shallow replate—pretty much like it was originally made. By and large, quite tidy and authentic under the hood, although both carburetors have modern red vacuum-line plugs. Exhaust-manifold dressing is giving way to light surface rust. All reproduction interior soft trim generally well installed, apart from wrinkled “Reynolds Warp” on the door panel where the armrests were bolted down too tight. Modern aftermarket logos on the reproduction seat-belt buckles. Clean, mostly matteblack undercarriage, with some attempts at duplicating original inspection marks. Correct 15-inch steel wheels on fresh bias-ply tires. Cond: 2. console. Red dye flaking off the corners of the dashpad at the windshield frame. GT exhaust outlets added. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $24,750. I’m more surprised that a Pony interior wasn’t used considering the engine swap. While more 6-banger Mustangs seem to be staying that way, if this was put back together after years of parts swapping and abuse long after the original motor went away, market forces for V8s— even as motor swaps—tend to keep a six from going back in. As such, it wasn’t too much of a surprise that the reserve was met at $20k, gathering up a few more bids. All things considered, and hopefully with the buyer being cognizant of what the car really is, sold well enough. SOLD AT $72,600. If the reproduction tag is accurate to the original, then the car was scheduled to be built on February 9, 1963, fairly early for both the 2-door fastback body and availability of the 427, as both were considered “1963½” mid-year changes. Last seen at Mecum’s Dallas auction in November 2016, declared sold for $64,900 (ACC# 6813859). Good flip, if that was actually the case. Good show, if not. SOLD AT $15,950. Last seen a month earlier at Silver’s Arizona in January auction, where it was stated that the motor was a 312. At least here it was properly pointed out as being the correct engine per the VIN. At Silver, it was declared sold at $15,660. So it was either sold to a dealer who now wants to dump it or (more likely) the deal fell through. Not worth that or any other bid here, especially with the shipping fees to #1168-1965 FORD MUSTANG convertible. VIN: 5F08F150881. White/white vinyl/ red vinyl. Odo: 32,830 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Originally equipped with a blue vinyl interior. Early production “1964½” features, built on May 29, 1964, per the body tag. Part of the engine swap was using an alternator instead of the original generator. Engine painted post-1965 Ford Blue, with the stock air-cleaner lid chrome plated. All engine fittings—such as wiring, hoses, and belts—are non-OEM bits. Good trim-off repaint, with lesser masking around the body tag in the door. So-so door fit. Original bumper chrome is a bit dull. Repro emblems and trim. Simulated wire wheel covers and older radials with yellowed whitewalls on the stock rims. Reproduction seats, door panels and carpeting. Modern aftermarket center #518-1966 SHELBY GT350 H fastback. VIN: SFM6S825. Sapphire Blue w/ gold stripes/black vinyl. Odo: 8,131 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optional AM/FM radio. Decent masked-off base/clear repaint. Good door shut lines, although the gaps on trunk lid vary. Older bumper replate. Better-quality plating on the Magnum 500 wheels with correct Hertz center caps, shod with modern radials. Clean and generally authentically detailed under the hood, but it doesn’t have much sparkle to it. Modern battery. Heavier paint wear on the inner fender lip near the VIN tag. Seven of the pseudo rivets in the wood steering wheel rim have fallen out. The face of the Shelby tachometer is more pronouncedly yellowed than all the other gauges. Apart from newer replacement exhaust and painting the 9-inch rear axle, not much has been done under the car. However, it does have the original Koni shocks (which must handle great after 51 years) and underbody primer. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $123,750. Not all GT350 Hs were black with gold stripes. This is one of 47 done in Sapphire Blue, documented as such and having originally been assigned out of the San Francisco area. While there’s some originality to parts of it, it’s more of a case of being an occasional driver, vintage rally or track car now. One can argue all day if the rare color combo is a plus or neutral May–June 2017 93

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LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK for the value, but based upon this result, it neither hurt nor helped. #517-1968 SHELBY GT500 KR convertible. VIN: 8T03R210153. Highland Green w/ white stripes/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 81,184 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Deluxe Marti Report confirms the car was sold new by George Busby Ford of Nashville, TN, with optional Visibility Group, Tilt-Away steering column, a/c and Interior Decor Group. 1980s-era AM/FM/cassette deck instead of the stock radio. Good older repaint and graphics. Top shows some shrinkage and rust staining from the rear top-bow trim cap and screw. Fresh, authentic detailing under the hood, to include the smog pump and fittings. Paint flaking off the body buck tag on the cowl. Modern but old Motorcraft battery, as the car needed a jump start any time they attempted to start it. Good interior soft trim, with minimal wear. Once well restored, the undercarriage has a lot of road grime on it. Dull, lightly oxidized wheels on older radials. Cond: 3+. looks like it hasn’t gone through a complete heat cycle yet. Cowl-to-hood wiring is original with a worn sheath. Undercarriage is just as clean and well detailed. Cond: 2. Reran Sunday for closer to reality, but still more than enough to call it very well sold. NOT SOLD AT $80,000. Sixteen options worth $1,733.83 of the $4,745.28 sticker price. The most expensive and most desirable today: $278.53 for the 428 Cobra Jet engine. As one of 50 Q-code Cobra Jet convertibles, it’s a darn sight rarer than any Boss Mustang in ’69, and as such I can’t blame the consignor for not cutting it loose for this final bid. SOLD AT $154,000. Attending myriad collector car auctions, it’s interesting to note the particular mannerisms of a given auction house and their individual auctioneers. As the auctioneer was finishing up the previous lot, the staging crew (having had enough of this petulant-to-start Shelby) pushed it onto the freshly emptied turntable. While generally accepted at Mecum—to the point of the staging crew being conditioned to stand in front of the freshly arrived car and point to the monitors at the car that’s still being offered—the auctioneer here, on the other hand, about had a Black Angus calf. The consignor, on still another hand, has no reason to have a calf over the noreserve sale here, going to an online bidder. #471-1969 FORD MUSTANG GT convertible. VIN: 9T03Q111959. Wimbledon White/ black vinyl/dark red vinyl. Odo: 71,333 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Factory options include a/c, full tinted glass, power steering, power front-disc brakes, power top, Tilt-Away steering column, Interior Decor Group and AM/FM stereo radio. Highquality restoration to original configuration. Better quality repaint than technically possible when new. Good, but not perfect, door shut lines. All reconditioned brightwork. Well-fitted top, with minimal shrinkage. Reproduction seats, door panels, dashpad and carpeting. Re-dyed steering wheel hub. Highly authentic detailing under the hood, to include a reproduction battery. Engine paint 94 AmericanCarCollector.com #131-1972 FORD RANCHERO Squire pickup. VIN: 2A49H165658. Ivy Green Metallic w/ faux wood panels/black vinyl with gray nylon. Odo: 2,216 miles. Optional a/c, power steering, power brakes and AM radio. Fitted with 1980s Ford Fairmont Futura wire wheel covers with older radial tires. Poor old repaint, with mostly an uneven semi-gloss finish. Backup lights are always on when the car is running. That is, when it is running, as the idle is set too low and it stalls out. Hood sits high at the cowl. Washed-off engine bay, but motor is still grungy. Also has various vacuum and emissions hoses swinging in the breeze, while others are tie-wrapped down. Doors rattle, thanks to no door-stop bumpers and dry-rotted seals. Various light dings on the bumpers and bright trim. Loose, floppy mirrors. Non-stock wood-grain shelf paper stuck on the dashboard and a/c condenser faces. Very crudely re-covered vinyl on the doorpanel armrests. Seat was fairly well redone. Cond: 3-. #515-2006 FORD GT coupe. VIN: 1FAFP90S66Y401662. Centennial White w/ dark blue stripes/black leather. Odo: 1,755 miles. 5.4-L supercharged V8, 6-sp. Equipped with all four options—full stripping, McIntosh sound system, lightweight wheels and gray brake calipers—displaying a copy of the original Monroney sticker. Overall showing only minimal signs of use. Tires have more wear in back than up front and more than what’s usually expected for the car’s 1,755 miles since new— they’re actually close to hitting the wear bars. A few light abrasions from high-velocity rock chips on the undercarriage tunnel and slight road dust. No discernible wear on the paint or interior fittings. Offered at no reserve from the Leaded Gas Collection, the car’s second owner. Cond: 2+. 6 SOLD AT $341,000. Leading off the 50-car no-reserve Leaded Gas Collection, especially since the other auction lane no longer was offering cars, there was quite a bit of buzz with this car leading the pack. To no seasoned auction regular’s surprise, this was bid to $300k in a heartbeat. In our database as having crossed the block at Mecum’s 2015 Monterey auction, selling to the consignor at $297k all in (ACC# 6796353). It took a little more cajoling to get one more bid, and it hammered sold as the high sale for the weekend here for about where the market is now, if not about $10k better. MOPAR SOLD AT $6,600. One of only 4,283 Ranchero Squires built in 1972. This one’s not really a survivor, but rather I harken back to that famed line (among dozens) from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail:” “I’m not dead yet.” There’s enough annoying stuff to keep one from using it as a proper car or truck without some work. For love, not money. Not sold to a $7,500 bid on Friday. #763-1955 DESOTO FIREDOME Sportsman 2-dr hard top. VIN: 55186949. Red & white/white & black vinyl. Odo: 14,196 miles. 291-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Stated that it is consigned by the second owner. Wears no less than two repaints, the most recent being well over a decade ago and only done on the outside of the car, with sloppy overspray in the door jambs. Light orange peel on the repainted roof. Light dings on most of the stainless trim. Older bumper replate. Decent door fit, even if they do sag a bit. Piecemeal replacement door seals, with whatever was lying around the shop. Windshield delaminating across the bottom edge. Plainly reupholstered seats and door panels. More pronounced light pitting on the interior brightwork. Heavier crazing on the steering wheel. Non-stock dual-exhaust system, with corroded aftermarket ends and TOP 10

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LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK MARKETMOMENT 1976 AMC Gremlin overspray. Period aftermarket rear-leafhelper springs. Older whitewall tires. Cond: 3-. Hatchback SOLD at $3,600 Leake Auctions, Oklahoma City, OK, February 24–26, 2017, Lot 105 VIN: A6E463E381396 created a subcompact just two inches longer than the Volkswagen Beetle. By cutting the tail off its new Hornet compact, AMC was able to beat the Ford Pinto and Chevy Vega to the market by six In 1970, AMC Courtesy of Leake Auction Company the road (though Time magazine oddly compared it to the Avanti). To the public of the period largely unaccustomed to “two-box” hatchbacks, the Gremlin did look unusual in a futuristic sort of way. Well, the future of 1970 has come and gone. Today, whether it’s due to rarity or design, a Gremlin will get you noticed at your local Cars & Coffee. Resplendent in Sunshine Yellow, this two-owner Arkansas car was a real low-sticker special, with just $201 worth of factory options — the most expensive being the $75 AM radio and $44 tinted glass. It has the base 232 straight-six engine, 3-speed manual trans, bench seat and no power anything, though aftermarket a/c and roof rack were added at some point. It’s had at least one repaint, but the engine bay still wears its slightly worn and paler fac- tory finish. The interior looks well cared for, but the dash is certainly Spartan, with just three gauges. I thought the front seat had a cheesy replacement cover until I noticed the matching back seat, so it just might be original. Leake’s website showed it wearing collector plates, and it comes with all the original docu- ments, so the owners realized what they had and took good care of it. Now, $3,600 for a presentable, seldom-seen collector car should be a deal in anyone’s book. Speaking of which, recent sales suggest a Gremlin in this shape is worth about $5k. If you can’t live with the poverty-spec equipment, you could always drop in any of the AMC (304/360/390) V8s, as there’s plenty of room thanks to its Hornet heritage. But to do that would be a shame, because as it sits, this little Gremlin is a reminder that small cars weren’t always similar-looking front-drive hatchbacks. A SOLD AT $13,475. Along with being part of the new Forward Look from all Chrysler divisions, 1955 was also the first year that DeSoto was an all-V8 brand—with all of those V8s being Hemis. This one just came off as being tired and sloppy after over six decades of use. Being consigned during no-reserve Sunday, it was going to do what it was going to do, which was market correct to plenty paid, rather than a decent buy. months. The truncated tail created a car that looked like nothing else on #444-1970 DODGE CHALLENGER R/T 2-dr hard top. VIN: JS23R0B322119. White/blue vinyl. Odo: 13,128 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Originally built with a Hemi, but the one under the hood is a 1964 date-coded competition engine. Fender tag shows it was originally equipped with Track Pack, power brakes, bumper guards, rear window defogger, and push-button AM radio. The power brake booster is gone, with an adapter plate on the cowl for the basic master cylinder. Engine bay is generally clean and tidy. Good color change repaint from the original dark blue. Light overspray on hood pins, door seals and stop bumpers. Orange brake drums on all four corners. Heavier soiling on the ends of the steering wheel posts. Reproduction seats, with minimal wear. Decent original carpeting. Aftermarket tachometer clamped to the steering column, oil-pressure gauge cut into the dashboard. Small pool of green under the car after it sat for the first few days. Mostly black undercarriage, with stock-style exhaust system getting scruffy. Cond: 3+. — John Boyle SOLD AT $99,000. It looked a little odd under the hood with the early chrome valve covers, yet the Shaker hood scoop induction. It doesn’t take a whole lot to connect the dots to figure that it was a track car for a good share of its existence. Originally left the auction carousel as a $75k no-sale, with the statement that “it takes $90,000 today.” Well, based on the post-sale monitors on 96 AmericanCarCollector.com AmericanCarCollector.com

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LEAKE // Oklahoma City, OK Sunday and post-event auction-company supplied results, they got it. #532-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA 2-dr hard top. VIN: BS23R0B105818. Vitamin C Orange/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 61,659 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Trim tag was removed and put with the title in the auction office. While it’s the real deal, the motor is a replacement. Specifically, a 1964 date-coded race block, but with the original heads and induction. Stated that it is otherwise original at 61,659 indicated miles, aside from a higher-quality repaint a few years ago. Tires are also modern reproduction Polyglas GTs, yet on the original Rallye wheels. Lightly faded vinyl roof, but still very presentable. Buffed-out brightwork. Seats and carpeting show far less wear than expected on any vehicle with 61k miles. Optional AM/FM radio. Mostly glossy-black undercarriage, with a few simulated inspection markings. It got stage fright in the staging lane, as it would crank but not light off. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $9,460. International was one of the few companies that fitted their vehicles in this era with a six-digit odometer. So this ’Binder really registers 025824. Based on the fading of the numbers and various other factors with the truck, this may be actual mileage, but none of those were easy miles. Most IH 4x4s in this era were bought by fleets or governmental agencies, so it may have been “the right tool for the right job” more than a workaday taskmaster. More of a schlocky redo than any proper use of the word “restoration,” but still with some sweat equity, parts chasing and an air compressor, this rarely seen Cornbinder has some money left on the table. Bought reasonably well, not to be confused with well bought. SOLD AT $148,500. It was announced by the consignor when the car was on the carousel that the original engine block is known to still exist and is available for purchase separately, as it’s held by a different party than the consignor. And with that the bidding started at $70k and moved along smartly, until this no-reserve car was hammered sold. AMERICANA #158-1958 INTERNATIONAL A-120 pickup. VIN: SA80621. Dark green metallic/ tan vinyl. Odo: 25,824 miles. 240-ci I6, 1-bbl, 4-sp. Low-budget repaint, inside and out. Decent coverage on the outside, but more of a case of Spray and Pray inside the cab, especially since levers, pedals, heater box and interior cowl were randomly painted with minimal masking. Non-stock seat upholstery work, generally neatly done. Matching shift boots take it to borderline tacky. Original, dull, scuffed and pitted brightwork. Grille incorrectly painted body color, as it should’ve been painted white like the front bumper wasn’t. Aftermarket windshield, with new rubber seal. Rubber body plugs instead of door-lock cylinders. No tailgate, so it has a wood panel instead, which has the same finish—and now heavier weathering—as the wood box floor. Runs out okay, if a tad rich. Cond: 3. #2437-1966 AMC AMBASSADOR 990 wagon. VIN: A6KA85P117713. Cresent Green & white/green vinyl & polyester. Odo: 70,133 miles. 327-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional power steering, power brakes, a/c, tilt steering column, cruise control, AM/FM radio and side-opening tailgate with a power window. Simulated wire wheel covers and radials on the stock rims. Professionally restored within the decade. Bare-body repaint, with an authentic sheen. Light scuffing on the tops of the bumpers. Professionally restored stainless and alloy trim. Rear tailgate window not always cooperative. Exceptionally well-detailed engine bay. Somewhat faded and discolored original seat belts. Rear windows have tinted film expertly applied. Newer stock exhaust system. Repainted fuel tank and rear coil springs, with the balance of the undercarriage showing road dust on the original undercoating. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $20,900. The top model line from the first model year of American Motors as a brand, as Rambler was demoted to a model range starting in 1966. Even if various price guides show this result as being a market-correct sale, even with the reserve lifted at $18,750 and fetching one more bid, I think there’s still some money on the table if this car is marketed more aggressively to certain facets of the public. AMC people will probably say it sold well. #722-1969 AMC AMX 2-dr hard top. VIN: A9M397X330730. Bittersweet Orange Metallic/ tan cloth. Odo: 93,015 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Dash tag AMX 13555. Optional Go Pack, power steering, power brakes. Non-stock modern cloth upholstery work. Dashpad on the passenger’s side is browner than the driver’s side equivalent. Modern fuzzy brown carpeting. 1990s-era aftermarket AM/FM/cassette deck. Not much stock under the hood, nor is it very clean. Aftermarket bits include MSD ignition system, open-element air cleaner, chrome valve covers, miles of modern plastic interduct (for stock and lots of added wiring), and a gel-cell battery. Adequately repainted, with the easy-to-remove trim bits taken off. Painted front bumper, with the over-the-top stripe continuing on it. Sandblasted patches on the windshield where the masking was inadequate. Heavier crazing of the rearquarter window trim. Good door fit. Rear spoiler doesn’t fit too well. Chambered mufflers, which dump out right ahead of the rear axle under the car, so it has more of an obnoxious than badass report to it. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $15,400. A mid-production AMX that reflects almost five decades of lessthan-attentive owners who cared more about making it go faster than anything else. No investment value here; buy it only if you want one to play with. As such, sold well during no-reserve Sunday. (See profile, p. 64.) A CAR COLLECTOR AMERICAN ™ AmericanCarCollector.com/subscribe May–June 2017 97 SUBSCRIBE TO ACC 877.219.2605 Ext. 1 Keith Martin’s

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Kansas City, MO Mecum — Kansas City Mecum’s American iron-heavy Midwest sale racks up $7.3m Mecum Auctions Kansas City, MO March 24–25 2017 auctioneers: Mark Delzell and Jimmy Landis automotive lots sold/ offered: 309/496 Sales rate: 62% Sales total: $7,364,900 high sale: 2005 Ford GT coupe, sold at $330,000 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices ACC 1–6 scale condition rating for vehicles in Market Reports 1. Perfect: National show standard 2. excellent: Club show-worthy, some small flaws 3. Average: Daily driver in decent condition 4. Meh: Still a driver, with some visible flaws 5. Questionable: A problem-plagued beast that somehow manages to run 6. Lost cause: Salvageable for parts We’re calling it very well bought — 1970 Plymouth hemi ’Cuda 2-dr hard top, sold at $154,000 Report and photos by Brett Hatfield Market opinions in italics known for trade shows than auto enthusiast events. This spring’s auction yielded $7,364,900 on a sell- T 98 AmericanCarCollector.com through rate of 62%, seeing 309 of the 496 lots offered go to new homes. 1960s and 1970s muscle cars garnered a great deal of the attention, with examples such as a rotisserie-restored 1970 Hemi ’Cuda hammering for $140,000, a 1970 Shelby GT500 fastback selling for $84,000 and a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 R-code, sporting a 427/425 and a 4-speed, crossing the block at $70,000. Mecum wouldn’t be Mecum without some weird and wild offerings. These included a 1996 Honda Accord station wagon that had been dressed to look like a classic woodie wagon, a 1918 Oakland Roadster he Mecum auction at Kansas City’s Bartle Hall from March 24 to 25 featured a unique mixture of hot rods, muscle cars, classics, performance cars and exotics. All this brought palpable excitement to a venue better hot rod and a 1953 Willys Army Jeep with a replica .50-caliber machine-gun mount. This year’s spring auction was also Corvette heavy, with more than 50 Corvettes offered. The high sale among Corvettes was a 1967 convertible in Marlboro Maroon that had been judged by the National Corvette Restorers Society as a 98.2% original car. This prime example crossed the block at $95,000. For a weekendwarrior alternative, a 1969 ’Vette with a 454 swapped in by careful hands went for $35,200. So whether time capsules or burnout kings are your preference, Mecum’s got you covered. Mecum Auctions has garnered a loyal and dedi- cated following by bringing their customers a broad variety of European, American, sports, exotic, antique and muscle cars, along with a smattering of the unique and bizarre. Much of the crowd had made Mecum a repeat destination, traveling all over the Midwest to the yearly sale for all things automotive. A

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Kansas City, MO GM #S49-1940 CADILLAC 60 SPECIAL Fleetwood sedan. VIN: 6322178. Maroon/ tan cloth. Odo: 46,102 miles. Showing signs of age on an older restoration; paint chips in the maroon finish have been touched up. The chrome on the front and rear bumpers is flaking off and the stainless is in need of attention. Time is taking its toll on the weatherstripping as well. The interior is clean and tidy, but the chrome of the instrument bezels in need of attention. Overall, an interesting car with needs. Cond: 3-. #S98-1960 CHEVROLET IMPALA convertible. VIN: 01867J261905. Red/white vinyl/red & white houndstooth. Odo: 59,525 miles. 348-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. A remarkably well-preserved example. Claimed to have only been driven 23,000 miles in the past 20 years. The bright red paint showed some marks from age and very light wear, but overall the car presented as a much newer car. The interior looked as though it had seen very light use. The only real sign of age was the discoloration on the parade boot. Cond: 2+. Malibu. Another venue might offer a better opportunity to recoup some of the cost. #S75-1966 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top. VIN: 242176P297432. Montero Red/black vinyl. Odo: 51,565 miles. 389-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. A heavily documented, nicely restored GTO, optioned with Tri-Power, this example has had a few modern conveniences added. In addition to the factory power steering and brakes, an MSD ignition, Bluetooth stereo and Torq Thrust wheels are present. The exterior of the car has been the subject of a quality repaint. The brightwork is polished and shines. The interior appears to be recent, with minimal wear. The documentation with the car is impressive and includes the build sheet, copy of the window sticker, marketing materials, PHS documentation, restoration photos and more. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $26,400. The price here reflects the rarity of these pre-war Caddies. This one has needs, but it has made it 77 years without being devoured by corrosion, a sure sign of careful ownership. This would be a fun cruiser or an interesting restoration. It could be driven and enjoyed for years, asis. Probably a good deal for both buyer and seller. #S64-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr sedan. VIN: VC57F282503. Cascade Green & white/gray leather & tweed. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. This was a great-looking color combo in what appeared to be an early Corvette Cascade Green. The paint showed obvious care in prep and execution, as did the engine bay which housed a 350hp 396 big block. The mill was backed with a Muncie 4-speed and a 3.73 gearing. Glass, chrome and stainless were all shiny and without flaws. The interior was tastefully done. The dash had been converted to all digital gauges. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $60,500. They’re only original once, and I seriously doubt you could find another in this condition with these miles. From just a few feet away, this looked like a well-done restoration. The median price on a restored car far exceeds the sale price seen here, and this example is well worth a premium price. Very well bought. #S86-1965 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE Malibu SS convertible. VIN: 138675Z156832. Evening Orchid/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 2,449 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. This Malibu was a lifelong West Coast resident, until it was brought to the Midwest in 2011. The new owner commissioned a body-off restoration that spanned two years. The result is a spotless car, equipped with power windows, power soft top, tilt steering column, dash-mounted clock, remote-control driver’s mirror, AM/FM pushbutton radio and below-dash tissue dispenser. The paint shows the effort put into prep and execution. The chrome is bright and as-new. The interior shows no signs of age or wear. The only flaw I could find was the stainless trim lifting slightly at the rear driver’s side edge of the convertible top. The car is outstanding. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $63,800. This was a high-quality restoration. Even with the additional bump in price for the 3x2 carbs, this GTO brought a premium. This is proof you can never have too much documentation. #S47-1967 BUICK RIVIERA 2-dr hard top. VIN: 494877H927732. White/black vinyl/ black vinyl. Odo: 10,561 miles. 430-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. An older, unrestored example of a nicely kept driver. The original paint and stainless are showing their age, along with the chrome bumpers that are turning cloudy. The interior is in decent condition, with few signs of age or use. Accompanying the car is a binder of records and receipts, further reinforcing the notion that the car has been well maintained. Nothing exceptional, just a nice older car beginning to need some TLC. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $31,900. This was one of the true bargains at this auction. Loaded with power options, great paint, interior and drivetrain. It was obvious there were far more dollars invested in the car than the sale price. Someone snatched quite a bargain. 100AmericanCarCollector.com NOT SOLD AT $56,000. Judging by the result of the extensive restoration, it would be easy to imagine the owner has at least double the high bid price invested in this NOT SOLD AT $8,000. This would make a good weekend car, or maybe a very nice first car for someone with a part-time job that pays well enough to fuel it. Neither a collector piece nor a pile of junk, this Riviera has potential to be much more. It just needs the right owner to take the pride in it the previous owner obviously did. BEST BUY

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Kansas City, MO #S60-1967 CHEVROLET C10 pickup. VIN: CS147S197192. Black/red ostrich leather. Odo: 7,398 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A super-slick resto-mod short-bed, regularcab pickup. This C10 had an excellent black paint job, blacked-out trim, shiny chrome, and a beautiful engine bay. A custom intake sat on top of the 350/350 mill, which was nestled between highly polished, black fender wells. The interior was a striking red ostrich, providing a brilliant color contrast. A Rhino-lined short-box bed showed no signs of use or wear. The truck was lowered on a set of custom Torq Thrust-styled wheels, finish off the custom look. Cond: 2. ously had far more in the car than the sale price. Smart buy for the lucky new owner. #F162-1969 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO SS pickup. VIN: 136809K369453. Black/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 193 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A true numbers-matching El Camino SS with two build sheets and Protect-O-Plate. This example comes with a/c, power steering, disc brakes and bucket seats. The paint was done to a very high standard and the gloss is outstanding. The chrome and stainless are both like new and the interior rounds out the package nicely with recently refinished seats. The vinyl top is without flaw. This truck has just the right look with a shiny set of Cragar SS wheels and raised white-letter tires. Cond: 2. surprise that this old ’Burb sold, or even that it brought what it did. A tough truck, very capable, with just a bit of style. SOLD AT $30,800. Resto-mods are difficult to price, as each one is unique and many times the execution is to the taste of the owner. A combination of personal taste and workmanship will decide whether a restomod is a bargain. That said, the high-quality work here was worth far more than the hammer price. Very well bought by the new owner. #S182-1968 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS replica coupe. VIN: 124378N455122. Black/black vinyl. Odo: 17,289 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A clean, polished, periodcorrect Camaro, this coupe showed good attention to detail. The paint looked to have been properly prepped and finished. The hidden headlight doors function properly. The brightwork was in decent condition, although it needed a bit more polishing. The engine compartment was finished as if it was an SS, including a period-correct Delco battery and Frigidaire a/c compressor. Sitting on staggered tires, the short-cap Rally wheels looked new. The black vinyl interior showed few signs of wear, and featured a Tic-Toc-Tach and tilt wheel. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $35,750. This El Camino couldn’t have looked much better. Everything about it looked as though it had been done just right. With muscle car prices on the rise, this sold a bit above market, but with a restoration of this caliber, it was worth it. Well sold and bought. #F186-1970 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN utility. VIN: KE160F146575. Blue & white/ horse blanket. Odo: 65,960 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Not too bad looking from a distance, but upon closer inspection, there are a number of issues. Corrosion is evident beneath the paint, the glass is delaminating in numerous places, the steering-wheel plastic is falling off and all of the seats are covered in horse-blanket-style seat covers (hiding what ills, we can only imagine). The truck is rough and looks as if it has worked hard most of its life. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $12,100. What’s the old saying? “Perfect from afar, but far from perfect?” That would be an apt description here. That said, I love an old work truck. They’re kind of like a yellow lab—faithful, dependable and sometimes, just what you need. It’s not a SOLD AT $36,850. A big block and cold a/c would make for an excellent cruise night or summer joy ride. The automatic probably held this car back some, but the overall quality of finish eclipsed it. The seller obvi- 102AmericanCarCollector.com “ #S18-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 454 LS6 2-dr hard top. VIN: 136370L136266. Black w/ white stripes/black vinyl. Odo: 7,680 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. This Chevelle SS appeared to have had an older restoration just beginning to show signs of age in the paint and chrome, both of which are still glossy. The engine compartment is showroom fresh, save for a warranty-replacement block. The fix is supported with all the related paperwork. The interior shows minimal wear. Overall, condition is good, but will need attention in the years to come. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $55,000. Despite beginning to show the toll of time, this is still a true Chevelle LS6. It is commonly thought that the LS6 is grossly underrated at 450 ponies. This king of muscle cars is well under value at the $55k top bid, and the owner was wise to hang on to it. #F90.1-1976 CADILLAC ELDORADO convertible. VIN: 6L67S6Q242317. Florentine Gold Firemist/white vinyl/Light Ivory Gold leather. Odo: 26,033 miles. 500-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A nice, original, unmolested example of an Arizona desert car. The paint and trim are showing their age from a lifetime in the desert sun. The parade boot is a shade I love an old work truck. They’re kind of like a yellow lab—faithful, dependable and sometimes, just what you need. It’s not a surprise that this old ’Burb sold, or even that it brought what it did. 1970 Chevrolet Suburban utility ”

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Kansas City, MO darker and much shinier than the rest of the body, indicating the toll the sun has taken on the big Caddy. The driver’s seat shows a fair amount of wear, despite the low miles. The chrome and stainless could use some tidying. Overall, the car is in decent condition, but will need attention to return to its former glory. Cond: 3+. wheel, radio delete, Snowflake wheels with BF Goodrich tires, front and rear sway bars and a dual exhaust with headers. Cond: 2. vette. The paint, stainless and chrome all show some signs of wear since restoration. The weatherstripping around the windshield and on the hard top is cracking. The red vinyl interior shows little wear, but the seats appear to be somewhat overstuffed. Aftermarket radio in the dash. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $13,000. This car was sold just last April in Dallas at the Leake auction for $14k (ACC# 6801798). Apparently the owner was looking for a quick flip and a payday. It just wasn’t meant to be. #S16-1977 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 pickup. VIN: CKR147J123281. Blue & white/blue velour. Odo: 37,268 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. The subject of a recent body-off restoration, it looks almost new. Paint, stainless and chrome are all glossy and without defect. The interior looks fresh from the upholstery shop. The only indicator of being a refinished truck is the painted-on bedliner. Equipped from the factory with a/c, 8-track, and four-wheel drive. This newly reborn truck is now too nice to use for work. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $17,600. Only selling for $17.6k, this T/A didn’t quite get the reception one would have thought. However, the auction was a bit saturated with second-gen Firebirds and Trans Ams, some of them very original with extremely low miles. #S60.1-1980 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. VIN: 2W87WAN104203. White w/ blue decals/ blue velour. Odo: 6,435 miles. 301-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. The original window sticker lists factory a/c, power windows, limited-slip differential, rear-window defroster, blue seat belts, Custom interior group, tilt steering column and AM/FM stereo. The odometer reading of 6,435 miles is said to be original. The only items that have been replaced are the belts, battery, tires and fittings for the a/c. Paint shows as-new, but the decals are beginning to yellow at the edges. Interior and engine appear as-new. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $70,000. Claimed to have been driven sparingly since restoration, this solid-axle is a very sharp driver. With the added oomph of the matching-numbers, dual-quad engine, you might almost forget about the Powerglide trans. Good money but not enough. #F108-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194675S121111. Nassau Blue/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 62,377 miles. 396-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A claimed body-off restoration with photo book and paperwork to support. The paint is glossy and shiny from just a few feet away, but closer inspection of the nose reveals poor prep resulting in lots of fisheyes and pockmarks. The engine compartment and the interior are nicely done, with chrome and stainless showing a good finish. The 396 was a one-year-only powerplant, replaced in 1966 by the venerable 427. Further equipped with knockoff wheels, Redline tires, a teak steering wheel and an AM/FM with a power antenna, this Corvette needs little. The only thing holding it back is the paint on the nose. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $14,500. The restoration on this truck had to cost several times the high bid. Selling at this price would have been foolish. The seller is right to hang on for a better payday. #S20-1978 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. VIN: 2W87Z8N194286. Black w/ gold decals/black vinyl. Odo: 54,595 miles. 400ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. This black and gold Bandit-replica Trans Am has been the subject of a rather thorough restoration resulting in glossy paint, a clean and largely original engine bay and a good interior. Weatherstrip is in good condition, doors close easily without the trademark F-body droop, and there is a/c by way of Classic Auto Air. The car features rare four-wheel disc brakes, power windows and steering, a tilt steering 104AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $27,500. In 1980, the base engine for Pontiac’s Trans Am shrunk from 400 cubic inches to 301. Along with that, power dropped to a positively anemic 140 hp. Maybe this is the reason this particular example never had much of a life outside of a garage. Despite the lack of muscle, the pristine condition managed to bring about a healthy winning bid. Well sold. CORVETTE #S62.1-1959 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: J59S103169. Roman Red & Snowcrest White/white fiberglass & white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 40,856 miles. 283-ci 245-hp V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. A very nice driver-quality restoration on an iconic Cor- NOT SOLD AT $75,000. This is my favorite color combo on any Corvette. I was excited when I saw the car from a distance and saddened when I saw how the paint prep had been rushed. It’s a shame, too, as that is just about the only thing I could fault on the car. New paint on the front end would probably bring all the money and more.

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Kansas City, MO #S131.1-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194677S122797. Ermine White w/ red stinger/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 51,337 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2bbl, 4-sp. A quality restoration that is beginning to show some signs of age. The color combo is an eye catcher and the red vinyl only adds to that. The paint appeared to have had good prep. The stainless could have benefited from some polishing and the chrome showed some buff marks. The driver’s door sill showed signs of use. The white vinyl top appeared to be in good condition and the interior showed few signs of wear. The engine compartment was clean and squared away. This Corvette was nicely optioned with J56 heavy-duty brakes, F41 suspension, M21 close-ratio transmission, N14 sidemount exhaust—not to mention the much sought after L71 427/435-hp big block. Cond: 2-. 454/450 big block. Exhaust exited through a pair of aftermarket chrome sidepipes. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $35,200. Last sold at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale in January 2015, for $27,500 (ACC# 6779772). This convertible Corvette was the recipient of careful attention. The striking colors combined with a big-block convertible made for an attractive package. The factory steel wheels topped by turbine-style Corvette wheel covers gave the car a unique look. Above-average condition, two tops, bigblock performance, in a handsome wrapper that is sure to appreciate. Well bought. FOMOCO #F127.1-1964 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. VIN: 4Y85Z164562. Florentine Green/black vinyl/gold vinyl. Odo: 91,255 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. An older restoration that is showing its age. The paint looks like it may have had some poor prep, the chrome and stainless could use some attention and the fender skirts don’t quite line up. The driver’s seat shows signs of wear. The interior chrome is beginning to pit. The car is clean overall, but time is catching up. It would make a great sunnyafternoon driver, but will need some TLC to return it to its former glory. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $120,000. Although the top bid is slightly above market value, it seemed the list of options and the relatively clean condition of this Corvette would have commanded a bit of a premium. This wasn’t the venue for speculative bidding. #S199-1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194679S709559. Silver/ black vinyl & black vinyl hard top/red vinyl. Odo: 44,773 miles. 454-ci 450-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. The second year of the Mako Shark body style. This convertible had been the subject of a fairly conscientious refreshing. The newer repaint showed some minor signs of rushed prep. Stainless windshield trim fit poorly on the driver’s side and would have benefited from some polishing. The red vinyl interior showed very little wear and provided an attractive contrast. The engine compartment featured a replacement NOT SOLD AT $17,000. It could be that this car was hampered by its rather polarizing color, or maybe the thought of restoring a car with so many power/luxury options is daunting. Whatever the reason, bidding on this topless ’Bird stopped well below market and it returned home with its owner. #F170-1969 FORD MUSTANG fastback. VIN: 9F02F218587. Black/black vinyl. Odo: 56,700 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Said to be the recipient of a recent rotisserie restoration, the black paint on this fastback had great depth and shine. The chrome appeared to be fresh and without flaw. The engine compartment showed off a nicely detailed 302. The interior also appeared to be recently refreshed. A good-looking car throughout. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $24,200. While plain, the Mustang was high quality. The automatic trans hurt the price, but I’ll call it well bought. #S59-1969 MERCURY COUGAR XR-7 convertible. VIN: 9F94H510213. Aqua/tan vinyl/Saddle leather. Odo: 89,051 miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A stunning example, easily the best I have ever seen. Paint, engine compartment and interior are all in superior condition. The paint seemed to have just a touch of blue to it, looking like a deep aqua that contrasted beautifully with the tan top and interior. This was a great restoration with very little to fault, complemented by heavy documentation and a Deluxe Marti Report. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $27,500. The Cougar was Mercury’s answer to the Mustang, but with a more luxurious aim. It has always lived in the Mustang’s shadow, never really thought of as an all-out performance machine. This car, however, is a standout. The restoration is fantastic, the colors are attractive and it screams out to be driven. The winning bid is on the money, but there is no way you could duplicate this car for that price. Well bought. #S103-1970 SHELBY GT500 fastback. VIN: 0F02R482436. Black Jade/white vinyl. Odo: 89,054 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. An extremely clean and well-presented fastback, this Shelby is accompanied by a Deluxe Marti Report, Shelby invoice and build sheet, and is listed in the Shelby American Automobile Club registry. It has factory a/c, tilt-away steering column, sport-deck rear seat, AM/FM stereo, tinted glass and intermittent windshield wipers. The paint, May–June 2017 105

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Kansas City, MO chrome and stainless are all in good condition, as is the interior. The only non-factory items visible are the MSD ignition and the dual electric cooling fans. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $92,400. This stunning example was only hampered by its transmission. Pricing on these late Shelby fastbacks just approaches the six-figure mark but takes a 20% hit for the slushbox. As a result, it is a little strong at $92k. Well sold. #S90-1970 FORD MUSTANG Mach I fastback. VIN: 0F05R135820. Grabber Blue w/ black stripe/black vinyl. Odo: 46,785 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A very nicely restored example with 46,785 original miles. Paint, chrome, stainless and glass all have a clean, shiny appearance. The engine compartment is clean and correct. The interior has almost no signs of wear. The list of options includes the 428-ci Cobra Jet Ram Air V8, 4-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust, close-ratio 4-speed transmission, 3.00 Traction-Lok rear axle, power frontdisc brakes and shaker hood. This Mach I is accompanied by a Marti Report, which indicates it is one of three cars delivered with these options. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $110,000. The fantastic condition of this Mach I drove bidding far beyond current market value; however, it wasn’t enough to find it a new home. #S112.1-2005 FORD GT coupe. VIN: 1FA FP90S45Y400413. Black w/ silver stripes/ black leather. Odo: 4,590 miles. 5.4-L supercharged V8, 6-sp. All aspects of the car are as new. Paint, interior, even the tires show no wear. The brake discs are barely marked. Everything is asnew. All four options are present. Cond: 1. 7 cheaply as it did. It should continue to appreciate so long as it maintains this condition. MOPAR #S76-1962 IMPERIAL CUSTOM Southampton 2-dr hard top. VIN: 9123130810. Green/green vinyl and cloth. Odo: 15,621 miles. 413-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Equipped with power steering, brakes, windows and factory a/c. Paint, chrome and stainless trim are showing signs of age. The front and rear bumpers look to have been recently rechromed. The interior is in good condition, possibly original. A decent old car, if this era of Mopars is your thing. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $330,000. Given the recent spike in collector car prices and the release of the new Ford GT, I was surprised this went as SOLD AT $22,550. A good sale considering this car was sold at this same venue in December 2014 for $8,100 (ACC# 6792536). How many of your other investments have come close to tripling in value in the past 27 months? Blue metallic/blue vinyl. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. The subject of a six-year rotisserie restoration, there is little to fault on this Hemi ’Cuda. The paint, stainless and chrome all look new. The engine compartment and the underside of the Shaker hood are both spotless. The interior also looks to be new throughout. Odometer had been reset to zero with the restoration. Accompanied by a Chrysler Registry Visual Inspection report. Cond: 1. #S118-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA 2-dr hard top. VIN: BS23R0B179117. SOLD AT $154,000. One of 652 Hemi ’Cuda coupes for 1970. This was a thorough and complete restoration of a very rare Plymouth. The 426 Hemi is often considered the paragon of the muscle car era and this was a stunning example. Sold well below value, this was very well bought indeed. A 106AmericanCarCollector.com TOP 10 BEST BUY

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MCCORMICK’S // Palm Springs, CA McCormick’s — Palm Springs Stable results at McCormick’s, but missing were big numbers, with some notable no-sales McCormick’s Palm Springs, CA February 24–26, 2017 auctioneers: Frank Bizzarro, Jeff Stokes, Rob Row, Gary Dahler automotive lots sold/ offered: 304/459 Sales rate: 66% Sales total: $5,831,289 high sale: 1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 convertible, sold at $95,550 Buyer’s premium: 5%, included in sold prices a few years back this would have been a bargain. 1962 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, sold at $73,500 Report and photos by Carl Bomstead Market opinions in italics ACC 1–6 scale condition rating for vehicles in Market Reports 1. Perfect: National show standard 2. excellent: Club show-worthy, some small flaws 3. Average: Daily driver in decent condition 4. Meh: Still a driver, with some visible flaws 5. Questionable: A problem-plagued beast that somehow manages to run 6. Lost cause: Salvageable for parts T 108AmericanCarCollector.com AmericanCarCollector.com he 62nd McCormick’s auction took place again at the Palm Springs Convention Center. It’s hard to believe that they have been conducting these quality events in the Palm Springs area for more than 30 years now. The third generation of the McCormick family was attending and learning the ropes, as Keith’s daughter’s kids will most likely be involved in the years to come. McCormick’s faced an uphill struggle with this auction, as Mecum held their Los Angeles auction the weekend prior at the nearby Fairplex in Pomona. Consignments picked up the Monday after Mecum’s event, as cars that did not sell were brought to the desert for a second chance. Regardless, the number of cars that crossed the block was down a bit and the overall results were also a tad off, although McCormick’s reported an attendance record. The company has been making a concerted effort to upgrade the quality of the cars presented, and that helped in keeping the totals in line with previous events. As a result, however, the back-row clunkers that have been fun to report on in the past are no longer accepted. But that’s not to say that there weren’t bargains to be had. The star and high sale of the show was the 1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 convertible that had been tweaked with a 1957 Oldsmobile J2 motor. The mill had been rebuilt and balanced with an Isky Supercam, the black paint was deep and luxurious, and the red leather interior set off the entire presentation. It sold for $95,550, and considering the quality of the build, I think it was worth every penny. A 1961 “slab-side” Lincoln Continental 4-door con- vertible sold for a reasonable $54,600. The sides were unusually straight, as they are totally unprotected from door dings. It was finished in an attractive Turquoise Mist livery and had a number of awards to its credit. I just hope the new owner checked out the size of his garage, as it’s about 18 feet long. If just four of the no-sales had gone the other way, the entire conclusion of the event would have changed. A very unusual 1949 Packard “one-off” roadster with a somewhat convoluted history was bid to $92,000, which seemed like all the money, and a 1940 La Salle was bid to $120,000 and also didn’t sell. A delightful 1965 Corvette L84 “Fuelie” convertible was bid to $75,000, but the owner turned down the offer. In years past, these have hit six figures, so perhaps he made the right decision. McCormick’s traditional November auction is set for the weekend prior to Thanksgiving, and the February 2018 auction is on the books as well. These sales are always entertaining, so they’re worth attending — you might just find something you have to have.A

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McCORMICK’S // Palm Springs, CA GM #254-1939 CHEVROLET MASTER coupe. VIN: 1926940. Green/tan fabric. Odo: 62,646 miles. Same owner for over 50 years and in same family since new. Recently restored at a stated cost of $50k. Paint done to professional standard and trim in good order. Fabric interior redone well. When new the Master cost only $628. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $25,988. Price paid was a bit light considering the quality of the restoration. The light blue livery may have been the reason; a dark color may have made it more desirable. Well bought. SOLD AT $26,250. The passing of a family member resulted in sale and the realization that the cost of restoration would not be recouped. Even so, price paid was at the high end, but if the new owner gets it on the road, that will be quickly forgotten. #369-1941 CADILLAC SERIES 62 convertible. VIN: 8342732. Maroon/tan fabric/ red leather. Odo: 40,653 miles. An older restoration that is in need of attention. Top torn. Scratches and nicks on hood. Other paint issues elsewhere. Steering wheel cracked. Engine compartment needs cleaning and a good detailing. Interior in acceptable condition. Dual spots. Full CCCA Classic and eligible for all tours and activities. Cond: 3-. #360-1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR convertible. VIN: C56F170666. Aztec Copper & cream/tan fabric/cream vinyl. Odo: 19,222 miles. 265-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. A solid presentation of a popular Tri-Five Chevy convertible. An unusual livery of Aztec Copper. Body straight and solid with no evidence of prior body damage. Seams straight and uniform. Paint with a few minor blems. Interior in good order. Cond: 1-. their prime of a few years back, but quality examples still bring decent money. This sold for a market-correct price factoring in the well-above-average condition. Well bought and sold. #270-1958 CADILLAC SERIES 62 Custom convertible. VIN: 58J025703. White/white vinyl. Odo: 35,101 miles. 365-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. A rather different take on Cadillac styling. Turned into a short-wheelbase version of a roadster, with cut-down step-over doors. An older build that is now unwinding, with numerous paint issues and the white vinyl looking rather tired. Question is: why? Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $40,000. The owner has been busy attempting to “off” this bizarre custom. First at Leake in June of this year, where it was a no-sale at $50,000 (ACC# 6807611), then at Kruse in Austin in September, where it failed to sell at $90,000 (ACC# 6804395), and now $40,000 here. I suggest the seller needs to rethink his expectations, as the car is now shop worn and will be even more difficult to sell. I would think the $90k offer looks pretty good right now. SOLD AT $70,875. The Tri-Fived Chevrolets have been off their high of a few years back. It would have brought $10k–$15k more then, but times have changed. Price paid here is market-correct for condition. SOLD AT $52,500. Price paid about right for a car in this condition. Any work the new owner performs will help the bottom line, as this Cadillac has a lot of upside. A wonderful tour car. #309-1949 CHEVROLET 3100 pickup. VIN: 5GPE12756. Light blue/gray vinyl. Odo: 388 miles. 235-ci I6, 1-bbl, 4-sp. An attractive pickup that was restored over a 15-year period by high-school shop teacher. Engine, drivetrain and differential rebuilt. New paint and interior along with new oak truck bed. Complete photo record of restoration. Limited miles since restoration. A quality truck. Cond: 1-. 110AmericanCarCollector.com #305-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr hard top. VIN: VC57J111375. Matador Red & Imperial Ivory/red vinyl/brocade. Odo: 91,629 miles. Last year for the popular Bel Air Tri-Fives. Finished in the “right” color— Resale Red. A striking example that had been well maintained. With minor exceptions the brightwork was in good order. Paint sparkled in the Palm Desert sunshine. Dual rear aerials. Interior as it should be. A quality example. Cond: 2+. #259-1960 OLDSMOBILE 98 coupe. VIN: 609C04573. Copper Mist/tan vinyl & fabric. Odo: 38,970 miles. 394-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. The 98 was the top of the line and included Jetaway Hydra-Matic transmission and power steering/brakes. Also equipped with power windows. Attractive Copper Mist livery that was in good order with only a couple of minor scratches. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $24,150. Price paid was just about right for a car in this condition. The slight premium was justified, as the new owner is good to go without having to spend much on upgrading. A fun cruiser, so get the wheels on the road. SOLD AT $39,638. These have passed #428-1964 BUICK WILDCAT convertible. VIN: 6K4008266. Light blue/tan fabric/blue vinyl. Odo: 25,390 miles. 401-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. The ’64 Wildcat was loaded with brightwork with three ventiports behind the front wheelwells and lower-body moldings.

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McCORMICK’S // Palm Springs, CA Three-speed transmission is standard. The light-blue body with tan top was an attractive combination. Fitted with wires. The door sills are dented, but replacements should be available. Cond: 2. vacuum operated. Has a/c, a $360 option. A stunning offering. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $57,500. Value here is all condition-dependent, and the quality was here. Strict judging will question the Bumble Bee nose, but most will not know the difference. The price offered was close to market so seller was rolling the dice looking for a better offer. SOLD AT $17,850. Sold for a most reasonable price, and a few thousand more would not have been an issue. Buyer did just fine today and will be when he decides to move on as well. #276-1965 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE Malibu SS convertible. VIN: 138675K107127. Light blue/white fabric/light blue vinyl. Odo: 3,528 miles. 283-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Super Sport had bright body side moldings and SS full-wheel covers along with front bucket seats. The third VIN digit “8” indicates powered by V8. Has all the goodies including tissue dispenser under the dash. Very attractive paint with little to fault elsewhere. Interior showing mild wear. Engine bay well detailed. A solid presentation. Cond: 1-. #251-1976 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. VIN: 2W87Z6N578600. Black/black vinyl. Odo: 3,445 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fitted with urethane bumpers and optional T-top. Trans Am package included air dam and rear spoiler. Also snowflake wheels and shaker hood. The Special Edition featured the Firebird decal on hood. The trim was scratched and paint loaded with orange peel. Seating cracked and any number of other minor nits. A lot of work ahead. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $27,000. This was last seen at Mecum’s August 2016 Monterey sale, where it failed to sell when bid to $22,500 (ACC# 6808751). Price bid here was market-correct for a car in this condition and should have gotten the job done. Perhaps the light will come on for owner and he will realize that today’s market demands a higher-quality offering. CORVETTE NOT SOLD AT $37,500. Price bid had to be close to market correct. Seller just may have missed an opportunity. This was a very nice offering, but it was still just a Malibu. #361-1968 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 2-dr hard top. VIN: 124378L3000836. Tuxedo Black/black vinyl/red vinyl. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. The Super Sport was recognizable by the unique hood with two inserts each, with four simulated carburetor stacks. Red Bumble Bee nose, but sales promotion material stated not available with Tuxedo Black. Redline tires. Optional vinyl roof. TicToc-Tach. Hidden headlamps, which were #249-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 20867S110047. Tuxedo Black/black fabric/black vinyl. Odo: 5,667 miles. 327-ci 340-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A very solid example with rich Tuxedo Black livery. Trim fit excellent, especially on fender piece that ties in with headlamps. Aftermarket stereo. Replacement interior properly installed. Engine bay clean and tidy. Only issue is aftermarket mags that spoil the look. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $73,500. In today’s Corvette world, the price paid was market-correct. Values are off a bit, and a few years back this would have been a bargain, but times have changed. All square with the world here. May–June 2017 111

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McCORMICK’S // Palm Springs, CA #260-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194675S100927. Rally Red/ white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 41,136 miles. 327-ci 375-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Stated to be fitted with L84 fuel-injected 327 motor, one of only 771 built. No documentation offered to support claim. Also fitted with aluminum knockoffs, a rare option. They should be dark gray between fins. Paint very presentable, but top dirty. Brightwork acceptable, but not show-quality. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $29,400. Price paid was more than reasonable. Would think this was even under the money by a few thousand. A welldone rod with a subtle touch. Well bought. NOT SOLD AT $75,000. If this Corvette was born with an L84 motor, then low six figures was not unreasonable, but some proof is needed before jumping in. If not, taking a giant leap of faith. Looks like the bidders were not willing to take the chance. #272-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. VIN: 194377S115229. Rally Red/ saddle brown vinyl. Odo: 64,524 miles. 427ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A striking Corvette with the big 427 L36 motor. Fitted with sidepipes and M20 4-speed manual transmission. Saddle vinyl interior was not offered with Rally Red exterior. Paint in good order and brightwork sparkles. Black stinger. With interior, I have to wonder what other changes were made here. Cond: 2+. #236-1949 FORD CUSTOM Resto convertible. VIN: 98BAZ32388. Blue/tan fabric/ tan leather. Odo: 2,987 miles. Fuel-injected V8, auto. A mild resto-mod with a stock look but LS1 racing motor under the hood. Dyno tested at 334 horsepower. Independent front suspension with disc brakes up front and drums on the rear. Repainted in 2007 and properly maintained since. Dakota Digital gauges and Vintage Air. Limited use since build. Won Best of Show at Pleasanton Goodguys. Cond: 1-. worn. A trim piece broken. Attractive Yosemite Yellow livery. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $24,150. These have sold for three times what was paid here and it would not take much to bring this up a notch or two. A bunch of potential, so new owner can dive in or just drive and still come out okay. Well bought. #266-1955 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. VIN: P5FH209604. Goldenrod Yellow/black & yellow vinyl. Odo: 19,704 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. First year for the Thunderbird. Painted in Goldenrod Yellow, which was introduced mid-year. Stated to be powered by 312 V8 with 4-barrel, which would have been the Thunderbird Special motor from 1956. Fitted with fourway seat and Ford-O-Matic transmission. Wire wheel covers, which were also a 1956 option. Aftermarket radio. Tach, air and aluminum valve covers, which were not on 1955 option list. A number of liberties taken here. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $37,275. Strong money for a T-bird with a bunch of questions. Hope new owner is not trophy-hunting at a serious Thunderbird outing. If they just want an attractive driver, then all is well with the world. SOLD AT $41,213. An attractive build that sold for a reasonable price. Willing to bet it cost more to build than was bid here. Has a nice stock look but a big surprise under the hood. Well bought and properly sold, so all should be happy. SOLD AT $69,300. We watched this Corvette sell at McCormick’s November 2014 auction for $65,100 (ACC# 6711257). Owner put 10,000 miles on the car and made a couple bucks along the way. It’s all good! FOMOCO #233-1941 FORD 1/2-TON custom pickup. VIN: 5956728. Tan/tan leather. Odo: 1,745 miles. A very solid presentation of a ’41 Ford pickup with a 350 under the hood. Recent respray to professional standard. Tan leather interior with no issues. Grant steering wheel. Engine compartment sparkles with lots of brightwork. Orange wheels a nice touch. Must be a hoot to drive. Cond: 1-. 112AmericanCarCollector.com semite Yellow/tan fabric/blue vinyl. Odo: 66,130 miles. 255-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. The top-of-the-line Monterey included fender skirts and chrome rocker panels. Recent engine and transmission rebuild. Bumpers replated. Power top and power steering. Push-button radio and front driving lights. Seating dirty and stained. The header is #146-1953 MERCURY MONTEREY convertible. VIN: 53SL43335M. Yo- #299-1955 FORD FAIRLANE Sunliner convertible. VIN: U5MC154552. Aqua & white/white fabric/aqua & white vinyl. Odo: 46,028 miles. 272-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. This was the top trim package for 1955, with “Trigger-Torque” power. An attractive car in the right livery that has a few needs. Fitted with Magic Air and Ford-O-Matic. Also has Continental kit and skirts. Wind wing starting to delaminate. Paint showing a bit of age with minor scratches and touch-up. Interior decent, but engine bay needs attention. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $31,500. This was last seen at McCormick’s February 2007 auction, where it realized $47,250 (ACC# 1568960). Driven only 1,000 miles in the past 10 years. Market is a bit soft in this segment, so price paid here is in line with current values. Now get out and enjoy! BEST BUY

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McCORMICK’S // Palm Springs, CA #258-1958 EDSEL CORSAIR 2-dr hard top. VIN: X8SW703472. Yellow & black/ yellow & black vinyl. Odo: 87,301 miles. 410-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. The first year for the famed Edsel. The Corsair was the third step up in the Edsel lineup. Offered as 2- and 4-door hard tops. Valve covers and aircleaner painted white. The red E400 markings indicated torque rather than horsepower. Teletouch Drive had push-button transmission in steering-wheel hub. Also equipped with Dial-A-Temp. Bold paint in acceptable condition. Brightwork with a few scratches and minor pitting. Very nice interior. Dash and especially speedo with Deco touch. Cond: 2. quoise. Power top and optional 4-speed manual. Paint very attractive and interior is as well. A well-maintained, unusual Mercury Cond: 1-. Mustang that is a touch up from a driver. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $22,050. The perfect second or third family car, especially if there is a young driver in the house. With the small I6 under the hood, it can’t get in too much trouble, but still looks good. Sold for a fair price, but this is a seller who always brings unusual offerings to McCormick’s. SOLD AT $24,675. At one point these were hard to give away, but times have changed. They’re starting to be appreciated, and values are increasing. Price paid was a touch under the money, but the bold livery may not appeal to all. Drive and enjoy, but be prepared for the comments. #318-1961 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4-dr convertible. VIN: 1786H407731. Turquoise Mist/white vinyl/light blue leather. Odo: 34,102 miles. 430-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. An imposing automobile that is mounted on 123-inch wheelbase chassis. Body straight and solid, without the washboard that is common on the slab sides. Brightwork in good order. Properly serviced. Cost $6,713 when new. Numerous awards at significant shows. One of 2,857 produced. Cond: 1-. #049-1963 FORD GALAXIE 500 sedan. VIN: 3P62X15297. Black & white/blue vinyl & fabric. 352-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Built as a replica of Andy Griffith’s sheriff car when he ruled Mayberry. All the lights and goodies. Car is not in all that great of condition, with worn interior and trim scuffed and pitted. Paint had lost its luster. Still, a fun car for parades and local shows. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $27,000. Before paying a premium for the GT package, it would be nice to see some documentation, which was lacking here. Price offered should have gotten the job done, considering the needs. #459-1969 FORD BRONCO Model U 150 utility. VIN: U15GLF35061. Red/black fabric. Odo: 49,021 miles. 302-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. The 4x4 Bronco was offered as the U-140 pickup or the more popular U-150 wagon. The 302 replaced the 289 as the optional V8 motor. This example fitted with all the goodies including roll bar, winch and aftermarket wheels. In very presentable condition, and I have to wonder if it has ever been off road. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $12,600. Not a lot of money for a car that will bring a lot of smiles and thumbs-up. Park it in the driveway and it might even scare away the bad guys. SOLD AT $54,600. Price paid was just about right for a Continental convertible in this condition. A fun take-the-gang-to-dinner car and will be guaranteed front-row parking. Well bought and properly sold. #256-1963 MERCURY COMET S-22 convertible. VIN: 3H18U526753. Peacock Turquoise/white fabric/light blue & white. Odo: 16,907 miles. 170-ci I6, 1-bbl, 4-sp. The 1963 Comet Special Series-22 was easily recognizable due to its six taillights. Only 5,757 convertibles were produced for 1963. Finished in attractive Peacock Tur- 114AmericanCarCollector.com #209-1967 FORD MUSTANG GT convertible. VIN: 7T03C283301. Wimbledon White/ black fabric/black & white vinyl. Odo: 86,884 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. One of about 25,000 ’67 Mustangs fitted with the GT package. More than that exist today. Package included grille-mounted fog lamps, front-disc brakes, rocker-panel stripes and badges. Was a $205 option. Numerous touch-ups and trim scratched. A decent “ NOT SOLD AT $48,000. These have been hot property the past few years and have been selling for amazing numbers. Price offered here was yesterday’s number, and seller needs to stay the course and ride the wave. Will do better next time. MOPAR These have been hot property the past few years and have been selling for amazing numbers. Price offered here was yesterday’s number, and seller needs to stay the course and ride the wave. #268-1955 DODGE ROYAL LANCER 2-dr hard top. VIN: 34823865. Heather Rose & white/black & white fabric. Odo: 77,857 miles. 270-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Recent restoration to decent standard. Paint attractive and most brightwork acceptable except for pitting on taillight frames. Chrome wires an option. Fitted with Super Red Ram V8 that 1969 Ford Bronco Model U 150 utility ”

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McCORMICK’S // Palm Springs, CA produced 183 horsepower. Painted in “La Femme” livery. An attractive car. Cond: 2+. Phoenix was the top trim level Dart for 1960. The first digit in the VIN indicates the engine is the I6. Styling continued in the rear fins. Recent respray in good order. Chrome and trim with mild scratches but nothing serious. Attractive interior. Presented with original invoice. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $31,500. Price paid here was a bit of a surprise, as the amount bid would buy a solid V8 example. Two bidders wanted this one, and the “winner” paid the price. Well sold. NOT SOLD AT $39,000. This was last seen at Branson, MO, sale in August of 2008 (ACC# 1641759) where it was rated a 4+ and sold for $19,710. It was stated that a restoration was out of the question due to cost. Well, it was attempted, and the seller was not interested in the reasonable offer presented here. Now, if this was a real “La Femme” that was based on the Custom Royal, that would be another story. Hope the owner loves his car, as he will have it in the garage for a while longer. #096-1958 CHRYSLER WINDSOR 2-dr hard top. VIN: LC1L1780. Red & white/ white vinyl & red fabric. Odo: 25,300 miles. 354-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. The Windsor was the entry-level series for 1958, and only 6,200 2-dr hard tops were produced. Body moved to DeSoto Firesweep chassis in ’58. Someone took some liberties with sweep on rear quarter. Respray with noticeable orange peel. Trim pitted. Steering wheel cracked. Interior colorful but worn. Cond: 3+. #436-1999 PLYMOUTH PROWLER w/ trailer convertible. VIN: 1P3EW65G1XV504129. Red/black fabric/black leather. Odo: 20,135 miles. 3.5-L fuel-injected V6, auto. Introduced in 1997 with a MSRP close to $40,000, but most sold with an upcharge. The trailer was a $5,000 dealer item. About 11,700 produced during run. Equipped with air and optional chrome wheels. Well maintained. Cond: 1-. interior was in decent condition. In storage 35 years. A Full CCCA Classic. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $85,000. It’s unclear what the seller was thinking here. The price offered is all the money considering the car is in need of a full restoration. Sometimes you just have to wonder. #303-1949 PACKARD SUPER EIGHT Custom roadster. VIN: 225299648. Maroon/ maroon leather & cloth. 356-ci I8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Thought to be prototype built by Durham as a roadster for Packard’s highend clients. Stored until early ’70s, when completed/restored. Features a rumble seat, removable hard top and four fender skirts. Kelsey-Hayes wires. Highly raked windshield. Brightwork in good order. Attractive interior. History a bit sketchy. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $25,750. This was sold a few months back by McCormick’s at their November 2016 sale for $25,200 (ACC# 6810547), so a slight loss here after fees are factored in. Slight scuff on bumper repaired. Sold for the going rate. If you want one of these, there are plenty to choose from, and the trailer was thrown in for next to nothing. Limited use since purchase in November. AMERICANA SOLD AT $22,312. Painted Resale Red for a turn-and-burn. Price paid seems a bit on the high side, considering the condition. Will take a few dollars to clean up the paint and trim. Have to call this well sold. #308-1960 DODGE DART 2-dr hard top. VIN: 4305126747. Cream/red vinyl. Odo: 69,834 miles. 225-ci I6, 1-bbl, auto. The #464-1932 PIERCE-ARROW MODEL 54 coupe. VIN: 1050743. Tan/brown leather. Odo: 35,257 miles. The Model 54 was mounted on a chassis that offered a 137inch wheelbase. The recognizable Archer was mounted on the radiator. This example had never been restored, just maintained as needed. Dual sidemount paint and brightwork lacked luster. The brown leather SOLD AT $11,288. The bullet-nose early Studebakers are easily recognized and the convertible is highly prized. This Starlight coupe sold for not a lot money, but by the time the new owner is finished, he will be upside-down unless he can do some of the heavy lifting on his own. A cheap price is not always a bargain. A May–June 2017 115 NOT SOLD AT $92,000. An unusual Packard without a lot of documentation. Still work to be done—it needs wiring and other care to make it roadworthy. Looking for that special buyer, and he was not in the house. Seems the bid price should have worked considering the work still to be done, but seller had other ideas. #452-1951 STUDEBAKER STARLIGHT coupe. VIN: 4430320. Green metallic/ Indian blanket. Odo: 323 miles. 233-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Has the distinctive bullet nose. The Starlight was the 5-passenger coupe. Painted in an unusual shade of metallic green. Interior covered with Indian blanket. Trim pitted and scratched. Equipped with optional six-tube push-button radio. A lot of work ahead on this one. Cond: 3-.

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report American Highlights at Three Auctions CLASSICS 1 VIN: MC31 312. Eng. # 32018. Black/red leather. RHD. Odo: 67,254 miles. From the famed A.K. Miller Collection. Restored several times since acquired, most recently in late 2000s. One of three existing supercharged Stutzes that were engineered for Le Mans. Low “gun turret” roofline with “helmet-style” fenders. Exceptional condition. Numerous awards and Best of Show trophies. Stunning coachwork. Cond: 1. #231-1929 STUTZ MODEL M supercharged Lancefield coupe. 1929 Stutz Model M supercharged Lancefield coupe, sold for $1,705,000 at rM Sotheby’s amelia Island Gooding & Company amelia Island, FL — March 10, 2017 Auctioneer: Charlie Ross automotive lots sold/offered: 69/88 Sales rate: 78% Sales total: $30,568,700 high american sale: 2006 Ford GT ex-Chip Foose coupe, sold at $275,000 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices Report and photo by Pierre Hedary RM Sotheby’s amelia Island, FL — March 10–11, 2017 Auctioneer: Maarten ten Holder automotive lots sold/offered: 134/150 Sales rate: 89% Sales total: $70,769,600 high american sale: 1929 Stutz Model M supercharged Lancefield coupe, sold at $1,705,000 Buyer’s premium: 10% included in sale prices Report and photos by Carl Bomstead Bonhams amelia Island, FL — March 9, 2017 auctioneers: Rupert Banner and Malcolm Barber automotive lots sold/offered: 73/86 Sales rate: 85% Sales total: $10,549,300 high american sale: 1911 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 tourer, sold at $550,000 Buyer’s premium: 10% included in sale prices Report and photos by Mark Moskowitz, Jeff Trepel, Larry Trepel SOLD AT $1,705,000. Price paid exceeded expectations, but I doubt if new owner is concerned. One of the most dramatic classic-era cars produced. Has style, elegance and performance. The best! RM Sotheby’s, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. #243-1938 GRAHAM 97 cabriolet. VIN: 141747. White/blue-green fabric/blue-green leather. Odo: 50,598 miles. The 1938 Paris Show car. Features 52-inch cantilevered door, folding windshield and three-position top. 2015 Pebble Beach award winner. New motor and supercharger rebuilt for restoration. Deco plasticdash pieces re-created. Once in Harrah’s Collection. Full CCCA Classic. Fully documented. Restored in 2013 by RM Restorations. Nothing to fault today. Cond: 1. 2 SOLD AT $770,000. A combination of French Art Deco styling and American engineering. Price paid was as expected, but I still feel it was well bought and will prove to be a wise purchase. Sure to attract a crowd at every outing. RM Sotheby’s, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. GM 2006 Ford GT ex-Chip Foose coupe, sold for $275,000 at Gooding amelia Island 116 AmericanCarCollector.com #107-1952 CADILLAC SERIES 62 2-dr hard top. VIN: 52627564. Eng. # 526279564. Green/green & white fabric. Odo: 63,203 miles. 331-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Heavy green metal-flake paint with excess on TOP 10 TOP 10

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ROUNDUP GLOBAL panel edges. Multiple chips. Ribbing has peeled away over right rear fender. Mild pitting of brightwork around windows. Some scratches in grille. Bumpers appear to have been rechromed. Very neat, period interior with great chrome. Nice headliner. New fabric on seats. Engine compartment highly detailed. Cond: 3+. ONETO WATCH A Focus on Cars That Are Showing Some Financial Upside SOLD AT $30,800. Said to have won Best of Show at a local Cadillac LaSalle meet. Auction house extols its driving and reliability virtues. The car is attractive and the appearance exceptional for a driver-quality car, and improvements needed would be expensive. With more than 10,000 built, a base-model Cadillac coupe even in the marque’s 50th-anniversary year has little upside. Well sold. Bonhams, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. 1852. Red & white/black vinyl. 5.0-L V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Jerry Titus’s last Trans Amwinning car. Bright red and white paint with a number of stone chips. Panels surprisingly straight. Very neat interior with modern seat and appropriate-appearing gauges. Fascinating angle braces, probably not present in period. Many changes to bring it up to modern status. Engine compartment neat. Cond: 3+. 9 #127-1968 PONTIAC TRANS AM racer 2-dr hard top. VIN: 7L14- Mustang has been an American icon ever since its first teaser ad campaign in 1964. Then, once the public actually saw the car, it delivered on all that hype. Ford sold over 680,000 of them in the first year alone. Early first-gen cars —1965 C SOLD AT $225,000. Presented as the last car to take aggressive driver and Sports Car Graphic magazine editor Jerry Titus to a Trans Am victory. Beautiful panels, Pontiac body and Chevy engine. I went to the Bonhams’ Library and Data center three times prior to its offer on the block and found only an empty box. Not sold on the block for a bid of $230k, but sold for less subsequently to either a buyer well informed before the auction, or to one willing to take a chance. Bonhams, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. CORVETTE #132-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: E57S105176. Eng. # F612EL. Red & white/red vinyl. Odo: 507 miles. Number sold at auction in the past 12 680,989 Average price of those cars: $31,088 months: 156 Number listed in the ACC Premium Database: 1,310 Current Median ACC Valuation: $32,725 and 1966 examples — have been everywhere for years. Turn on the TV and you’ll see one. Go to the movies and you’ll see one. Take a walk? You get the idea. That long nose and short tail is simply an unavoidable image and has been since the 1960s. Because of that, when non-car people think classic car today, Detailing Year built: 1965 Number produced: a bunch of them are going to think Mustang. And when a young person finally gets that disposable income that comes in their 30s or 40s and decides to buy a classic car, I’d expect 1965 Mustangs to be on their short list, next to some 1980s machines. With that, interest — and prices — may well rise above current levels. The numbers are already starting to show an uptick in prices for 1965 models. 2016 saw median prices rise 6%, and so far in 2017, we’re up 29% again, with a current median of $32,725. Of course, well-restored outliers and originals, like the $82,500 car we profiled in our March/April 2017 issue, push those medians higher. Regardless, I think this is one to watch out for as a contender for further future growth. A 1965 Ford Mustang ar people know there are thousands of choices out there when it comes to collector cars to buy. But for the outside world — the world of people who aren’t yet addicted to cars the same way we are — I’d argue that there are only a few. And Mustang is at the top of their list. Why? Simple. — Jim Pickering May–June 2017 117 TOP 10

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP 283/283 fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Offered by a well-respected collector who did not enjoy tinkering with the fuel injection. Older restoration with aged but excellent paint. Panel fit is good or better than new. Trim showing mild aging with some loss of finish. Windshield gasket deteriorated. Door handles appear new. Driver’s seat upholstery appears worn. Side panels and passenger’s seat excellent. Dashboard trim is pitted. No label on glass. Engine clean and neat, but showing signs of age. Cond: 2-. thy, with some aging issues. Light pitting on some chrome parts, aging on others. Wood is full of life, splitting in some areas, but generally good with no rot or serious fit issues. Grain is consistent throughout, indicating that this one mostly had its original body when put back together. Interior work very good and shows a high degree of craftsmanship. Cond: 2. Exquisite and painstaking restoration of Chrysler Town & Country convertible. Woodwork and panel fit to a very high degree. Chrome work comparable. Interior shows good effort, but seats miss the mark just a little bit. Phillips screws fitted where there should be flat-heads. Typical fit issues with wood panels, especially around the doors and trunk, but this is part of the charm. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $96,800. Top-of-the-line-powered Corvette sold at Greenwich, CT, for $99,000 in 2007 (SCM# 1569918) one owner, 10 years and 421 miles ago. First 4-speed Corvette. Present comps suggest it sold over market, but if all was as genuine as it seemed, then the car was bought fairly and sold well. Bonhams, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. FOMOCO #248-1939 LINCOLN ZEPHYR V12 3-window coupe. VIN: H66822. Ruby Red/tan fabric. Odo: 77,612 miles. A very desirable Lincoln-Zephyr with Art Deco trim and dash. Distinctive waterfall grille. Powered by flathead V12 with 2-speed Columbia rear end. A coupe with minor blems in paint, but nothing serious. Brightwork in good order. Wonderful streamlined styling. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $66,000. From single-family ownership, this one sold right in the middle of its estimate range. Indeed, it was one of the most popular cars here, and this example sold for a realistic price. Look for more woodies at Gooding’s sale next year. Hopefully the new owner uses it occasionally. Gooding & Co., Amelia, FL, 03/17. MOPAR #253-1947 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY convertible. VIN: 7404990. Yellow Lustre/tan canvas/brown leather & tan fabric. Odo: 44,861 miles. 324-ci I8, 1-bbl, auto. An attractive T&C with very nice original wood and interior. Has Fluid Drive with Prestomatic semi-automatic transmission. Has dashboard clock and center bumper guard. Power-operated top. Some replating. Very attractive and is stated to be an excellent road car. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $99,000. Another optimistically priced American car, but still seemed like a good deal considering the fact it is a Full Classic. Sold for $11k below the low estimate, which seems fair considering the cost of upkeep. Gooding & Co., Amelia, FL, 03/17. #146-2004 DODGE VIPER Mamba Editon convertible. VIN: 1B3JZ65Z65V501121. Silver/black fabric/black & red leather. Odo: 768 miles. 8.3-L fuel-injected V10, 6-sp. Paint appears original and body unsullied. A few touch-ups noted. Does not appear to have been previously damaged; panels are straight. Wheels have curb rash. Interior is without rips, tears or wrinkles; it could afford to be a bit cleaner. Engine compartment clean and neat. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $154,000. Offered at no reserve and sold for a bit under expectations. Paul Teutul Jr.—star of “American Chopper”— was most likely looking for more, but the market has spoken. Based on other LincolnZephyr recent sales, I’lll call this well bought. RM Sotheby’s, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. #30-1941 FORD DELUXE woodie wagon. VIN: 186301246. Blue w/ wood paneling/ brown naugahyde. Odo: 74,619 miles. Woodies were all the rage here, with three available. Paint application was praisewor- 118 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $104,500. This was last seen at Auction America’s 2015 Fort Lauderdale sale, where it didn’t sell at $130,000. The market for Town & Countrys has gone south, and the price paid here is the new reality. Properly sold and bought at the market-correct price. RM Sotheby’s, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. #12-1948 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY convertible. VIN: 7404999. Green metallic w/ wood paneling/tan fabric/white leather. Odo: 86,700 miles. 324-ci I8, 1-bbl, auto. SOLD AT $48,400. Though not during this series, this is the brand of car that has had more special editions than most experts can name. The Mamba’s features were mostly cosmetic and not mechanical, and the interior upgrades are a matter of taste. Buyer paid a 10% premium for low mileage and received a brutally fast and moderately uncomfortable sports car. I see little upside here. Bonhams, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. AMERICANA 3 Eng. # 901140. Black/tan fabric/red leather. Odo: 210 miles. The second convertible Victoria built and bought as a gift from Mrs. Vanderbilt to her son. Acquired in 2012, #233-1933 PACKARD TWELVE Victoria convertible. VIN: 901136. TOP 10

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with only 20,000 miles showing. Restored to correct standard. Numerous awards since. Engine compartment sparkles. Wood interior trim perfect. Twin spotlights and Pilot Rays. A stunning Packard Twelve. Cond: 1. Mild pitting of door handles and luggage rack and severe pitting and peeling of window trim. Chauffeur’s seat is reupholstered in vinyl. What is said to be original fabric covers rear seat and doors. Excellent headliner. Faux bois dashboard cracked and distorted. Engine compartment well detailed with great engine paint. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $522,500. For those who think the Full Classics have seen their day, this should give them food for thought. A quality offering will still bring solid money, and for a factory body to bring over $500k speaks to the desirability of quality Packards. A wonderful motorcar. RM Sotheby’s, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. #131-1941 PACKARD 180 Custom sedan. VIN: 13322132. Black/black composite/ brown vinyl. Odo: 63,221 miles. Classic Packard limousine, purchased by the consignor in pieces and reassembled over a year. Only the hood and fenders required repaint. Panels are straight and door fit is excellent, as is bumper and grille chrome. SOLD AT $36,300. Unless out in the field, no car was displayed farther from the action. At the periphery of the Bonhams display, this car was still imposing. With its 148-inch wheelbase, luxury appointments and quality prep, the limousine was seductive. Then reality set in: Where can I find a space big enough to store it? How many hours will it take to wash and wax it? These non-coachbuilt, non-open Packards and other classics have retreated in this marketplace...but not this much. Well bought. Bonhams, Amelia Island, FL, 03/17. A May–June 2017 119

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The Parts Hunter Pat Smith A Vintage Speed Parts Jamboree Going fast back in the day always cost money. Want to do it again? Expect to pay more piece of the aluminum that is broken off on the lower part of the shifter and a crack on the steel bracket where it attaches to the transmission that could be welded.” Sold at $49.99. After winning the Indy 500, Mario Andretti made a deal with Sparkomatic to endorse a shifter called the Mario Andretti 500. The handle was a palm-grip design with M/A500 stamped in it. This piece is missing. Sparkomatic retained Andretti’s autograph on the stalks long after the contract expired, and this sparked a lawsuit in 1978. A signed one in good, complete shape is rare. New owner needs to find the handle and do repairs. Otherwise it’s a nice period piece from the ’60s. Lots of teens set up their first or second ride with one of these mediocre-quality units. Great curio from an era when Sparkomatic meant cheap speed parts, not stereos. #172496170006 Halibrand Magnesium Wheels, vintage 12-inch. 12 photos. Condition: Used. eBay. Jamul, CA. 1/28/2017. “No-reserve auction starting at $400 for a set of four Halibrand wheels shown in the pictures. Two of the wheels are four-lug pattern and two of the wheels are eight-lug pattern. The eight-hole wheels will fit the same pattern as the four-hole wheel using the corresponding holes. Meant for tubed tires due to magnesium’s porous qualities. I found these through a friend who had these stored in her dry garage in San Diego.” Sold at $450. The Gasser craze took off many years ago and is still going strong, with magazines still dedicating issues to the dragster form. Kidney-bean Halibrands are also popular with streetrod builders, so there’s a fair-sized market for a good set of originals. Magnesium stopped being used in aftermarket wheels because it ignites very easily with abrasions and burns like crazy. Aluminum became the better choice. Limiting factor here is the 12-inch diameter, which means sports car or oval-track racer. This set needs polishing and the right car, but less than $113 per wheel for favored retro rolling stock should be a pretty good deal in anyone’s book. #122381158494 Sparkomatic Mario Andretti 3-speed shifter. 12 photos. Condition: Used. eBay. Hazel Green, AL. 3/12/2017. “You are purchasing a cool old Sparkomatic Mario Andretti 3-speed shifter. This may be a universal shifter to fit many applications. Clean it to your desired look. Great for an old hot rod or rat rod project. Not sure of the year of production, but the cast aluminum housing makes me think late 1960s. There is a small #311801283976 NOS Vintage Cal Custom Finned and Polished BB Chevy Valve Covers, Original Box. 12 photos. Condition: NOS. eBay. Fallbrook, CA. 3/14/2017. “Here’s an NOS pair of Cal Custom bigblock Chevy finned and polished valve covers in the original box. The box label states the covers are p/n 7014 (40-2100) and are for 396, 427 and 454 engines made from 1965 to 1974. They have never been used and only removed from the box to inspect them. They have been on a shelf in my garage for perhaps 30 years or more. The box is a little dirty and worn on the ends.” Sold at $250. Cal Custom used to be in every car mag in the ’60s with two-page ads of cheesy lines and headshots of babes. The firm got their start in the early ’60s selling metalflake paint and branched out quickly into speed parts. A big favorite was their finned valve covers. We come across them at swapmeets often in worn-out condition. New-In-Box shape is pretty scarce for big-block parts, as most of these engines are on their third (or more) rebuild by now. Price paid is at the top end, but when will you find a pair this good again? ders making speed parts for Flathead V8s. Vic made his own design called the “Slingshot,” but only a 100 or so were tooled before the Pearl Harbor attack took place. Thickstun died in 1946, and his business and tooling were snapped up by Tattersfield, who adapted the design to work with the 235 Flathead. Modern repros by Motor City and Tony Barron exist. Vintage Flathead speed equipment has been in high demand for years now. Price paid here was high but not out of line. #192095726664 Thickstun Flathead Ford/Mercury V8 Intake Manifold, Hot Rod. 8 photos. Condition: New. eBay. San Mateo, CA. 2/13/2017. “This is the Thickstun tall dual-carburetor aluminum intake manifold for the flathead Ford V8 engine. It allows the generator to remain in the stock position. It comes with all-new studs, nuts and generator bolt. Perfect to dress up the flathead engine for your roadster, Bonneville, SCTA project, hot rod, rat rod, street rod, T-bucket or kool custom.” Sold at $575. Tommy Thickstun, along with Vic Edelbrock, was part of the first wave of pre-World War II rod- 120 AmericanCarCollector.com

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No text, a product match-up list that goes for 12 pages listing everything from an Iron Duke to an L88. Sold at $63.86. For what was once a common part, prices have gone wild. Winning bid of $63 No text, just a product match-up list that goes for 12 pages listing everything from an Iron Duke to an L88. Sold at $63.86. For what was once a common part, prices have gone wild. Winning bid of $63 and change is on the cheap end of the scale. The price went as high as $129 for one part completely nude but excellent otherwise. I remember having a bunch of oil-filler caps in a tray while supervising a lube shop in the 1980s. We’d install one if a customer was missing his. Hate to do it, but have to call this one bargain-priced.A May–June 2017 121

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JUNKYARD TREASURES Classic cars are often grouped together, such as this pile of Chevrolet Chevelles with this 1965 hard-top body atop the heap Busting Rust in Oklahoma Story and photos by Phil Skinner parts from other parts yards. As often happens, other business opportunities arose, primarily F the need for disposing of sheet metal that had no value as a part. Tim bought a crushing machine, and the business has continued to grow. A number of vintage cars and trucks started to come to the Rustbusters yard, and Johnson spared these from the crusher. Hydro, OK, located near Weatherford, is considered fairly rural, with a lot of ranching and agricultural business. As a result, there is an over-abundance of pickup trucks and even some vintage farm equipment in the mix. A lot of the metal is destined to be shredded, but we were able to pick out a number of vehicles that have plenty of potential for the restorer or collector. “Over the years, we have shipped Detailing What: Rustbusters Where: 1121 County Road 1022, Hydro, OK 73048-9791 Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday by appointment Phone: 405.663.2940 Email: rustbusters2002@ yahoo.com Facebook: RustbustersSalvage 122 AmericanCarCollector.com parts all over the world,” Johnson told us. “My son is my right-hand man.” His secretary has been with him since the business began, and as both Tim and Cheryl pointed out, they might not be married any longer, but they are good friends and both enjoy the business. While a visit to the yard is always fun, they do cater to the phone and Internet. If you go, bring your boots and be prepared to do some hiking. A We found lots of interesting trucks such as this 1954 Chevy 3600 Series flatbed waiting to come back to life no front sheet metal, but the Imperial hemi V8 and rear sheet metal survive on this 1957 Imperial Crown convertible or Timothy Johnson and his family, old metal has been a way of life since the early 1980s. Back then, Tim and his then-wife Cheryl found there was a need for rust-free parts for cars and trucks in Wisconsin. Founding the company “Rustbusters,” at first they purchased

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Showcase Gallery Sell Your Car Here! Includes ACC website listing. Showcase Gallery color photo ad just $66/month ($88 non-subscribers) Text-Only Classified ad just $15/month ($25 non-subscribers) Three ways to submit your ad: Web: Visit americancarcollector.com/classifieds/place-ad to upload your photo (300 dpi jpg) and text, or text only. Secure online VISA/MC payments. Email: Send photo (300 dpi jpg) and text, or text only, to classifieds@ americancarcollector.com. We will contact you for payment information. Snail mail: ACC Showcase, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208-4797, with VISA/MC or check. 25 words max, subject to editing. Deadline: 1st of each month, one month prior to publication. Advertisers assume all liability for the content of their advertisements. The publisher of American Car Collector Magazine is not responsible for any omissions, erroneous, false and/or misleading statements of its advertisers. GM 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Custom Catalina 2-dr hard top 1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS coupe S/N E57S101498. Black/red. V8, 3-spd manual. 283/270 hp, 3-speed. NCRS Top Flight (2016). Ownership history back to 1968. Two tops (hard top unrestored). Two sets of wheels and tires. Judging sheets available. Send email for photo gallery. Contact Jim, Ph: 253.845.3975, email: james.shepherd7@comcast.net. (WA) 1970 Chevrolet Corvette convertible S/N 19467OS410099. Monza Red/Saddle leather. 65,000 miles. V8, 4-spd manual. 350/350 hp with manual transmission. Original and unrestored. NCRS 2nd Flight. Needs frame repair. New Saddlecolored top. Ridgetop Restorations. Contact Mark, Ph: 715.385.3341, email: daddy19581955@yahoo.com. (WI) S/N C856H10768. Sandalwood & Sun Beige/Sandalwood & Sun Beige leather. 62,300 miles. V8, automatic. Factory 317 ci, 4-barrel carburetor, Hydramatic. Low miles, drives nice, overall very good condition. Professional repaint in 2006, much trim rechromed/buffed. Newer Coker radial tires. Original nice matching leather interior. Comes with lots of literature, sales brochures, etc. No PS or PB, clock does not work. Have 2012 appraisal for $28k. Owned 11 years. Located in Portland with ’56 Oregon license plates. $24,000 OBO. Contact Tim, Ph: 971.279.5878. Email: twgodfrey@ hotmail.com (OR) 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-dr hard top S/N 31847J170795. Dark green/78,000 miles. V8, 2-sp automatic. 327/300hp, Iowa car, excellent condition. Contact Don, Ph: 1.226.421.2328. (ON) 1967 Pontiac GTO HO convertible Signet Gold/black. 80,604 miles. V8, 4-sp manual. This GTO is a real 4-speed HO car. One of 1,591 HO convertibles built in 1967. Drivetrain is NOM, but engine was rebuilt to HO 360-hp specs. Full body-off rotisserie restoration in 2005 with less than 1,000 miles since. PS, PB with front discs and tilt wheel. $80,000 OBO. Contact David, Email: dpilkins@yahoo.com (VA) 124 AmericanCarCollector.com Willow Gold/black vinyl. 113,000 miles. V8, 3-spd automatic. All numbers matching! I have owned this 442 since 1986. This car is equipped from the factory with power seat, remote mirror, Rallye stripe, AM-FM stereo, sport wheel, power steering, air conditioning and vinyl roof. It was repainted the factory original color Willow Gold in 1988. New vinyl top at time of paint. Body is in really nice condition with no rust. Chrome bumpers have been replated. Car always stored inside. Newer 2½-inch exhaust with balance tube and stock trumpet outlets. It is in excellent condition and has a rebuilt numbers-matching TH400 automatic. Contact Fred, Ph: 919.418.0337, email: fredough@aol.com. (NC) 1979 Pontiac Trans Am coupe S/N 124377L109731. BMW Glacier Silver Pearl/black & gray leather & vinyl. 240 miles. V8, 6-spd automatic. Show-quality custom with modern 430-hp LS3 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. Allnew systems including electrical, brake, cooling, fuel and exhaust. Power seats, windows, brakes and steering. New leather and vinyl upholstery. Listed on Craigslist, Fresno, CA, for additional photos, description and pricing. Contact Jim, Ph: 559.353.4637, email: jim_ish@yahoo. com. (CA) 1968 Oldsmobile 442 2-dr hard top 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-dr hard top Rallye Green & white stripes/black. 94,000 miles. V8, 4-spd manual. Numbers matching, rebuilt original DZ302, M20 4-speed, PS, PB, ZL2 hood, standard interior, gauges and console. Nut-and-bolt restoration, one respray since new. very clean #2 condition. Contact Charles, Ph: 206.427.9606, email: cottageblue@msn.com. (WA) FOMOCO 1956 Lincoln Premier 2-dr hard top S/N 3N551076. White/tan. 106,000 miles. V8, automatic. All original except for lower front seat leather. From the West Coast, excellent condition with 106k miles, PS, PB, power windows, power seats. Everything works but radio needs new vibrator. Great driver, always garaged, just tuned, all records since 1994. Additional images and info available. Contact Albert, Ph: 814.466.6115, email: bav1140@comcast. net. 1976 Dodge B200 custom van Black/tan. 2,879,159,334 miles. V8, 4-sp manual. 6.6-L (403-ci), 4-bbl carb, manual trans., W72 package, WS6 package, Pontiac Historical Society documentation. Extensive history/documentation including window sticker, contract application, original 10-day temporary permit, copies of titles and sales of the car, repair orders dating back to 1979, log book kept by owner in the ’80s, original warranty info with original owner’s name and original owner’s manual. $30,000 OBO. Contact Craig, Ph: 214.232.2608. Email: craigbas77@gmail.com (TX) CORVETTE 1957 Chevrolet Corvette convertible Black/Blackwood Bed/black. 71,000 miles. V8, 4-spd automatic. Blackwood was Lincoln’s effort to beat Cadillac to the luxury truck market. The factory really went beyond normal trucks, using an aluminum bedliner with LED lighting. There were only about 3,300 produced for 2002, which makes it a modern-day unicorn. The truck has recently had a full tune-up, new brakes and the wheels detailed. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Contact Jay, Ph: 310.902.0698, email: azvetmn@yahoo.com. (AZ) MOPAR 1955 Chrysler C300 2-dr hard top V8, automatic. Two owners, with last ownership from 1971. 260 V8, rebuilt a few years back, power top, power steering. New radiator, heater core, water pump, gas tank, updated to new dual master cylinder, new brake lines, rebuilt power steering valve and slave, all-original interior, new battery. This car is a nice driver, and retains a lot of originality. $24,500 OBO. Tom Miller Sports Cars. Contact Thomas, Ph: 908.693.5723. Email: tom@millersportscars.com (NJ) 2002 Lincoln Blackwood 4-dr pickup Black/red. 62,000 miles. V8, 368-ci engine, power steering, brakes and windows, original interior, dual mirrors, road lamps and radial tires. $21,500. OBO. Contact John, Ph: 216.341.0397. (OH) 1964 Ford Mustang convertible Yellow/black vinyl, shag carpet, diamond plate & faux fur. V8, 3-spd automatic. Good times, old-school shaggin’ wagon with double side doors. These short-wheelbase vans were everywhere in the ’70s and ’80s. Just try to find a solid, mostly original one now. Most are rusted out and off to the car crusher. Originally an Arizona van and is mostly rust-free. Runs great with many upgrades including complete new wiring, Edelbrock carb, new 2½-inch exhaust, headers, brand-new seats (with swivel captain’s chair bases), rare Mopar Performance hood with scoop, and more. Email for full details. A few needs to be show

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Showcase Gallery ready, with the biggest item being some minor body work and a paint job. Trades considered. Contact Stan, email: bighifive@ sbcglobal.net. (TX) RACE 1960 Indianapolis rear-engine racer Blue/black. V8, Believed to be an early ’60s rear-engine Indy car. Has small-block Chevrolet engine, 2-speed Halibrand H-2210 gearbox, Hilborm fuel injection and NHRA blast-prop bell housing, Vertex magneto and Weaver Bros dry-sump oiling system and period wheels. Engine does run. $69,500 OBO. Contact Phil, Ph: 317.432.0414. Email: rockg930@gmail. com (IN) A FOLLOW ACC May–June 2017 125

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218, or email advert@americancarcollector.com Auction Companies Auctions America. 877-906-2437. Auctions America specializes in the sale of American Classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods, customs and automobilia. Headquartered at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana, Auctions America boasts an expert team of full-time specialists who offer 190 years’ combined experience, making them uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of the hobby. www.auctionsamerica.com. (IN) Barrett-Jackson Auction. 480421-6694. 480-421-6697. For over four decades, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company has been recognized throughout the world for offering only the finest selection of quality collector vehicles, outstanding professional service and an unrivaled sales success. From classic and one-of-a-kind cars to exotics and muscle cars, BarrettJackson attracts only the best. Our auctions have captured the true essence of a passionate obsession with cars that extends to collectors and enthusiasts throughout the world. A television audience of millions watches unique and select vehicles while attendees enjoy a lifestyle experience featuring fine art, fashion and gourmet cuisine. In every way, the legend is unsurpassed. N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. info@barrett-jackson.com. www.barrett-jackson.com. (AZ) Bonhams is the largest auction house to hold scheduled sales of classic and vintage motorcars, motorcycles and car memorabilia, with auctions held globally in conjunction with internationally renowned motoring events. Bonhams holds the world-record price for any motorcar sold at auction, as well as for many premier marques. San Francisco: 415-391-4000 New York: 212-644-9001 Los Angeles: 323-850-7500 London: +44 20 7447-7447 Paris: +33 1 42 61 10 10 www.bonhams.com/motors 126 AmericanCarCollector.com Roseburg, OR; September— Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, OR. On the I-5 corridor. We offer knowledgeable, fast, friendly “hassle-free” transactions. Oregon’s #1 Collector Car Auction. www.petersencollectorcars.com (OR) Leake Auctions. 800-722-9942. Leake Auction Company was established in 1972 as one of the first car auctions in the country. More than 40 years later, Leake has sold over 34,000 cars and currently operates auctions in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas. Recently they have been featured on several episodes of three different reality TV series — “Fast N Loud” on Discovery, “Dallas Car Sharks” on Velocity and “The Car Chasers” on CNBC Prime. www.leakecar.com. (OK) Premier Auction Group. 844-5WE-SELL. The auction professionals that have been taking care of you for the last two decades have partnered together to create a team that is dedicated to providing the utmost customer service and auction experience. We applied our 83 years of auction experience to build a platform ensuring that every aspect of our company exceeds your expectations. Join us for the Gulf Coast Classic March 17 & 18, in Punta Gorda, FL. 844-5WE-SELL / 844-593-7355 www.premierauctiongroup.com info@premierauctiongroup.com Lucky Collector Car Auctions. 888-672-0020. Lucky Collector Car Auctions is aptly named after Harold “Lucky” Lemay. Based in the majestic, pastoral ground of Marymount, home to the Lemay Family Collection Foundation near Tacoma, WA, the collection, formerly the biggest in the world according to Guinness, now hosts an unrivaled event center, art collection and charitable foundation, which features two exceptional collector car auctions a year. www.luckyoldcar.com (WA) RM Sotheby’s, Inc. 800-2114371. RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles. With 35 years’ experience, RM Sotheby’s vertically integrated range of services, from restoration to private-treaty sales and auctions, coupled with an expert team of car specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. www.RMSothebys.com. (CAN) Palm Springs Auctions Inc. Keith McCormick. 760-320-3290. Family owned and operated for 28 years. Producing two large classic car auctions per year in Palm Springs, CA. Each auction features over 500 cars. Held in November and February every year. www.classic-carauction.com 39th St., Phoenix, AZ 85040. info@russoandsteele.com, www.russoandsteele.com. (AZ) Silver Auctions. 800-255-4485. 2020 N. Monroe, Spokane, WA 99205. silver@silverauctions.com. www.silverauctions.com. (WA) Worldwide Auctioneers. 866273-6394. 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) Buy/Sell/General 21 South Auto Gallery. 480-9866460. Located in Mesa, AZ, 21 South Auto Gallery specializes in the sale of high-quality European sports cars and American muscle. Whether you are looking for an investment-grade collector car or a fun weekend cruiser, we would love to make your dreams a reality. We also buy classic cars in any condition. (AZ) Petersen Auction Group of Oregon. 541-689-6824. Hosting car auctions in Oregon since 1962. We have three annual Auctions: February—Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, OR; July— Douglas County Fairgrounds, Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles. 602-252-2697. Specializing in the finest American muscle, hot rods and custom automobiles and European sports; Russo and Steele hosts three record-breaking auctions per year; Newport Beach in June; Monterey, CA, every August; and Scottsdale, AZ, every January. As one of the premier auction events in the United States, Russo and Steele has developed a reputation for its superior customer service and for having the most experienced and informed experts in the industry. Fax: 602.252.6260. 5230 South Allard Motor Works LLC. The Allard Motor Works J2X is a handcrafted version of the famed British competition roadster that stirred the crowds in Europe and the Americas in the early 1950s. Our modern J2X MkIII, recognized by the Allard Register, integrates the latest technology into the original design, to provide a safe, comfortable and reliable vehicle without compromising performance. www.allardj2x.com • info@ allardj2x.com • 877-J2X-1953 • facebook.com/allardj2x.com

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Classic Car Dashes. Sales@ClassicCarDashes.com. Specializing in reproduction and replacement dash pads for many of your favorite cars, trucks and SUVs. Each pad is manufactured as close as possible to original specs. All dash pads offer quality in both fit and appearance and are manufactured in the U.S. www.ClassicCarDashes.com (PA) Classic Fit Covers. sales@ClassicFitCovers.com. Welcome to Classic Fit Covers. We specialize in custom fit car covers and seat protectors for classic and modern vehicles. At Classic Fit Covers you get quality materials, superior craftsmanship and fast delivery...all at a great price. We have you covered! www.ClassicFitCovers.com (PA) our dealership is locally owned and independently operated. The fouracre Park Place Center features an Aston Martin sales and service center, a Lotus dealership, and we have one of the largest selections of collector & exotic cars available in the Northwest. We consign, buy and sell all types of vehicles. We also have an in-house service center and high-end Auto Salon. www.ParkPlaceLtd.com (WA) Classic Car Transport Direct Connect Auto Transport. 800-668-3227. “The driver was friendly and helped our son feel comfortable about moving his lowered ’59 Volkswagen Beetle classic auto. The driver communicated well during pick up and delivery. It was fast, too. We spent two days in Phoenix after the car was picked up and it beat us back to the East Coast.” 5-Star Reviews Let Us Earn Yours directconnectautotransport.com Passport Transport. 800-7360575. Since our founding in 1970, we have shipped thousands of treasured vehicles door-to-door with our fully enclosed auto transporters. Whether your prized possession is your daily driver, a vintage race car, a classic, a ’60s muscle car or a modern exotic, you can depend on Passport Transport to give you the premium service it deserves. We share your appreciation for fine automobiles, and it shows. www.PassportTransport.com. binders susceptible to loss or damage. Let our professionals take those binders and turn them into organized, protected, transferable digital resources — all for less than the cost of a high-end detailing service. Learn more at ridecache.com/ACC. Corvette Parts & Restoration Mid America Motorworks. 800-500-1500. America’s leader in 1953–2016 Corvette parts and accessories. Request a free catalog at www.mamotorworks. com. (IL) Motorcar Portfolio LLC. 330-4538900. Buy, sell, trade, auction of affordable antique, classic, collector vehicles. Bob Lichty offers over 40 years’ experience in the classic car industry. Motorcar Portfolio, LLC. has been serving NE Ohio and the world since 2004. Let us help with your needs. See our current inventory at our website www.motorcarportfolio.com (OH) Intercity Lines Inc. 800-221-3936. Gripping the wheel of your dream car and starting the engine for the first time is a high point for any enthusiast. We are the premier enclosed auto transport company that will ensure your car arrives safely for that experience. For over 35 years our standards for excellence have clients returning time and time again. Trust the Best. Trust Intercity Lines. www.Intercitylines.com. Mustang America. 844-249-5135. Mustang America is a new company initially specializing in first generation (1965–1973) Mustang parts, interiors and accessories. Launched by Corvette America, Mustang America provides the same level of world-class customer service, product quality and fast delivery. We look forward to serving the vintage Mustang enthusiast. www.MustangAmerica.com (PA) Park Place LTD. 425-562-1000. Founded in 1987 in Bellevue, WA, Reliable Carriers Inc. 877-7447889. As the country’s largest enclosed-auto transport company, Reliable Carriers faithfully serves all 48 contiguous United States and Canada. Whether you’ve entered a concours event, need a relocation, are attending a corporate event or shipping the car of your dreams from one location to another, one American transportation company does it all. www.reliablecarriers.com Volunteer Vette Products. 865521-9100. 1963–2004 Corvette Parts and Accessories. Supplying Corvette restoration parts and accessories for 30 years. Visit our website at www.volvette.com and take advantage of the Free Shipping offer on orders over $150. You can also speak with us directly by calling 865-521-9100. New parts are added daily, so if you can’t find it, give us a call. (TN) McCollister’s Auto Transport. 800-748-3160. Thomas C. Sunday Inc. 800541-6601. Established in 1970, Thomas C. Sunday Inc. provides clients with fully enclosed, crosscountry, door-to-door service. Thomas C. Sunday Inc. are well-seasoned experts in the field of automobile transportation, hiring only Grade-A drivers, and offering clients the best possible service at competitive pricing. Fully licensed, insured and bonded. Call 1-800541-6601 or 717-697-0939, Fax 717-697-0727, email: We have transported thousands of collector vehicles over the past 35 years all across the United States, whether they are moving an exotic, street rod, vintage racer or muscle car. With our experienced drivers trained to ensure the finest protection and our customized, lift-gated, air-ride trailers, we make sure your vehicle safely arrives on time. www.McCollisters.com/ AutoTransport info@sundayautotransport.com Collection Management Zip Products. 800-962-9632. Zip customers know that the voice on the other end of the phone is a true enthusiast. Someone who, in minutes, can hold in their hands any item in stock. Further, someone with knowledge of, experience with, and genuine affection for, the car we hold so dear: Corvette. www.zip-corvette.com (VA) Corvettes for Sale RideCache – Organize, Manage, Preserve your Collection. Your documentation represents 5% or more of your vehicle’s value — yet it is fading away in folders and 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! 503256-5384 (p), 503-256-4767 (f) www.thechevystore.com (OR) May–June 2017 127

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218, or email advert@americancarcollector.com Events—Concours, Car Shows Leasing-Finance Chubb Collector Car Insurance. 1-866-CAR-9648. The Chubb Collector Car Insurance program provides flexibility by allowing you to choose the agreed value and restoration shop. Broad coverage includes no mileage restrictions and special pricing for large schedules. For more information, contact us at 1-866-CAR-9648 or www.chubbcollectorcar.com. The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. 831-620-8879. A prominent component of Monterey Car Week, The Quail is a world-renowned motorsports event featuring one of the world’s finest and rarest collections of vintage automobiles and motorcycles. The Quail maintains its intimacy and exclusivity by limiting admission through lottery ticket allocations. Admission is inclusive of six gourmet culinary pavilions, caviar, oysters, fine wines, specialty cocktails, champagne, and more. Web: signatureevents. peninsula.com. (CA) J.J. BEST BANC & CO. provides financing on classic cars ranging from 1900 to today. Visit our website at www.jjbest.com or call 1-800-USA-1965 and get a loan approval in as little as five minutes! Grundy Insurance. 888-6478639. James A. Grundy invented Agreed Value Insurance in 1947; no one knows more about insuring collector cars than Grundy! With no mileage limitations, zero deductible*, low rates, and high liability limits, our coverages are specifically designed for collector car owners. Grundy can also insure your daily drivers, pickup trucks, trailers, motorhomes and more — all on one policy and all at their Agreed Value. www.grundy.com (PA) Riverside Military Academy Champions and Heroes. 404-237-2633.. June 2–4, 2017 A 3-day hijinx competitive rally, 1-mile driver time trial and juried Contest of Elegance for Champions and Heroes (race cars through 1974) from the Carmel Concours on the Avenue producer. info@rmachampionsandheroes.com, www.rmacham- pionsandheroes.com (CA) Insurance Hagerty Collector Car Insurance. 800-922-4050. Collector cars aren’t like their latemodel counterparts. These classics actually appreciate in value, so standard market policies that cost significantly more won’t do the job. We’ll agree on a fair value and cover you for the full amount. No prorated claims, no hassles, no games. www.hagerty.com (MI) Premier Financial Services. 877973-7700. Since 1997, renowned customer service and honest leasing practices have made Premier the nation’s leading lessor of luxury and performance motorcars. We are small enough to ensure your business gets the attention it deserves, and large enough to finance any new, used, or vintage car over $50,000. Contact Premier at 877-973-7700 or info@pfsllc. com. www.premierfinancialservices.com (CT) drop for your next event. Home to 500 fabulous collector cars, worldclass art exhibits, and assorted ephemera, consider your next event here. Weddings, swapmeets, conventions, auctions. The facility can likely exceed your expectations. Visit during the 37th annual open house along with 13,000 other enthusiasts. 253272-2336 www.lemaymarymount.org. (WA) National Corvette Museum. 80053-VETTE. The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, was established as a 501(c)3 notfor-profit foundation with a mission of celebrating the invention of the Corvette and preserving its past, present and future. www.corvettemuseum.com. (KY) Parts—General American Collectors Insurance. 1-866-887-8354. The nation’s leading provider of specialty insurance for collectors. We offer affordable, agreed-value coverage for all years, makes, and models of collector vehicles. Since 1976, we have provided superior service and broad, flexible coverage. Experience our quick quoting and application process, as well as our “Real Person” Guarantee every time you call. Email: Info@ AmericanCollectors.com www.AmericanCollectors.com (NJ) 128 AmericanCarCollector.com J.C. Taylor Insurance. 800-3458290. Antique, classic, muscle or modified — J.C. Taylor Insurance has provided dependable, dynamic, affordable protection for your collector vehicle for over 50 years. Agreed Value Coverage in the continental U.S., and Alaska. Drive Through Time With Peace of Mind with J.C. Taylor Insurance. Get a FREE instant quote online at www.JCTaylor.com. (PA) Putnam Leasing. 866-90-LEASE. For over 25 years, Putnam Leasing has been the leader in exotic, luxury, and collector car leasing. This honor comes from Putnam’s unique ability to match the car of your dreams with a lease designed just for you. Every Putnam Lease is written to provide maximum flexibility while conserving capital, lowering monthly payments, and maximizing tax advantages. It’s Putnam’s way of letting you drive more car for less money. For leases ranging from $50,000 to more than $1 million, with terms extending up to 84 months, visit www.putnamleasing. com or call 1-866-90-LEASE. (CT) Museums AutoBahn Power. Performance + Looks + Durability + Comfort = Autobahn Power! Autobahn Power is a veteran of vehicle modifications, parts and accessories. Our specialty has been to carry products that are better than original equipment in performance, safety and quality. Our warehouse, service shop and retail store are located in the Midwest for good access to all parts of the USA. We have completed literally hundreds of project cars. These performance vehicles are in enthusiasts’ hands across the USA. Many of the cars are in daily use, proving the durability of our workmanship and products. Check us out at www.autobahnpower.com. California Car Cover Company. 800-423-5525. More than just custom-fit car covers, California Car Cover is the home of complete car care and automotive lifestyle products. Offering the best in car accessories, garage items, detailing products, nostalgic collectibles, apparel and more! Call 1-800-4235525 or visit Calcarcover.com for a free catalog. LeMay Family Collection Foundation. LeMay Family Collection Foundation at Marymount Events Center near Tacoma, WA, hosts an epic back- Custom Autosound Manufacturing. 800-888-8637. Since 1977 providing audio solutions for classic car and trucks. Covering over 400 application our radios and speakers fit the original

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location without modification. Keep the classic look of your vehicle while enjoying state-of-the-art audio. Check out all of our products at www.customautosound. com. Or if you’d like a free catalog, call 800-888-8637 (CA) manufactures and stocks over 75,000 of the finest restoration parts and accessories for GM classics, at the best prices anywhere. The largest selection of Chevelle, El Camino, Monte Carlo, GTO, Le Mans, Tempest, Gran Prix, Bonneville, Catalina, Cutlass, 442, Skylark, GS, Riviera and Cadillac classic parts anywhere. Visit www.OPGI.com or call 800-243-8355. (CA) Evans Waterless Coolant is the solution to running too hot. With a boiling point of 375°F, our revolutionary liquid formulation is a superior alternative to water-based coolants. Evans eliminates water vapor, hotspots and boil-over, resulting in a less pressurized, more efficient cooling system and preventing corrosion, electrolysis and pump cavitation. Evans also protects down to -40°F and lasts the lifetime of the engine. See how it works at www.evanscoolant.com (CT) Race Ramps. 866-464-2788. Lighter. Safer. Stronger. Offering the ultimate way to display and work on collector cars — including detailing, restyling and general maintenance. Race Ramps provides solutions even for low clearance cars. Complete line includes Trailer Ramps, Service Ramps, Rack and Lift Ramps, and the bestselling FlatStoppers to prevent tires from flat spotting during long periods of storage. www.raceramps. com. (MI) Evapo-Rust® 888-329-9877. Evapo-Rust® rust remover is safe on skin and all materials except rust! It’s also biodegradable and earth-friendly. Water soluble and pH-neutral, Evapo-Rust® is nontoxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable, and contains no acids, bases or solvents. Evapo-Rust® is simply the safest rust remover. www.evapo-rust.com info@evapo-rust.com (AR) Super Chevrolet Parts Co. 503-256-0098. Restoring Classic Chevrolets Since 1980. Serving the Chevrolet enthusiast for over 25 years. Since 1980, we have provided the highest quality restoration parts and accessories for: 1967–1981 Camaro 1964–1972 Chevelle & El Camino 1962–1972 Nova Store Hours: Tuesday–Friday 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am–3:00 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. 8705 SE Stark St, Portland OR 97216. sales@superchev.com www.superchev.com (OR) Restoration—General National Parts Depot. 800-8747595. We stock huge inventories of concours-correct restoration parts for: 1965–73 and 1979–93 Mustang 1967–81 Camaro & Firebird 1964–72 GTO, Tempest & LeMans 1964–87 Chevelle, Malibu & El Camino 1948–96 F-Series Ford Truck 1947–98 C/K 1/2-ton Chevy Truck 1966–96 Bronco 1955–57 Thunderbird www.nationalpartsdepot.com Cosmopolitan Motors LLC. 206467-6531. Experts in worldwide acquisition, collection management, disposition and appraisal. For more than a quarter century, Cosmopolitan Motors has lived by its motto, “We covet the rare and unusual, whether pedigreed or proletarian.” Absurdly eclectic and proud of it. Find your treasure here, or pass it along to the next generation. www.cosmopolitanmotors.com (WA) Located in Irvine, CA, the Classic Center is the only sales and restoration facility in the U.S. exclusively operated by Mercedes-Benz. Over 50,000 Genuine Mercedes-Benz Classic Parts in its assortment. From small services to full groundup restorations, work is always true to original. Ever-changing showcase of for-sale vehicles. We are your trusted source. www.mbclassiccenter.com. (CA) Mercedes-Benz Classic Center. 1-866-MB-CLASSIC. (1-866-6225277). The trusted center of competence for all classic Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. Park Place LTD. 425-562-1000. Founded in 1987 in Bellevue, WA, our dealership is locally owned and independently operated. Our restoration department works full time to restore vehicles of every year, make and model to provide an award-winning finish. We consign, buy and sell all types of vehicles. We also have an in-house service center and high-end Auto Salon. www.ParkPlaceLtd.com A Advertisers Index Corvette America. 800-458-3475. The No. 1 manufacturer and supplier of interiors, parts and wheels for all generations of Corvettes. Our Pennsylvania manufacturing facility produces the finest quality Corvette interiors and our distribution center is stocked with thousands of additional Corvetterelated products. Corvette America is a member of the RPUI family of companies. Visit www.CorvetteAmerica.com (PA) Original Parts Group Inc. With over 30 years’ experience, OPGI American Car Collector ....................... 97 Auctions America ................................ 11 Autosport Groups ................................ 89 Barrett-Jackson ................................... 31 Barron Publishing Company ............... 49 Camaro Central ................................... 99 CarCapsule USA ................................. 47 Chevs of the 40’s .............................. 111 Classic Car Dashes ............................... 5 Classic Fit Covers.................................. 5 Coker Tire ............................................ 17 Corvette America ................................... 4 Custom Autosound Mfg., Inc .............. 81 Dr. ColorChip Corporation ................ 106 EMS Automotive ................................ 109 Evapo-Rust .......................................... 39 Greensboro Auto Auction .................... 83 Griot’s Garage, Inc. ............................. 37 Grundy Insurance ................................ 21 Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. .......... 43 Heggen Law Office, P.C. ..................... 84 Hot August Nights ............................... 12 JC Taylor ............................................. 91 Jim Meyer Racing Products Inc. ......... 80 JJ Best Banc & Co ............................ 103 JJ Rods ............................................... 27 Leake Auction Company ....................... 3 Lucas Oil Products, Inc. ...................... 79 Lucky Collector Car Auctions .............. 73 Lutty’s Chevy Warehouse ................. 125 McCollister’s Auto Transport............. 132 Metal Rescue ..................................... 123 Michael Irvine Studios ....................... 131 Mid America Motorworks .................... 15 Motorsport Auction Group LLC ........... 13 Moultrie Swap Meet .......................... 101 Mustang America .................................. 4 National Corvette Museum ................ 121 National Parts Depot ........................... 75 New England Auto Auction ............... 121 Obsolete & Classic Auto Parts, Inc. .. 113 Original Parts Group ............................ 23 Park Place LTD .................................... 95 Passport Transport .............................. 71 Performance Racing Oils ..................... 85 Petersen Collector Car Auction ......... 125 Pilkington Classics Automotive Glass ... 9 POR-15 ................................................ 25 Race Ramps ........................................ 19 RK Motors of Charlotte ......................... 2 Ronald McDonald House .................. 107 Russo and Steele LLC ......................... 41 St Bernard Church............................... 81 Steve’s Auto Restorations Inc. ............ 51 The Chevy Store Inc .......................... 113 The WheelSmith ................................ 119 Thomas C Sunday Inc ....................... 119 VanDerBrink Auctions ......................... 77 Volunteer Vette Products .................... 33 Weezy .................................................. 87 Zip Products, Inc. ................................ 53 zMAX ................................................. 109 May–June 2017 129

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Surfing Around Carl Bomstead Automobilia at Auction Carl’s thought: Heritage, at their February 26–27 Sports Collectibles Auction, sold Mickey Mantle’s 1968 game worn jersey for $486,000 including fees. This was an interesting jersey in that it was the one worn when he broke the home-run record he shared with Jimmie Foxx. It was known as “The Gift,” as Detroit pitcher Denny McLain served up a fastball in the middle of the plate for Mantle to tee-off on. I think we all like Mickey, but we’re more into car stuff, so the items below might be a bit more interesting. EBAY#262850916839— TWINS “1931 CADILLAC” HOOD ORNAMENT. Number of bids: 21. SOLD AT: $4,998. Date sold: 2/26/2017. I have no idea where the seller came up with the 1931 Cadillac, but this was known as “Whirligig” and was an accessory mascot made by St. Paul Ornament Co. As the car moved, the propeller spins and the men crank. The misnomer worked, however, as these usually sell at or around a grand. Seller hit a home run. EBAY #201813539371— 1931 ARIZONA COPPER LICENSE PLATE. Number of bids: 32. SOLD AT: $938.57. Date sold: 2/26/2017. Making Arizona license plates was the owner’s responsibility prior to statehood in 1912. In 1932, 1933 and 1934, Arizona issued plates made of copper, and they are very collectible today. Price paid here was a bit on the light side, so the buyer did just fine and has a unique plate for his collection. MILLER AUCTION COMPANY LOT 239—FRONTIER GASOLINE 60-INCH PORCELAIN SIGN. Number of bids: 23. SOLD AT: $27,000. Date sold: 2/11/2017. Frontier Oil was a Denver refiner/ marketer that was founded in the mid-1930s and was acquired by Husky Oil in 1968. Their logo featured a rearing horse and usually had the slogan “Rarin’ to Go!” This double-sided porcelain sign was rather mundane and sold for a surprising sum. The desirable example is red with the slogan and more detail. EBAY #391668926873— 1930s AIRFLOW PLAYBOY PEDAL DUMP TRUCK. Number of bids: 28. SOLD AT: $1,825. Date sold: 1/15/2017. This pedal dump truck was in 130 AmericanCarCollector.com exceptional original condition. The paint h scratches and chips that are to be expected after 80 years or so, and the decals were still readable. The truck lift mechanism still worked, and the only issue was a missing headlight lens. Considering the condition of this Art Deco pedal truck, I’m surprised it did not sell for a touch more. EBAY #302189237383—1969 DODGE CHARGER PRESSRELEASE PACKET. Number of bids: 24. SOLD AT: $448. Date sold: 1/13/2017. The Daytona is the best-known 1969 Dodge Charger, but they were all synonymous with performance. This press packet included performance data, diagrams and a several-page packet on the Charger’s virtues. Not the most elaborate of press packets, but if a Charger is in the car barn, it would be most desirable. EBAY #222396040436— 1/4-SCALE CORVETTE 427 WORKING ENGINE WITH STAND. Number of bids: 37. SOLD AT: $7,866. Date sold: 2/6/2017. This quarterscale 427 motor was made by Conley, and they are still in business today. The 427 was an option on the 1966–69 Corvette, and this scale engine was stated to have actually have been started some 10 years back. Would be a cool “go-with” next to your period Corvette. EBAY #282272377492— NOS GOLD TIN “PISTON” BATMOBILE IN ORIGINAL BOX. Number of bids: 27, SOLD AT: $2,000. Date sold: 12/5/2016. This Mystery Action Batmobile tin toy was as crisp and clean as they come. It had no signs of play wear and was complete with the original box. The lights blinked and flashed and the siren made an obnoxious sound. The maker took all kinds of liberties making the toy, as it had a piston motor and had very little resemblance to the real Batmobile. Still, a cool toy that was new in the box. A