Worldwide Auctioneers, Pacific Grove, CA, August 23
Mecum Auctions, Monterey, CA, August 23–25
Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA, August 23–25
Bonhams, Carmel, CA, August 24
Gooding & Co., Pebble Beach, CA, August 24–25
RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, CA, August 24–25
Lucky, Tacoma, WA, August 25–26
Search This Issue
Page -1
42
CAR COLLECTOR
’57 Fuelie: Good Buy or
Great Buy, It All Comes
Down to Originality
AMERICAN
Hefty Car at a
1969 Shelby GT500 convertible, $129k
™
Softening Price
Buy the Numbers
$106k
November–December 2018
READERS’ FORUM
Where’s the Market Love
for 1967–72 Ford Trucks?
www.AmericanCarCollector.com
CHEAP THRILLS
The Lowest-Bid Buy
at Each Monterey Auction
Keith Martin’s
Page 6
CAR COLLECTOR
Volume 7 • Issue 42 • November–December 2018
The Scoop
CORVETTE
1957 CHEVROLET
CORVETTE 283/283 FUELIE
$106k / Bonhams
It’s all about the numbers
with this Fuelie
— Brett Hatfield
Page 50
GM
1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR
NOMAD
$63k / Bonhams
Is this iconic wagon slowing
down, or are values secure?
— Dale Novak
Page 52
Eight Sales That Define the Market
MOPAR
1967 PLYMOUTH GTX
2-DR HARD TOP
$30k / RM Auctions
Driver-level GTX at
under-the-market money
— Tom Glatch
Page 56
FoMoCo
1969 SHELBY GT500
CONVERTIBLE
$129k / Bonhams
A softer market for the
softer Shelby?
— Sam Stockham
Page 54
AMERICAN
™
8 AmericanCarCollector.com
Keith Martin's
Page 7
HOT ROD
1932 FORD “404 JR.”
ROADSTER
$324k / RM Sotheby’s
Great history, fantastic
restoration, and a nice price
— Ken Gross
Page 58
AMERICANA RACE
1912 FORD MODEL T
TOURING
$5k / RM Auctions
Dirt-cheap dirty car, but will
there be future interest in it?
— B. Mitchell Carlson
Page 60
1952 HUDSON HORNET 6
NASCAR RACER
$1.3m / Worldwide
Placing a value on a piece
of American racing history
— Thor Thorson
Page 62
TRUCK
1969 CHEVROLET C-10
PICKUP
$40k / GAA
Top of the line
and top of the market
— Jeff Zurschmeide
Page 64
Cover photo: 1957
Chevrolet Corvette
283/283 Fuelie
Courtesy of Bonhams
1952 Hudson Hornet 6 NASCAR racer, p. 62
Courtesy of Worldwide Auctioneers
November–December 2018
9
Page 8
COLUMNS
12 Torque: Modifying the future — Jim Pickering
The Rundown
42 Cheap Thrills: The 2018 Monterey Minimal-Money
Menagerie — B. Mitchell Carlson
44 Horsepower: Perhaps you should think thrice on
that Tri-Five Chevy project — Jay Harden
46 On the Road: Why own a muscle car you never
drive? — Elana Scherr
48 On the Market: Are diesels collectible?
— John L. Stein
138 Surfing Around: Must-have automobilia
— Carl Bomstead
FEATURES
20 Good Reads: The Life: Vespa; MOPAR Muscle,
Barracuda, Dart and Valiant; The Don Edmunds Story,
and Camaro 5th Gen: How to Build and Modify
— Mark Wigginton
24 Desktop Classics: 1968 Shelby GT350 H
Mustang fastback — Marshall Buck
26 Snapshots 1: Kicking tires at the Saleen Club of
America meet in Charlotte, NC — Sam Stockham
28 Snapshots 2: A look inside Steve’s Auto
Restorations — Jim Pickering
104 Glovebox Notes 1: 2018 Dodge Challenger
Hellcat Widebody — Jim Pickering
122 Market Moment 1: 1984 CMC Tiffany Gold
Edition coupe — Chad Taylor
125 Market Moment 2: 1982 Pontiac Trans Am KITT
— Jim Pickering
127 Glovebox Notes 2: Superformance Corvette
Grand Sport Coupe — Jim Pickering
130 Junkyard Treasures: B&T Auto Salvage in
Caldwell, ID — Phil Skinner
USEFUL STUFF
14 What’s Happening: Car events of note
16 Crossing the Block: Upcoming auctions
10 AmericanCarCollector.com
22 Parts Time: Aftermarket pieces for your vehicles
24 Cool Stuff: Miscellaneous must-haves
32 Wrenching: Replacing weatherstripping in ACC’s
’66 Mustang
40 Readers’ Forum: When will Ford trucks have their
day in the market?
68 Buy It Now: 1989–95 Ford Taurus V6 SHO
— Chad Tyson
126 One to Watch: 1992–96 Ford Bronco SUV
— Chad Taylor
128 The Parts Hunter: Tracking down rare parts and
pieces on the market — Pat Smith
132 Showcase Gallery: Sell your car in ACC’s
classifieds section
134 Resource Directory: Get to know our advertisers
137 Advertiser Index
AUCTIONS
66 Market Overview
Top 10 auction sales, best buys, and where to find an
audience — Chad Tyson
70 Russo and Steele — Monterey, CA
Russo and Steele’s waterfront auction sells 106 of 201
lots for $8.5m — Brett Hatfield
80 Lucky Auctions — Tacoma, WA
Lucky’s Fall Classic 2018 brings in over $1m
on 82 lots sold — Daren Kloes
86 Mecum — Monterey, CA
Mecum’s Daytime Auction pulls $46m from 362
vehicles sold — B. Mitchell Carlson
98 Twin Cities Auction — St. Paul, MN
Back to the 50’s auction sells $1.5m on 93 of 172 lots
— B. Mitchell Carlson
112 Roundup
Highlights from GAA in Greensboro, NC; Lucky in
Tacoma, WA; and Gooding & Company, RM
Sotheby’s, Bonhams and Worldwide sales from the
Monterey Peninsula — Carl Bomstead, Joseph T.
Seminetta, Michael Leven, Travis Shetler, Mark
Moskowitz, John Boyle, Jeff Trepel and Larry Trepel
Page 10
Torque
Jim Pickering
just feel more complete.
That X-factor is something that’s hard
A Modified Future
I
spent some quality wheel time in
ACC’s ’66 Mustang this month, and
it’s a great driver — there’s something
special about a car that’s never been
blown apart from new. Cars like this
to describe, but if you’ve ever restored a car
and found that your shiny, perfect classic
isn’t really a car anymore when it’s done,
but rather is a collection of parts that fit
together into the shape of a car, you know
what I’m talking about. That last bit of a
restoration can be the hardest part of the
process. Making a car seem whole again —
and function like it did when it was actually
new — is an art unto itself, and it’s getting
harder to find people who really know how
an original is supposed to feel.
That’s why cars like our Mustang are
special, and it’s why they should remain as
stock as we can keep them. Once they’re
apart, cleaned up, and back together again,
chances are they won’t feel the same out on
the road. Not necessarily bad, just different.
So, along those lines, “stock or bust”
is a good goal for those of us with mostly
original drivers in the garage. Factory-spec
’66 Mustangs, ’56 Nomads, ’12 Model Ts
and ’69 C-10s — all of which you can read
about in this issue — are vital for the future
of the car hobby. But just as important — if
not more important right now — are the cars
that have been modified.
Aftermarket party
As I write this and finish up the edits
for this issue of ACC, I’m also planning my
trip to this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas.
That show takes up the entire Las Vegas
Convention Center, filling it with anything
and everything available in the automotive
aftermarket. It’s massive, which is a great
sign of the health of the car hobby in an
overall sense.
This is where we go to see new emerging
trends, as well as new products that can be
applied to our old cars. From polishes to
modern wiring to brake conversions or fuelinjection
kits, SEMA is always a learning
experience.
You might also note that SEMA is full of
young faces — particularly outside the halls,
as it takes special credentials to get inside
the building. The outside is an open car
show, complete with drifting on a closed-off
12 AmericanCarCollector.com
course and hundreds of modified classics,
imports, trucks and more, all serving as
camera-phone fodder and Instagram material.
It seems like SEMA has everything. But
the things you’ll find missing here, at least
in any measurable amount, are bone-stock
classics.
Trends and time
ACC Auction Editor Chad Tyson says
that people will always gravitate toward the
music they listened to when they came of
age, which he says is the reason classic rock
is still viable radio content. I think the same
thing is true for cars, and car trends, as well.
That’s why muscle cars shot up in value
in the 1980s, as their nostalgic owners
matured and started making money. It’s also
partially why classic trucks are following
suit — these were a go-to in the 1990s for
young car people who didn’t have the cash in
hand to buy the hot, traditional muscle that
had hit the value stratosphere.
Those of us who are willing to overlook
old-car quirks have sentimentality as a
reason to do so. We were young in these cars
when they were the hot trend. Today’s young
What do we lose and what do we gain when we install
modern parts in our old cars?
Chad Taylor
Bone-stock is not a condition you’re likely to see at Las Vegas’ SEMA exhibition,
but if modern mods still maintain some original character, what’s the harm?
people don’t share that same sentimentality
for these older cars. This is how Grandpa’s
old base-level Mustang ends up spending a
decade in the garage.
But if you take that same ’66 Mustang,
add in a Coyote 5.0, a T56 6-speed, Baer
brakes and rack-and-pinion steering, you’ve
got an example of what we see at SEMA,
and in the viewfinder of so many young
people’s iPhones outside the exhibit halls.
That’s no original Mustang, but a col-
lection of parts. Is it worth the loss of that
X-factor to inspire a new car person to
build one of their own, using some of those
modern steering, brake and engine parts? I
think so.
No, it won’t be stock, but hopefully it’ll
retain some of that original character I love
about our old Mustang. Hopefully it’ll keep
the flame burning beyond the traditional
sentimentality that drives our market today
— and hopefully it’ll drive some of these
new enthusiasts to experience an original,
and let it speak to them the way our Mustang
speaks to me.
Who knows, maybe they’ll even drive it
with classic rock on the radio dial. A
Page 12
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.
Remembering Road Maps
at the AACA
In today’s world of Google Maps on our
Bob Ashton, courtesy of Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals
American Muscle Storms the Windy City
The show season is not complete until you’ve seen all 500 top-notch muscle cars at the
Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals on November 17 and 18. The event takes place at the
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, IL. The feature for 2018 is the Scat Pack
vs. Rapid Transit System Invitational, with rare examples — and several one-off creations —
from Dodge and Plymouth. The event also hosts the Corvette Triple Diamond Showcase and
Competition, celebrates the Oldsmobile W-31, and the anniversary of the 1968 Hurst Hemis,
and will be showing some love to the Buick GSX with the GSX-Tacy Invitational. Don’t miss
the seminars, celebrities and live music. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November
17 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 18. The full list of attractions can be found at www.
mcacn.com. (IL)
phones and GPS built into our cars, the
long-standing tradition of reading a map has
all but disappeared. The AACA Museum in
conjunction with the Road Map Collectors
Association is honoring and preserving that
history with their current Remembering
Road Maps Display. Maps of Route 66,
special events, cruising guides and gas
station maps will all be featured. In addition,
the exhibit will focus on the varying
art and style of maps through the decades.
The display opened on September 1 and
runs into next year. The AACA museum is
located in Hershey, PA, and is open daily
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more about this
exhibit and all the others exhibits at www.
aacamuseum.org. (PA)
Best of the Aftermarket
On October 30 through November 2, the
Bill Rothermel
A Celebration of Motoring
The 10-day extravaganza known as the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and
Motoring Festival returns to the Southeast October 26 through November 4. The party starts
in Savannah, GA, with the Savannah Speed Classic on October 26. Attention then turns to
Hilton Head, SC, where automobiles and aviation are celebrated with parties and shows,
including the Car Club Showcase on November 3. ACC Publisher Keith Martin is the emcee
for the weekend. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 3, he is hosting a seminar about the market
with Ken Gross, Mark Hyman and Peter Mullin. The conclusion of the week is the gathering of
200 pristine cars and motorcycles for the Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, November 4, from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a complete schedule and tickets, visit www.hhiconcours.com. (SC)
14 AmericanCarCollector.com
Las Vegas Convention Center will be rockin’
with thousands of custom-car aficionados
viewing the world’s best over-the-top car
creations at SEMA. Features will include
vintage off-roaders, muscle cars and street
rods. The new-products section is one of the
highlights of the event, as it’s a sneak peak at
all the cutting-edge tools and parts that will
be taking the aftermarket scene by storm.
The show is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
October 30 through November 1 and from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 2. You’ll need to
be involved with the auto industry to attend,
as it isn’t open to the public. Find all the
details at www.semashow.com. (NV)
Page 14
CROSSINGTHE
Upcoming Auctions (Images are courtesy of the respective auction houses unless otherwise noted)
BLOCK
Web: www.dankruseclassics.com
Last year: 62/147 cars sold / $919k
Premier Auction Group
Where: Punta Gorda, FL
When: November 30–December 1
Web: www.premierauctiongroup.com
RM Sotheby’s
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: December 8
Web: www.rmsothebys.com
Featured car:
• Star Car: 1962 Ed Roth Mysterion
replica
Star Car: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 at Leake’s Dallas, TX, auction
SEPTEMBER
GAA
Where: Greensboro, NC
When: November 1–3
Web: www.gaaclassiccars.com
Last year: 352/560 cars sold / $10.2m
Featured cars:
• 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II
• 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
• 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
VanDerBrink
Where: Humble, TX
When: November 10
Web: www.vanderbrinkauctions.com
Leake
Where: Dallas, TX
When: November 15–17
Web: www.leakecar.com
Last year: 284/448 cars sold / $6.6m
Featured cars:
• Star Car: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
• 1969 Shelby GT500
• 1969 Plymouth Road Runner
convertible
Mecum
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: November 15–17
Web: www.mecum.com
Last year: 556/896 cars sold / $22.2m
Featured cars:
• 1930 Cord L-29 cabriolet
• 1968 Shelby GT500 KR convertible
• 1954 Hudson Hornet Brougham
convertible
16 AmericanCarCollector.com
McCormick’s
Where: Palm Springs, CA
When: November 16–18
Web: www.classic-carauction.com
Last year: 321/503 cars sold / $6.1m
Featured cars:
• 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible
• 1968 Ford Mustang California Special
coupe
• 1931 Chrysler CD phaeton
Dan Kruse Classics
Where: Houston, TX
When: November 24
Mecum
Where: Kansas City, MO
When: December 6–8
Web: www.mecum.com
Last year: 389/589 cars sold / $8.2m
Featured cars:
• 1941 Plymouth PT125 pickup
• 1950 Oldsmobile 98 2-door sedan
• 1929 Ford Model A roadster
Raleigh Classic
Where: Raleigh, NC
When: December 7–8
Web: www.raleighclassic.com
Featured cars:
• 1950 Buick Super convertible
• 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury convertible
• 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V A
by Chad Tyson
Star Car: 1962 Ed Roth Mysterion replica at RM Sotheby’s in Los Angeles, CA
GOODREADS by Mark Wigginton
The Life: Vespa
by Eric Dregni, Motorbooks, 240 pages, $2.02, Amazon
One of the slight, almost weightless books from Motorworks’
“The Life” series, this history of the Vespa takes you from concept to
lifestyle in the world of mass transportation Euro motor scooters.
Supported by plenty of
charming vintage photos,
Vespa recounts the history
of scooters, which by definition
were something less
than motorcycles, available
to everyone (especially
women) to ride for work or
for pleasure.
It’s a great tale of utili-
tarian demand that wound
up being embraced as club
and cult, with plenty of
added decoration changing
the basics of transportation
into tribalism on two
wheels. Mods and Rockers
all looked silly when you
get right down to it, but
the Mods, with their ornately
decorated scooters
were a direct response to
the Hell’s Angels.
Sadly, the text by Dregni is awkward, and the topic needs a much
better chronicler.
Lineage:
(
is best)
The Saga of Rotten Red: The Don Edmunds Story
by Paul Weisel Jr., 192 pages, $35,
vintagemotorbooks.com
Don Edmunds is one of the unsung heroes of motorsports. From
his days in a Midget as a driver, leading to his Rookie of the Year
performance in the 1957
Indianapolis 500, to
his long years working
for and with the best in
the business during the
middle of the last century,
Edmunds seemed to
be everywhere.
His firm,
Autoresearch, built and/
or worked on everything
from Midgets to Indy
cars, the famous
Cheetah, Formula Vee
and even Speedway
motorcycles. Along the
way, he worked with
the best in the business,
from Bill Stroppe to
Eddie Kuzma to Frank
Kurtis.
Paul Weisel has
created a wonderful kitchen-table history of
Edmunds in The Saga of Rotten Red, and you should do whatever it
takes to get your hands on a copy.
Lineage:
Fit and finish:
20 AmericanCarCollector.com
Drivability:
Lineage:
Fit and finish:
Drivability:
Fit and finish:
Drivability:
MOPAR Muscle: Barracuda, Dart & Valiant
by Marc Cranswick, Veloce, 170 pages, $37.42, Amazon
If you add enough little pebbles to a pile, you can wind up creat-
ing a pretty big wall, stout enough to save a city. Likewise, keep
adding a bit of horsepower to a nondescript Plymouth Valiant and you
get a muscle car.
And then you get a
Barracuda.
As the short
muscle-car era
came and went,
so too did the
econoboxes of the
Plymouth division,
and what had been
sensible grocerygetters
turned into
high-horsepower,
high-adrenaline
street-light racers,
which turned
into amazing
drag racers and
even Trans-Am
competitors.
Marc
Cranswick takes
a look at the
choices, the cars
and the competition in his examination of MOPAR muscle from 1960
to 1980. It’s a readable, fun ride.
Lineage:
Fit and finish:
Drivability:
Camaro 5th Gen: How to Build and Modify
by Scott Parker, CarTech, 192 pages, $23.15, Amazon
When the Camaro disappeared from GM’s sales sheets in 2002, I
would wager there weren’t a lot of tears shed. It was well past its freshness
date, and needed
to go.
But when they
reintroduced a
prototype replacement
in 2006, the 5thgeneration
Camaro
created a lot of buzz.
Little appeared to
change when the car
finally hit showrooms
in 2010, and yet everything
had changed
except a renewed
belief in the brand.
What came out
was a wide range of
options that make the
5th Gen a contender on
the street, on the strip
or on the track, from
amateur to pro events.
Scott Parker takes
a look at all the ways you can improve your Camaro for whatever
your needs are and for whatever venue. Clear and specific, it’s a good
resource.
Page 20
PARTSTIME by Jim Pickering
New Products to Modernize Your Street Machine
Classic Corvette Wiring
American Autowire has your C2 Corvette wiring needs covered, especially if your car has
been modified. Their 1963–67 Chevrolet Corvette Classic Update Wiring System comes with
plenty of wire for stock or custom routing, new headlight, dimmer and ignition switches, and
a new compact ATO-style fuse panel. It’s designed to work with stock components as well as
most aftermarket items. Check it out at www.americanautowire.com for $1,099.
Sound for Your Square
RetroSound’s 1973–85 Chevy Truck
Kick Panels solve a problem many classictruck
owners face: where to put a set of
speakers inside the cab. These kick panels
are injection-molded and are designed to
house a 6.5-inch speaker. They’re paintable
to match your truck’s interior, and they aim
the speakers up at the seat, directing sound
to you and your passenger. Sold in pairs at
www.retrosound.com for $224.99.
That Trans Am Look
Superlite wheels were the standard for
1967–68 Firebird Center Dash Panels
If you’ve got a first- or second-year Firebird and your center dash panel has either been cut
for aftermarket gauges or is simply weathered and old, Classic Industries has what you need.
The OER reproduction interior center dash panel is made of stamped aluminum and features a
correct simulated-walnut or burled-woodgrain design with chrome trim. They’re available for
cars with and without factory a/c, and all mounting holes are drilled in the proper location for
ease of installation. Get one at www.classicindustries.com for $99.99 (1967) or $129.99
(1968).
22 AmericanCarCollector.com
Trans Am cars back in the day, and they
still look great on Mustangs, Camaros and
’Cudas today. These wheels are built with
the racer in mind, but they’re just as much at
home on a street car going for that hardcore
racing look. They’re available at www.
summitracing.com in a variety of sizes
and offsets to fit most muscle and pony cars.
Prices vary by size and application, with a
15x8 5-lug rim with a 4.5-inch bolt circle
and a four-inch backspace priced at $209.99.
Page 22
COOLSTUFF
Winter is Coming
On
Unl
S
cially when we’re talking about locks. That’s why Bolt is a great solution, as its locks are
specifically designed to adapt to your car or truck’s ignition key, thus simplifying access
to whatever you need to keep safe. After all, if you’re like us, you’ve always got your car
keys with you. Need to keep your hitch latched to your truck? Check out the 5/8 receiver
lock. How about a coupler lock for your trailer? Bolt’s got you covered. Even if you just
need a padlock or a cable lock, Bolt’s got those, too. They also offer specifics, such as a
GM tailgate handle lock, Jeep spare tire lock, and more. Prices vary by lock and application.
Check out the full line at www.boltlock.com.
Non-Scratch Wheel Washing
Washing wheels isn’t much fun, and some of th
tools on the market today can end up damaging yo
rims. The easiest and safest solution to prevent
scratching is Griot’s Garage Microfiber Wheel
Wands. The handle is made of polypropylene
that is strong yet flexible. The soft microfiber
brush head is attached via ultrasonic welding —
no metal to scratch the finish or adhesive that will
dissolve. Throw away that used-up bristle spoke
brush and pick up a few of these instead. A twopack
with one 12-inch large and one 8¼-inch smal
brush is $33.99 at www.griotsgarage.com.
by Chad Taylor
Like it or not, winter is here. For many of
us around the country, that means it’s time to
swap out the sticky summer rubber on our car
for something more suited for rain or snow.
Unfortunately, stacking that extra set of wheels
and tires in the garage takes up valuable floor
space. Griot’s Garage has a better way, using
their Wall Mounted Tire Storage Rack. Attach the
epoxy powder-coated rack to the wall, into studs,
of course, and it can hold up to 400 pounds. It is
adjustable up to 52 inches long for four fat tires
and 36 inches wide for larger SUV or truck wheel
and tire combinations. Go to www.griotsgarage.com
and pick one up for $149.99.
The Better Shop Stool
Whether at home or at work, no shop is
complete without a solid shop stool next to
the workbench. That rickety, safety-hazard,
duct-tape-covered wood seat doesn’t count.
For the best, made-in-USA quality, look
no further than Busted Knuckle Garage.
Every stool is made with industrial-strength
chrome-plated legs that can hold 1,600 pounds
It measures 30 inches tall with a 14-inch-wide
seat that swivels a full 360 degrees. Pick out y
favorite design at www.bustedknucklega
rage.com for $149.95. Add a backrest for $20.
DESKTOPCLASSICS by Marshall Buck
1968 Shelby GT350 “Hertz” Mustang Fastback
Resurrecting their “Rent-a-Racer” program in
’68, Hertz got together again with Shelby and ordered
a short run of 224 cars in a variety of colors including
Highland Green and Raven Black, as shown here.
These two, by ACME Diecast, are pre-production
samples. Both are limited-run models due for
November release. Overall fit and finish is great, and
the attention to detail is impressive for a 1:18 die-cast
model. All panels open, steering is functional and
seatbacks tilt forward. The interior is equally well
done, with cloth lap belts and shoulder belts hanging
from the roll bar. Space-saver spare, jack and tool box
are in the trunk. Underside is comprehensive with
simulated overspray and separate brake lines.
I don’t say “must have” very often, but if you are into Shelbys, or have one of these cars, then these models
are must-have pieces.
24 AmericanCarCollector.com
Detailing
Scale: 1:18
Available colors: Red over white,
Highland Green and Raven Black
Quantity: 500 of each color
Price: $134.95
Production date: 2018
Web: www.acmediecast.com
Ratings
Detailing:
Accuracy:
Overall quality:
Overall value:
is best
Page 24
Devoted to the Brand
SNAPSHOTS
Saleen-modified Mustangs lined up for the Saleen Club of America’s national meet in Charlotte, NC
Exclusivity has gotten Steve Saleen where he is today.
Adding value to the equation should aid his industry longevity
by Sam Stockham
Mustang fastback just doing its job as a car?
Cool story, right? I thought so. But this story does not revolve
L
around a Shelby Mustang. Instead, it’s a Saleen Mustang. To me, it’s no
less engaging.
Seminars and found cars
Last year at the ACC Insider’s Seminar at Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale, I was sitting in good company on our ACC Panel with the
likes of Ken Lingenfelter and Colin Comer. In our discussion, I talked
about a 1993 Mustang that was being built as a 1993 Saleen SA-10.
The man building the car, Bob Goodson, had created a website
chronicling the build, and I found it highly intriguing.
Why? Because this particular VIN was slated to be the fourth
SA-10 built, but it never was, instead living out life as a regular
Mustang. It was later found and documented, and the build was
started to make it into what it was originally slated to be.
Our ACC Insider’s Seminar in 2017 was broadcast live on Barrett-
Jackson.com, and enthusiasts out there had their ears on. News quickly
spread back to Bob that someone with ACC at Barrett-Jackson was
talking about his car. Bob proceeded to find me on Facebook, and
26 AmericanCarCollector.com
The rare, custom Saleen SA-10, of which eight survive
et’s imagine for a minute that there was a long-lost 1965
Mustang that was documented as being the final R-code
Shelby, but it was never built. The VIN was known and the
story rather airtight from the ultimate source, Shelby. What if
you found this car 20 years later in disguise as a plain white
once we connected, he invited me out to the Saleen Club of America’s
national meet in Charlotte, NC, that August. How could I resist?
Saleens in Charlotte
So on a Thursday, I hopped on a plane and flew across the country.
Later that night, I was having dinner with Bob Goodson, SE Regional
Rep Troy Raby, and many other members of the Saleen Club of
America.
Page 25
On Friday, we took a tour of the Dennis Carpenter warehouse,
manufacturing facility and museum. About five minutes down the
road is the construction site of the Mustang Owner’s Museum, so
we stopped off to check out the progress. It should be done in a few
months in case you are in Charlotte for the grand opening on April
17, 2019.
By 5 p.m., we’re having dinner at out hotel with the group when
none other than Steve Saleen quietly walked into the room, grabbed a
plate, and joined the company at another table.
As the evening carried on, the room broke off into separate
conversations, most of which managed to aggregate in the parking
lot with all of our cars. With conversation riding high, Steve and
Liz Saleen decided to come out and join the discussion with a cold
parking-lot beer.
Liz regaled most of the group with anecdotes and answers to
trivial questions, and I found myself in a side conversation with
Steve. I asked what his immediate plan was to keep Saleen’s brand
moving forward. The quick answer: “Our relationship with Ford.”
Exclusivity and value
Later on in the trip, Steve addressed the group, talking about trials
and tribulations in business and racing, and what the future holds for
Saleen.
His efforts are firmly focused on building new Ford products
and the launch of his Saleen S1 Supercar. This little gem boasts 450
hp, weighs 2,700 pounds and will cost around $100,000. Steve also
discussed value and what his vehicles bring to the table versus a Ford at
the same price point.
Exclusivity has gotten Steve where he is today, but adding value to
the equation should keep him going for years to come.
Saleen’s newest original creation: the S1
Much like Shelby’s cars did for a generation of enthusiasts looking
for greater performance out of Ford’s Mustang, Saleen’s cars singlehandedly
ignited my love for Fox Mustangs when I was young. I’m not
alone — Bob has devoted years to building that SA-10, and the Saleen
club is full of knowledgeable, friendly enthusiasts who are downright
devoted to the brand. It just goes to show that the car world is both very
large and incredibly small, and if these enthusiasts have anything to say
about it, Saleens will have plenty of staying power in the market in the
future. (Learn more about the SCOA and their annual events at www.
saleenclubofamerica.com.)A
November–December 2018 27
Page 26
SNAPSHOTS
Impressive Body of Work
Steve’s Auto Restorations is packed with projects, including a Lincoln Zephyr custom fitted with a Graham nose
Steve’s Auto Restorations builds some of the best customs
and classics in the business
Story and photos by Jim Pickering
I
t takes a certain kind of passion to build a great classic car. From
the big picture down to the tiniest detail, every piece of the project
is equally important. This is especially true when you’re competing
at the highest levels with your creations.
Steve Frisbie’s got that focus, and he’s been working with it for
over 40 years, building some of the best classic and custom cars in the
world out of his shop on the east side of Portland, OR.
The shop itself is unassuming — in fact, you might miss it on your
first pass by, until you see the flamed Highboy sitting up on the roof,
serving as a hot-rod beacon. It’s fitting, as Ford Model As are where
Steve got his start, when he was building cars out of his home garage
to support his young family. Success there changed his career path and
prompted him to leave a job at Boeing behind to build cars full time.
Classics from the Art Deco era followed, as did even higher-level
customs built to wow judges and bring home awards — and cars
from Steve’s Auto Restorations do just that, from class awards at the
Pebble Beach Concours through the Detroit Autorama’s prestigious
Ridler Award, achieved in 2017 with SAR’s scratch-built Renaissance
Roadster.
Designs and details
Today, Steve’s Auto Restorations
employs 15 full-time fabricators, designers
and painters. SAR’s designs are done inhouse,
with renderings made to pitch the
customer on a car’s direction and to help
choose colors.
That Renaissance Roadster had just
returned from winning the Hot August
Nights Builder’s Cup when I visited SAR
28 AmericanCarCollector.com
The 2017 Ridler
Award-winning
Renaissance Roadster
a few weeks back, and Steve took me around it after we toured his
shop full of specialty tools and hot rods in various states of construction.
He pointed out the details that made the difference: wheels specially
machined both inside and out, hand-stitched leather CV boots,
and side trim affixed to the running boards with rare-earth magnets,
used to hide any mounting hardware that would have otherwise been
visible underneath the car.
Current projects underway include a Lincoln Zephyr custom fitted
with a Graham nose, a number of ’33 and ’34 Ford
builds, a top-level first-gen Corvette with all-modern
running gear, a late-model Corvette with a gullwing
door conversion, and more. Steve’s also has cornered
the market on 1933 and 1934 Ford fenders, with the
first non-OE quality steel replacements.
Over the years, Steve’s had his hands in it all, and his
From classics to hot rods, Steve’s
Auto Restorations does it all
staff excels at turning automotive visions into reality.
But he doesn’t let it go to his head. “From antiques to
classics, customs and hot rods, I’ve been very lucky to
make a living doing what I’m passionate about,” Steve
says. (Contact Steve’s Auto Restorations at 503-6652222
or online at www.stevesautorestorations.com.)A
Page 30
WRENCHINGHOW-TO
SEALS of APPROVAL
If your car is original, your weatherstripping
is likely dead. Here’s how to replace it
by Jim Pickering
your seals have turned crispy — and crispy seals don’t keep out water or
wind noise.
If you’ve spent time washing your original classic car in your driveway,
O
you’ve probably noted water running down the inside of your side glass
after you’re done scrubbing. That’s bad news if you’re concerned about rust.
And if you drive your car on the freeway, you’ve probably heard wind noise,
too, which will probably make your friends (or your spouse) think twice
about long trips with you in your drafty old car. These are all symptoms of
the same problem, but fortunately, the fix is an easy one.
ACC’s 56k-mile 1966 Mustang suffered from these same issues, all
because certain sections of its weatherstripping were way past their prime
and in need of replacement. So we got in touch with Larry’s Thunderbird
and Mustang Parts and ordered a set of the seals we needed to make our
Mustang weather-tight once again. Here’s how we did it.
32 AmericanCarCollector.com
riginal cars are fantastic, but there’s usually one problem they
all share: dead weatherstripping.
The original rubber and foam used to seal up cars from
the 1960s wasn’t meant to last 50 years. If you’ve got one of
these cars, you’ve probably noticed that some, if not all, of
LARRY’S THUNDERBIRD AND MUSTANG PARTS LIST
(www.larrystbird.com)
M21000B Side Window/Door Weatherstripping Kit, ’65/’66
coupe, $123.57
M43720A trunk-lid weatherstripping, ’65–’70 coupe/convertible,
$13.87
OTHER PARTS
AutomotiveTouchup.com Wimbledon White paint, primer, and
clear, $39.85
3M Green Scotch-Brite Pads, $6.49
3M Green Automotive Masking Tape, $12.49
3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive, Yellow, $13.99
Lacquer thinner, 1 quart, $6.99
Fast enamel reducer, 1 quart, $14.96
TIME SPENT:
Four hours
DIFFICULTY: J
(J J J J J is toughest)
Page 31
1
Our 1966 Mustang came to us in mostly original condition,
but when it came to keeping out the weather,
that wasn’t exactly a good thing. The side window seals
weren’t pliable any longer — in fact, they were downright
crispy — and they were allowing water past the glass when we
washed the car. It was time for replacement.
2
Additionally, while other sections of weatherstripping
were still in good shape, our Mustang’s trunk seal was
hard as a rock and split in a few areas. Our car isn’t rusty
from a lifetime spent in Hollywood, CA, and we wanted to
keep it that way, so this seal had to go, too.
3
We elected to start with the trunk, and while you could potentially do this job with the lid mounted to the car, it’s a lot
easier to remove it and lay it flat. We marked the alignment with masking tape so as to easily reinstall it later without affecting our
panel gaps. From there, we removed the four ½-inch mounting bolts and set the trunk lid face-down on a pair of wooden sawhorses
covered with a soft, thick moving blanket.
4
The original contact cement that holds the factory trunk seal is some especially tough stuff. We used a putty knife to carefully
try to get under the rock-hard seal and pry it up, being as careful as possible to avoid hurting the painted surface underneath.
Note how crumbly the seal had become. This was overdue for replacement.
November–December 2018 33
Page 32
WRENCHINGHOW-TO
5
After removing what we could
of the original seal, this is what
was left: rubber remnants still
glued solid to the trunk lid.
Obviously, we couldn’t glue the new seal
down over the top of this, so more work was
necessary to clean this up.
6
Lacquer thinner on a rag is a
go-to in my shop for cleaning
up particularly tough messes,
but when painted surfaces are in-
volved, it’s usually too harsh. We used it
here in some spots, as well as some enamel
reducer on a rag in others (as it wasn’t as
tough on our paint). The goal was for it to
soak into the remnants of the seal and glue
and loosen them for removal.
7
From there, a green ScotchBrite
pad and a light touch
worked well to remove the loosened
seal and glue remnants.
8
Our method resulted in a
clean painted metal surface,
but the thinner and reducer also
revealed some thin spots in the
factory paint, mostly near the trunk-lid
hinge-mounting area. So we cleaned everything
really well, taped up the edges
and pulled out our AutomotiveTouchup
Wimbledon White paint kit.
9
The AutomotiveTouchup kit comes with sandable primer, base color and clear top coat. We started with two coats of primer
and worked up from there, blending our Wimbledon White into the factory paint just past where the original seals were glued down. We
then set it in the sun to dry and moved on to other seals in the car.
34 AmericanCarCollector.com
Page 34
WRENCHINGHOW-TO
10
The biggest offender here was the upper window
weatherstripping, which runs along the roof and
seals the glass to it when the windows are rolled up.
Again, ours was crispy and crumbling. On our Mustang, it
was held in place with one screw at the base of the A-pillar. From
there, it was just pinched in place by a steel channel and could be
pulled down and out of the car easily.
11
13
Installation of both right and left sides is as simple
as the removal: We started by installing the screw to
properly locate the seal, and then pushed it into its retainer
channel, which pinches it in place between a front and
rear lip. No glue required.
Our
cracked
and
hard
side-glass divider
seals were next
— removing the rubber
cover in the door
jamb revealed a
screw at the base of
the glass that held
the divider trim in
place. With the
screw removed, the
trim slid straight
down and out of the
car fairly easily.
12
From there, we worked our way from the front
to the rear of the car, first placing the inner part of
the seal over the inner channel lip, then pressing the
outer part up over the outer lip with a thumb. A putty
knife covered in masking tape (to protect the seal) also helped
to seat the new piece in the original location.
36 AmericanCarCollector.com
Page 36
WRENCHINGHOW-TO
16
14
A healthy coat of glass
cleaner on our new seal
helped it slide up into place,
and we used the factory screw
to hold it there. Our kit came with a new
rubber seal for the door jamb as well, which
installed with a handful of Phillips-head
screws.
With the seals installed and seated, we rolled up all the windows to check
fit. No gaps, no leaks — problem solved.
17
With our paint now dry, we set about laying out our new trunk seal in the
same orientation as the original. Some time in the sun helps to eliminate kinks
and wrinkles, and a little cleaning is in order, as there’s typically a release agent on
the seal that can interfere with the gluing process. We used just a bit of thinner on
a rag on the side to be glued.
18
15
other components in our kit
from Larry’s included wingwindow
seals and door seals,
but as ours turned out to be still
pliable and in good shape, we elected to
leave them alone for now.
38 AmericanCarCollector.com
3M offers
two
differ-
ent weatherstrip
adhesives: yellow
and black. I’ve
found the yellow to
be quicker to dry
and therefore easier
to work with,
although the black
is harder to see
once the seal is
installed. Here we
used yellow.
Page 37
19
With our seal taped in place about where we wanted it, we worked in
sections with our adhesive, applying some to the rubber and to the
painted surface, allowing it to get tacky, and then taping it down.
20
our seal proved to be about two inches too long, so
we snipped off the excess at the latch for a clean seam.
Even more tape ensured the seal didn’t move as the adhesive
set.
21
After about an hour, the trunk-lid seal had set, so
we reinstalled it on the car, using our tape marks to
help align everything. Note the green tape still holding the
seal — it’s wise to leave it in place for a few hours just to
be sure the seal won’t move.
22
After a few hours’
worth of work,
our Mustang is in
much better
shape and is ready for that
next car wash or unexpected
rainstorm. This is the perfect
winter project to tackle on your
muscle car or classic to prep it
for spring — and it won’t break
your wallet in the process.
A
November–December 2018 39
Page 38
READERS’ FORUM
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
Where’s the Ford Truck Love?
This month’s Readers’ Forum
question:
Pretty much all American trucks built from 1967 to
1972 have been on an upswing in value for a number of
years now. But the trucks leading the way have been GM
products. Ford’s ½-ton rigs have fallen a distant second in
terms of value in the collector market. Why?
Fundamentally, Ford and Chevrolet trucks aren’t all
that different. And yet, auction results show a median price
for Chevrolets of $23,100, with Ford’s comparable value
coming in at $12,478. Why do you think that is?
Will this ever change? Which would you rather own, and
why?
Readers respond:
Although I agree the Chevrolet and Ford trucks are fundamentally
the same, the fact remains Ford trucks have been the top-selling
vehicles in the U.S. for a long time — a detail Ford has long promoted
in their advertising. This fact has hurt their value and image in the
marketplace because of the perception that there is no scarcity or rarity.
— Scott Collins, via email
n n n
That is a great question. I have been asking myself the same thing
for years.
My first truck was a 1969 Ford F-100 Explorer I bought when I
was 15. I actually owned that truck twice — I sold it and then bought
it back a couple years later. I always wished it were an F-250 4X4
Highboy, and I even thought about converting it.
Many, many cars and trucks later, I got my hands on an original
bone-stock one-owner 1972 F-250 4x4 Highboy. I have owned it now
for about 12 years and would never sell it.
I have never owned a Chevy pickup of that era. I just never had
interest in them. It seems like they are more prevalent at car shows,
etc. How the value of Chevy trucks is almost double that of Fords is a
mystery to me — but I’m okay with it since I prefer Ford and can buy
them more reasonably. — Byron Carlson, Durango, CO
n n n
It may be due to the front I-beam suspension on the Ford. GMs
ride and drive much better, in my opinion. — Kim Pierce, via email
n n n
Having been Fleet Manager in a Ford dealership, a current (and
disappointed) Ford stockholder, and owner of a special-ordered
short-wide ’98 Chevy 1500 to tow my race car, this question made me
ponder.
Ford pickups have been the number-one-selling vehicle in North
America for well over two decades, yet I often find notes on my
windshield asking if my minty stock Chevy is for sale — something
that never happened with my Fords.
Both GM and Ford are prominent marques in motorsports, and
both provide a cab and box in the same format, which shouldn’t
impact bidder preference.
40 AmericanCarCollector.com
Perhaps the answer rests in the fact that more Fords were built
and available in the market, which depresses values under the laws
of supply and demand. If that’s the case, the answer to the question is
“never.” If not, we’re left with a quandary still in search of a reasoned
answer. — Jack Tockston, via email
n n n
Ford trucks were the big sellers in the ’60s and ’70s. There are many
out there to choose from still, plus there are many aftermarket parts
makers for Chevy truck parts! — Zon Davison, Mooresville, NC
n n n
I think it’s pretty simple, actually. Ford has handily outsold Chevy
and GMC for numerous decades. There are simply more of them,
thereby depressing values. — Todd Duhnke, Wichita, KS
n n n
I have always been a die-hard devoted Ford guy. I own a 1972
Ford Ranchero GT that I have modified and street raced since 1973
(high 12s on the street), and I also own a 1979 Ford Bronco XLT that
I bought new.
Let me give you a comparison. Over the years, Tri-Five Chevys
have been chewed up on the racetrack, as well as many Camaros and
Chevelles, mainly because they were abundant and cheap to race —
not because they were any better or faster. Consequently, there are not
many real ones left.
Regarding trucks, Ford built and sold more trucks, and I think
they were better. Many Chevys just rotted away, and not that many
are left.
Among collectors, GM cars have done historically better in
resale than Ford in the car and truck world, short of Shelby and Boss
Mustangs, due to a broader market. The ’53–’56 Ford trucks still
hold their value over Chevy and Dodge. By the time the ’60s and
’70s rolled along, short-bed Chevys gained in popularity. They look
good and are hard to find, which attributes to their high value over a
comparable Ford. The exception to the rule is 4x4 trucks — in terms
of value, they seem to be neck and neck.
If you take a statistical average, the GM crowd outnumbers the
Ford or Dodge crowd considerably, attributing to the high demand
and resale among GM products in general. There also exists a huge
Page 39
market and allegiance towards GM. Even Chrysler only sold a few
Dodge trucks by comparison. — Robert Malke, via email
n n n
This is a perfect example of how the marketplace can be fickle.
The 1967–72 Chevrolet/Ford products are similar in technology, quality
and style.
I personally have owned two of the series: a ’71 Chevy ½-ton
short bed, and a ’72 Chevy ¾-ton long bed. When I sold the ’71, it
had just about 300k miles, and the ’72 now has just under 600k miles.
They both were reliable, and when something was not normal,
each of them always gave you a warning or signal to take it into the
shop for diagnosis. The Fords appear to have the same life cycle and
reliability, from talking with Ford owners at car shows or at the gas
pump.
The values at resale continue to show the Chevy at approximately
double the Ford. The auctions around the country, and especially at
Arizona Auction Week in January, continue to show the desirability
and real value of these trucks, and I do not see this changing anytime
soon.
I always get the thumbs-up at the stop sign or the gas station and
always a comment about how a grandfather/father or brother had one
of these trucks and how great they were, and how they never should
have sold it.
The early ’70s were a great time to be young and to be lucky
enough to own one of these great trucks. It is even luckier to have
been able to keep one and continue to drive and enjoy the vehicle
while evolution and technology have changed dramatically. — Dave
Dubie, via email
n n n
Could it be that Chevy’s trucks are better-looking and thus more
popular? I know beauty is a subjective thing, especially right after
waking up. Also, it seems that Chevy enjoys more choices in the
aftermarket, especially for the powertrain. Lastly, would there be
more Ford trucks of this vintage, driving down values? That’s the
same basic influence that affects all used and collector cars. — Carl
Prather, via email
n n n
Well, I have owned some great ’71–’72 Super Cheyennes and even
a few ’72 2wd Blazers as well. However, I have started gaining an
attraction to the ’67–’72 Fords, especially the harder-to-find SWB
Explorers.
I think the biggest thing that has held back the Fords is the belief
that the GM counterparts are cheaper and easier to build, especially
while it comes to modifying, since it’s very challenging to make
the suspensions in the Ford accept some of the modifying trends.
However, shows like “Gas Monkey Garage” and others that showcase
modified Fords, in my opinion, have helped to bring more products to
the marketplace. This has brought more excitement to the Fords from
friends who had only followed GM trucks in the past.
It is hard to tell when the market will turn to a more favorable
position, since I have also witnessed the traction the square-bodies
(’73–’87 GM trucks) have built in the market, which is also creating
some competition. I was in the market earlier this year for a ’71–’72
Super Cheyenne, and after looking for a few months, I ended up
picking up a 2004 SRT-10 packed with more horsepower and creature
comforts than I have ever enjoyed in my ’71–’72 builds at half the
price of the trucks that caught my fancy.
Price is pushing folks to look for something different than the
earlier GM platforms, whether it be later GMs, Fords or Dodges.
Many people are embracing change as they have started to broaden
their scopes of what is out there to enjoy. As they say, “Keep on
trucking!” — J. Parrish, via emailA
November–December 2018 41
Page 40
Cheap Thrills
B. Mitchell Carlson
Monterey’s
I
BUDGET BUYS
At the Car Week auctions, 867 vehicles totaled $374m.
These were the cheapest ones on the Peninsula
t was a record year for prices in Monterey. Not only did a $48m Ferrari GTO set a new world-record auction price, but with the sale of
the Gary Cooper Duesenberg SSJ at $22 million all-in, we now have a new record sale for an American car, too. But hey, this is “Cheap
Thrills,” so let’s get our heads out of the clouds and get our boots back on the ground. Here are the cheapest vehicles at each Monterey
auction in 2018.
1965 Chevrolet
RM Sotheby’s L
Sold for $81,2
While looking l
(albeit with a repla
its original Marlbo
Maroon-over-blac
color scheme, this
mid-year was
subtly modified by
Canepa Design —
to the tune of $45k
— to make it a
better regular
driver. Tweaks
included OEMstyle
power steeri
power brakes, neo
fender liners, upd
sion components a
rebuild of the stoc
ratios.
This ’Vette did q
Bloomington Gold
it. All in, not a sm
using a C2 seems m
number on your sh
1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV
convertible
Gooding & Company Lot 183, VIN H9YC419424
Sold for $61,600
In 1959, if you hated tailfins but wanted to live large, this was
your car. From the second year of unibody Lincoln production,
this top-trim Mark IV was restored well enough to earn concours
accolades from the Lincoln and Continental Owners Club, as well
as the AACA — it was a senior first-place car in 2005.
While this Lincoln slid right into Gooding’s guesstimate of
$60,000 to $80,000, the no-reserve drop top hammered just shy at
$56k, with the juice taking it into the estimate comfort zone.
Before the 2007-era market adjustment, biggie-sized late-1950s
glamour convertibles seemed to be the hot ticket. While some of
that has died down a bit here due to generational interests shifting,
foreign markets still remain strong. I’d be quite certain that more
than one person in Europe would’ve been keen to pay at least this
42 AmericanCarCollector.com
to cruise it at Sweden’s Power Big Meet next July. Again, not a
smokin’ hot deal, but a good car for the money — if that’s where
you want to put your money. Best buy per pound.
Page 41
1994 Dodge Viper RT/10 roadster
Worldwide Auctioneers Lot 40, VIN 1B3BR65E1RV100910
Sold for $31,900
It seems like only yesterday when these were selling at
additional dealer mark-up. Now with the passage of time and
improved versions, these original Vipers show their 1990s-era
build quality and ergonomics rather poignantly.
“Driver grade” first-gen Vipers are nearly nonexistent, as
most fall into either one of two categories nowadays: track
rats (otherwise known as those soon to be balled up into spare
parts) or minty originals waiting for values to escalate. The
Worldwide car fit easily into the latter category, albeit with
12,406 miles on it.
If you graduated from anything in 1994 (obedience school?),
you likely had a Viper poster on your wall. If you still think
these are the greatest thing since sliced bread, sex, and air tools,
this was a good one to get, and it sold for correct money (if not
slightly at the buyer’s favor).
1966 Ford Mustang GT coupe
Bonhams Lot 1, VIN 6F07A139237
Sold for $26,880
This real-deal GT had its original A-code 4-barrel 289 under
the hood and was an AACA National First Place award winner last
year. Yet for all the AACA accolades, there were a few chinks in the
armor. Some of the body-to-trim gasket fit was not great (especially
the antenna base) and I can’t take AACA awards all that seriously if a
National First Place car has an aftermarket Hurst shifter like this one
did (don’t try this at a Mustang Club of America national meet and
expect similar results).
Still, the sum of the goods for this Emberglo Metallic hard top made
this a market-correct sale. This was the best buy of any of our low sellers,
if for no other reason than near-universal appeal at under $30k.
1988 Tiffany Coach neo-classic coupe
Russo and Steele Lot TH204, VIN 1MEBM60F0JH707380
Sold for $5,775
Neo-Classics are an animal unto themselves. This was nothing
more than a Mercury Cougar XR-7 — that’s just like the one your
aunt has — which was in drag. Stated to be a one-owner car with all
service records, the consignor’s bullet phrase in the description of
“one of a kind” pretty much nailed it.
Yes, there is a market for cars like this. There’s also a market for
velvet Elvis portraits. If gaudy excess heaped upon mediocrity is your
thing, this was right up your street, and at no reserve, it sold for all
it’s worth.
1998 GMC Suburban SLT
Mecum Lot T200, VIN 3GKFK16R6WG500303
Sold for $1,925
The “Bottom Rung at Monterey” title went back to Mecum
this year — and in this case rightfully so, for a two-wheeldrive,
155k-mile Suburban.
The saving grace here was that with 155k miles, this was
at its mid-life cycle with the 5.7-L V8 under the hood. Also, on
the second-to-last year of the GMT400 generation, GM pretty
much shook the bugs out of this platform. That and everybody
and their dog seems to have some generation of Suburban
today, so it’s practical and melts into the landscape. In fact, to
prove that point, I did see it parked next to the check-in gate,
but I thought it belonged to one of the workers.
If all else fails, this passes the “You can’t rent one cheaper
than this during Monterey Car Week” test — buy it, drive it,
and then either flip it on Craigslist or donate it to charity before
hitching to the airport. Who needs a rental car? A
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
November–December 2018 43
Page 42
Horsepower
Jay Harden
THINK THRICE
The Tri-Five Chevy is still one of the most coveted American
collector cars. But should you buy one to restore now?
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ay Harden
THINK THRICE
The Tri-Five Chevy is still one of the most coveted American
collector cars. But should you buy one to restore now?
it himself in his garage. Unfortunately, he was
rsepower
Jay Harden
THINK THRICE
The Tri-Five Chevy is still one of the most coveted American
collector cars. But should you buy one to restore now?
it
it himself in his garage. Unfortunately, he was shopping for fillet on
a ground-chuck budget. When he asked for my take on his options, I
caught myself doing something I’m not sure I’ve ever done before —
I discouraged him.
If he had asked about restoring a ’57 Plymouth Fury or a ’57 Ford
Ranchero or a ’57 Pontiac Chieftain, I would have been his numberone
cheerleader. But instead, I tried to convince him of a better option
by educating him on the three pillars of valuation: Desirability,
Demographic and Economy.
Coveted, restored, sold
From a Desirability standpoint, the 1957 Bel Air ranks right up
there at the top as one of the most coveted American classics of all
time. As a result, every decent shell between Seattle and Tampa
has been yanked out of the brush or barn already. There might be a
handful left out there somewhere, but the days of lucking up at an old
lady’s garage sale are long gone.
44 AmericanCarCollector.com
On the upside, desirability has driven the preservation and resur-
rection of thousands of cars that would have otherwise languished in
obscurity or been recycled into fence posts. Consequently, you can
hardly turn a corner at a neighborhood cruise-in without running into
one, which is a good thing.
It doesn’t take a mathemagician to understand that the 1957
Chevrolet is a known commodity. The ACC Premium Auction
Database indicates that average sale prices first reached the $50k
mark way back in 1999, after a slow and steady climb. From 1999 to
2005, we saw a sag, but average prices only fell by about $10k at their
lowest. After climbing back to the $50k mark in 2005, these cars have
bobbed up and down between roughly $50k and $65k ever since, the
latter being pretty close to today’s number.
What can we infer from the numbers? Well, let’s look at a slightly
Page 43
less established model for comparison: the first-gen Ford Bronco.
These early utilities have been on an absolute tear that has seen the
average sales prices climb from less than $10k in the early 2000s to
almost $50k this year. The last decade and a half has been all flow
for the Bronco, with no ebb. Numbers like these point to the lack of
market saturation that we’ll eventually see. From there, the numbers
will likely turn south, providing our first market correction. What
will that number be? Without hard data, we’re all speculating.
That’s why the ’57 Chevy, with its initial climb long past and real-
ized prices now stabilized in a range that has held rather steady for a
decade and a half, looks to be about as safe a bet as one can make —
at least for now. Which brings us to our second pillar: Demographic.
Who is buying?
A significant influencer of the stability of any given model is the
demographic holding it up. If we do a little simple math and assume
that the average enthusiast invests in vehicles they had meaningful
connections with during their formative years, that puts most of us
chasing vehicles five to 25 years our junior. That places the primary
demographic for the 1957 Chevrolet somewhere between the ages of
66 and 86.
What does this mean for values? Well, as I argued with Carl
Bomstead this year on the ACC panel at Barrett-Jackson in
Scottsdale, I think we’ll likely see a slow descent in prices over the
next few years with maybe a few “can you believe it?!” blips here and
there, followed by an eventual drop due to the sheer number of nice
cars pouring into a market supported by a disinterested demographic.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at what’s happening now with values
of late-’40s street rods.
Numbers tell the tale
And now, Economy. I am no economist, but the numbers don’t
lie — and the truths they expose are often a bit counterintuitive.
For example, if you view average sales by year through the lens of
the performance of the S&P 500, you might expect that established,
stable models would be the most likely to remain stable, and the surging
models would suffer. Not true here.
When the S&P nosedived between 2008 and 2009, the ’57 Chevy
fell with it, with average sale prices dropping by about 10%. The
first-gen Bronco? It flatlined, but lost virtually no ground. When the
market started climbing, the ’57 had recovered three or four percentage
points by 2010, but the Bronco skyrocketed, with average sales
increasing by 30% from the year before.
When the S&P hit a new high in 2015, so did the average sales price
of the ’57. Unfortunately, when the market wavered later that year, the ’57
lost every dollar it had made since 2014. The Bronco? The average sales
price hasn’t lost a dollar since 2003, which happens to have coincided
with the bottom of the S&P’s last big dip before the Great Recession.
So what does all this mumbo-jumbo mean for our friend Tom? I
suggested that if he really wants a ’57 Chevrolet Bel Air, he should wait
a year or two and buy a heck of a car for a lesser price — which is the
same thing several would-be Tri-Five owners I know are planning on
doing. I also suggested that if he really wants to build something now,
he should find a truck or old SUV, which will be easier, cheaper, and
more likely to make money once it’s done. But that’s just me.
What do you think? Are Tri-Fives going to stay solid, or are the
numbers showing us the future? Send me your thoughts at comments@americancarcollector.com.A
November–December 2018 45
Page 44
On the Road
Elana Scherr
HIGH SMILES
vs.
LOW MILES
The ’71 ’Cuda slowly emerging from hibernation. It will get driven, Elana promises
There are a lot of reasons to preserve a low-miles muscle car.
But there are better reasons to get out and drive it
wheel.
Plymouth Barracudas have been collectible for a long time, and
T
ours checks a lot of boxes on the desirability list. High-impact color?
As discussed, check. Big muscle-car engine? Does a 440-ci big block
topped by the coveted Six Pack setup (or 6-bbl on the Plymouth, but
that doesn’t sound as cool) count? I think so. Low miles? Well, we’re
the third owners, and there are 57,000 miles on the odometer, so yeah.
Dee’s car
We inherited the ’Cuda about three years ago when my mother-
in-law passed away. Her name was Dolores, and she was an absolute
firecracker. She bought the ’Cuda in the late ’90s, when her son (my
husband, Tom) was into muscle cars and she wanted one of her own.
It was $12,000, and all Tom’s car friends told Dolores she overpaid.
Now you’d consider it a smoking deal to pay 10 times that amount.
When Dolores got the ’Cuda, it was a running car, last registered
in 1974. It had been in an accident in 1973, and repaired, but not to
Dee’s satisfaction. She had the car repainted and all remnants of the
46 AmericanCarCollector.com
Dolores knew what to do
with her ’Cuda
here is a 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda in our garage. It’s a beautiful
car in B5 blue — a bright blue metallic the color of a
peacock’s chest or a tropical fish. The latter is maybe a more
appropriate comparison for our car, considering the ’71
model’s fishy fender gills and Barracuda-badged steering
crash — including a tweaked left
front frame rail — redone.
The interior and drivetrain
remained original, although
she had Tom swap the rear
gears from a 3.23 one-legger to
a 3.91 Sure-Grip. Once it was
respectably geared, she drove
it like it was the low-buck pony
car it would have been in 1971.
Hey, she’d owned Stingray
Corvettes and Ferrari Dinos. She wasn’t going to get all precious over
a Plymouth.
She liked taking it to car shows, where she’d set out a lawn chair
and wait for the compliments to roll in. She also drag-raced it — it
went a best of 12.84 at 108 mph, and once went into the sand trap at
Vegas Motor Speedway. Dolores claimed they’d changed where the
turnout was. Dee had to buy a new helmet when she first started racing
again, because her last one had expired in 1968.
Parked and preserved
I think Dolores would be furious with me if she knew I haven’t
driven the ’Cuda even once since we got it. Nobody has. It has just sat
Page 45
there in the garage, covered and protected and probably wondering
how it went from daily driver to weekend warrior to squirreled away
as an investment car.
The trouble is it’s just worth so much money now. If something
happened to it, I’d never be able to replace it, and it’s important to
preserve these low-mile cars, right?
That was my thinking, anyway, but then this summer I was in-
vited to visit my friend Dick Winkles’ garage in Detroit. Dick’s name
might be familiar to you if you’re a fan of the Dodge Viper. Dick was
the chief engineer on the V10 during the development of that car, and
he remained active in racing and tuning after his retirement from
Chrysler.
You’d expect to see lots of Viper stuff in his garage, and you won’t
be disappointed. He has signed posters from the 24 Hours of Le
Mans framed on the walls, torn-off splitters mounted above the door,
melted heads up on a shelf, and a bare block he is using as a beverage
caddy — five bottles per bank.
What I didn’t expect to see were two stock, low-mile, highly col-
lectible muscle cars — and not even Dodges.
Dick has a 1970 Ram Air IV, 4-speed Pontiac GTO that he bought
in 1980, right before going to work for Chrysler. That got him plenty
of ribbing at the new office. Even cooler — to me, anyway — he has a
1974 Camaro Z/28 that he bought new when he was in high school. “I
wanted a Trans Am with a 455,” he told me, “but my dad said, ‘You’re
not getting a 455 anything.’”
Instead, young Winkles got the Camaro, and he’s kept it ever
since, amazingly intact and original. Well, mostly original. Like
Dolores, he made some performance changes. “It’s got a solid-lifter
cam, aluminum high-rise manifold and ported aluminum heads that
I painted orange to look stock. It was how I became an engine guy. I
just couldn’t leave it alone.”
Dick Winkles and his actually-gets-driven 1970 Pontiac GTo
Fired up
Okay, so we’ve got three collectible, rare, valuable, low-mile,
mostly original muscle cars sitting in garages, rarely driven. Well,
actually, when I visited Dick, we needed to move the cars. I figured
it would be a hassle, but he just jumped in, fired ’em up and drove
them.
“I drive them all the time,” he said, in response to my startled
look. “What’s the point of having them otherwise?”
The more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized that he’s
right. And so was Dee.
I’m going to take the ’Cuda out this weekend. If Dick can do it
with a car he bought brand-new that hasn’t ever even had a paint chip,
I can do it too. If something happens, we’ll repair it. It won’t be the
first time.
After all, as Dolores would say, “It’s just an old Plymouth.” A
November–December 2018 47
Page 46
On the Market
John L. Stein
SMOKING
HOT?
John L. Stein
Haul yeah — Ford’s new F-150 version demonstrates that the everyday diesel driver has come a long way
Ford’s new F-150 diesel pickup sets the stage for oil-burners as
future collectibles. But what about vintage American diesels?
Fifteen-hundred miles towing a vintage Chrysler
mash of the throttle pedal).
No, the reason the Olds arrived was that it escaped the odd-even refueling-days
F
regulation imposed by the state for gasoline cars. Ugly, slow, smoky, and repulsive
as it was, the ponderous brown Cutlass did its elemental duty brilliantly by permitting
its owner free access to fuel and driving. And so it was, despite its terrible
flaws, a genuine driver’s car. Let freedom ring!
Short-lived phenomenon
Of course, diesels disappeared from the U.S. car market as soon as the embargo
ended (emphasis on “car market” — diesels make lots of grunt at low revs, with
excellent efficiency and durability, and so they’ve been favored in the truck ranks
almost forever). But we’ve reached a new age now that permits a forgiving eye to
perhaps appreciate them anew. This image was brought into focus recently when
Ford’s new F-150 diesel arrived for review, courtesy of FoMoCo’s left-coast press
fleet. It was not ugly. It was not slow. It was not loud or smelly or smoky. Is this a
new beginning?
48 AmericanCarCollector.com
orty years ago, during the second oil embargo, diesel American cars were
a thing. The reason an Oldsmobile Cutlass diesel appeared in my family’s
driveway thus had nothing to do with performance (it had none), style (it
looked like a camel-brown shoebox) or quality (it leaked oil, blew head
gaskets and left a contrail of carcinogenic brown soot behind it with every
boat into the Sierra Nevada, over 8,100-foot passes and
through 100-degree temperatures, scarcely challenged
this comfortable and quiet truck. And after six days
with it, the 3-liter V6 turbodiesel turned my mind 180
degrees toward owning an everyday diesel, because
the time proved they can be as seamless, pleasant and
effective as any gasoline vehicle. And heck, the F-150
diesel surpassed expectations by pulling the 16-foot
boat and trailer, two motorcycles, three guys and a
cab full of heavy gear while averaging 20.1 miles per
gallon all the while.
What these distant experiences constitute is a four-
decades-wide pair of bookends — the Olds on the far
side, appalling and repugnant, and the Ford on the near
side, smart and effective and nearly altogether pleasant.
Are diesels collectible?
One may wonder what — if anything — lies in
between then and now for American-car collectors. I
checked out various online resources looking for cool
Page 47
collectible diesels. Some old smokepots are out there,
and some of them are available for a song.
But in truth, that song sounds more like “Send in
the Clowns” than “Thunder Road.” In other words,
with a few exceptions, the passage of time has shown
that diesel U.S. cars are more fitting for the Concours
d’LeMons than they are the Woodward Dream Cruise.
Nevertheless, here are some of my favorites — sort of.
1961–68 Jeep CJ-5 diesel
Throughout most of the 1960s, Jeep quietly offered
a 4-cylinder Perkins diesel as an option in its shortwheelbase
Jeep CJ-5. Displacing a bit over three liters
and developing from 58 to 65 hp (depending on model
year), it was no Speedy Gonzales. But that isn’t really
the mission of a CJ anyway, now is it? I’d rank this one
well above the homely Chevette diesel (below), thanks
to Jeep’s remarkable enduring status as a workhorse.
Prices are not reportedly much higher than for a comparable
CJ-5 of the period, so figure on $18,000 — if
you can locate one that’s not rusted to pieces.
1962–64 Studebaker diesel pickups
This storied Indiana company was already in
financial trouble when it introduced its one-ton 7E
(and later 8E) pickups with 3.5-liter, 4-cylinder Detroit
Diesel power for 1962. However, they did it right, as
the claimed output was a healthy 130 hp — robust for
the day. So was the weight — the engine alone reportedly
weighed 1,100 pounds! With the Big Three now
producing hordes of diesel pickups (including the new
F-150 mentioned above), the current market reaffirms that timing is just as essential
as the product for success. Studebaker had the right idea, but was a half-century too
early to prosper from it.
Today these heartland diesels are rare hens, attracting perhaps $24,500. (Hey, let
us know if you have one.)
1978–85 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham diesel
Two college buddies and I owned a huge 1969 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham that
we still revere today. Nineteen feet long, roomier than a Santa Fe Railway lounge
car, and with a ride like the Queen Mary, it was our best party car ever. And so, my
eyebrows perked up when discovering that, from 1979 to ’85, Cadillac made a diesel
V8-powered Fleetwood Brougham. Opulent with its gingerbread exterior trim and
crushed rat-fur velour interior, the Brougham was surely the smoggy 1970s at their
finest. I can quite see “Caddyshack’s” Judge Smails at the helm, in fact.
Motivating the Fleetwood Brougham diesel was a 5.7-liter Oldsmobile oil-burner,
in place of the normal 5.7-liter gasoline V8. Artful sleuthing unearthed an insanely
low $1,600 price point today. However, as the Incredible Mr. Limpet said, “Be careful
how you wish!”
1983–86 Chevrolet Chevette diesel
Likely driven by a combination of timing and economics, when Chevrolet
decided to dieselize its little econocar rather than engineering and manufacturing its
own powerplant, it adopted Isuzu’s 1.8-liter 4-cylinder mill that kicked out a ferocious
51 hp. At least it had a 5-speed gearbox, but no a/c was available, due to the
inconvenient truth that the little motor could not both propel the car and operate an
a/c compressor with any authority.
The Chevette diesel weighs about 2,200 pounds, netting a horrible weight-to-
power ratio of 43:1. (A malaise-era 165-hp Corvette was 22:1 and a new Corvette
ZR1 is 4.7:1). This car tickles my funny bone because the Chevette was born an automotive
underachiever, and adding a diesel just amplified the joke. But at $1,100 or
so, would I love to have one today for around-town duty? Sure — hold my beer! A
November–December 2018 49
Page 48
PROFILE CORVETTE
1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 283/283 FUELIE
A Numbers Game
Pawel Litwinski, courtesy of Bonhams
This was
market
money for a
Fuelie — but
with some
questions
VIN: E57S103654
by Brett Hatfield
• Top-of-the-line fuel-injected Corvette with
factory 4-speed manual gearbox
• Expertly restored by Glenn Vaughn with receipts
totaling over $160,000
• Striking Onyx Black over Venetian Red livery
• The ultimate 1950s American sports car
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 48, sold for
$106,400, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge auction in Carmel,
CA, on August 24, 2018.
As Richard M. Langworth documented in 1987’s
The Complete Book of Corvette, the autumn of 1951
found Harley Earl in a bit of a creative malaise. Earl
was vice president of General Motors and former
head of GM Styling Section. After the 1950 LeSabre
concept and 1952 Buick XP-300 concept, Earl needed
a creative outlet. His new vision was that of a small,
sporty roadster, something that would compete with
the sporty, compact offerings filtering in from postwar
Europe.
Earl gathered a team including Chevrolet Chief
Engineer and future GM head Ed Cole, and recent
Cal Tech graduate Robert F. McLean. Together they
formed a plan: They would design the car with as
many parts from the General Motors bin as possible,
so as to control costs.
Suspension and drivetrain components would all be
from existing designs. This would also stem the cost of
50 AmericanCarCollector.com
50 AmericanCarCollector.com
research and development. The car would be skinned
in Glass Reinforced Plastic (fiberglass), a first for any
GM car. This provided significant weight savings.
The Corvette is born
The concept debuted to much excitement at the 1953
General Motors Motorama. The project already had
approval, but the warm reception reinforced the idea.
Total production for 1953 was just 300 hand-built
units. The 1954 model year saw production relocated
to a new refurbished St. Louis assembly plant.
However, thanks to the inline 6 and the automatic
transmission, none of these cars offered performance
to match their looks.
In 1955, Corvette finally gained the edge it needed,
thanks to Chevy’s new small-block V8, a manual
transmission, and the market threat of the moreluxurious
1955 Ford Thunderbird breathing down
GM’s neck.
As such, 1956 saw a total redesign for the Corvette,
featuring bold, fresh styling. Gone were the side
curtains, replaced by glass roll-up windows, with a
power-window option. Exterior door handles were
now standard. The rock grilles were gone from the
headlights, which were now banded by chrome bezels.
The sides of the car featured a dramatic cove, many of
which were painted in a two-tone scheme. The 265 V8
continued as the sole engine offering but could be had
with dual 4-barrel carbs and a 225-hp rating.
Page 49
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: 1957
Number produced: 6,339
Original list price: $3,176
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $97,000
(283/283 FI)
Club: National Corvette
Restorers Society
A performance car
For 1957, the exterior body styling was carried over,
but there was an increase in displacement to 283 cubic
inches. Also available for the first time was Rochester
Ramjet mechanical fuel injection.
The injection option could be had in either 250-hp
or 283-hp trims. Only 1,040 copies left the factory
with the injection unit. The other major performance
option available for the first time in ’57 was a 4-speed
transmission.
Paired with the 283/283 Fuelie offering, the
Corvette was finally a serious performance car. Zero
-to-60 came in a blazing 5.7 seconds, with the quarter
whizzing by in just 14.3. If you left your foot in it, the
Corvette would reach a blistering 132-mph terminal
velocity. Pretty heady stuff for 1957.
All about the codes
The very best carbureted solid-axle Corvettes can
be had in the five-figure range, but the Fuelies have
always commanded a premium.
The example seen here was restored by Glenn
Vaughn Restorations in Idaho, and it came with a bag
of receipts totaling over $160k. It’s finished in a solid
Onyx Black that is likely far nicer than any paint job
that ever left St. Louis, and is well complemented by
the Venetian Red vinyl interior. Nicely done, to say the
least. This car looks
fantastic.
But it’s interesting
to note that the car’s
early history is said
to be unknown, and
the color is described
as “period correct,”
but not absolutely
correct to the car. For
a driver-quality car,
that’s no big deal, but
for a Corvette at the
upper end of the desirability
spectrum, that
can be a problem.
Other notes are the “EN” code stamped in the
block, which is correct for an ultra-rare RPO 579E
283/283 airbox car, according to the numbers. But the
NCRS hasn’t verified that any were actually delivered
with that code. RPO 579E cars may have had the “EL”
block instead, which is what the standard 283/283
Fuelie cars used.
Closer examination of the stamping shows some
inconsistencies with the “N,” too, which some might see
as an “H.” “EH” would indicate a 2x4-bbl-equipped
245-hp 4-speed Corvette. Still desirable, but not injected.
Of course, we don’t have definitive proof either
way — factory injected or not — and Bonhams did not
state the engine to be original. But if it were a proven
original, you can bet it would have been marketed
as such, as 283-hp cars are worth a pretty penny. All
of this could have held back some bidding while the
car was on the block, as there’s a big value difference
between the two options. Were they bidding on an
original Fuelie? Was it changed over from a carbed
car at some point in the past? This is a case where it
pays to know for sure, with a marque expert’s on-site
opinion or past NCRS or Bloomington Gold awards
for peace of mind. We didn’t have any of that here.
What we did have was a nice-looking ’57 — the
final year of a very clean, desirable styling revamp.
The 1958 model year saw more changes in the form of
two headlights per side, the 13-bar chrome-tooth grille
being replaced by a nine-tooth version, a hood festooned
with non-functional dummy vents, and chrome
trunk irons down the back end. Overall, the ’57 design
is generally considered cleaner and more elegant.
What’s it worth?
If the standard 12% bidders’ fee is subtracted, the
sale is just slightly below the ACC Pocket Price Guide
283-hp median value
of $97,000 for a car
that is well beyond
median condition,
minus, of course, any
verification issues.
Was it well bought?
That depends. The
current median for a
245-hp car is $79,000,
and this car was
certainly in muchbetter-than-average
condition, so it could
be considered a market
price for condition
and colors. It really all comes down to those numbers.
If they can be verified — and it can be proven that the
injection system was in fact installed by GM in April of
1957 — then this was a much better deal.
Either way, for an end-user who is going to drive
the car, this example had all the eyeball and performance
that Earl and his team could have hoped for up
on the 11th floor, even if it was well sold today. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams.)
November–December 2018
51CC
51
1957 Chevrolet Corvette
283/283 Fuelie
convertible
Lot 4111, VIN: E57S195394
Condition: 2
Sold at $132,500
ACC# 6846489
Engine # location: Driver’s
side of block at bellhousing,
stamped in pad
ahead of passenger’s side
cylinder head
Web: www.ncrs.com
Alternatives: 1957 Ford
Thunderbird E-code, 1966
Shelby GT350 fastback,
1965 Chevrolet Corvette
396/425 convertible
ACC Investment Grade: A
(283/283 FI)
Comps
Tune-up/major service: $300
VIN location: Driver’s side
door jamb
1957 Chevrolet Corvette
283/245 convertible
Lot 700, VIN: E57S104740
Condition: 3+
Sold at $58,300
Barrett-Jackson, Uncasville,
CT, 6/20/2018
ACC# 6872599
Auctions America, Auburn, IN,
8/31/2017
1957 Chevrolet Corvette
283/220 convertible
Lot 1097, VIN: E57S102098
Condition: 2+
Sold at $90,750
Russo and Steele, Monterey,
CA, 8/17/2017
ACC# 6846500
Page 50
PROFILE GM
Wandering Value
1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR NOMAD
Courtesy of Bonhams
Nomads
with modern
creature
comforts in
comparable
original
condition
are pulling
far more
cash than
all-stock
examples.
That’s just
the new
reality
VIN: VC56L091264
by Dale Novak
• Beautifully finished in its as-delivered Calypso
Cream and Grecian Gold paint
• Winner of numerous First in Class awards
• Trendsetting 1950s style with much room in the
back
• The car that defined an era
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 4, sold for $62,720,
including buyer’s premium, at the
Bonhams Quail Lodge sale in Carmel, CA, on August
24, 2018.
The Chevrolet Nomad needs little introduction to
those of us with our heads hardwired to the world of
old cars — especially those from the mid-1950s. It was
an amazing time of automotive design that shaped and
molded the future of the automobile for years to come.
Styling suddenly became as important as function
— provided that cars could remain affordable for the
many rather than the few. Gone were the days of fat
fenders and bulbous bodies with little to no appeal.
Practical transportation was subjugated by brighter
colors, more chrome, multi-colored interiors, more
options and better drivetrains.
It was a styling renaissance that took the world by
storm, as the automobile became a status symbol of
the growing American middle class.
The high-five for Tri-Fives
Introduced in 1955, Chevrolet launched the 1955
Chevrolet in the 150, 210 and Bel Air series. The body
styles were plentiful, as one could be configured as
a 4-door sedan, 2-door sedan, utility, sport coupe,
delivery, convertible or wagon. Power was supplied
by either an inline 6 or new groundbreaking 265-ci
52 AmericanCarCollector.com
small-block V8.
Sales went through the roof, with over 1,700,000
selling in the 150, 210 and Bel Air series alone. It was
a total game-changing model for Chevrolet.
The Nomad came into the fold in mid-1955, named
after the Corvette-based wagon show car of 1954. It
was a high point on the styling chart — but so was the
price. Buyers had to opt for the Bel Air trim, but with
that came all sorts of styling options such as plush
carpeting and two-tone paint. Chrome spears also
adorned the headliner, and the body trim was decorated
from end to end in stainless steel and chrome
bits and pieces. The result was a stunning machine
that let your neighbors know you had a few bucks to
spare.
By 1956, the overall styling had changed a bit, but
the Nomad still left the showroom floor with all sorts
of gleaming chrome and an updated grille. Production
for 1956 topped out at 7,886 units — the lowest production
for any Bel Air model from 1955 to ’57.
Page 51
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Detailing
Years produced: 1955–57
Number produced: 7,886
(1956)
Engine # location: Stamped
on block pad ahead of
passenger’s side cylinder
head
Club: Chevrolet Nomad
Association
A changing market
Dissecting the Nomad market hasn’t been easy of
late. You can seemingly take the same exact Nomad,
nicely restored, of course, to multiple venues, and
depending on the buyers in the room, you’ll see dramatically
different results.
Naturally, you could say that about a bunch of cars
when they aren’t a good fit for a particular venue. But
the Nomad market carries with it a unique dynamic.
While it’s stylish and cool, it’s still a wagon.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of determined
buyers who would love to own a Nomad, especially a
guy who fawns all over Tri-Five Chevys in general.
The market is simply changing.
The owners of many of the Tri-Fives, regardless of
whether it’s a Nomad, are putting their cars up for
sale. A quick search on Hemmings yielded 504 1955–
57 Chevys (150, 210s and Bel Airs) for sale, with 40 of
those being Nomads. Yes, buyers are there stepping
up to acquire them, but the values have been dropping
based on simple supply-and-demand metrics.
Younger buyers still seem to be drawn to these cars,
but part of that equation is a lower price point. If the
cars get cheap enough, more buyers will be drawn to
them — and you don’t need a PhD to figure that out.
Resto-mod or all stock?
The interesting part of this market discussion is the
number of buyers gravitating to the resto-mod market.
Buying a cool old car with all the retro looks and styling
with a smorgasbord of modern driving cues has
been the hot ticket.
You can actually drive a modified car and remain in
reasonable comfort. You’ll still get the thumbs-up, but
you can do it in the comfort of your air-conditioned
cabin with your iPod connected to a surround-sound
stereo system. Couple that with power everything,
four-wheel disc brakes and the underpinnings from a
late-model chassis, and you can cruise down the road
without your tools in the trunk.
That round-the-bend discussion brings us to our
subject car. It’s an all-stock example. It will run and
drive like a car from 1956. While it certainly presents
well and comes complete with a very good pedigree,
it’s still a 63-year-old car with 63-year-old technology
on board.
There’s nothing wrong with that, but based on my
diligent research, Nomads with some modern creature
comforts in a comparable original condition are pulling
far more cash than all-stock examples. That’s just
the new reality. While a collector might gravitate to
this car for the pure nature of the offering, buyers who
plan to actually drive that car will steer towards the
modified examples.
Cool car, but a cooling market
Our subject car is in very nice condition. It obvi-
ously was in stellar condition when the restoration
was first completed. It has softened now over time, and
under close examination, one can note mildly pitting
chrome and a lightly soiled engine bay. Regardless,
I’m sure it presented very well in person.
By the markets, which have cooled for the Tri-Fives
in general, you might expect an all-stock Nomad in
this condition to fetch between $60k and $80k. The
colors may have held it back a tad, as well as the early
run number in the sale. The wallets are just getting
cracked open by the fourth car across the block.
While early indications would suggest that our sub-
ject Nomad was very well bought, when you step back
and look at the broader Tri-Five market as a whole,
it’s more likely a market-correct result. Slightly well
bought, but with caution as we look into the future. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams.)
1956 Chevrolet Nomad
wagon
Lot 1056.1, VIN:
VC56F135550
Condition: 1Sold
at $99,000
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/25/2016
ACC# 270649
1956 Chevrolet Nomad
wagon
Lot 1011, VIN: VC56K098934
Condition: 3+
Sold at $58,300
Russo and Steele, Monterey,
CA, 8/17/2017
ACC# 6846762
Alternatives: 1955–57
Pontiac Safari wagon,
1953–55 Chevrolet
Corvette, 1955–57 Ford
Thunderbird
Original list price: $2,707
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $58,000
Tune-up/major service: $200
VIN location: Left front door
hinge pillar
Web: www.chevynomadclub.
com
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
1956 Chevrolet Nomad
wagon
Lot 258, VIN: VC56L046947
Condition: 2Sold
at $40,425
McCormick’s, Palm Springs,
CA, 11/17/2017
ACC# 6853661
November–December 2018 53
Page 52
PROFILE FOMOCO
Ford’s Shelby
1969 SHELBY GT500 CONVERTIBLE
Courtesy of Bonhams
Is this the
softening of
a market for
a car that got
a little soft
around the
waistline?
VIN: 9F03R481878
by Sam Stockham
• One of only 335 1969 GT500 convertibles produced
• Offered with Shelby authenticity certificate and
Marti Report
• Desirable options including air conditioning,
traction-lok diff and competition suspension
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 30, sold for
$128,800, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge auction in Carmel,
CA, on August 24, 2018.
I once heard someone refer to these ’69 and ’70
cars as “Fat Elvis” Shelbys. The more I’ve thought
about it, the more I figure it’s right in a tongue-incheek
sort of way. By 1969, the Shelby Mustang had
grown up, grown out, and was now pushing maximum
density for a race car, which it really wasn’t anymore.
That Elvis comparison got me thinking about
the surprisingly short amount of time Shelby’s cars
were around, considering the impact they had on
the car world. Six short years is all it took for the
Shelby Mustang to morph from a lean, mean SCCA
B-production dominator to a bloated, but not underpowered,
cushy cruiser trying to cater to a niche
market and achieve mass appeal at the same time.
By 1969, Shelby Mustang was a household name,
but no one really wanted to pony up for one. So how
did the Shelby Mustang go from lean and mean to
karate kicks for show in only six years?
Comfort over performance
The answer is that in 1968, Bunkie Knudsen took
the helm at Ford and decided quickly to move the
Shelby build in-house. Keep in mind, Shelby was a
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
speed freak. If it wasn’t fast, he didn’t want it, and
Ford was full of corporate bean-counters who swore
they knew better that anyone. To them, no car was
worth selling unless it almost pleased most of the
people.
That watered-down mentality took the simple,
stripped-down, street-legal race car that was the
1965 (and 1966) Shelby and added power steering
and power brakes for 1967. Those compromises were
accepted in the name of safety and sales, but by 1968,
a laundry list of luxury options neutered the Shelby
Mustang’s track cred and basically made it worthy of
a shoulder shrug in the eyes of the track-going public.
Simply put, at the price point, they were hard to move.
By late ’68, with the introduction of the ’69 model
year, pricing and exclusivity were working against
Shelby. For 1967, Ford had decided to make the
optional big motor in all assembly-line Mustangs the
390-ci FE, so the 428-powered Shelby Mustangs still
had the cubic-inch bragging right over production
cars. For 1968, Ford decided to put the same 428 in
the production cars when so optioned. Therefore, even
the GT500 KR could not claim big-inch exclusivity
anymore.
When it came to the 428-powered cars, even
Shelby’s racing pedigree could not compete with
the introduction of the Boss 429 and its NASCAR
mystique. The 428’s performance was mainly low-end
torque. It was not a high-revving engine designed for
race duty. At the time, the racing 427 would have been
the hot ticket in the ’67-and-up Shelby, but it was tight
on tolerance and expensive to build. Ford had better
bottom-line plans with the 428, and once again, the
bean-counters won. Whether Shelby himself was sold
on the 428 motor is up for debate. But at the end of the
Page 53
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Detailing
Engine # location: Front
right-hand cylinder bank
Club: Shelby American
Automobile Club
day, Shelby was on his way out and the writing was on
the wall for the GT500.
End of an icon
Ford had taken over the stripped-down perfor-
mance market that Shelby had created with the 1969
Boss 429. If the cubic-inch buyer wanted the Boss
motor, he was going to spend north of $4,800, which
was still less than a loaded Shelby. That effectively
elbowed the Shelby Mustang aside. The Boss motor
gave Hemi-level power and exclusivity by being only
offered in the Mustang, and buyers knew it — it was
the new hot ticket.
In mid-1968, a deal was struck with A.O. Smith
to build the 1969 and 1970 Shelby Mustangs. A.O.
Smith was already manufacturing the plastic body
components for Shelby, and Ford figured they could
capitalize on A.O. Smith’s manufacturing prowess
and have them do the whole car, since much of it was
aesthetic and not mechanical.
Ford tried to wring the last bit of profitability out of
the Shelby Mustang, but alas, the buying public wasn’t
buying. A total of 780 1969 models were sold off as
1970 models, and the Shelby Mustang unceremoniously
came to a production close in a proverbial white
jumpsuit with rhinestones.
All of this sounds a bit dramatic, I know. Heck, I
like the looks of the 1969–70 production Mustang,
but the Shelby looks a tad bloated for my tastes. The
front end looks to be a Mopar design copy and has too
many NACA ducts and fender scoops for me.
But even if they look cartoonish rather than func-
tional, I can see why people like the last Shelbys. Our
car was done in a nice Candy Apple Red with white
knit vinyl upholstery and a big signature from Shelby
himself on the sun visor, which you might expect, as
the catalog copy stated the car was from his personal
collection. In the fine print, however, that was retracted.
The car is said to be mostly original and was once
donated to the Shelby Museum.
A good buy, sized XL
According to the catalog pics, the car looks to be a
decent driver with some occasional rattle-can restoration
possible. The battery is modern and the cables
are incorrect, which is fine, but implies that the car
has not undergone a full restoration. But like many of
you, I like stuff I can drive without the risk of unraveling
an expensive restoration. The trunk-lid plastics
fit like socks on a rooster, but that’s par with quality
control for the time, as Ford was not investing in such
frivolity for the Shelbys.
At $128,800, I’d call the car slightly well sold only
because it was not restored. There was no big financial
investment made by someone else prior to this sale.
The ACC Pocket Price Guide pegs the value at around
$110,000 with an automatic, which our subject car has.
Conversely, recent sales of 1969–70 Shelby con-
vertibles show some higher sale prices than this. Not
long ago, auction catalog estimates on some examples
were over $200,000. Is this the softening of a market
for a car that got a little soft around the waistline? I’m
not sure yet, but stay tuned. I’ll call it well bought for
now. What I do know is that it’s Elvis’s rhinestonebedazzled
jumpsuit, size XL, and no matter how
garish, will always be loved and considered iconic. So
will Shelby and his Mustangs. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams.)
1969 Shelby GT500
convertible
Lot 36, VIN: 9F03R482705
Condition: 1Sold
at $181,500
Worldwide Auctioneers,
Montgomery, TX,
4/25/2015
ACC# 264878
1970 Shelby GT500
convertible
Lot 747, VIN: 0F03R482603
Condition: 1
Sold at $137,500
Original list price: $5,027
(base convertible)
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $110,000
Tune-up/major service: $250
VIN location: Tag under
windshield
Years produced: 1969–70
Number produced: 3,153
(combined)
Web: www.saac.com
Alternatives: 1970 Chevrolet
Chevelle SS 454 LS5
convertible, 1970 Dodge
Challenger 440 convertible,
1969 Ford Mustang
Mach 1 428CJ
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas,
NV, 10/19/2017
ACC# 6852548
1969 Shelby GT500
convertible
Lot 032, VIN: 9F03R482546
Condition: 2Sold
at $158,400
Motostalgia, Waxahachie, TX,
10/14/2017
ACC# 6851044
November–December 2018
55CC
55
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Detailing
Richard Petty earned his second NASCAR Grand
National championship in a season never to be
equaled — 27 victories out of 48 races, including 10
straight wins.
The GTX started at $3,178, around $250 more than
a Pontiac GTO, but because of GM’s restrictions
on engine size, the GTX packed that monster 440,
something GTO owners with their 400-cubic-inch
powerplants could only dream of. The GTO still
outsold the GTX by roughly seven to one in 1967, but
the GTX set the stage for the runaway success of the
Plymouth Road Runner that Jack Smith created just
before the launch of the rebodied 1968 models (the
GTX continued as an upscale performance machine
with standard 440 power). Plus, those 1967 GTX
owners could honestly brag that, like a Plymouth
magazine advertisement said, the only way to pass
Richard Petty’s GTX — or any owner’s GTX — is if it’s
on a trailer.
Driver or show car?
Our feature GTX certainly looks the part, with that
stripped-down stance like it’s ready to trade paint on
the banks of Darlington or Daytona. Inside and out it
looks to be well restored, with excellent PP1 “Bright
Red” paint and the optional Magnum 500 wheels that
so many of these cars had from new. It also has air
conditioning — a rare, expensive option in 1967, but
perfect for a GTX that is intended for frequent use. But
under the hood, the braided hoses, modern chrome
pieces and Optima battery tell the world that this is a
driver and not a concours trailer queen.
As the former owner of a similar 1967 Satellite
convertible, I can tell you these Mopar B-bodies drive
well for cars that are a half-century old. But possibly
this image of a driver kept the price of this GTX below
the current median — the ACC Pocket Price Guide Q3
edition shows a median value of $32,500.
Here’s the conundrum for any seller of ’60s muscle,
especially for a car that has little or no provenance:
Keep the car stock or “restify” it with upgraded
brakes, suspension, tires, and powertrain for a better
driving experience? Maybe the best approach is to
mildly customize while keeping the factory appearance.
Add factory disc brakes and air conditioning to
a muscle car that originally had neither, and include
modern poly suspension bushings, upgraded shocks
and a set of vintage-looking BFGoodrich Redline
Radial tires for a more-modern feel.
I’m always concerned when a vehicle sends a mixed
message. Is it a show car? Is it a driver? At least with
an all-out Pro Street machine, you know what you
are getting, although heavily modified cars invariably
lose money for a seller. Could something as simple as
replacing the valve covers, air cleaner, hoses and battery
with reproduction factory pieces have driven the
price higher on this GTX? It certainly couldn’t have
hurt. The owner would then have a stunning machine
that is fun and practical to drive while still being
show-worthy at all but the most demanding concours.
As it is, the new owner got a bit of Richard Petty
DNA at a discount price. For the money, I’d consider
Club: WPC Club Inc.
Web: www.chryslerclub.org
Alternatives: 1967 Pontiac
GTO, 1967 Chevrolet
Chevelle SS 396, 1967
Ford Fairlane GT
Comps
Engine # location: Pad
located on the right side of
the block to the rear of the
engine mount
Years produced: 1966–67
Number produced: 12,115
(1967: 11,429 hard top,
686 convertible)
Original list price: $3,178
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $32,500 hard
top, $34,000 convertible
Tune-up/major service: $300
VIN location: Plate on driver’s
door post
1967 Plymouth GTX 2-dr
hard top
Lot T115.1, VIN
RS23L71113626
Condition: 3+
Sold at $27,540
Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis,
IN, 5/15/2015
ACC# 265253
1967 Plymouth GTX 2-dr
hard top
Lot T166, VIN:
this one well bought. A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.)
RS23L71221670
Condition: 1Sold
at $45,360
Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis,
IN, 4/18/2014
ACC# 243865
1967 Plymouth GTX 2-dr
hard top
Lot 501, VIN: RS23L75108218
Condition: 2+
Sold at $39,875
Leake Auctions, Tulsa, OK,
6/9/2013
ACC# 225638
November–December 2018
November–December 2018 57
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Detailing
Year produced: 1932
Number produced: 6,893
DeLuxe Roadsters; 520
Standard Roadsters
Original list price: $500
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $57,750
Tune-up/major service: $250
(estimated)
Engine # location:
VIN location: Front frame rail,
driver’s side.
Clubs: Goodguys, National
Street Rod Association
(NSRA)
LaCoste repainted the car bright yellow and dropped
in an eight-carb 354-ci Chrysler Hemi. Not content with
that formidable induction setup, Jeano and Northern
California legend Charlie Tabucchi upgraded the ’32
yet again with a massive 6-71 GMC blower and Hilborn
two-port fuel injection. Their best effort came on a
foggy day at Half Moon Bay, where the roadster, still
called “404 Jr.,” turned a torrid 136.36 mph in 11.61
seconds — enough for an A/Gas World Record.
A life well lived
LaCoste sold the roadster to Rudy Perez, from
Alamo, CA, who installed a Chevy small-block V8 and
replaced (but thankfully kept) the original rails with a
California Street Rods chassis.
Over 37 years, Perez drove the car more than
185,000 miles, winning the Brizio Family Award, one
of many trophies awarded at the Grand National
Roadster Show. That’s where respected Salina, KS,
collector Roger Morrison saw it. Intent on restoring
the roadster back to its Berardini guise, and reuniting
Pat Berardini with the car, Morrison retained Dave
Crouse (then Custom Auto in Loveland, CO) to repair
the original frame — at considerable expense — and
build a proper flathead for it.
“The Camfather,” Ed Iskenderian, pulled his last
404 camshaft and lifters off the shelf so the restored
roadster would retain that characteristic lopey idle
and crisp throttle response.
Debuted at the 2005 GNRS, the now-pristine “404
Jr.” captured the coveted Bruce Meyer Preservation
Award. Two years later at the Pebble Beach Concours,
Edsel Ford II presented Morrison and a delighted Pat
Berardini, riding shotgun, with the esteemed Dean
Bachelor Trophy for the most significant historic hot
rod. As a final honor, the roadster was named one of
the 75 most significant ’32 Fords of all time, and has
been featured in many hot rod magazines, including
milestone issue 32 of The Rodder’s Journal.
Heading for the races again
Impressed by its remarkable history, Craig McCaw
bought the 404 Jr. from Morrison, who felt he’d accomplished
all his goals for the car. After a spell in
McCaw’s collection, it was consigned to the August
RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale.
The winning bidder was Ross Myers, a
Pennsylvania-based collector whose “3 Dog Garage”
private museum in Boyertown, PA, is home to the ex“Ricky
Nelson,” Pete Henderson, and Fred Steele ’32
Ford roadsters, the “Kookie Kar,” as well as a Ridler
Award-winning ’36 Ford 3-window by Troy Trepanier.
The selling price of $324,000 was well below the
$400,000 to $600,000 estimate. “You could argue that
this Highboy roadster, with its great racing history, is
one of the top 10 most significant ’32 Fords,” Myers
says. “I love the story about the two brothers who
raced it for years. They were seldom ever beaten. It
looks just the way you’d want a drag-racing ’32 to
look, and it’s a great value, compared with what you’d
have to spend to restore it.”
Ross plans to run the 404 Jr. at next year’s Race of
Gentlemen (TROG) on the beach at Wildwood, NJ.
With that in mind, I’d call this classic hot rod sale a
very good deal for the buyer. A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
Transmission bellhousing
Web: www.goodguys.com,
www.nsra.com
Alternatives: Other ’40sto-’50s-era
period hot
rods with race history and
awards
ACC Investment Grade: AComps
1932 Ford Highboy roadster,
ex-Pete Henderson
Lot 173, VIN: DRF99005
Condition: 1Sold
at $192,500
RM Sotheby’s, Hershey, PA,
10/5/2017
ACC# 6850347
1932 Ford Highboy roadster,
ex-Walker Morrison
Lot 132, VIN: 1874450
Condition: 1
Sold at $225,000
Bonhams, Carmel, CA,
8/16/2013
ACC# 227288
1932 Ford Highboy roadster,
ex-Tom McMullen
Lot S109, VIN: 18152025
Condition: 1Sold
at $742,000
Mecum Auctions, Anaheim,
CA, 11/14/2012
ACC# 213966
November–December 2018 59
Page 58
PROFILE AMERICANA
1912 FORD MODEL T TOURING
Bargain T
B. Mitchell Carlson
Our featured
car predates
several
important
Model T
milestones,
and it’s largely
original —
which is
why it was a
phenomenally
good buy
60 AmericanCarCollector.com
60 AmericanCarCollector.com
VIN: 124640
Engine #: 131349
by B. Mitchell Carlson
• 176-ci L-head inline 4-cylinder engine
• Two-speed planetary transmission
• Owner states car retains correct engine, carburetor
and rear end
• Driven 100 miles since driveline overhaul
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 1009, sold for
$4,675, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at RM Auctions’ Fall Auburn auction in
Auburn, IN, on August 30, 2018. It was offered without
reserve.
Henry Ford’s final car company finally got enough
momentum (and financial backing) to get underway
in 1903, and it kept going with cars that were slowly
moving up the price brackets. The company was
financially successful, but what Henry really wanted
was to build a car for the everyday person. As such,
his Model T was launched in 1908 at an introductory
price of $825 for a runabout.
Knowing he could build more cheaply with mass
production, he introduced the moving assembly line
to the auto industry in 1914. With the ever-increasing
economies of scale, efficiencies in production meant
gradual changes to the T, the most obvious of which
was going from exposed brass radiators to ones
enclosed in a painted steel shell in 1917. By 1924, the
basic Model T runabout attained the lowest selling
price for any new car in history at $265.
Our featured car predates several important Model
T milestones, and it’s largely original — which is why
it was a phenomenally good buy.
Original non-matching numbers
In 1912, all Ts were still built in Detroit, but not yet
on a moving assembly line. This was even before they
were all painted black. The vast majority were dark
blue that year.
While there was some parts swapping done at some
time, the majority of this car is as it was built by Ford.
Most notable is the engine block and serial number
plaque on the interior side of the firewall; as with
all 1912s, these numbers do not match, but are both
correct for the year. The engine number on this car —
Page 59
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Detailing
Years produced: 1908–16
(Brass Era)
Number produced: 68,733
(1912)
Club: Model T Ford Club of
America
131349 — dates to July 1912, per Ford’s records.
For the length of Model T production, the serial
number was always considered the engine number.
When the Model T was introduced, a patent plate
was affixed to the dashboard, and throughout early
1911, both the engine and the patent plate’s numbers
matched. As replacement engines began to be set
aside and car production increased, the tag numbers
started to intermittently not match the engines during
1911. By 1912, none of them matched, but Ford didn’t
really care because they didn’t track the patent-plate
numbers.
Also through this time, part of the function of the
patent plate was to cover an unused carburetor adjustment
hole on the firewall. As all firewalls were made
to be used for left- and right-hand drive, Ford simply
flipped the drilled-out board that was the firewall and
mounted components on the side that fit over the steering
column. The unused adjustment hole that went
nowhere sat behind the tag. With the firewall changing
in 1913, and for the sake of manufacturing efficiency
and cost savings, the tag was deleted. Bodies had a
unit number stamped into the wood structure, depending
upon which assembly plant built it, but it was not
the engine number.
Value and demand
This T was markedly older than the vast majority
of its surviving peers, and it was very original, so you
might have assumed it would’ve brought more money
across the auction block. RM had their estimate at
$12,000 to $18,000. However, this car had a couple of
factors working against it.
First, it was among the first cars on the auction. Not
just for the day — it was the third car out for the whole
Labor Day weekend event. As such, it was in front of a
light audience of bidders.
Second is interest in Ts in general, which started
to wane in car people way back in the 1960s. The
T-bucket street rod is a classic example of making
Grandpa’s slow fuddy car into something cool and
more relevant, adapting it to a more modern use.
Today, it seems that the vast majority of under30-year-old
buyers don’t want anything to do with
cars such as this. And that will be a problem for all
genres of collector cars as they — and we — age,
regardless of your collector-vehicle interests.
The thing to appreciate about a car like this is not
the simple fact that it’s old. It’s that, despite the odds,
it’s still here. Despite car dealer scrappage programs
in the 1920s (when used cars were piled up and publicly
burned to help stimulate new car sales), World
War II scrap drives, and the overall post-war era of
Modernism at the expense of our past — let alone
the effects of time and nature — it’s still here over a
century later.
Mechanical escape
For those of us — regardless of age — who can
appreciate a working mechanical device that’s over
a century old, these early Ts are relative bargains.
For those who are mechanically inclined and want to
get away from a world of computers, restoration or
maintenance of a simple mechanical machine can be a
superb way to relax.
So if you have a chance to pick up a Brass Era
Model T on the cheap, by all means do it. If you want
to restore it into a concours lawn ornament if it’s too
far gone to preserve, have at it. If you just want to
get it running and make it relatively safe as a driver,
better yet.
And while a lack of interest has kept prices reason-
able on these old Fords, curb appeal is another story,
as these once-ubiquitous Ts now stand out. Based on
the short time I was inspecting this car while it was
sitting and waiting to get hauled out of the auction, I
can tell you that you’ll be surprised by the amount of
looks a Model T will generate. This was parked next
to a red 1969 Plymouth Road Runner convertible,
and during my 20-odd-minute informal survey, more
people stopped and looked at the T than the muscle
car by a ratio of 2-to-1.
Regardless of what the new owner intends to do with
it — preserve, restore, or just drive it slowly — this was
1912 Ford Model T Tourer
Lot 333, VIN: 142001
Condition: 3
Sold at $16,908
Bonhams, Paris. FRA,
2/8/2018
ACC# 6858285
Engine # location: Pad
directly beneath the
cylinder head, centered on
the left side of the block,
just above the boss for the
coolant outlet (Ford’s accepted
car serial number)
Web: www.mtfca.com/
Alternatives: 1908–12 Buick
Model 10 4-cylinder,
1907–15 International
Harvester highwheeler,
1928–31 Ford Model A
ACC Investment Grade: D
Comps
Original list price: $690
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $16,704
Tune-up/major service: $200
VIN location: Serial number
on plate on interior side of
the firewall
1914 Ford Model T Tourer
Lot 438, VIN: 614017
Condition: 3Sold
at $9,380
Bonhams, Los Angeles, CA,
11/11/2017
ACC# 6854012
a great buy on a piece of rolling Americana. A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.)
1923 Ford Model T Tourer
Lot 128A, VIN: N/A
Condition: 3Sold
at $5,800
VanDerBrink Auctions,
Chatfield, MN, 6/16/2016
ACC# 6803711
November–December 2018
61CC
61
Page 60
PROFILE RACE
1952 HUDSON HORNET 6 NASCAR RACER
Racing Relic
Courtesy of Worldwide Auctioneers
How do you
value an
artifact? In
the context
of its time, it
was a truly
special and
advanced
racer. The
“fabulous”
part wasn’t
just hype
VIN: 7B185596
by Thor Thorson
• Driven and owned by NASCAR legend Herb
Thomas during ’52 and ’53 seasons
• Presented in original racing livery; factory
“Severe Usage” items throughout
• The last and only known Hudson factory
“Fabulous Hudson Hornet” NASCAR racer in
existence
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 1, sold for
$1,265,000, including buyer’s
premium, at Worldwide Auctioneers’ Hostetler Auto
Museum sale in Shipshewana, IN, on August 4, 2018.
In Pixar’s 2006 animated movie “Cars,” the
eventual hero is a callow, self-obsessed rookie racer
named Lightning McQueen. Trapped by fate in the
backwater town of Radiator Springs, he begins his
journey to redemption by realizing that the stodgy,
antiquated “Doc Hudson” was, in fact, the famous
racer “Fabulous Hudson Hornet.”
I suggest we follow a similar path, to wit: we may
look down our noses at the heavy, clumsy old 1952
Hudson Hornet, but in the context of its time, it was
a truly special and advanced racer. The “fabulous”
part wasn’t just hype.
I was 7 when Herb Thomas was dominating the
dirt (and occasionally paved) oval tracks of the early
stock-car racing days, so by the time my automotive
hormones started to kick in, the Hornet (indeed, even
Hudson itself) was an almost lost memory of the time
before modern cars arrived with flash and thunder.
I started researching this piece with an almost “Doc
Hudson” dismissal of the old thing — mostly hype and
great graphics, it seemed. Then I started to learn.
62
AmericanCarCollector.com
Step-down performance
Although long gone, Hudson was once a serious
player in the American car business. In 1929 it was
the third-largest manufacturer behind Chevrolet and
Ford, with a reputation for excellent engineering and
build quality.
In the early post-war years, they were the first to
see racing as an important marketing opportunity
and happened to have an excellent car to work with.
Their chassis was particularly advanced: While the
other manufacturers were using a ladder frame with
the entire car bolted on top of it, Hudson designed a
perimeter frame around the passenger’s compartment
then dropped the entire car down inside it — what they
called the “step down” design. It both significantly
strengthened the rigidity of the frame and dropped the
center of mass by over four inches, which improved
handling and ride.
Although the suspension appeared conventional,
with a live axle bolted to leaf springs in back, it really
wasn’t. Hudson angled the leaf springs inward like a
snowplow, with the result that hard acceleration didn’t
cause the nose of the differential to dive. They also
used a Panhard rod to locate the live axle.
The front suspension used unequal-length A-arms
that were particularly strong and utilized “center point”
steering, wherein the steering rotation point (kingpin)
was directly above the center of the front wheels. Normal
steering swings the tires through an arc while this simply
rotates them, making steering much lighter and more
resistant to road jarring. The steering is still horribly
slow, but it is light. In general, the Hornet drove and
handled better than anything America made at the time.
Page 61
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 built: 1951–54
Number built: Approximately
20 (racers)
Original list price: $2,479
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $1,265,000
(this car)
Engine # location: Front of
engine block right top
Club: Hudson-EssexTerraplane
Club
Racing with 6
In the late 1940s, Hudson had made a strategic cor-
porate decision not to develop a V8 engine, but instead
to optimize the 6 they had. The decision arguably cost
them the company in the mid-1950s, when V8s became
the cool thing, but in the early years they had the most
sophisticated and powerful flathead ever built.
To start, it was big: 5 liters was about as large as
anyone was building sedan engines in those days.
Rather than have the valves parallel to the bores in the
block, Hudson canted them seven degrees toward the
cylinder, which allowed far better porting and combustion-chamber
shape than the traditional approach.
The intake (particularly the “Twin-H” 2-carb version)
and exhaust manifolds were both highly efficient, and
the bottom end was strong enough to handle high revs.
Officially the engine made 145 hp at 3,600 rpm, but
with factory help was easily tweaked to make 215 at
4,800 rpm, with tons of torque.
In 1952, the competition was just starting to figure
things out. Oldsmobile had the first “modern” V8 in
their Rocket 88, but it only made 135 hp, and General
Motors wasn’t very helpful in getting more “stock”
power from it. Dodge didn’t get a V8 until 1953, and it
was a 140-hp 4-liter when it arrived, so the Hudson 6
was nothing to sneeze at.
None of the cars were light, so with a roughly
17.5-pounds-per-horsepower ratio, the Hudson was
bloody fast for its time.
Hudson was also the first to figure out how to effec-
tively support stock-car racing. In those days, “stock”
meant stock, which was what the factory produced,
exactly as they produced it. Hudson figured out that
they could build virtually anything they wanted and
have it legal as long as they offered the parts to their
entire dealer network. Thus was born the “severe
usage” parts list: upgraded spindles, axles, differential
ratios, shock absorbers, brakes, even an entire
215-hp engine — you get the idea. Nobody else did this
at the time, and it was an enormous advantage.
Track domination — for a time
For a few halcyon years it all came together —
chassis, suspension, engine, and factory support — to
create a stock-car racing juggernaut in the early years
of NASCAR. But technological development by the
competition and insufficient cash to keep up doomed
Hudson to obscurity. 1954 was the swan song, as
Hudson had to merge with Nash to survive (and didn’t
anyway), but it had been a hell of a ride.
The “Fabulous Hudson Hornets” became old,
uncompetitive racers and were junked or sold into
street slavery, for the most part lost to memory and
dusty photos. By fortuitous chance, today’s subject car
— one of the greatest examples to boot — survived. It
is the only one.
Value in history
How do you value an artifact? It is a relic of a time
both impossibly distant and not really that long ago —
a heroic tool for my father’s generation to challenge
the limits of what a car could do.
Like that generation (and increasingly my own), it
has become almost a caricature of obsolescent glory,
but in that very fact has maintained an emotional attachment
with who we are today.
It is difficult to look at or think about these cars now
without something inside going soft and fuzzy, which
is why Doc Hudson was essential to making “Cars”
work and why we wistfully appreciate Hudsons today.
In its time and in its way, it was a truly fabulous car,
fairly bought now by someone who is probably pretty
nostalgic.A
(Introductory description courtesy of Worldwide
Auctioneers.)
1953 Hudson Wasp Super 6
Hollywood hard top
Lot 65, VIN: 5C221320
Condition 2Sold
at $44,000
Worldwide Auctioneers,
Shipshewana, IN, 8/4/18
ACC# 6877079
1953 Hudson Hornet 6
“Twin H-Power” sedan
Lot 66, VIN: 5559W1S
Condition: 3+
Sold at $41,800
ACC# 6876016
Cost per hour to race: $500
VIN location: Metal plate on
right front door jamb
Web: www.hetclub.org
Alternatives: 1952
Oldsmobile Rocket 88,
1953 Dodge Coronet, 1952
Ford Customline
ACC Investment Grade: A
Comps
1956 Hudson Hornet
NASCAR re-creation
Lot 2, VIN: 7B139000
Condition: 1Sold
at $165,000
Worldwide Auctioneers,
Shipshewana, IN, 8/4/18
ACC# 6875991
Worldwide Auctioneers,
Shipshewana, IN, 8/4/18
November–December 2018 63
Page 62
PROFILE TRUCK
1969 CHEVROLET C-10 PICKUP
Rising Rigs
Courtesy of Hendrick Performance
There are
very good
reasons why
these trucks
are popular
as drivers,
cruisers and
show trucks,
and that’s
going to keep
this market
rising
VIN: CE149J848195
by Jeff Zurschmeide
• 350-ci V8 engine with 4-bbl
• Turbo-Hydramatic transmission
• Frame-off restoration
• Original Protect-O-Plate, owner’s manual and
sales books
• Loaded with some of the rarest options
• Factory a/c, power steering and brakes
• Factory cruise control, rare speed alert
• Engine-block heater
• Tilt wheel
• Deluxe Interior with bucket seats, console and
headliner
• Deluxe gauge package
• AM/FM radio
• Oak bed floor
• Deluxe wheel covers
• Correct double-band whitewalls
• Restoration receipts and thumb drive of pictures
• Highly detailed with correct tags and chalk marks
ACC Analysis This truck, Lot ST0039, sold for
$39,590, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at GAA Classic Cars sale in Greensboro, NC,
on July 18, 2018.
The late 1960s saw some of the most dramatic
changes to Chevrolet pickup trucks that the Bowtied
workhorses had seen in their 50-year history. The
Chevy trucks produced from 1967 to 1972 completed
the transition from primitive load haulers to modern
all-purpose vehicles.
64 AmericanCarCollector.com
64 AmericanCarCollector.com
A thoroughly modern truck
To really understand the 1969 Chevy C-10, you have
to go back to the last major redesign in 1960. The most
significant technical improvement at that time was
the adoption of independent front suspension. For the
first three years of the new design, Chevy trucks used
torsion bars up front, but in 1963, all two-wheel-drive
half-ton Chevy trucks received front coil springs.
Perhaps just as important, the traditional rear leaf
springs on 1960 ½-ton and ¾-ton Chevy trucks were
replaced with coil springs and trailing arms. Together
with the front suspension redesign, this gave Chevy
light trucks of the 1960s the best ride and handling of
any truck made up to that point.
Then, in 1967, Chevy introduced a smooth new
exterior design that held through the 1972 model year.
Trucks built in ’67 and beyond were nearly two inches
longer than their predecessors, and overall ride height
was dropped by more than two inches to improve
handling and cab access.
However, the chassis underpinnings of the 1967–72
trucks remained more or less the same as the 1966
models. Chevy half-ton trucks received front disc
brakes for the first time in 1971, and eventually abandoned
the coil-spring rear suspension in 1973, going
back to improved leaf springs for the next generation.
1969 had its own watershed changes, but these were
mostly found in the engine compartment. 1967 was the
last year that the venerable straight-6 engine outsold
the small-block V8 in pickups. In 1968, Chevy truck
Page 63
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: 1967–72
Number produced: More
than 400,000
Original list price: $2,494
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $23,100
Tune-up/major service: $100
VIN Location: Plate in door
jamb, driver’s side
Engine # location: Ahead of
passenger’s side cylinder
head
buyers chose 410,000 V8 engines compared to about
270,000 6-cylinders. So for ’69, Chevy abandoned the
327 and offered three variations of the 350 V8. Buyers
could get the 350 in 255-, 300-, and 350-horsepower
versions. All the 350 V8 options came with a 4-barrel
carburetor, so it’s hard to tell the difference at a
glance today.
Truck interiors were advancing just as rapidly.
Chevy dramatically improved interiors in this era,
offering features such as carpet, air conditioning,
and even bucket seats with a center console. Almost
30,000 buyers chose Chevy’s “Custom Sport Truck,”
or CST, trim on 1969 fleetside models, which got them
carpeting, upgraded seats, a headliner, a cargo lamp
and chrome dash knobs.
Rising values
The 1969 Chevrolet C-10 pickup was the most
advanced truck Chevy had ever made, and sales
reflected the truck’s popularity. The most common
1969 C-10 was the fleetside longbed, with 268,233
produced, while the second-place fleetside shortbed
ran to only 54,211 trucks. Stepsides were less common,
with 49,147 shortbeds and 18,179 longbeds produced.
Original base-trim purchase prices ranged from
$2,494 to $2,569.
Chevy trucks of this generation have long been
collectible, but prices have taken another jump up
recently. It’s still easy to buy a solid driver truck for
about $10,000, but most collectible examples are
trading in the $20,000–$30,000 range, and recent
prices have peaked over $50,000 (ACC# 270897). The
top Cheyenne trim was introduced in 1971, and those
trucks, as well as the Cheyenne Super launched in
late ’71, bring consistently higher prices than lessluxurious
trims.
Against that backdrop, the $37,000 price tag for our
subject sale is far from a high-water mark for this generation,
but it’s respectable money for a well-restored
truck. This truck looks like someone went through and
checked every option on the order form, and that’s a
great thing because many of these options are “never
see them” rare.
Options present on this truck include the tachom-
eter, door armrests, air conditioning, AM/FM radio,
power steering and brakes, speed alert, tilt steering
wheel, bucket seats with center console and code
P01 chrome hubcaps. Of course, the 350 V8 and
Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed automatic transmission
were also technically optional, even though the take
rate on those features makes them seem like standard
equipment.
What’s on the SPID?
But with so many optional parts now available in
the aftermarket, it’s hard to know how many of these
options were originally delivered with this truck. It’s
impossible to be certain because the GAA auction
listing does not include any images of the SPID, or
Service Parts Identification tag, located on the inside
of the glovebox door. Some answers come from the
ACC Premium Auction Database, which shows this
same truck sold at Leake Dallas at the end of 2017 for
$28,050 (ACC# 6853676).
At the time of that sale, there were no whitewall
tires or optional hubcaps, so those features were
added since last year. ACC had a reporter on site for
last year’s sale who reported that the build sticker in
the glovebox appeared to be a reproduction, so there’s
no certain way to tell what this truck had originally.
From the looks of it, the seller pocketed a tidy profit
on an eight-month ownership and a set of hubcaps and
tires. The insider takeaway from that fact is that getting
the highest price for your sale (or the lowest price
as a buyer) depends on the
buyers in the audience at the
time and place of the auction.
The larger message, though,
is that well-kept high-trimlevel
1967–72 Chevy trucks
continue to rise in the market.
There are very good reasons
why these trucks are popular
as drivers, cruisers and show
trucks, and that’s going to keep
this market rising. A
(Introductory descrip-
tion courtesy of GAA. The
truck currently is for sale by
Hendrick Perfomance, www.
hendrickperformance.com.)
November–December 2018
65CC
65
Club: GM Truck Club
Web: www.gmtruckclub.com
Alternatives: 1967–72
Ford F-Series, 1973–87
Chevrolet C-10, 1965–71
Dodge D-Series
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
1969 Chevrolet C-10 pickup
Lot 171, VIN: CE149J848195
(subject truck)
Condition: 2
Sold at $28,050
Leake, Dallas, TX, 11/17/2017
ACC# 6853676
1968 Chevrolet C-10 SWB
pickup
Lot 1121, VIN: CS14S195367
Condition: 3
Sold at $11,550
Leake, Dallas, TX, 4/17/2016
ACC# 6799635
1972 Chevrolet C-10
Cheyenne Super pickup
Lot 472.1, VIN:
CCE142S195290
Condition: 2
Sold at $50,600
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/25/2016
ACC# 270897
Page 64
MARKET OVERVIEW
Monterey Wasn’t the Only Place
to Buy a Car This Summer
Monterey’s auctions set records, but deals spanned coasts
CHAD’S QUICK TAKE
Pick up your favorite car
magazine (hopefully it’s this one)
and there is likely a writer in there
grousing about the next generation
of collectors/car folks/whatever
you call ’em. The ideas are often
scattershot, agreeing on neither
who the next generation even is
(toddlers, teenagers, 30-something
Millennials), nor on what they
want them to do.
Here’s what I know: The future
Twin Cities Auctions held their sale in conjuction with MSRA’s Back to the 50’s car show. one of the
many cars on offer was this 1984 Pontiac Fiero Indy Pace Car edition coupe, sold for $4,000
by Chad Tyson
lots consigned, 106 found new owners, bringing in $8,464,110. Top sale of the show was the 2017 Ford GT
formerly owned by pro wrestler John Cena. It sold for $1,540,000.
Twin Cities Auctions hosted the auction alongside the Minnesota Street Rod Association’s Back to the
M
50’s car show. Consignors brought about the same number of cars they always do (160 to 180 has been the
range the past three years), and buyers purchased about the same number of cars that they always do (93 to
96 is that range). However, total sales fell by 21% to $1,469,396. High-sale honors went to a 1969 Chevrolet
Camaro Indy Pace Car convertible at $54,000.
Lucky held their usual Fall Classic sale alongside the LeMay Family Collection open house and car show.
This edition featured something for everyone, from the top-selling 2002 Lamborghini Murcielago at $148,500
to the highest-selling American car, a Factory Five 1965 Shelby Cobra replica at $35,750, to a $23,100 Model
T “Sauer Kraut” show car. Sales jumped 38% over last year’s total to $1,074,265 this year.
Highlights in our Roundup section this issue come from GAA’s summer sale in Greensboro, NC, Silver’s
July Spokane sale, and the remaining Monterey Peninsula sales including Gooding & Company, RM
Sotheby’s, Worldwide and Bonhams. A
BEST BUYS
1985 Buick Regal T-type coupe,
$3,500—Lucky Collector Car
Auctions, Tacoma, WA, p. 82
66 AmericanCarCollector.com
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Yenko
coupe, $165,000—Worldwide
Auctioneers, CA, p. 117
1932 Ford 404 Jr. roadster,
$324,000—RM Sotheby’s, CA,
p. 118
1969 Chevrolet C-10 Custom
pickup, $10,800—Twin Cities
Auctions, St. Paul, MN, p. 102
1919 Ford Model T “Sauer Kraut”
Show Car coupe, $23,100—Lucky
Collector Car Auctions, WA, p. 82
ecum’s Daytime Auction in Monterey nearly was their best ever, with a 36% jump up from
last year’s total sales. The $45,691,975 in vehicle sales this year is only second to their 2016
auction of $50.1m. The high seller was a Bohman & Schwartz-bodied 1933 Duesenberg
Model J that brought in $3,850,000. Overall, 362 of the 697 cars changed hands for a sellthrough
rate of 52%.
Russo and Steele hosted their waterfront sale at Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. Of the 201 vehicle
is accessibility. Back in Monterey,
Editor Pickering and I found the
Exotics on Cannery Row show,
and while it didn’t have many cars
that fall within this magazine’s
focus, it was a half-hour walk to
go three city blocks through all the
people attending that event. Last
issue, Cindy Carlsson showed us
some great shots from the nearly
12,000 vehicles at Back to the 50’s.
Portland’s own weekly Beaches
Cruise-In can attract 2,000 cars
given the right weather and proximity
to a national holiday. None of
these costs $600 to attend, like
some Monterey events do, and a
seersucker suit won’t be in sight.
Want to get people involved?
Make it (attending, participating,
etc.) as wide open as you can to
attract as many people as possible.
There will be plenty of chaff and
wheat separating themselves, as
shown by continued attendance
and participation.
Young people do like old cars.
They just might like cars you
didn’t realize are old. Let them
show you. You might be surprised
by what you see. — Chad Tyson
Page 66
MARKET OVERVIEW
ToP 10
SALES THIS ISSUE
Buy It Now
What to purchase in today’s market — and why
1989–95 Ford Taurus V6 SHo
Ford’s longtime sales-chart
1 1948 Tucker 48
2 2017 Ford GT
sedan, $1,820,000
—RM Sotheby’s, CA, p.
124
coupe, $1,540,000
—Russo and Steele, CA,
p. 78
3 1931 Duesenberg
Sport convertible sedan,
$1,320,000—Worldwide
Auctioneers, CA, p. 113
4 1929 Duesenberg
ible sedan, $1,155,000—
Mecum Auctions, CA,
p. 88
5 1966 Shelby Cobra
roadster, $995,000
—RM Sotheby’s, CA,
p. 121
6 1962 Shelby Cobra
roadster, $990,000
—Worldwide Auctioneers,
CA, p. 120
7 1965 Shelby GT350
$720,000—RM Sotheby’s,
CA, p. 121
8 1916 Locomobile
9 1936 Packard
ible cabriolet, $473,000
—Worldwide Auctioneers,
CA, p. 112
1404 dual-cowl phaeton,
$451,000—Mecum
Auctions, CA, p. 88
10 1934 Packard
Custom replica sport
phaeton, $445,000—RM
Sotheby’s, CA, p. 113
68 AmericanCarCollector.com
Twelve Individual
Super Eight series
Model 38 collapsR
fastback,
Model J convertModel
J SWB
topper, the Taurus, saved their
bacon in the ’80s. Fortunately,
for those of us who enjoy driving,
Ford had a few folks work
on a performance variant with
a Yamaha V6. Sales of the SHO
variant jumped the first year to
15,519 and eventually peaked in
1993 with 21,550 built.
A few important notes about
the pre-jelly-bean SHOs with the
Yamaha V6. The first generation
all had 5-speed manuals, as the
automatic wasn’t available until
1993. Purists will love the firstgeneration
for that reason, but
many refinements were made
over the production run.
One thing to look for on 1991 model-year examples is the Plus package. It gave the car some specific
body cladding, a slight bulge in the hood, and chrome trim. A delightful Deep Jewel Green Clearcoat
Metallic was only available on a Taurus with the SHO Plus option.
The real downside for an SHO is the lack of certain parts. When I worked at a Ford dealer, a few first-
and second-generation SHOs made their way into our shop. Why somebody was taking those cars to a dealer
in 2010 I cannot say, but what I learned was that the parts department could not get certain pieces and parts
specific to that Yamaha engine. I know, I know, tell that to a Full Classics owner, or a ZR-1 owner, for that
matter — and they’ll wonder what you are grousing about.
For those reasons, it just makes sense to find an already-working one, rather than the $600 one you spotted
on Craigslist as a mechanic’s special.
— Chad Tyson
Auctions and Totals in This Issue
$180m
$160m
$100m
$120m
$140m
$20m
$40m
$60m
$80m
$1.5m
$0
Twin Cities
St. Paul, MN
June 22–23
Spokane, WA
July 14
$83k
Silver
$117m
$158m
$45.7m
$14.5m
Greensboro, NC
July 26–28
GAA
$8.2m
Pacific Grove, CA
August 23
AWorldwide
uctioneers
Monterey, CA
August 23–25
AMecumuctions
$8.5m
Monterey, CA
August 23–25
Russo and
Steele
Bonhams
Carmel, CA
August 24
Pebble Beach, CA
August 24–25
Gooding & Co.
RM Sotheby’s
Monterey, CA
August 24–25
$37.6m
Tacoma, WA
August 25–26
$1.1m
Lucky
Page 68
RUSSO AND STEELE // Monterey, CA
Russo and Steele — Monterey 2018
The Liquid Blue 2017 Ford GT left with a new owner
for a mind-blowing $1,540,000
Russo and
Steele
Monterey, CA
August 23–25,
2018
Auctioneers: Rob
Row, Mitch Jordan
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 106/201
Sales rate: 53%
Sales total: $8,464,110
High sale: 2017 Ford
GT coupe, sold at
$1,540,000
Buyer’s premium:
10%, included in sold
prices
The high bid was driven to nearly triple sticker price — 2017 Ford GT coupe, sold at $1,540,000
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 Brett Hatfield
Market opinions in italics
in car shows, auctions, cruises and parties, all held
in one of the most beautiful areas anywhere, almost
seems sinful. Monterey Car Week is Fantasyland for
the automotive obsessed.
Catering to that, Russo and Steele offers some of
C
70 AmericanCarCollector.com
the finest American muscle, European luxury and
exotic, and Japanese performance vehicles, and this
year was no exception. With around 200 lots for sale
each year, there is enough room on the docket for a
little bit of something for everyone.
This year, as seemed to be the case throughout Car
Week, the quality of those lots seemed even better
than those of years past. Held at scenic Fisherman’s
Wharf, this year’s auction saw a bounty of Ferraris,
Porsches and Mercedes up for grabs. Corvettes,
Shelbys, classic Chevys, vintage Fords, multiple
Mopars and customs of every stripe filled the lot.
The big draw was John Cena’s 2017 Ford GT. The
alifornia’s stunning Central Coast in
August is always a treat, especially if one
is escaping there from a part of the United
States experiencing cutting-torch temperatures.
Stealing away for a week of the best
Liquid Blue supercar — reportedly no longer legally
entangled — was the high sale of the three-day
event, leaving with a new owner for a mind-blowing
$1,540,000.
Set-up day is Wednesday, and there is a flurry of
activity. The lot is jammed with cars arriving on multiple
transports, the arrangement of the premier lots
that have top billing, and the staging of the next day’s
cars. The vibe is electric, the mood palpable. Sitting
still is not on the agenda, not today. The staff is a blur,
seeing to it that all details are attended. Vendors set
up their kiosks, hoping to attract those who have come
to see the striking machinery and collectible memorabilia.
If you watch for any length of time, you will
catch sale owner Drew Alcazar in action, jockeying
cars, checking on preparations, and seeing to it that
his is the show he has promised it to be.
Russo and Steele always feels more intimate, more
personable, than other sales. The auction-in-the-round
is a big part, but no matter how busy he is, Alcazar
makes sure everyone feels welcome. This year was no
different, and I don’t expect it to change by next year
when we gather on the Central Coast to do it all over
again.A
Courtesy of Russo and Steele
Page 70
RUSSO AND STEELE // Monterey, CA
GM
#5137-1967 BUICK SKYLARK convertible.
VIN: 444677H126015. Ivory/black
cloth/black vinyl. Odo: 83,002 miles. 455-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 5-sp. Shiny paint looks to have
had decent prep. Stock steel wheels have
been supplanted by polished 17-inch Torq
Thrust billet wheels. A stock-appearing
sleeper; the original 340-ci V8 has been
replaced by a performance-built 455 stroker,
backed by a 5-speed gearbox. Front
bench is gone, and in its place are buckets
separated by a custom console housing
stainless cup holders. A Haartz cloth-style
convertible top is the cherry on this dessert.
Cond: 3.
that needed attention to drive offers any
higher. This may have been a fun driver you
could work on whilst enjoying, but she
wasn’t ready for prime time.
#5086-1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 W-30 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 344870G120230. Porcelain
White/gold vinyl. Odo: 9,960 miles. 455-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Heavily equipped with W-30
options and equipment, M22 Rock Crusher
4-speed, and a W25 special-performance
hood, W35 rear spoiler, N34 sport steering
wheel, W27 aluminum axle cover, N66
wheels, D35 sport mirrors, V21 power steering,
and JL2 power disc brakes. It is described
as having date-correct block. Paint
is shiny, with Hurst Gold stripe package.
Bumpers appear to have been rechromed.
Driver’s seat bottom is split at the back
seam. Hurst T-handle shifter and chrome
lever reside in the console. Engine compartment
is fairly clean, with some aftermarket
parts present. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $27,500. Formerly owned by actor
Ewan McGregor of “Star Wars” and
“Long Way Round” fame. This was an attractive
package, if a little specific in taste.
The price paid was likely far cheaper than
the money invested, and the new owner
took home a powerful, top-down cruiser for
not much outlay. Well bought.
#5166-1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 W-30 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 344870M206001. Azure
Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 93,928 miles. 455-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint has decent gloss and
appears to have had good prep. Body gaps
vary some; could be better. Stainless trim at
trailing edge of the hood is pitting and
shows its age. Balance of stainless could be
better polished. Glass condition is commensurate
with age and miles. Black vinyl seat
covers look somewhat loose. Carpets need
to be vacuumed. Driver’s side door panel
has numerous scars on top, and the doorlock
plunger is broken off. Engine bay is
clean-ish. Cond: 3.
glory, not that doing so would repay the
owner. This one should have sold.
CORVETTE
#5021-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 194677S1118566. Marina
Blue/white vinyl/Bright Blue vinyl. 327-ci
300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Paint is recent and
shows better than new. All chrome and
stainless recently restored. Panel gaps are
uniform throughout. Glass and weatherstrip
are in good condition. Engine bay is spotless.
Interior is consistent with the rest of
the car, recently restored and in fantastic
condition. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $28,600. A recidivist on the auction
circuit, this Olds was featured at Mecum’s
Monterey auction in August 2017,
where it was a no-sale at $38k (ACC#
6847198), and again at the McCormick
Palm Springs auction in February of 2018,
where it failed to find new ownership at a
$31k high bid (ACC# 6866242). Apparently,
the seller was more motivated to let it go
this time, and despite a few shortcomings,
the new owner got quite a bargain.
NOT SOLD AT $26,000. Despite decentlooking
paint, this not-unattractive W-30 442
was bid only to $26k, well below ACC
Pocket Price Guide median value of
$80,500. There were just too many details
72 AmericanCarCollector.com
#5165-2002 PONTIAC TRANS AM Ram
Air WS6 coupe. VIN: 2G2FV22GX22167585.
Silver/gray leather. Odo: 19,064
miles. 5.7-L fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. From the
ridden-hard-and-put-away-wet category, we
have this WS6. Nose of car looks to have
been repainted at some point, as the color
on bumper cover looks just slightly different
from the fenders. Panel gaps on the hood
are inconsistent. Nose shows road pepper,
and the passenger’s side rear-view mirror is
missing paint inside the front recess. Plastic
seat molding on the driver’s seat is peeling.
There is a strange discoloration on the passenger’s
side of the dash above the vent. A
two-inch-long crack is visible on top of the
passenger’s side door panel. Cond: 3. NOT
SOLD AT $17,500. Not unattractive, at
least from a distance, this T/A had some
legitimate needs. The price offered here
was very fair considering the investment it
would likely take to return this to its former
SOLD AT $77,000. Last seen at Russo’s
Newport Beach auction, where it failed to
meet reserve. Recent participant in the
Steve McQueen Rally, this final production
year of second-generation Corvettes had
been restored. The 1967 Sting Ray represented
the least adorned, and often most
desired, of the mid-years. The winning bid
was a bit below median value for a base
small-block. Given the quality of the restoration,
this was quite well bought.
#5159-1984 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 1G1AY0784E5123974. Bright
Red/red leather. Odo: 55,000 miles. 5.7-L
205-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Fresh paint
has had okay prep. Wheels are from an
1987 Corvette. Body panel gaps could be
better. Interior looks to have had new seat
covers installed, but the carpet is quite sunfaded.
Weatherstrip is dried out. Holes on
top of the hatchback from missing third
brake light. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $5,775. A
quick Internet search for the VIN revealed
this Corvette to be a salvage-yard escapee.
The passenger’s side had previously been
missing a volleyball-sized chunk of fiberglass
just behind the door beneath the Bpillar,
and part of the inner fender. The paint
on the hood and rear deck was positively
Page 72
RUSSO AND STEELE // Monterey, CA
inserts. Engine bay houses a 312 V8, and
looks as-new. Includes fitted Skyliner luggage
set. Cond: 2+.
hammered. The restoration of the exterior
may not have been perfect, but it was remarkable
compared to the car’s previous
condition. Caveat emptor.
FOMOCO
#5206-1934 FORD MODEL 40 roadster.
VIN: 18938776. Tan & brown/brown cloth/
brown vinyl. Odo: 9,936 miles. Paint and
chrome indicate a thoughtful restoration.
Painted wire wheels free from nicks or
chips. Leather in great shape, with little sign
of use present. Wood dash is beautifully
finished. Chrome surrounds on gauges
show the slightest bit of patina. Rumble seat
is in nice condition as well. Engine compartment
is tidy and correct. A lovely presentation.
Cond: 2+.
carried from the exterior to the interior and
had lots of appeal. Wide whites helped accentuate
the appearance. Not an iconic car,
but a nice little cruiser, and not a bad buy at
just over $20k.
#5209-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: D7FH308535. Starmist Blue
& white/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 59,498
miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint is shiny,
with good prep. Most body panel gaps are
consistent, with only the gas-filler door refusing
to lie flat. There are some runs on
the white hard top at the stainless trim.
Chrome is bright, stainless well polished.
Two-tone blue interior presents well, although
the carpet in the passenger’s side
footwell appears a bit wavy. The tidy engine
bay houses a 245-hp, D-code 312 V8
featuring modern a/c. Clean chrome wires
are shod in modern wide-whitewall radial
rubber. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $59,400. Era-correct presentation
done to a very high standard. Factory info
plate on the driver’s side door jamb confirmed
colors and equipment. These are not
at every sale, and it was cool to find one
complete with fitted luggage. Given the
quality of restoration here, this certainly sold
well below what was expected.
#5140-1961 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
convertible. VIN: 1Y86H417571. Black
Cherry Metallic/black vinyl/black leather.
Odo: 47,327 miles. 430-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Otherwise-shiny Black Cherry Metallic paint
marred by a scratch just aft of the passenger’s
side rear suicide door, some small
bubbling on the deck lid, and a tape mark
adjacent to the hood. Glass is in good
shape, without undue marks or nicks. Black
leather bench seat shows minimal creasing
on seat bottom. Black vinyl convertible top
is in good nick. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $55,000. A much-better-thanaverage
condition deserved a much better
bid. The finishes on this Ford were not this
nice when the car was new. This example
had managed to escape being chopped up
by the hod-rodding set along the way. Very
original, with single-family ownership for the
past 36 years. Buyer got a fair deal here.
#5035-1953 MERCURY MONTEREY 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 53LA50745M. Siren Red &
black/red & black vinyl. Odo: 10,972 miles.
255-ci V8, 2-bbl, 4-sp. Shiny red body with
black roof makes for a good-looking exterior.
Paint shows conscientious preparation.
Black-and-red vinyl seat covers are tidy,
appear recent. Painted dash likely original
finish, with lots of small scratches. Windlace
rubbing and frayed at driver’s side door
jamb. Weatherstrip shows age. Glass is
clear, with the exception of a four-inch-long
scratch in rear window on passenger’s side.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $20,350. Claimed to
have been owned by three generations of
the same family from new, this was a sharplooking
package. The red-and-black theme
74 AmericanCarCollector.com
NOT SOLD AT $37,000. Offered as the
luxury alternative to Chevrolet’s spartan
Corvette, the Thunderbird certainly offered
a better list of amenities. Power steering,
power brakes, a/c, and a host of others
were available if comfort was your thing.
This example sported an older restoration
that was wearing well, showing few signs of
age. The high bid here was just shy of ACC
Pocket Price Guide median value, but the
condition was above par. The seller can
likely do better.
#5085-1957 FORD FAIRLANE Skyliner
retractable hard top. VIN: D7KW154643.
Colonial White, Sunset Coral & Gunmetal
Gray/white vinyl, dark gray cloth. Odo:
32,486 miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Tricolor
paint is very glossy, well executed.
Kelsey-Hayes chrome wires are wrapped in
wide-white radials. Chrome has clearly
been replated and looks great. Stainless is
nicely polished, with no dings present. Interior
is white vinyl with black brocade fabric
SOLD AT $58,300. These beautifully styled
Continentals seem to have finally found
their stride in recent years. This example,
with 47k documented miles, an older but
thoughtful restoration, and lifelong California
ownership, was said to have been a Pebble
Beach display participant in 1996. The resto
was holding up well but could have used
some minor TLC. With median values hovering
in the mid-$30k range, this was well
sold.
#5009-1966 SHELBY GT350 fastback.
VIN: 6S393. Wimbledon White/black vinyl.
Odo: 83,255 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
White paint, with Guardsman Blue stripes,
shows good prep; likely an older restoration
that is holding up well. Panel gaps consistent
throughout. Chrome is shiny, stainless
well polished. Glass shows no signs of un
Page 74
RUSSO AND STEELE // Monterey, CA
due wear, and weatherstrip is in good condition.
Five reissue Shelby Cragar mags are
as-new, and are shod with correct Goodyear
Blue Dots. Interior shows little sign of
age or wear. The speedo lens has a tiny
scuff at the 3-o’clock position. The sill plates
have been covered in blue masking tape to
prevent heel scuffs. Accompanied by extensive
documentation supporting the matching-numbers
claim. Cond: 2.
#5135-1969 FORD MUSTANG Mach 1
fastback. VIN: 9T02M178631. Raven
Black/white vinyl. Odo: 8,002 miles. 351-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Paint is complemented by
Mach 1 gold-stripe package and matteblack
hood. Paint is shiny, with good prep.
Chrome shiny too, but the stainless—particularly
around the quarter windows—
shows pitting and age. Rear-window louvers
and wing add to a performance look for the
era. White vinyl interior shows little sign of
wear, with only minor creasing on the driver’s
side bolster. The 351 resides in a clean
and largely correct engine bay. Cond: 3+.
investment to justify more money. The
owner should have let this one go.
#5020-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 302
fastback. VIN: 0T02G117748. Competition
Yellow/black vinyl. Sharp in yellow with
black Boss stripes, the finish is of good
quality, with minimal buffer swirl. The engine
compartment is tidy and correct. Glass is
clear, chrome and stainless both shiny.
Weatherstrip showing its age at the rear
quarter windows, but otherwise in good condition.
Black vinyl interior presents well, with
little indication of wear to be found. Woodrim
steering wheel and Hurst T-handle
shifter are both fitted. Mini-lite 17-inch
wheels wear performance rubber. Upgraded
with Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes and a
5-speed manual. Comes with a Deluxe
Marti Report. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $132,000. A late-production-year
holdover from 1965, this GT350 had been
lovingly and thoughtfully restored. The only
thing holding it back may have been the
automatic transmission, a 20% deduction
off the $148,500 median value, according to
the ACC price guide. Considering that, the
median value would have been $118,800.
The sale price before buyer’s fee was right
at $120k. Given the comprehensive documentation,
originality, and condition of the
car, as well as being a 1965 holdover, this
was well bought indeed.
#5048-1969 FORD MUSTANG Boss 429
fastback. VIN: 9F02Z159810. Wimbeldon
White/black vinyl. Odo: 28 miles. 429-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Paint has had thoughtful prep
and execution. Chrome appears recent, and
stainless trim has been properly polished.
Glass is in good condition, with very little to
indicate its age. Engine bay is spotless, with
no signs of leaks or drips. Black vinyl interior
shows next to no wear, with only minor creasing
on the driver’s seat bottom. Cond: 2+.
NOT SOLD AT $38,000. This was an
above-average cruiser. The 351 Mach 1
wasn’t rare, with over 72,000 leaving the
factory in 1969, but the 4-speed, stripe
package and louvers really helped round
out the look. With plenty of recent service
and new parts combined with a better-thandecent
appearance, you can’t blame the
seller for taking it back.
#5109-1969 SHELBY GT350 fastback. VIN:
9F02M480427. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 96,070
miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint looks
bright and shiny from a distance, but closer
inspection reveals cracking around NACA
ducts and hood-pin screws. Hood is arched
more than the fenders, resulting in a large
gap between them. Weatherstrip at air intakes
and quarter windows is dried and
cracking. Chrome around windows shows
significant pitting. Black vinyl interior shows
wrinkling on the driver’s seat bottom. An older
restoration that has seen its day. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $71,000. Another repeat from
Newport Beach, where it failed to sell at a
$55k high bid (ACC# 6872523). This fastback
’Stang had tons of curb appeal, combined
with tasteful upgrades to improve
drivability. Restoration investment was obvious
and undeniable. Sharp as it was, the
demand was just sufficient to drive bids to
near the median value. Fair deal all around.
#5013-1970 MERCURY COUGAR Eliminator
Super Drag Pak 2-dr hard top. VIN:
0F91G544281. Competition Gold/black vinyl.
Odo: 2,723 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Repainted in the original Competition
Gold, with good execution. Bumpers appear
to have been rechromed recently. Stainless
trim is well polished. Driver’s side window
shows a few light vertical scratches. Black
vinyl interior presents as new, save for the
Hurst T-handle shifter. Engine bay is tidy
and correct. Cond: 2+.
NOT SOLD AT $250,000. Last seen at the
January 2018 Scottsdale Barrett-Jackson
auction, where it traded hands for $242k
(ACC# 6862680). Having undergone a quality
restoration while being part of a museum
collection, the condition of this Boss was far
above average. Median value on this verylimited-production
’Stang (only 857 copies
escaped Ford’s corral) is nearly $300k. The
seller was right to hold out for more.
76 AmericanCarCollector.com
NOT SOLD AT $59,000. A very straight,
original car, this Shelby was accompanied
by heavy documentation including service
records, Shelby-to-dealer correspondence,
factory invoice, Deluxe Marti Report, original
owner’s manual and sales brochures.
This was a pretty car, despite its shortcomings,
but needed lots of attention and a fair
NOT SOLD AT $100,000. Last seen at the
2017 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction,
where it changed hands for $93,500 (ACC#
6826282). Accompanied by an Elite Marti
Page 76
RUSSO AND STEELE // Monterey, CA
Report that stated this car to be one of only
58 Cougar Eliminator Super Drag Pak cars
to leave the factory in 1970. An Internet
search of Boss 302 clubs revealed more
history for this car, and its resurrection.
Given the documentation, rarity of the
model, and effort and quality of the restoration,
the seller was wise to hold out for
more.
#5065-1993 FORD MUSTANG SVT Cobra
hatchback. VIN: 1FACP42D8PF129424.
Vibrant Red/gray leather. Odo: 9,261 miles.
5.0-L fuel-injected V8, 5-sp. Clearcoat paint
retains nearly all of its original luster. Some
adhesive has begun to fail on the body
moldings, as they are beginning to lift in
places. Gray leather seats show minor
creasing, and carpets are clean. The engine
bay has been unfortunately plied with red
radiator top hose and plug wires, detracting
from the overall originality. A scant 9,261
miles have amassed on the odometer. Seventeen-inch,
one-year-only directional alloy
wheels. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $1,540,000. Only the second of
Ford’s latest iteration of the GT to be sold
privately, this example was formerly owned
by professional wrestler John Cena. This
GT was the subject of much legal wrangling,
having been sold by Cena against the supposed
legal agreement between Ford and
GT buyers that the buyer keep the car for
24 months before selling. Now stated to be
free of any legal entanglements, able to be
sold outright. The demand far outstripping
the supply, not to mention the relative notoriety
stirred by the legal battles, drove the
high bid to nearly triple sticker price. Only
time will tell if this was enlightened or folly.
MOPAR
NOT SOLD AT $31,500. Fox-body Mustangs
are beginning to find their stride, and
as a special edition with extremely low
miles, this Cobra was exceptional. The colors
were attractive, and save for some easily
reversible aftermarket parts in the engine
compartment, this one presented very well.
A quick Internet search revealed the seller
is asking nearly $43k. I think it may be quite
some time before these Cobras reach that
threshold.
Blue/black Alcantara & cloth. Odo: 625
miles. 3.5-L turbocharged V6, auto. A few
light rock chips have peppered the nose
and flared rear fenders, but otherwise the
paint is as it left the factory. There is no noticeable
wear anywhere else on the exterior;
the balance of the car appears as-new. The
driver’s seat bottom shows no hints of
creasing. Cond: 2+.
2
#5192-2017 FORD GT coupe. VIN:
2FA GP9CW9HH200077. Liquid
“
#5098-1994 DODGE VIPER roadster. VIN:
1B3BR65E0RV101398. Viper Black/black
cloth/gray leather. Odo: 24,243 miles. 8.0-L
fuel-injected V10, 6-sp. Original, shiny Viper
Black paint shows light road pepper on the
nose. Glass and weatherstrip in good condition.
Gray leather seats show minimal wear,
no mean feat for this type of car. Engine
compartment is clean and correct. Comes
with both soft folding and hard tops, along
with side curtains. Cond: 2-.
Absolutely as-new in ominous Pitch Black
over black leather and Alcantara. Factory
plastic wrappers still in place, not even
prepped for delivery. Nothing to fault here,
as it appears to be fresh off the truck.
Cond: 1.
NOT SOLD AT $115,000. The high bid of
$115k seems a bit below the well-abovesticker
market these limited-production
beasts have been commanding. Some offerings
were priced in the mid-six-figure
range earlier this summer, but those prices
seem to have settled in the $125k–$160k
neighborhood. If the seller had let this go for
the high bid, after subtracting the sales
fees, he would have realized only a $104k
payday. Though still well above sticker, the
seller was wise to hold out for more.
#5102-2018 DODGE DEMON SRT coupe.
VIN: 2C3CDZH95JH100881. Destroyer
Gray/black leather & Alcantara. Odo: 121
miles. As new, with a scant 121 miles. Paint
is factory fresh, interior shows no wear, and
the engine bay is still showroom new. A
very special car in next-to-new condition.
Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $27,500. This tidy Viper had
lots of curb appeal. Despite wearing blackpainted
wheels, it was an attractive package,
with no other modifications visible.
Many authorities think these early Vipers
are poised to jump in value in the not-toodistant
future; seller might be holding out
until then.
#5177-2018 DODGE DEMON SRT coupe.
VIN: 2C3CDZH97JH102177. Pitch Black/
black leather & Alcantara. Odo: 4 miles.
Many authorities think these early
Vipers are poised to jump in value in
the not-too-distant future.
1994 Dodge Viper roadster
78 AmericanCarCollector.com
NOT SOLD AT $100,000. Prices on these
factory dragsters have yet to settle down,
and were still hit-and-miss. Given the asnew
condition, it was surprising this Demon
didn’t find a new home. With so few miles,
perhaps the owner bought the car, had the
thrill of a couple of hard launches, and decided
it was time to move on. They will have
to wait a bit longer to do so.
AMERICANA
”
#5083-1929 PACKARD EIGHT 626 replica
Boattail Speedster. VIN: 177622C. Black/
Casino Red leather. Odo: 649 miles. A very
accurate re-creation of an historic Packard;
the paint on this hand-built speedster shows
excellent prep and execution, with very light
TOP 10
Page 77
towel marks. Red leather staggered seating
is period-correct, and done so that the driver’s
elbow would not hit his passenger. The
engine compartment is suitably spotless;
venting through red-painted louver doors. A
beautifully done tribute. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $120,000. This was an extraordinary
build, crafted entirely from Packard
parts to replicate a racer that no longer
exists. The owner, a former movie-model
maker, said he had used pictures to construct
the vehicle, utilizing details such as
spaces between rivets to scale to proper
size. The car had been featured on an episode
of “Jay Leno’s Garage” and was the
subject of numerous magazine articles. The
owner said he was hoping to be offered a
much higher price, noting that if he had
been paid for his time (5,000 hours), the car
would have been worth nearly $500k. He
wanted to sell it to pay for retirement. Given
the craftsmanship present, and the investment
of time, money, blood, sweat, and
tears, the high bid was not nearly enough.
#5029-1932 PIERCE-ARROW MODEL 52
Club sedan. VIN: 3075021. Black/black
leather/rose wool. Odo: 305 miles. Stunning
restoration. Paint is deep and rich, looks
wet. All chrome is top-notch. Engine bay is
spotless, with excellent finishes throughout.
Interior appears as-new, with a beautiful
rose-colored wool cloth. Wood on the dash
has a mirror-like finish. Chrome sill plates
feature gorgeous detailing. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $176,000. Every facet of this
Pierce-Arrow had been lovingly restored
with spectacular attention paid. This should
come as little surprise given its First in
Class win at the 1991 Pebble Beach
Concours d’Elegance, with a nomination for
Best in Show. Add in that it’s thought to be
one of five surviving 1932 V12 Model 52s,
and previous ownership by RKO Radio, and
this was a special car indeed. Likely both
well sold and well bought. A
towel mar
el marks. Red leather staggered seating
is period-correct, and done so
leather staggered seating
is period-correct, and done so that the driv-
er’s elbow would not hit his passenger. The
engine compartment is suitably spotless;
venting through red-painted louver doors. A
beautifully done tribute. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $120,000. This was an ex-
traordinary build, crafted entirely from Pack-
ard parts to replicate a racer that no longer
exists. The owner, a former movie-model
maker, said he had used pictures to con-
struct the vehicle, utilizing details such as
spaces between rivets to scale to proper
size. The car had been featured on an epi-
sode of “Jay Leno’s Garage” and was the
subject of numerous magazine articles. The
owner said he was hoping to be offered a
much higher price, noting that if he had
been paid for his time (5,000 hours), the car
would have been worth nearly $500k. He
wanted to sell it to pay for retirement. Given
the craftsmanship present, and the invest-
ment of time, money, blood, sweat, and
tears, the high bid was not nearly enough.
#5029-1932 PIERCE-ARROW MODEL 52
Club sedan. VIN: 3075021. Black/black
leather/rose wool. Odo: 305 miles. Stunning
restoration. Paint is deep and rich, looks
wet. All chrome is top-notch. Engine bay is
spotless, with excellent finishes throughout.
Interior appears as-new, with a beautiful
rose-colored wool cloth. Wood on the dash
has a mirror-like finish. Chrome sill plates
feature gorgeous detailing. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $176,000. Every facet of this
Pierce-Arrow had been lovingly restored
with spectacular attention paid. This should
come as little surprise given its First in
Class win at the 1991 Pebble Beach
Concours d’Elegance, with a nomination for
Best in Show. Add in that it’s thought to be
one of five surviving 1932 V12 Model 52s,
and previous ownership by RKO Radio, and
this was a special car indeed. Likely both
well sold and well bought. A
November–December
November–December 2018 79
Page 78
LUCKY COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS // Tacoma, WA
Lucky Fall Classic 2018
A Model T-based “Sauer Kraut” show car
was the best buy of the weekend
Lucky
Tacoma, WA
August 25–26,
2018
Auctioneer: Jeff
Stokes
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 82/154
Sales rate: 53%
Sales total: $1,074,265
High American
sale: 1965 Shelby
Cobra Factory Five
replica roadster, sold at
$35,750
Buyer’s premium:
10%; minimum $200,
included in sold prices
Best buy: 1919 Ford Model T “Sauer Kraut” hard (helmet) top, sold at $23,100
Report and photos by Daren Kloes
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
80 AmericanCarCollector.comAmericanCarCollector.com
he summer months can be brutal to car calendars.
With only a dozen or so summer weekends
available, it is difficult to fit everything
in. Auctions, shows and swap meets all vie for
good-weather weekends for which they can
claim de facto ownership. Once they are established,
you can come to expect that certain events fall on the
same weekend each year.
For instance, after 41 years, you can always rely
on the LeMay Family Collection Show to occur on the
fourth weekend in August. So when Pebble Beach took
a one-time shift this year to run the week following their
usual third weekend, it ran smack dab into LeMay’s
weekend, putting a monkey wrench into their gears
and upsetting the normal pecking order. The trickledown
effect presented some challenges for the Lucky
Collector Car Auction that always runs concurrently
with the LeMay show on the same grounds.
Alas, the show must go on, and Lucky rose to the
occasion. The Pebble Beach effect, plus some light onand-off
rain, put a noticeable damper on attendance at
both the show and auction. Lucky soldiered on and was
able to turn more than half of the 154 cars consigned.
Even better was that the total sales jumped up 38% from
last year’s $780k sale.
Prior to running the first car on Saturday, the auction
company ran 250 lots of what it called automobilia from
a local estate. Included were items such as a Studebaker
grille, Goodyear tire sign, and a 1940s Willys pedal
car, but also scads of odd lots that included an Echo leaf
blower, and two brand-new crab pots!
The auction wasn’t lacking a few marquee lots,
however. The lineup included such notable offerings
as a ’57 Facel Vega FV, a ’70 Plymouth ’Cuda 440 Six
Pack, and an ’02 Lamborghini Murcielago, to name a
few. These higher-end consignments had a difficult time
changing hands, presumably as most of the big-money
bidders were attending the multiple competing auctions
on the Monterey peninsula.
Topping the list of sold cars were the Lamborghini
at $148,500, a 1967 Sunbeam Tiger at $57,200, a 1980
Ferrari 308 GTS at $46,750, a Factory Five Cobra
replica as the top American car at $35,750, and a 1963
Austin-Healey BJ7 roadster that sold for $38,500.
Lucky is also known for sourcing a few oddities
and this year’s auction was no exception. Among those
crossing the block were a DKW Munga Jeep, a custom,
V6-powered Amphicar, and two Vauxhall Victors.
Perhaps the best buy from the sale was the Model
T-based “Sauer Kraut” show car. That Red Baron
tribute found a new home for $23,100.
Next year, Pebble Beach returns to its normal third
weekend in August. LeMay and Lucky will no doubt
re-establish their claim on the fourth weekend. And all
will be right with the world.A
Page 79
LUCKY COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS // Tacoma, WA
CLASSICS
#622-1916 PAIGE ARDMORE roadster.
VIN: 68K. White & green/black cloth/black
vinyl. Odo: 3,732 miles. Decades-old, amateur
restoration with lots of chips and nicks
in the heavy paint on a straight, solid body,
while the interior appears mostly original.
Running boards are lifting. Engine compartment
is dirty and lacks any form of detail.
Folding windshield and convertible top.
Wood-spoked wheels with a sidemount
spare and Moto-Meter atop the radiator. A
tired, old antique, but said to run well.
Cond: 4+.
show-quality finish. Poker run, Show ’n’
Shine, or Reno’s Hot August Nights, this car
would be right at home. Seemed fully valued
at this price, but should be a good,
carefree, long-distance driver for the new
owner.
#806-1951 CHEVROLET 3100 pickup.
VIN: BJCA914583. White/tan cloth. Odo:
9,356 miles. 216-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Amateurish
restoration, complete with fabricated
Formica door panels. Fair repaint and reupholstered
vinyl seats showing some sag.
Interior features copper-colored accents on
the dash, Pioneer stereo, and a Sun tach
attached to the steering wheel. Redone oak
bed and side boards. Santay visor on cab
and chrome bumpers, grille and aftermarket
rims. Cond: 3-.
NOT SOLD AT $11,000. Unquestionably
rare, as its owner claims it is the only one
registered worldwide. There just isn’t much
love for these old antiques unless they are
senior cars restored to within an inch of perfection.
Perhaps Hershey is a better venue
where the oldies are more revered. Worth
more, but the owner will need at least two
bidders in the room who can give it the respect
it deserves.
GM
#607-1951 CHEVROLET DELUXE coupe.
VIN: 21JKL7857. Teal green/gray cloth.
Odo: 31,235 miles. Chevy small-blockbased
(of undisclosed displacement and no
readily seen engine numbers) mild custom
sold as part of an estate. Slightly dull metallic
paint containing tiny dirt pimples and a
small chip on the door. Slight dings in stainless
trim. Modern bucket seats separated
by an added console in place primarily to
hold coffee cups. Air conditioning and aftermarket
stereo added. American Racing
wheels and lowered suspension. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $17,600. The market for early-’50s
Chevy pickups remains strong, and
this 5-window model is among the more
desirable. This tarted-up original example
would be best used as a solid restoration
candidate or as a workhorse to haul a load
of 2x4s. Sold to an online bidder for a
slightly generous amount.
#677-1963 CHEVROLET CORVAIR Monza
900 convertible. VIN: 30967W283509.
White/white vinyl/turquoise vinyl. Odo:
14,211 miles. 145-ci turbocharged H6, 4-sp.
Nice, stock restoration with excellent paint
and outstanding replaced turquoise upholstery.
New carpets and top. Nice chrome
with just a few small pits in hubcaps. A
small tear in convertible-top trim strip, but
otherwise hard to fault. Sold as part of an
estate. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $24,200. Not much history provided,
but this car seemed like a good-looking
and reliable touring car. Set up mostly
for comfort and looked good without the
fussiness of a complicated engine or a
SOLD AT $15,400. Refrigerator White with
a white top and blackwalls on tiny wheels
doesn’t exactly make for a winning combination.
Thank goodness for the offset turquoise
interior that provides a real pop with
the top down. After walking by this car at
least a dozen times, a closer examination
revealed a real gem. A high-quality restoration
lurked under the uninspiring colors, and
November–December 2018 81
Page 80
LUCKY COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS // Tacoma, WA
it was a true representation of the car when
new. Well bought.
#672-1985 BUICK REGAL T-type
coupe. VIN: 1G4GK4794FH410911.
Gray/gray leather. Odo: 40,236 miles. 3.8-L
turbocharged V6, auto. All stock and original,
and a notch better than most surviving
30-plus-year-old used cars. Paint is good,
but with small nicks and scratches, as one
might expect after an additional 100k miles.
The paint on the plastic sections between
the bumpers and body is badly bubbling,
cracked and chipped—a result of GM’s ’80s
quality standards. Plush, cushioned leather
seats are intact, but creased and faded.
Good tires and glass. Engine compartment
needs detail. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $23,100. A fabulous tribute to the
famous Red Baron, perhaps the most famous
of the circuit show cars in the late
’60s and ’70s. It was originally inspired by a
Monogram model kit that was sold to over
3 million kids by 1972, of which I was one.
Rather than a direct copy, the builder opted
to create a close cousin that has been displayed
together with the real Red Baron at
the Speedway Museum in Lincoln, NE. I
may be waxing nostalgic, but I thought this
was the buy of the weekend.
#834-1959 FORD THUNDERBIRD 2-dr
hard top. VIN: H9YH136487. White/blue
cloth & vinyl. Odo: 74,542 miles. 352-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Long-ago repaint despite claims
otherwise. Now dull, and with enough flaws
to pass for original. Rust in quarters. Reupholstered
seats with incorrect pattern and
materials. Some carpet pieces replaced.
Strong mildew smell inside. Bumpers
scratched and worn. Rattle-can repaint to
valve covers. Seller claims $6,300 was recently
spent on engine, drivetrain and “restoration.”
Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $3,500. Along with the highly collectible
Grand National that shared the platform,
these were long considered the final
mid-sized, rear-wheel-drive, personal-luxury
sport coupes in America. Offering a turbo
was somewhat innovative, as it hadn’t seen
use on American production cars since the
Corvair. The turbo increased both fuel economy
and horsepower, squeezing 200 hp
from the little V6. Most American-car guys
would prefer to skip the 1980s decade altogether,
as evidenced by the result here, but
if you believe the adage that everything
comes back around again, consider this one
well bought.
FOMOCO
#857-1919 FORD MODEL T “Sauer
Kraut” hard top. VIN: Metallic green &
silver/black vinyl. Odo: 2 miles. Wild show
car called “Sauer Kraut,” powered by a 355ci
small block, with dual Holleys over a Weiand
blower. Model T frame with fabricated
helmet-shaped body. Heavy metallic silver
over green paint job, with cheater slicks on
back. Completed to a very high standard
and likely never driven more than a few
yards since completion, as the odometer
shows 1.5 miles. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $13,000. Auctioned three
times in August. A no-sale bid to $15,500 at
Silver Auctions in Shelton the previous
week (ACC# 6804081), and run twice more
this weekend. Rerun on Sunday after not
selling on Saturday; still looking for a “Sold”
sticker. The seller may have unrealistic expectations,
as the quality of the restoration
just isn’t up to snuff. The market has spoken,
and the seller may need to up his
game a bit to get much more.
#879-1965 FORD MUSTANG GT convertible.
VIN: 5R08A138458. Blue/black vinyl.
No engine or transmission. Just needs
paint! Actually, there’s very little of this Pony
left after someone picked its bones clean.
The only clue that it might have been a GT
at one time was the lack of the faux air-intake
trim used on the rear quarters of the
base models. The passenger’s area was
filled with boxes of used parts and seat
pieces; the castoffs from the car this donor
was used to restore, no doubt. Rusted-out
trunk, quarters, and whatever else is left.
Cond: 6.
SOLD AT $8,800. The ’59 is typically considered
the most desirable of the ’58–60
square birds because of the rocket trim on
the doors rather than the hash marks at the
quarters of each of the adjacent years. At
least it has that going for it. This car was
presented as though it was “unmolested”;
however, judging by the old repaint and
incorrect seats, the statement couldn’t be
further from the truth. Just an old car with
needs and sold fully valued in this condition.
#865-1962 FORD GALAXIE 500 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 2J63X116988. Bronze/bronze
vinyl. Odo: 7,031 miles. 390-ci V8, 3x2-bbl,
auto. Fair bronze-metallic repaint appears
recent despite some tiny nicks on door
edge. Poor door fit. The 390 was balanced,
blueprinted and bored .040 over, with a mild
cam and 600 miles since. Includes factory
Tri-Power. Original, tired chrome with pitted
pot metal and plastic emblems. Good replaced
reproduction seat covers and new
carpets. Tach added to column and threegauge
panel under dash. Aftermarket stereo.
Dirty engine compartment. American
mag wheels. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $550. Ashes to ashes, dust to
dust, this old hulk should be left to rust. With
plenty of reproduction parts sources and
donor coupes available, it actually wouldn’t
be impossible to bring this car back from the
dead, but why would you? You could
choose among several of the best in the
country at any given time for $60k–$70k, or
inflict pain and suffering upon your knuckles
and pocketbook for the next three years
only to find yourself deeper underwater.
MOPAR
#814-1950 PLYMOUTH SPECIAL DELUXE
sedan. VIN: P20380390. Pale green/tan
cloth. Odo: 13,411 miles. 218-ci I6, 1-bbl,
auto. Appears mostly original, with one decent-quality
repaint showing some overspray
on the rubber. Original interior looks
good, but the Bounce dryer sheets contained
within couldn’t mask the smell of
mothballs piled in a container on the floor.
Good original chrome and stainless. Visor
and fog lights are a nice touch. Cond: 3-.
82 AmericanCarCollector.com
BEST
BUY
BEST
BUY
Page 82
LUCKY COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS // Tacoma, WA
SOLD AT $4,840. A grandma car if there
ever was one. Built like a Mack truck and as
reliable as a Maytag; you could still drive
this car daily and get 25 mpg while doing it.
But let’s face it—there just isn’t much of a
collector market for these old sedans. As
such, while today’s price was a terrific
value, I’m not sure there’s a lot of upside.
#610-1965 CHRYSLER NEWPORT custom
sedan. VIN: C153261248. Blue/blue
vinyl. Odo: 24,626 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Engine rebuilt .030 over, with Ross
Racing pistons, Edelbrock intake manifold,
Holley 800-cfm custom-built carburetor, and
a list of other performance mods at least
two pages long. Ten-year-old, high-quality
repaint still looks good. Chrome redone and
in excellent condition. Boyd Coddington
wheels and Grant walnut steering wheel.
Cond: 3+.
426 Hemi hidden in the back of his garage.
Well bought considering the investment in
the build, but to what end?
#624-1970 PLYMOUTH ’CUDA 2-dr hard
top. VIN: BS23V0B156940. In-Violet/white
vinyl. Odo: 28,432 miles. 440-ci V8, 3x2-bbl,
auto. Factory 440 Six Pack accompanied by
broadcast sheet and fender tag attesting to
original specs. No mention of numbers
matching. Automatic transmission. Vinyl
replaced awhile ago, and now starting to
mellow. Excellent paint with small nick on
door edge. Well optioned with Super Track
Pack, 4.10 gears, hood pins, power brakes
and dual exhaust, with chrome tips. Originally
equipped with automatic speed control,
which is no longer installed. Cond: 2-.
black-striped cloth. Odo: 12,826 miles. 245ci
I6, 1-bbl, auto. All-original car with 13k
original miles. Excellent original paint with
just a couple nit-picky scratches. Original
seats have a taffeta-like look and feel. Their
bold black-and-tan stripes are a stark contrast
to the muted body color and look
nearly like new. There is still the dealer’s
original cardboard slip cover on the visor
printed with Studebaker’s features for 1950.
Some very light pitting in chrome. Glass and
rubber still nice. One added sheet-metal
screw on fender trim. Includes optional
Philco radio. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $9,020. A stoplight sleeper that
looks like a grandma car on the outside but
has the heart of the Big Bad Wolf. It’s hard
to imagine the motivation behind such a
comprehensive build of a mundane, old,
boxy sedan. I can only imagine the builder
started with a small idea that grew into a
crazed obsession that drained both mind
and pocketbook. With half the money spent
on this project now retrieved, he’s probably
out looking to trade up to an AMC Matador
wagon or Bluebird school-bus donor for the
NOT SOLD AT $75,000. Full concours restoration,
but has seen some use since. A
factory In-Violet 440 Six Pack ’Cuda is
shadowed only by the venerable Hemi, and
sits near the top of the Mopar spectrum.
The automatic transmission is a bit of a letdown,
but the numbers-matching question
looms. If a numbers claim can be substantiated,
there may be some upside, but lacking
reliable third-party authentication, I
suspect this is all the money.
AMERICANA
#670-1950 STUDEBAKER LAND
CRUISER sedan. VIN: 4452519. Tan/tan &
SOLD AT $21,450. A fabulous time-warp
car, apparently garaged since new. A
slightly larger model than the Starlight
coupe that sits at the top of the bullet-nose
food chain, but still retains the same unmistakable
Loewy streamline design features.
The incredible preservation deservingly
doubled the value here for what is undoubtedly
the world’s best original Land Cruiser.
This car would steal the show at the Studebaker
Drivers Club International Meet occurring
later in the week at the LeMay
Museum just a few miles away.
#633-1951 PACKARD 300 sedan. VIN:
247214906. Light green & dark green/gray
cloth. Odo: 38,073 miles. 327-ci I8, 2-bbl,
3-sp. Exceptional, mostly original car with
38k original miles. Excellent repaint with
good shine and few notable flaws, with the
exception of slight overspray to the rubber
moldings. Solid body. Cloth interior appears
original and outstanding. Includes factory
radio, heater/defroster, power antenna and
fog lights. A few small dings in the stainless
trim. Bought new in Oregon. Cond: 3+.
84 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $21,450. I’ll admit, it’s hard to get
excited about a 1950s 4-door sedan that
was the company’s mid-level offering, even
if it is a Packard. What sets this one apart,
however, are its extremely low miles, great
hard-top-like lines, good colors and excellent
presentation. Bid to $17k at McCormick’s
Palm Springs sale last February
(ACC# 6863631), but didn’t sell, so the
seller can place this one in the win column
after being patient. Not exactly a home run,
but you’ve got to hit a few singles, too. A
Page 84
MECUM AUCTIONS // Monterey, CA
The Daytime Auction 2018
One of two Duesenbergs sold here was a 1929 Model J
Murphy convertible sedan at $1,155,000
Mecum
Monterey, CA
August 23–25,
2018
Auctioneers:
Mark Delzell, Mike
Hagerman, Jim Landis,
Russ Coughlin
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 362/697
Sales rate: 52%
Sales total:
$45,691,975
High sale: 1933
Duesenberg Model J
convertible coupe, sold
at $3,850,000
Buyer’s premium:
10%, included in sold
prices
one of many Duesies offered — and sold — on the Peninsula during Car Week: 1929 Duesenberg
Model J convertible sedan, sold at $1,155,000
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
M
86 AmericanCarCollector.com
ecum has pretty much dialed in their
Monterey event. As in every year
they’ve been here, the proceedings were
held at the Hyatt Regency Monterey
Hotel & Spa, right on the outskirts of the
city of Monterey.
One thing they have been tweaking in recent years
is the docket. Sure, to a certain extent it depends on
what consignors have to offer, but in selecting vehicles,
they’ve gone from being heavy into foreign cars to now
swinging back into better-quality domestic muscle.
While there were quite a few Porsches and Ferraris
on the docket, American iron was noticeably more
prevalent. In one category — CCCA Full Classics — it
was markedly so. Helped in no small part by The
Academy of Art University consigning eight Full
Classics from their collection, and perhaps by the consigning
of the Gary Cooper Duesenberg SSJ at one of
the other venues, it was the first time there were three
Duesenbergs on the grounds here (actually, that was
the most of that marque at any venue on the Peninsula
that week). One of them was the top sale of the event
— a 1933 Model J Bohman & Schwartz convertible
coupe. It had been here in the past and not sold, but
this year the planets were aligned and it worked out
for the car to change hands at $3,850,000. The other
Duesie to sell here was a 1929 Model J Murphy
convertible sedan, attaining a sale of $1,155,000. It
became both the fourth-highest sale of the event and
the second-highest sale here of an American car.
Not only were the Duesenbergs selling well, but
better-condition domestic vehicles were also. And notice
I wrote “vehicles,” as truck-sale prices continued to
do very well here. Sales were so strong this year that,
despite similar numbers for cars consigned and sold year
over year, Mecum had their second-best financial results
ever here in Monterey.
With foreign exotics here taking it somewhat on
the cuff, and American iron of all stripes doing well,
somehow I figure that the start of the next decade of
auctions by Mecum in Monterey will follow in the
pattern closer to their other sales to the East, with a
heavy emphasis on American muscle and quality postwar
cars and trucks. A
Page 86
MECUM AUCTIONS // Monterey, CA
CLASSICS
4
2284. Eng. # J262. Black/black cloth/dark
taupe leather. Odo: 6,670 miles. Shortwheelbase
chassis. Fitted with wire-mesh
radiator grille guard and turning/driving
lights. Restoration dates to 1991, with an
AACA National First Place badge attached
to bumper bracket from that same year.
Repaint is still quite good, with added pinstriping
along fender character lines. All
chrome was replated as part of restoration
and also presents very well. Original wire
wheels shod with reproduction Michelin
tires. Engine is quite clean and—at worst—
is show-ready, as presented here. Recently
washed-off, very clean undercarriage, in a
uniform gloss black. Minimal wrinkling and
slight pillowing of seat bottom leather from
use. Light carpet wear at driver’s position.
Cond: 2-.
#S116.1-1929 DUESENBERG
MODEL J convertible sedan. VIN:
lubricant seepage, with new bolts on end of
transmission. Modest wear and soiling on
heel pad by pedals. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $104,500. The standard Eights,
like this Series 902, tended to get overshadowed,
both when new and today. The big
news for Packard in ’32 was two new series
at polar opposite ends of the model line: the
Light Eight (which stole sales from the standard
Eights) and the new Twin Six V12.
One of the Full Classics consigned by the
Academy of Art University; you’d be hard
pressed to guess that it was restored a
quarter of a century ago unless you were
told—speaking both to the quality of the
work performed then and the care lavished
since. Some may feel this is well sold; as
the Man Who Owned One, I’ll say instead it
was a good buy for a great car.
SOLD AT $1,155,000. One of 31 Murphy
convertible-sedan bodies built on a Duesenberg
chassis. Last seen selling for $907,500
at RM’s Meadow Brook auction in 2006
(SCM# 1567008). Our reporter at that time
felt that this was a solid investment. Changing
hands today, as the sixth-highest sale
here for $247,500 more, there are certainly
worse rates of return for parking about a
million bucks somewhere for a dozen
years—even factoring commissions and
upkeep. Still, this transaction was a good
deal for all parties involved, as the multitude
of Duesenbergs offered—and sold—on the
Peninsula this week points to an uptick in
interest in America’s Mightiest Motor Car.
#S31.1-1932 PACKARD EIGHT Series 902
coupe. VIN: 344041. Red/gray broadcloth.
Odo: 5,331 miles. Restoration dates to 1993
and presents exceptionally well. Equipped
with dual sidemounts, “sliding boy” hood
ornament and grille guard. Period-accessory
Pilot Ray driving lights, vent wings and
exhaust deflector. Wears two AACA award
badges on grille guard: a 1973 National first
place and a 1995 Grand National First. Superb
25-year-old repaint, holding up fantastically.
Better than the silver-painted wheels,
actually. Vinyl owner’s monogram on the
driver’s door body-seam line. Door gaps
start to go wide towards bottom on passenger’s
side. All chrome replated during restoration
and still presenting well. Engine bay
still show-ready. Very minimal powertrain
88 AmericanCarCollector.com
phaeton. VIN: 941206. Maroon/tan cloth/
tan leather. Odo: 45,461 miles. Older bodyoff
restoration was good enough to be
awarded Best in Class at the Meadow
Brook concours. Today the car is still fetching
but could stand some light detailing to
put it back in concours judging. Optional AM
radio, dual sidemount spares—with mirrors
mounted on steel covers—and doughnutpusher
hood ornament. Rear compartment
fitted with a period Tonneau Shield Co. rear
windscreen with side wings. Glass in the
center windscreen starting to delaminate at
bottom edge. Superb paint, with perhaps
four light chips on fender edges and door
hinges. Foot-deep replating of all chrome.
Engine bay could use a light fluff-and-buff
before hitting the show grounds again, but
it’s more of a light cleanup than anything
else. Glossy black undercarriage is quite
clean. Cond: 2.
9
#S77.1-1936 PACKARD SUPER
EIGHT Series 1404 dual-cowl
fined their inline 8s until the final year of
straight-8 production in 1954, as they felt
that it provided superior torque and smoothness
over a V8. This may seem like strong
money for a Super Eight, but that stunning
Dietrich-designed body (yet regularly cataloged
and built by Packard by this year)
makes up for not having a V12. Indeed,
there is a cadre of Packard enthusiasts who
prefer the senior straight 8s over the somewhat-complex,
expensive-to-deal-with
Twelve. While it may represent the end of
one era, it’s also the start of a beautiful relationship
with the new owner.
GM
#T49-1940 BUICK LIMITED Series 80
convertible sedan. VIN: CA741363. Black/
tan cloth/red leather. Odo: 32,610 miles.
California-assigned VIN. Optional covered
dual sidemounts, AM radio and clock. Circa
mid-1990s restoration. Paintwork still quite
nice, with minimal light polishing scratches
in a few places. All chrome pieces were
replated, but not to the highest of standards.
Some pieces show light pitting underneath
the plating, while broken name badge on
the passenger’s sidemount now says
“BUICI” (and no, it’s not the Italian export
model, either). Clamp-on door mirrors with
fisheye lens. Front bumper and aftermarket
Pilot Ray lights shake while the car idles.
Non-stock dual-carburetor induction and
magneto ignition. Older, brush-painted undercarriage,
which looks rather grubby.
Seat leather shows light wear, and is more
wrinkled and pillowed from use. Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $55,000. The 1940–41 GM
convertible sedans, the last of the breed
from them, were some of the most elegant
of their time. While restored and still looking
quite well, said restoration is starting to degrade
and seems to be more cosmetic than
concise. Still, all the money in the world bid
here.
SOLD AT $451,000. 1936 was the final
year for the massive 384-ci inline 8. Lest
modern-day observers think that Packard
was stuck in the 1920s as far as engine
design was concerned, they continually re-
#F218-1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR convertible.
VIN: VC56A098654. Crocus Yellow
& Onyx Black/black vinyl/light yellow
vinyl & charcoal nylon. Odo: 113 miles. 265ci
V8, 2x4-bbl, 3-sp. State-of-the-art restoration
completed in 2008, impeccably
maintained since. Attained 1,000 points in
judging at the Hillsborough Concours
d’Elegance, plus attaining an AACA Grand
National award. Very well equipped, includ-
TOP 10
TOP 10
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MECUM AUCTIONS // Monterey, CA
ing dual-quad induction, ps, pb, power windows,
power seat, rain-sensing power top,
back-up lights, Autronic Eye, fender skirts,
signal-seeking AM radio with rear-mounted
antenna and Continental kit. Essentially
fitted with all options and dealer accessories
except air conditioning and wire wheel covers.
No signs at all of wear or use anywhere
on car. If anything can be nit-picked on it, it
appears to have a stainless-steel exhaust
system, but done in stock style components.
Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $143,000. This was the drop-top
flavor of a pair of 1956 Bel Airs offered one
after another from the same collection.
While I’m not a big fan of that year’s near
lime-colored Crocus Yellow, these cars
were so well done in their as-built colors
that they’d look resplendent in pea-soup
green and pink (hey, they’re ’50s cars; it
would work). The consignor told me on the
day before they crossed the block that they
had “significant” reserves, and by golly, they
got met. I hesitate to say “perfect” about any
car, but if you could be excused for doing so
on either the convertible or the hard top, I’ll
say the selling price is justified.
#F219-1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr
hard top. VIN: VC56B114386. Crocus Yellow
& Onyx Black/light yellow vinyl & charcoal
nylon. Odo: 123 miles. 265-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. State-of-the-art restoration completed
in 2011 and showing no signs of use
or wear since. Attained 1,000 points in judging
at the Hillsborough Concours
d’Elegance, plus attaining an AACA Grand
National award, yet awards and grille
badges are not included with the cars. Very
well equipped, with factory-installed a/c,
Power-Pac induction, Powerglide automatic,
ps, pb, power windows, power seat, backup
lights, Autronic Eye, fender skirts, compass,
signal-seeking AM radio with rear
mounted antenna and wire-basket wheel
covers. The only thing about the restoration
that even comes close to being schmaltzy is
modern, stick-on replacement in back window
indicating it’s an air-conditioned car.
Stainless-steel exhaust, done in stock-style
components, around an otherwise correctly
restored undercarriage. Literally concours
ready as presented here, with no prep work
needed. Cond: 1. SOLD AT $121,000. This
car and its matching convertible (Lot 218)
were stunningly well restored, but the consignor
stated that none of the awards that
the cars got will go with them. Interesting
psychology in how some owners are willing
to include the awards and trophies with the
car as part of its history, yet others feel they
did the work and earned the award, with the
car just being the vessel that their efforts
were focused on. The way I look at it is that
I go to enough estate auctions of deceased
car guys, where the pile of trophies and
awards mean nothing to the family, so they
get bid on and are lucky to get a few bucks
for the pile. You might as well include them
with the car. In this case, you’ll be able to
start your own new collection of awards and
trophies. So for what is probably the best
’56 Bel Air hard top on the planet, call the
selling price justified.
#T62.1-1964 CHEVROLET CORVAIR 95
Rampside pickup. VIN: 4R124S103314.
Beige & brown/tan vinyl. Odo: 91,501 miles.
164-ci H6, 2x1-bbl, auto. Good-quality, trimoff
repaint done not too many years ago.
Non-stock Rally wheels—wearing trim rings,
flat center caps and radials—painted to
match the brown belly stripe. Spray-painted
black in whole cargo compartment. All exterior
brightwork has been refurbished, all
chrome replated or replacement. Homemade
wood side stakes. Modern non-OEM
windshield and new glass seals. Reupholstered
seat, in a non-stock perforated vinyl
and generic pleat. Does not have underdash
module for a radio and never had one,
due to lack of antenna. Generally stock under
the rear access panel in the box, to include
the alternator and PCV plumbing, yet
nowhere near being detailed. Mostly rattlecan
black undercarriage. Cond: 3+.
best one on the planet, any running Corvair
engine would do. Today, it took $10k to
start the bidding, as this is pretty much the
going rate for a decent example of the nowfar-better
appreciated Rampsides—and not
even the best one on the planet.
#S5-1966 OLDSMOBILE TORONADO 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 396876M520954. Trumpet
Gold/light yellow vinyl. Odo: 70,184 miles.
425-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Factory options include
a/c, tilt/tele steering column, Wonder
Bar AM/FM radio with power antenna, rearwindow
defogger and power windows.
Older heavily masked repaint, which has
the sloppiest masking around window trim
and antenna base. Since then, it’s had three
good-sized scrapes on right front fender just
aft of Toronado emblem, with lots of
brushed-on touch-up paint that’s pretty
close to the gold repaint. Both doors rattle
when shut, thanks in no small part to loose
door panels. Original seats would be pretty
decent, if it wasn’t for a lot of seam splitting
at driver’s position, plus one rip on top of
driver’s seat back. Used-car engine bay and
undercarriage. Older, cleaned-up, widerthan-stock
whitewall radial tires. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $22,000. One can easily make
the argument that the ’66 Toronado was
GM’s last great engineering and styling tour
de force. It’s a design that still looks clean
today (although some details definitely are
locked in the 1960s) and it kicked the door
in for the domestic auto industry to take
front-wheel drive seriously. Litigation and
legislation have since made GM’s offerings
a lot more staid and, out of a lack of a better
term, safe for not upsetting the apple cart.
This example is far more of an upset than
Mecum’s pre-sale guesstimate of $17k to
$25k would lead one to believe, yet sold
right in that pocket. Still, this ended up being
more of a gift to the consignor than reflective
of real-world values.
SOLD AT $13,750. Due to the limited access
to the motor from the “mail slot” in the
back below the tailgate, Corvair engines for
Forward Control trucks are unique. They
have the oil filler pointed at an angle, so it
can be accessed through the slot. Granted,
this is incorporated into the rear engineblock
cover—one of the four major aluminum
engine-block components—but back in
the day when these were $1,500 for the
90 AmericanCarCollector.com
#S53-1970 PONTIAC GTO Judge Ram Air
III 2-dr hard top. VIN: 242370P160448.
Black/red vinyl. Odo: 34,444 miles. 400-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. PHS documentation confirms
factory options include M22 4-speed,
Saf-T-Track differential, ps, front disc pb,
wheelwell moldings, tinted windshield only,
hood tach, center console and push-button
AM radio with rear speaker. Originally
owned from new through 2009 by Arnie
“The Farmer” Beswick. Restored to professional
standards in recent years. Superb
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MECUM AUCTIONS // Monterey, CA
body prep and paint application, along with
the repop graphics. Signed on the top of
rear spoiler by Mr. Beswick. All chrome replated,
with some light scuffing on the windshield
moldings. Modern replacement
windshield. Four T-3 headlights. New reproduction
interior soft trim, expertly installed.
Gauge-surround trim pieces have a few
light dings. Clean, stock engine detailing.
Older undercoating, with new stock-style
exhaust, shocks and fuel tank. Cond: 2.
important on a Fiero), but with a 3-speed
slushbox instead of a 5-speed, there was no
danger of me bidding on this one. It has
been shopped a bit in the past year at the
last two of Keith McCormick’s Palm Spring
auctions; last seen in February of this year,
then stated as selling for $5,460 (SCM#
6866261). Little wonder then that it failed to
sell here, yet $5k to $5,500 is definitely the
market for this.
CORVETTE
SOLD AT $66,000. Market-correct price for
a well-restored GTO Judge. For fans of Tin
Indian drag racing, Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick
needs little or no introduction. For a
chance to get a GTO Judge he owned, well
bought.
#T14-1988 PONTIAC FIERO Formula
coupe. VIN: 1G2PE119XJP214610. Red/
gray cloth. Odo: 41,292 miles. 2.8-L fuel-injected
V6, auto. Optional a/c, power windows,
rear window defroster and AM/FM/
cassette stereo. Consignor believes the
mileage is correct from new. Good original
paint, to include insets on alloy wheels.
FORMULA graphics on doors have heavier
edge flaking. Newer replacement windshield.
“First Protection” decal on back window.
Minimal waviness on nose plastic.
Clean, washed-off, totally stock engine bay,
but not what anyone would call detailed.
Pontiac sticker for recall 88C24 on the inner
engine lid dates to 1990. Light wear and
soiling on seats and carpet. Heavier soiling
on the aftermarket carpeted floor mats.
Washed-off undercarriage, with a newer
layer of undercoating. Newer Firestone Firehawk
tires. Cond: 3+.
#F64-1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. VIN: E54S003851. Pennant Blue/
tan cloth/tan vinyl. Odo: 21,603 miles. 235ci
155-hp I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. No documentation
to definitively prove the car was
originally Pennant Blue when new. Competently
restored at least a decade ago. Good
body prep and paint application. Doors
could stand a little more adjustment but
aren’t horribly out of alignment. Chrome and
stainless trim starting to dull a bit. Widewhitewall
bias-ply tires starting to yellow.
Light soiling on replacement soft top, driver’s
seat, edging around bodywork interior
and carpeting. Interior plastic also uniformly
yellowing. Older engine cleanup—now
could stand some touch-up. Several pieces
of ad-hoc wiring added, using modern crimp
connectors. Surface rust present on nearly
all bare metal. Gloss paint on most of the
undercarriage still good, yet bare metal has
heavier surface rust. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $60,500. During 1967 production,
big-block hoods were used for a short period
of time on small-block cars when the
supply of small-block hoods was diminished
due to hood vendor damaging the mold.
While this car’s VIN is close to that time
period, experts well versed in ’67s would
have to look at it and the mountings to
make the call if it was a real-deal factory
hood or someone who wanted the big-block
look and bump in value for a real one. If in
all certainty it was one of these, the consignor
would’ve likely called it out as one of
them (rather than “big-block hood” as the
last feature listed) so not only do I have my
doubts, but considering what it sold for (regular-small-block-with-Powerglide-automatic
money), nobody else seems to think it was
the real thing either.
SOLD AT $67,100. Last seen at RM’s
Phoenix auction in 2011, then declared sold
at $63,250 (SCM# 2076894). Seven years
later, it hasn’t moved up in value much at
all—even if it may be one of the few realdeal,
300-odd Pennant Blue ’54s. As such,
sold here at market price.
NOT SOLD AT $5,000. While a lot of folks
were oohhing and ahhing over the faux-fastback
GT styling, personally I’m fine with the
1984–88 basic greenhouse, which carried
over to all the non-GT trim levels for this
final, improved year of production. I’d actually
prefer a Formula over a GT (easier both
to see out of and to get at the engine—very
92 AmericanCarCollector.com
#F96-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194677S111177. Marlboro
Maroon/black vinyl/Saddle vinyl. Odo:
82,891 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Big-block hood, with a 300-hp 327 under it.
Optional automatic transmission, 4.11 Posi
rear end, ps, pb and AM radio. Rather good
body prep; smoother-than-original build
quality yet with some of the center-body
character lines muted. Equally good base/
clear application. Newer reproduction windshield,
with like-new seal and windshield
frame trim. Good solid door fit and shut
lines. Taut-fitting, older replacement soft
#S190-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 194377S102177. Elkhart Blue/
teal blue leather. Odo: 85,425 miles. 327-ci
350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Equipped with a/c,
sidepipes, telescoping steering column, ps,
pb, power windows and AM/FM radio. Work
done in the past two years includes replacing
the clutch, carburetor, transmission,
brakes and converting the headlights to
LEDs. Engine is generally stock, and while
it may have been washed off recently, with
grease staining and surface rust forming, it
certainly isn’t detailed. Forward, lower body
tabs cut to make clearance for sidepipes
after car was last repainted. Said repaint
has some prep issues percolating through
paint, especially on left rear quarter. Betterthan-original
bumper replating. Reproduction
seats, with some bunching and ripples
from installation. Original carpet has some
staining on the sides of the transmission
hump. New, stock exhaust system. Narrow
whitewall radials. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT
$65,000. Elkhart Blue is the second-rarest
hue sprayed in 1967—exceeding only Tuxedo
Black, of all colors. Then again, there
were three shades of blue available that
year. Something of a frequent flyer, it’s
been spotted at two previous auctions in
2016, declared sold each time. First it was
top. Newer reproduction seats, door panels
and carpeting. Generally good detailing
underhood, even if intake manifold is starting
to get dingy again. Older coating of
manifold dressing giving way to surface
rust. Non-stock chambered mufflers,
sprayed in rattle-can silver. Cond: 2-.
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MECUM AUCTIONS // Monterey, CA
at Leake’s Oklahoma City auction, going for
$61,600, then at Mecum’s Dallas sale for
$68,200 (SCM# 6802385 and 6813561,
respectively). However, nobody’s rightfully
going to pay this kind of change for a car
that already has “get it repainted” on the
to-do list. Mecum’s pre-sale guesstimate
was $90k to $100k. Right. That worked out
well—not.
#S137-1968 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 194378S415053. Polar White/
red vinyl. Odo: 24,785 miles. 427-ci 430-hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated that indicated miles
are actual since new. All equipment
matches the tank sticker, which is still attached
to original tank and comes with the
car loose, since it now has a replacement
installed on the car. Equipped with the L88
engine, M22 4-speed, 3.70 Posi differential,
pb with J56 heavy-duty pads, F41 suspension
and Rally wheels shod with reproduction
Redline bias-ply tires. Topical repaint
done sympathetic to 1968s; lacking build
quality. As such, the doors also have typical
C3 gaps, wider at front than rear. Bumper
rechrome is better than new. Original seats
have some discoloration, cigarette burns
and a few seams starting to split. Original
octane warning decal is heavily faded. Engine
bay modestly detailed in recent years.
Stock-style replacement, welded exhaust
system. Cond: 3+.
have been restored with reproduction interiors,
those burns are now few and far between—mostly
on original interiors. This
L88 opened at $200k with little fanfare and
rolled off the block with even less—not even
a hint at what the reserve might be.
FOMOCO
NOT SOLD AT $325,000. There’s something
you don’t see nearly as much anymore
in cars—cigarette burns. Even in the
early 1980s, it seemed like half of the used
cars out there had some type of ciggy burn
on the seat or dashboard near the lighter
With the multitude of post-war cars that
#S70-1941 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL convertible.
VIN: H125985. Dark maroon/black
cloth/red leather. Odo: 14 miles. Equipped
with optional Columbia 2-speed rear axle
and AM radio. State-of-the-art restoration
done over a decade ago, but seems to have
been done more recently. CCCA National
First Place badge 2744 on the right side of
the cowl. In its most recent concours event
nine years ago (with the Lincoln & Continental
Owners Club—their decal is on the
passenger’s side vent window), it attained
97.83 out of 100 points in judging. The decade-plus
old repaint is still better than anything
that comes off an assembly line today.
Slight muting of gold-tone trim. Haartz cloth
top starting to get a bit fuzzy. The undercarriage
has flash rust on bare bolt threads,
and edges of original gas tank are a bit distressed.
Engine bay and interior could stand
up to concours inspection as presented
here. Cond: 2+.
November–December 2018 93
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MECUM AUCTIONS // Monterey, CA
tory, originally crossing the block as a nosale
for $110k, but by the end of the
weekend that bid became the selling price—
even after the buyer’s premium. Par for the
course for a well-done car that only has to
apologize for the 1961–63 Kelsey-Hayes
Sports Roadster repop wire wheels. Marketcorrect
price for an E-bird, regardless of
which set of shoes it’s wearing.
NOT SOLD AT $100,000. Previously part of
the prestigious Jerry Capizzi “Cappy Collection,”
which was liquidated by RM auctions
in November 2006, fetching $176k (ACC#
1568037). Now starting to age and degrade
slightly, but since I know how well Jerry’s
shop restored cars, I’m not surprised that
this Continental is still standing tall. Problem
is, with a diminishing pool of enthusiasts out
there, pre-war Continentals are a buyer’s
market for the most part. Car deserves better,
but it may take more selective marketing
to get it.
#F95-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: E7FH395296. Flame Red/
Colonial White cloth, Colonial White hard
top/white vinyl. Odo: 29,965 miles. 312-ci
V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Real-deal, Flame Red
E-bird; equipped with both types of tops, ps,
pb, power windows, Dial-A-Matic power
seat, padded dash, engine dress-up kit and
Town & Country radio. Fitted with repop
1961–63 Sports Roadster Kelsey-Hayes
wire wheels. Consignor under the impression
that miles on the odometer are actual
from new, yet it’s all a full-on restoration that
was good enough to earn the car multiple
VTCI Gold awards and two first places in
International Thunderbird Club competition.
Superb body prep and paint application.
Show-quality chrome on all plating. Classic
T-bird Club of America grille badge. Door fit
is pretty lousy, but once latched, the gaps
are decent. All-reproduction interior soft
trim, still in fresh-out-of-the-box condition.
Concours-ready detailing underhood and on
undercarriage. Cond: 2.
#T46-1965 FORD MUSTANG convertible.
VIN: 5R08C227563. Light yellow/black
vinyl/black vinyl. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Torq
Thrust D wheels shod with cheap import
205/60R15 tires. Older repaint, with
masked-off body seals and major trim. Door
and panel gaps are passable at best. Mix of
brightwork: old bumper replate, some newer
repop emblems (including the 289 HiPo
emblems on the fenders) and serviceable
original trim. A whole lot of non-stock
underhood: a 302 V8 replacing the original
2-barrel 289, topped with an Edelbrock intake
manifold, modern production 4-bbl
carb, modern ignition, modern alternator,
modern rotary a/c compressor and a bunch
more. At least it’s rather clean and tidy in
there. Older repro seating and carpeting,
showing light wear. Custom-made center
console, with modern gauges incorporated
into it. Light undercoating rattle-canned over
most of undercarriage, including aftermarket
helper springs. Non-stock, chambered dual
exhaust. Cond: 3.
components on the truck. Concours-quality
detailing in engine bay and all FoMoCo.
Seat authentically redone in correct embossed
silver vinyl and aircraft-style buckle,
silver seat belts. Does not have a radio, and
never did, due to an uncut dash and no hole
for an antenna in fender. To sum it up in two
words: minimalist perfection. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $110,000. The Energizer Bunny
of vintage SUVs strikes again. Just when
you think that first-gen Broncos are fully
priced and should start to bring less, this
shows up to the party. $110k for no top, one
bench seat, and a 6-banger with a 3-on-thetree
(albeit done on one fabulously authentic
restoration, rather than an off-roader’s
dream), so welcome to the era of the $100k
Bronco. Still, a 1966 roadster has a bunch
of one-year-only parts, and to get one better
than Ford built it doesn’t come cheap. It’s
just that now it’s becoming closer to being
cost effective.
SOLD AT $22,000. Driver grade all day
long, this is essentially a compilation of
parts onto a California rust-free body. While
the final price may seem well bought, it’s
closer to reasonable—more as a cruisenight
special to become a future project
than to flip for minimal profit (if anyone
bites). A cheap price for a cheap car.
SOLD AT $110,000. Having been shopped
quite a bit in the last year, it was last seen
at Mecum’s 2018 Spring Classic in Indy,
where it was a no-sale at $100k (SCM#
6873864). Here it was on a similar trajec-
94 AmericanCarCollector.com
#F8-1966 FORD BRONCO roadster. VIN:
U13FL788842. Holly Green/silver vinyl.
Odo: 13 miles. 170-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Recently
completed professional restoration to
its original configuration. As such, you’ll find
a paint run or two in less-obvious places
(such as the windshield hinge). That said,
external body panels are done better than
Ford could’ve possibly finished them in the
day. All chrome parts have been replated,
all stainless heavily polished (including the
one-year-only wheel covers). Period-accessory
Selecto front hubs and modern all-terrain
radials are the only obvious non-stock
#S144-1968 SHELBY GT500 KR fastback.
VIN: 8T02R216084. Acapulco Blue Metallic/
black vinyl. Odo: 99,663 miles. 428-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Per the Marti Report, equipped
with 3.50 Traction-Lok, ps, front disc pb,
Interior Décor group, Sports Deck rear seat,
center console and AM radio (now with a
period-correct AM/FM unit). Shelby
10-spoke alloy wheels shod with radials.
Professional restoration completed in recent
years. Better-than-stock body prep and
paint application. Door gaps and fit are no
better or worse than when it was new. All
brightwork is either reconditioned or reproduction
replacements. Modern headlights,
but not halogens. Concours-quality enginebay
detailing. Reproduction radiator and
battery tags. All-reproduction interior soft
trim, in like-new condition. Padding on roll
bar has some scuffing from seat belts.
Dashboard signed by Carroll Shelby above
Page 94
MECUM AUCTIONS // Monterey, CA
MOPAR
glovebox door. Clean, mostly black undercarriage,
with stock-style exhaust. Cond:
2+. SOLD AT $209,000. KR fastback prices
have been a little spotty in recent years, but
as of late seem to be rebounding. This wellrestored
example opened at $50k, then
worked its way up to $150k, where interest
seemed to be tailing off and I figured it was
going to roll out the door at that. After some
negotiation, the reserve was lifted at that
point, and then the bidders got back into a
roll again, smartly moving it up until it hit
$195k on the hammer. As nobody wanted
to be “that guy” who bid it to $200k (although
the juice put it over that yardstick
already), that’s where the hammer fell for a
strong price on a strong car.
#T168-1978 FORD PINTO Squire wagon.
VIN: 8T12Y213816. Jade Green Metallic/
green plaid vinyl. Odo: 15,748 miles. 2.3-L
I4, 1-bbl, auto. Seller believes the miles are
actual. Generally good, original paint with
some light fading and discoloration around
headlight buckets. The decals and fake
wood edging are actually a touch better
than the paint, as they’ve survived the past
four decades with only a few light nicks.
Nice original brightwork. Door fit not so hot
(and probably wasn’t 40 years ago, either).
Circa-1978 engine bay, with the exception
of the radiator cap, modern battery and
some wiring added on hot side of starting
solenoid. Washed-off motor, with some
moderate paint flaking and corrosion on
alloy air-cleaner lid. Inspection stamps still
readily visible on underhood paint. Well-preserved
original upholstery, with only slight
carpet fading. Heavier paint chipping on the
driver’s door jamb from shoulder-belt latch.
Cond: 3+.
#T68-1960 DODGE PHOENIX 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 4305126747. White/red vinyl,
black & red nylon. Odo: 46,985 miles. 225ci
I6, 2-bbl, auto. Bare-bones configuration,
with power brakes and automatic trans being
the sole options. Original radio blanking
plate still in place. Topical repaint over a
generally well-kept original car. Good door
fit, but it rattles when latched. Bumpers and
some trim replated. Yellowing and some
cracks forming in translucent portions.
Seats in fantastic shape, carpet still is okay.
Light overspray on the pinchweld moldings.
Odometer especially difficult to read, due to
location and scuffing. Despite a modern
battery, the engine bay is well detailed to a
stock configuration. Rather blah, dirty undercarriage,
with some light overspray on
the rear leaf springs and exhaust pipe.
Leaking old (if not original) left rear shock
absorber. Period, wide-whitewall, bias-ply
tires. Cond: 3+.
correctly restored undercarriage. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $96,250. One of 548 ’Cuda convertibles
for 1970. Done up more for go
than show, but still very respectably restored.
At most one weekend in the garage
can make it into a concours lawn ornament,
if so desired. Sold slightly better than
bought, if correctness was desired, yet a
decent buy if you want an example to drive
on occasion and locally show.
AMERICANA
NOT SOLD AT $24,000. The proverbial
“little old lady” car when new, from Coralinga,
CA. Last seen in February at the Keith
McCormick auction in Palm Springs, CA,
then selling for a rather healthy $31,500
(ACC# 6827940). At least two people there
must not have figured out how to open the
hood, as this has the inaugural-year Slant 6
under it.
SOLD AT $33,000. Uhm, $33k for a Pinto?
We pondered their collectibility and values a
few issues back here in ACC. Well, it appears
that we are now there—albeit on one
example that’s an original with low miles. At
least it’s a wagon, which didn’t have that
little fuel-tank-exploding-in-an-accident issue.
Still, I’d doubt that any other wagon
from Ford in 1978—LTD or LTD II Country
Squires, Fairmonts, or especially Econoline
Club Wagons—could pull this kind of money
under the same scenario of miles and originality.
Exceptionally well sold, even if you
can’t find one this nice anywhere else.
96 AmericanCarCollector.com
#F63-1970 PLYMOUTH ’CUDA convertible.
VIN: BS27N0B226003. Tor-Red/black
vinyl/Parchment vinyl. Odo: 68,197 miles.
383-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Rotisserie restoration
completed earlier this year by a Mopar specialist.
While it retains matching-numbers
engine block, everything above it was made
by Edelbrock (except the ceramic-coated
headers and Mopar Performance cast-alloy
valve covers, plus air cleaner). Equipped
with ps, pb, fog lamps, hood pins, Rally
Pack, power windows, AM radio, center
console and Rallye wheels—now shod with
modern radials. Excellent body prep and
paint application, in addition to the repro
383 hockey-stick stripes. Doors have decent
shut lines but need a firm slam to shut
properly—due most likely to the new door
seals. Top redone with correct style of vinyl
and well fitted. That also describes the repro
seats and carpeting, yet with some soiling
in stitching of seat-bottom pleats. Clean,
#T92.1-1962 STUDEBAKER LARK Daytona
convertible. VIN: 62V9461. Aqua
Metallic/white vinyl/aqua & white vinyl. Odo:
3,172 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Copy of
the original invoice from the Studebaker
museum shows it was sold new in Kansas
City, and still is equipped with Twin Traction
locking differential, ps and undercoating.
Decent base/clear repaint, with overspray
on rear leaf springs. Front fascia cleaned up
a bit, slightly modified to not have a front
bumper. Door gaps not all that wonderful.
Most trim taken off and reconditioned to
some extent. Reconditioned dashboard,
with triple aftermarket gauges mounted on
bottom. Hurst shifter replaces stock unit in
original location just forward of mini console.
Aftermarket wood-rim steering wheel
with column-side-mounted horn button.
Aside from the open-element air cleaner
and modern production Carter AFB-style
carburetor, clean and generally stock-appearing
underhood. Cornball, aftermarket,
oversized dual exhaust tips. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $30,250. Note to whoever pulled
off the bumper, thinking it looks sleek and
cool: No, it doesn’t. On all counts. This way,
it comes off as a cheap turkey with parts
missing. I’d have looked past the Hurst
shifter, but like this, it really comes off as
being half-baked. Even if it’s a factory V8/4speed
car, it sold very well considering
what’s been changed and what is missing.
A
Page 96
TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN
Back to the 50’s 2018
A desirable 1969 Camaro SS Indy Pace Car convertible,
with a 396 and 4-speed, sold for a market-correct $54k
Twin Cities
Auctions
St. Paul, MN
June 22–23, 2018
Auctioneers: Gary
Dehler, Kurt Warner
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 93/172
Sales rate: 54%
Sales total:
$1,469,396
High sale: 1969
Chevrolet Camaro Indy
Pace Car convertible,
sold at $54,000
Buyer’s premium:
8%; minimum $400,
included in sold prices
High seller: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Indy Pace Car edition convertible, sold at $54,000
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
and Roy Velander
Market opinions in italics
first two days of the three-day show. The auction takes
place on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul
alongside the nearly 12,000 show cars, but is open to
all collector cars, unlike the 1964 cut-off date for entry
into Back to the 50’s.
Overall, the numbers weren’t too far off from pre-
O
98 AmericanCarCollector.com
vious years, as far consignments and sold cars. Indeed,
Twin Cities had a sale rate of less than 1% lower than
last year. However, gross sales — where it really
mattered — were down by nearly $400k. The largest
factor for this was the lack of upper-end (read that as
potential to bring over $100k) feature cars.
The top sale here this weekend was a nice-enough
car — a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Indy Pace Car
convertible. Equipped with a 396 and a 4-speed, it was
certainly a desirable vehicle, yet the $54k it brought
was market correct. For comparison, last year’s top
ne of the world’s largest collector-car
events, Back to the 50’s, has hosted a
collector-car auction for two decades.
For the sixth time, Twin Cities Auctions
returned to conduct this sale during the
car was an ultra-low-mile, original 1969 Chevrolet
Chevelle SS 396 hard top, which brought $87,480.
With cars that were solidly in the $50k-and-under
class, and a 54% sell-through rate, it wasn’t a case of
doing badly, it was just a case of having few cars that
could bring more money. Yet it’s not for lack of trying
with the folks at Twin Cities, as they’re all seasoned
auction veterans from various other auction houses
and venues that enjoy doing this event.
The one thing that would benefit this auction
would be an online presence. Like it or not, the Web
is undoubtedly where any auction company has to be
today to help their consignors attracted a global reach
of potential buyers.
With an agreement with MSRA to continue to be
here next year and beyond, in addition to having a
good rapport with them (including auctioning consignments
for their scholarship foundation), I hope that
next year’s Twin Cities Auctions will be able to attract
even more consignments and buyers to continue as a
successful part of Back to the 50’s for the foreseeable
future.A
Page 98
TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN
GM
#F126-1963 CHEVROLET CORVAIR
Monza convertible. VIN: 30967W308328.
Burgundy metallic/white vinyl/black vinyl.
Odo: 15,517 miles. 146-ci H6, 2x1-bbl, 4-sp.
Average base/clear repaint, with sloppy
masking of glass and door seals and
overspray on the top and undercarriage.
Sanding scratches visible under paint on
hood. Door fit okay, but they rattle like crazy
due to no stop bumpers being in place.
Newer 185/70R13 blackwall radials on all
four corners, with 1964-and-later threeprong
spinner wire wheel covers. Curbfeeler
exhaust pipe outlet. Older Clark’s
seat kit, installed well. Worn, original, vacuum-plated
interior trim is mostly bare plastic.
Missing ashtray and radio knobs.
Somewhat cleaned-up engine bay. Truck
bed liner used instead of black paint
underhood on non-engine sheet metal.
What isn’t greasy on the undercarriage has
heavy surface rust. Cond: 3-.
paint on driver’s door pillar. When redone,
a/c tastefully added, with a modern rotary
compressor underhood. Engine bay recently
cleaned, but not detailed since it was restored
a decade ago; flash rust forming on
some components. Modern aftermarket
electronic ignition. All-reproduction interior
soft trim, hardly showing wear over the past
decade. Cond: 2-.
one in the description. Final bid most likely
didn’t pay for the work done on it, so it’ll
take a little while longer for a future, lessscrupulous
owner to try and call it “numbers
matching.”
SOLD AT $25,380. GM went to thin whitewall
tires in 1962, so these wide whites are
a bit too much, especially with the wheelwell
moldings there to break up the black tires
and black paint. I’ve also never really been
a fan of ’64 Chevy Daytona Blue, as they
used it on everything from Corvairs to Corvettes,
so no love lost here for painting it
black. Appropriately paid for what should be
a nice cruiser with plenty of eye appeal, and
nothing more.
SOLD AT $5,400. This Monza was a frequent
flyer on the auction circuit last season;
last seen selling for $4,988 at Keith
McCormick’s Palm Springs sale in November
last year (ACC# 6856674). Granted,
various entities have done enough with this
that I didn’t recognize it from when I saw it
last year at the Mecum auction in Monterey—where
it failed to sell for $7k (ACC#
6844647). Still, it seems like one of those
cars where they fix one thing and screw up
something else each time I encounter it.
This is one of those cars that seems like it’s
a hot potato and may never really find a true
new home, but rather will bounce from
dealer to dealer. Sold well, so we’ll see if it
boomerangs back on the market next year
or stays off the radar.
#S144-1964 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
Malibu SS convertible. VIN: 45867K192787.
Tuxedo Black/white vinyl/white vinyl.
Odo: 10,498 miles. 283-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. A
real SS, but originally Daytona Blue with
blue vinyl seats. Heavy-duty cooling package,
ps, pb, tinted windshield, power top
and AM radio. A concise restoration was
completed in 2008, using components from
a no-rust Arizona donor car. Rather good
two-stage paint, although tops of rear fenders
could’ve been better prepped and door
jambs have lesser-quality application of
clearcoat. Pop-riveted VIN tag over new
100 AmericanCarCollector.com
#F120-1965 PONTIAC GTO replica 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 237375K119048. Red/black
vinyl/burgundy vinyl. Odo: 31,884 miles.
400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Good color-change
repaint from the original Starlight Black with
a Cameo White-painted LeMans roof. Generally
good panel gaps, although hood sits
slightly high. Modern replacement windshield,
with light sanding scratches and
masking lines on perimeter trim—along with
drip rails. Rear quarter-panel GTO emblems
placed too far forward—darn near centered
between bumper and rear wheelwells.
Heavily padded vinyl roof with non-stock
grain. Stick-on, faux chrome trim added below
lower window trim. GTO-style reproduction
interior vinyl, well installed. Newer
solid-color, closed-loop pile carpeting.
Retro-look AM/FM/cassette deck in lieu of
stock radio. Generally stock-appearing
underhood. Radiator hoses have some light
engine overspray. Modern replacement alternator.
Rally I wheels on blackwall radials.
Cond: 3+.
#F144-1965 CHEVROLET C-20 Custom
pickup. VIN: C2545S174729. Maroon metallic
& white/white & black vinyl. Odo:
85,017 miles. 283-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Recent
base/clear repaint, with a custom candy
finish; enhanced all the more by modern,
styled 16-inch alloy rims. Varnished cargobox
wood with polished stainless-steel skid
strips. All-reproduction alloy trim, some replated
chrome, yet lightly pitted door handles.
Original Smack-Hit rear step bumper,
engraved from original dealer (Forrest
Chevrolet of Cleburne, TX). Helper coils on
original trailing-link-and-coil rear suspension.
Aftermarket dual exhaust system.
Good door fit, with new seals. Reupholstered
seat in a generic pattern. Modern
DIN sound system cut into stock radio’s
location. Tidy and largely stock-appearing
engine bay, aside from a modern aluminum
radiator. Conversion to dual master-cylinder
brakes (albeit unassisted) more subtle.
Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $18,000. A bit unusual to
find a C-20 with a Powerglide, unless it was
bought new to have a camper on the back.
With pickups of all eras being so fashionable
now, ¾-tonners are starting to see
some love in the marketplace, as a more
economical alternative to a ½-ton. Swapping
out the multi-piece rims and with some
modern suspension tweaks (if not going full
in for air bags) will yield a truck that’s all but
identical to its ½-ton brethren. Bid to where
the consignor could say it was too shy to
sell (having stated that $20k was the absolute
bottom that would be considered) yet
also appropriate for the last person bidding,
as some folks will still say, “Gee, you paid a
lot for a three-quarter-ton.”
NOT SOLD AT $21,000. As sure as the sun
rises each day and sets each night, you’ll
still find fakey-doo GTOs at auctions. At
least the consignor was forward with this
#F153-1968 OLDSMOBILE TORONADO
2-dr hard top. VIN: 394878M614798. Dark
blue metallic/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
39,365 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Originally
Twilight Teal paint, now a base/clear
repaint in strictly dark blue (actually, it’s
closer to Nocturne Blue more than anything
else), with light orange peel. Correct-fromnew
interior (actually pretty nice original) in
black vinyl, with bucket seats and center
console. Good door fit, yet with a hint of a
Page 100
TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN
rattle when they are shut. Heavier yellowing
of plastic, vacuum-plated seat moldings.
Optional tilt/telescopic steering column, with
modern, aftermarket leather added to rim.
DIN-mount CD stereo cut into dashboard
where stock radio once was. Older, cut-to-fit
shag carpeted floor mats. Rusty VIN tag in
dashboard is difficult to decipher. Reasonably
well-detailed underhood. Modern replacement
alternator. Highly polished wheel
covers and newer radials on the stock rims.
Cond: 3.
box ignition. Rattle-can gold on the brake
master cylinder is lifting off. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $27,540. While it initially catches
your eye, it gives off an aura of “make it
pretty to flip it” that makes it less endearing
the more you look at it. At least it’s a real
GTO, which is not what one would necessarily
call a ringing endorsement. At least
you won’t have any quibbles about taking it
out and driving it (provided that the shortcuts
ended with the motor, but I doubt it).
Sold well.
SOLD AT $9,180. This was the first year
that the Toro started getting ugly. While
1967 stayed true to the 1966 original, 1968
saw the introduction a massive double-nostril
chrome grille, which overlapped the front
fenders—almost from wheelwell to wheelwell.
This did the otherwise-clean styling no
favors. At least its saving grace for ’68 was
the introduction of the bullet-proof 455 engine.
While Olds did offer a higher-performance
W34 variant of the 455 (rated at 400
ponies), this car had the base engine, despite
the rare-as-hen’s-teeth center console
with shifter. The raised-white-letter tires and
aftermarket sound system also did the car
no favors, giving it a high-school-kid aura.
As such, it sold well enough.
#F172-1968 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 242378K115585. Red/black vinyl/red
vinyl. Odo: 72,956 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Hurst Dual Gate shifter, ps, pb, tilt
steering column and hood-mounted tach.
Added a/c, with a modern compressor. Decent
color-change, trim-off repaint, although
the clearcoat is iffy in door jambs. Rust blisters
starting to pop on bottom of the doors
on inner seams. All brightwork has been
refurbished in one way or another, most of it
the right way. Good body-to-Endura-nose
fit. Grille surround has a few nicks in it from
road debris. Stick-on GTO emblems. 1980svintage
windshield. Fresh, all-reproduction
interior soft trim. 1970s-era AM/FM/8-track
in stock radio location, which is missing tuning
knob. Little is stock underhood. Edelbrock
intake and carburetor, chrome valve
Seafoam Green & white/green vinyl & nylon.
Odo: 92,078 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Per original build sheet on glovebox door,
has an optional 350 V8, TH350 automatic,
ps, heavy-duty battery, block heater, rear
step bumper, gauge package, and pushbutton
AM radio. Authentic repaint about
two decades ago. Wood cargo-box floor
correctly painted body color. Mix of some
repop but mostly good original trim. Excellent
mostly original interior. Aftermarket sliding
rear window, wrapped steering-wheel
rim cover, and period AM/FM/8-track stereo.
Recent fluff-and-buff underhood. Non-stock
spark-plug wires. Non-stock dual exhaust
system. Newer radial tires that look the part
of truck bias plies and newer-era stainless
hubcaps on reconditioned wheels.
Cond: 3+.
#F137-1969 CHEVROLET C-10 Custom
pickup. VIN: CE149J838896.
bay, but lacking in some hardware details to
keep it from being factory-stock, concours
good, such as a modern power-steering
pump and incorrect hose clamps. Enginestamping
pad is blank. Undercarriage is just
as neat, clean and correct as underhood—if
not more authentic, with correct dual-exhaust
configuration and suspension
components in correct finishes (or lack
thereof). Neat-as-a-pin, all-stock interior, the
only deviation being a modern Hurst shifter
and carpeted floor mats. Lower-profile 15inch
radials. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $54,000. The 1969 Indy Pace
Cars seem to be picking up a tad in the
market—regardless of whether there’s a big
or small block underhood. While the workmanship
was superb on this one, there has
been enough parts swapping to make it one
darn nice cruiser in lieu of a show pony. As
such, it was bid correctly, especially since
the consignor dropped the reserve (in lieu of
the bids reaching it) when it hit $50k, and it
was hammered sold shortly thereafter.
SOLD AT $10,800. Last seen here four
years ago, then well bought for $8,239
(ACC# 6710162). It doesn’t get much better
than this; someone got to play with it for
four years, sold it for about a $2k profit, and
the buyer here still got a great buy on a
superb truck. Further proof that you won’t
lose money on it unless you abuse it. And
even if you do, park it under a nearby tree
that the local pigeon population favors,
don’t wash it, then cash in and milk the
whole “barn find” thing.
covers and open-element air cleaner, MSD
102 AmericanCarCollector.com
#S139-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO Indy
Pace Car edition convertible. VIN: 124679N623320.
Dover White/white vinyl/orange
houndstooth vinyl. Odo: 853 miles. 396-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Equipped with pb, ps, tilt
steering column with rosewood steering
wheel, Speed Minder, gauge-package center
console, AM radio and power top. Recent
bare-body restoration by a local shop.
Superb two-stage paintwork and graphics.
Show-chrome bumpers, and most trim and
emblems are repros. Very clean engine
#F157-1970 PONTIAC GTO Judge 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 242370P255073. Blue metallic/
white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 88,007
miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Equipped with
power nothing plus optional center console,
hood tach and vinyl roof. Trim rings added
to original Rally II wheels, now shod with
economy-grade radials. Wears an older
repaint, with some overspray on glasspack
mufflers. Paint cracking on Endura nose.
Good door fit and panel gaps. Brightwork
reconditioned to some extent. Replacement
headlights. Original engine paint, but rather
distressed. Modern replacement hoses,
clamps and battery. Fender aprons, cowl,
and everything attached to them painted
black. Upper dashboard reconditioned, as
the VIN tag is painted over. Good seat vinyl,
so much so that you can’t convince me it’s
original. Center-console lid with some lifting
and light warping to come off as original.
Aftermarket modular sound system added
below dashboard above the center console,
leaving stock AM radio in place. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $43,200. The windshield descrip-
BEST
BUY
Page 102
GLOVEBOXNOTES by Jim Pickering
2018 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Widebody
tion mentioned that this was being sold out
of original owner’s estate. It may not be as
original and unaltered as some would lead
you to believe, but it does give off the vibe
that it has been owned and cared for by a
reasonable adult—not thrashed, bashed
and reassembled. Overall, a reasonable car
selling for reasonable money.
Price as tested: $77,770
Equipment: 6.2-L 707-hp supercharged Hemi V8, 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic,
SRT-tuned Bilstein 3-mode competition suspension with adaptive dampening, SRT
drive modes, electronic roll control and stability control, Brembo 6-piston front brakes,
keyless entry, back-up camera and blind-spot monitoring system, 18-speaker audio
system with subwoofer, 200-mph speedometer, UConnect Nav system and 7-inch
touchscreen interface, illuminated Air-Catcher headlamps and LED taillamps, electric
power steering, and Gunmetal Gray brake calipers. Widebody Performance Package
includes 20x11-inch Devil’s Rim aluminum wheels, Widebody competition suspension
system, fender flares and 305/35ZR20 tires.
Mileage: 13/22
Likes: Both tame and brutally fast,
depending on your mood and the
car’s settings. Will run to 60 in just 3.8
seconds. Extremely stable at speed,
competent in the corners despite its
4,500-lb heft. Fantastic brakes with little
fade, 8-speed auto is both firm and sure
of itself most of the time. Great sound
from SRT exhaust — it’s especially fun
to start remotely to hear it snarl to life.
Good camera and side monitoring system helps you live with such a wide stance in an
already wide car.
Dislikes: Don’t expect to blend in. Fuel mileage is certainly a downside, but you’ll
make friends at your local gas station pretty quickly when you roll up in this again and
again. Wide tires are reportedly $260 each, but at least they all match. $77k will buy
you a lot of car elsewhere, but it won’t be THIS car. Widebody package adds $6,000 to
the bottom line.
Verdict: What’s not to love about a 707-hp daily driver? The Hellcat is your best commuter
ever. Sure, it’s big, loud, and can be scary fast when you want it to be, but it also
has an eco mode (don’t laugh) that tames output and still gives you that evil shriek from
the supercharger — just at a lesser level of power. As such, you can have fun with this
thing pretty much all the time, regardless of how you’re limited by traffic or disapproving
passengers. On top of all
that, it’s comfortable, even in the
back seats, and the Widebody
treatment fixes the Challenger’s
too-tall proportions nicely.
Drive it to work, take the kids to
school, drive it to dinner — and
then take it to the track and turn
it up. No compromises here…
that is, except for the price.
Fun to drive:
Eye appeal:
overall experience:
104 AmericanCarCollector.comAmericanCarCollector.com
#S125-1977 CHEVROLET BLAZER K5
Custom Deluxe SUV. VIN: CKR187F186170.
Frost White/white fiberglass/red vinyl.
Odo: 62,206 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
Optional V8, transmission, a/c, ps, pb, towing
package, AM/FM stereo radio and tachometer.
Aftermarket pop-out glass
sunroof. Believed that the miles are actual.
Good trim-off topical repaint, if you don’t
notice the sloppy masking around most
glass seals (but it’s hard to miss). All original
brightwork, with light pitting on some
pieces and light reconditioning on others.
Poor door fit on passenger’s side, not much
better for the driver. Excellent interior, although
I suspect the front seats (due to different
vinyl) and door panels (lacking
brightwork and the faux-woodgrain trim of
rest of interior) are modern reproductions.
Surface rust on shift lever. Motor is rusty
and dingy. A/C system fitted with R134a
fittings. Throaty exhaust burble from the
non-stock duals. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $17,820. The ’77 Blazer had minimal
changes (mostly grille and trim packages)
from the previous year, when the roof
was changed to being removable only for
the rear cap. Previously, from 1973 to ’75,
the entire roof—from windshield frame to
tailgate—was removable. With a strong
opening bid of $12k, the reserve was removed
in short order when the bidding hit
$16,500. Then everyone else sat on their
hands, and the truck was hammered sold
for what’s becoming market value, factoring
in that’s it’s more of an off-road vehicle than
an investment vehicle.
#F167-1984 PONTIAC FIERO Indy Pace
Car edition coupe. VIN: 1G2AF37R3EP272733.
White & silver/gray vinyl & red
cloth. 2.5-L fuel-injected I4, auto. Equipped
with sunroof, a/c, cruise control, tilt steering
column, power windows, power door locks
and electronic AM/FM/cassette stereo.
Good original paint and graphics, with minimal
edge chipping. Moderate fading of em
Page 103
TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN
blems on B-pillars. Doors rattle when shut
but have decent gaps for an ’80s GM product.
Stock painted alloy wheels, with tires
that need replacing before too long. Moderate
steering-wheel-rim and shifter wear.
Lesser carpet and seat-bottom wear. Illfitting
shifter boot. Loose-fitting headliner
from age (once again, like any typical ’80s
GM product). Minimal engine-bay cleanup.
Ignored undercarriage. Cond: 3.
stereo. Engine dressed up like a 425-hp
unit, but engine-stamping pad is blank. And
it was dressed up several decades ago,
based on heavier surface rust on unpainted
components (and painted components such
as the frame rails). Recently replaced alternator
and upper radiator hose. Cond: 3-.
NOT SOLD AT $47,500. Probably hoping to
cash in on the “barn find” craze, the consignor
stated that this came out of California
after sitting for several decades, with some
recent work to make it a runner (mainly
brakes and carburetor). The “original barn
find” thing is a bit thin here, as this is just
past the tipping-over point between preservation
and restoration. The money behind
the final bid was as strong as you’ll find anywhere.
SOLD AT $4,000. The seller indicated on
the car comments placard that this had a
turbo in it. While all 2,000 of the IPC-edition
lookalikes for civilian consumption had the
stock 2.5-L, Iron Duke 4-banger with port
fuel injection, the actual pace car for the
race was bored out to 2.7 liters, turbocharged,
and was strung out to the Nth degree
for producing 232 hp, and, as of now,
this was the only mid-engine Indy Pace Car
(we’ll see if that changes after next year
with the C8 Corvette). You’d have to be an
absolute Fiero loony to pay any more than
this for this car, or desperate to fill the 1984
gap in your Indy Pace Car collection.
CORVETTE
#S141-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. VIN: 104676S111955. Nassau
Blue/white vinyl, blue hard top/white vinyl.
Odo: 43,840 miles. 427-ci 425-hp V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Mostly original paint, although a silver
stinger has been added. Paint getting rather
distressed, with heavier chipping up front,
flex cracking, bonding strip broadcasting,
plus splitting and peeling at the peak of
stinger on the nose. Trimmed rear wheelwell
lips. Heavier fading of plastic emblem
inserts and decals on vent windows. New
carpeting on rear storage compartment lid,
the rest being original, with yellowing and
soiling. Seats are presentable but tired. Aftermarket
Hurst shifter and AM/FM/cassette
#F180-1996 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Commemorative Edition coupe. VIN:
1G1YY2251T5109146. Sebring Silver/tinted
roof panel/black leather. Odo: 34,146 miles.
5.7-L 330-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Optional
LT4 engine with required 6-speed
manual gearbox. Also with Preferred Equipment
Package One, Delco-Bose sound system,
and both types of roof panels.
Aftermarket door-sill plates and engine callout
tag stuck to console. Stated that indicated
miles are actual since new. Excellent
original paint, with consigning dealer’s decal
stuck top center (above third brake light) on
rear valance panel. Heaviest interior wear is
on outboard driver’s seat bolsters, with all
leather starting to get a bit stiff. Better,
used-car-lot-grade cleanup and basic detailing
underhood. Newer ACDelco battery. Not
white-glove concours sanitary, but a
washed-off and clean undercarriage. Blemish-free
stock wheels, shod with newer Pilot
Sport all-season performance tires.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $15,120. The only 1996 Corvette
to have the one-year-only LT4 as standard
was the Grand Sport. It was an option on all
other trim levels, inclusive of the also oneyear-only
Commemorative Edition. Left the
auction block as a no-sale at $14k, but postevent
data provided by the auction company
shows that a deal came together on it. As
both Commemorative Editions and LT4s
have been slowly picking up in value for
some time, this sale is more market correct
than some would realize. Even the consignor
eventually figured that out.
November–December 2018 105
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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN
FOMOCO
#F132-1954 MERCURY MONTEREY 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 54ME83097M. Light green
metallic/light green & ivory vinyl. Odo:
59,121 miles. 256-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Nice,
older topical repaint, in original hue. Heavier
chips on right front wheelwell lip, down by
rocker panel. Scratches immediately below
stainless molding, over right rear wheelwell.
Otherwise, paint has been reasonably well
cared for, and has an aged patina that almost
comes off as original. Presentable
original chrome trim, despite some light
frosting of most of it—yet bumpers replated
a while back (likely when the car was resprayed).
Crazing on all plastic exterior emblems.
Good door fit and panel gaps. Seat
vinyl is likely redone, but a while back, as it
doesn’t match up with the original door panels;
still presents well aside from soiling on
driver’s side. Color-coordinated seat belts
up front. Older engine repaint, with some
grease weeping from various gaskets. Reproduction
bias-ply whitewalls on the original
steel wheels. Cond: 3+.
steering column at the 2-o’clock position.
Dingy, mostly original under the hood.
Newer ignition wiring. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $6,210. It may seem a bit odd for
a full-sized Merc to have a 4-speed—especially
on an entry-level, bench-seat Monterey.
Yet during the 1960s, Ford did make
overtones to position “The Big M” as something
of a luxury GT. At least it was paired
to the “Super Marauder” 4-barrel 390 for
300-hp worth of snort (but, alas, not a 427
side-oiler—although that was possible). I
would’ve found the combination quite appealing,
if it wasn’t for the fact that the car
was ratty. These also don’t have that big of
a following, yet the fact that the top goes
down is the only reason this wasn’t sent to
Japan as scrap metal in the 1980s. Correctly
sold, if not more a case of correct to
sell it for this.
SOLD AT $12,960. New for the ’54 Mercurys
were the Y-block, overhead-valve engine
and ball-joint front suspension. This
Monterey 2-door hard top was in good company,
as it was the most popular Big M this
year—at 79,553 built. While they may not
have the panache of the previous generation
of Mercs, they are still a capable cruiser
at the price of a Ford, if not less. One could
almost call this the car equivalent of comfort
food. You’ll have to find the right person to
flip this for a worthwhile profit, yet if you get
“stuck” with it, you may feel it’s worth touching
it up just for yourself. Bought well.
#S113-1965 MERCURY MONTEREY convertible.
VIN: 5Z45Z596469. Light blue/
white vinyl/white & light blue vinyl. Odo:
24,110 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Copy
of original invoice from when it was sold
new by Beck Motor Company in Petersburg,
VA, on July 29, 1965. Dealer-installed a/c.
Old repaint in the original hue, with passenger’s
door a replacement from a black car,
as paint is flaking off the upper surfaces.
Heavier paint chipping on leading edge of
hood. Typical big, 1960s FoMoCo; it’s
something of a tail dragger due to sagging
rear leaf springs. Top has small holes in
C-pillar where the bows pinched it. Seats
and door panels redone a few years ago.
Heavily soiled and threadbare carpeting.
Light dash-pad fading. Sun tach clamped to
106 AmericanCarCollector.com
#F148-1968 MERCURY COUGAR XR-7
2-dr hard top. VIN: 8F09F503504. White/
black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 51,656 miles.
302-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional pb, tilt steering
column, rear-window defogger, and
AM/8-track sound system. Dealer-accessory
luggage rack. 1990 West Virginia registration
and Cougar Club of America stickers in
windshield. Older, better-quality repaint,
with some masking lines evident in door
jambs and on some window seals. Laterera,
vinyl-tape, stock-style pinstriping and
body side moldings. Original vinyl roof has
some older repair work on a few cracks and
seam splits, but is generally presentable.
Most of brightwork has been reconditioned
in recent years. Excellent interior soft trim,
aside from some fading of original dashpad.
Cover plate on steering column for
turn-signal switch missing. Generally tidy
underhood. Three-prong spinner wheel covers
and Redline radial tires on stock wheels.
Cond: 3+.
“
SOLD AT $15,390. In its second year of
production, the Cougar was proving to be a
good complement to the Ford Mustang that
it was based upon. While the XR-7 was
catching on, with 32,712 built in addition to
the 81,014 basic Cougars, it still paled in
comparison to the 249,447 Mustang coupes
built for 1968. While it may have been popular
50 years ago, today it’s still second fiddle
to a Mustang in popularity, so this sold market
correct—if not a touch strong.
#F147-1971 FORD F-250 Custom pickup.
VIN: F25YRK66273. Mint green/dark green
vinyl & light green nylon. Odo: 75,512 miles.
360-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional ps and pb.
Period-accessory tie-down hooks on sides
of pickup box, dual fuel tanks, and extended
rear bumper for a slide-in camper. Modern
single-piece steel wheels shod with new
radial tires. Topical repaint, with varying
degrees of orange peel, starting to flake
along masked-off edges. Modern replacement
windshield. Older replated front bumper,
with a few creases and holes from
former bumper guards. Excellent door fit.
Older rattle-can job on motor, with masking
and prep work as secondary concerns. Cab
interior repainted, with some overspray on
dimmer switch. Original radio-blanking plate
still in place. Original interior vinyl, but has
seam splitting on bottom of the seat at driver’s
location and multiple cracks in dashpad.
Cond: 3.
At least it was paired to the “Super
Marauder” 4-barrel 390 for 300-hp
worth of snort (but, alas, not a 427 sideoiler—although
that was possible).
1965 Mercury Monterey convertible
”
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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN
NOT SOLD AT $6,500. It certainly seemed
like three-quarter-ton pickups were the unofficial
theme of the auction this time. All of
the Big Three were represented with at
least one from the 1960s through the early
1970s. Unlike the Chevy C-20 (Lot F144),
this Ford came off as being more true to its
original mission rather than being made into
a wanna-be half ton. It also markedly shows
why a lot of these have survived so well,
being a dedicated camper hauler. As with
that Chevy C-20, one can easily take either
position that this was fully bid or worth not
letting go, but not by much either way.
#S135-1979 FORD THUNDERBIRD Heritage
coupe. VIN: 9G87H206914. Light
blue/blue vinyl/dark blue velour. Odo:
18,502 miles. 351-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Deluxe
Marti Report confirms that the car’s configuration
is as-built original. Stated that the
miles are actual and that the car is all original—aside
from service parts like tires and
battery. All factory-applied paint, with some
light orange peel below opera windows, yet
in superb condition. All chrome and trim are
also well preserved and in great condition.
Cleaned up more that detailed underhood.
Only deviations from stock there are the
battery and a built-in battery maintainer on
passenger’s side wheelwell. Excellent original
interior. Light wear on carpeted floor
mats. One insert on driver’s side seat-back
ornament has fallen out. Ford-issued recall
sticker tastefully added on lower dashboard.
Fresh undercoating and new stock-appearing
dual exhaust system. Cond: 2-.
them. Fitted with 1986 SVO front-fender
emblems, plus one fitted out of alignment to
Mustang emblem on hatch lip. Interior wear
looks, at most, like half of the 90k miles the
car has since new. More compression of
seat-bottom bolsters on driver’s side than
actual seat wear. Also rearing its ugly head
is the typical 1980s domestic-car cloth
headliner glue giving way, so the headliner
is touching your head. Light engine-bay
cleanup, more than being detailed. Period,
authentic Goodyear Eagle VR50 tires with
plenty of tread on stock, alloy wheels. Average
used-car undercarriage. Cond: 3+.
hopeful coughs from the engine, it usually
needed to be pulled around the auction site.
Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $6,156. Despite being well
equipped for a Fox-body Mustang, the
SVOs came standard well equipped with
such amenities as a/c, power door locks,
power windows and premium sound system.
Indeed, the SVO’s only options were
leather seats and a sunroof. They were also
about five grand more than a GT, so sales
failed to meet expectations, with 4,507 sold
of the 9,837 build in this inaugural year.
Today’s 310-hp, 2.3-L EcoBoost Mustang
can trace a lot of its DNA to the 175-hp,
2.3-L turbocharged SVO, and we are all the
better for it. As a car originally purchased
more often by enthusiasts than fan boys of
the 5.0-L, today’s survivors tend to be well
cared for like this example, so one can feel
more assured of getting an SVO than a GT
Fox body. Market correct today, but likely to
look well bought in the future.
SOLD AT $10,260. While some of the 1978
Diamond Jubilee Edition T-birds were kept
as instant collectibles, darn few of the ’Birds
of this era was saved for posterity, so this
Heritage edition is something of a unicorn.
This package was only offered for the final
year of the body style; in essence, it was a
parts-bin clean-out special, which included
some Diamond Jubilee Edition trim pieces
(in this case, the seats and blind rear-quarter
roof vinyl). With low-mile, disco-era personal
luxury cars starting to feel some love
in the market, this was a pretty decent buy.
At worst, it was market correct.
#F168-1984 FORD MUSTANG SVO hatchback.
VIN: 1FABP28T1EF116655. Black/
gray cloth. Odo: 90,116 miles. 2.3-L turbocharged
I4, 5-sp. Good-quality older repaint,
including door handles and lock cylinders.
Some clearcoat lifting in door sills. Good
door gaps, but doors have some rattle to
108 AmericanCarCollector.com
MOPAR
#F133-1931 DODGE BROTHERS U1-C
pop-up camper. VIN: 219895. Eng. # 219895.
Light beige & wood/tan & green canvas/
tan cloth. Odo: 65,041 miles. Cast
spoke wheels, including single rears, riding
on old bias-ply tires. Decent older repaint.
Wood revarnished more recently. Original
canvas for pop-up top has a couple of small
holes, but otherwise in pretty good shape.
Vintage-style Mopar vinyl decal on body
sides, yet Mopar didn’t exist until 1937. Restored
1940 South Dakota license plates
have blue masking tape over “40” with “31”
written in pen over it (that’ll fool ’em down at
the DMV). Crookedly mounted, drum-type
speedometer. Handy clipboard attached just
ahead of steering post, with a note stating
that the truck doesn’t need a key to start.
However, it’s going to need more than that.
Despite efforts to get it started, and a few
SOLD AT $20,520. Stated that it was originally
built for a dentist in Alhambra, CA, as
a mobile clinic during the week and RV on
the weekends. This is from back in the days
when gearing was everything, as that 196-ci
4-banger must have been working overtime
just to move this down the road. Regardless
of price, good luck duplicating this, even if it
is slowly morphing into a resto-mod, as I
would not at all be surprised to see this next
with a Cummins 4B diesel engine underhood,
which at least is another 4-banger
and related to the Cummins found in Dodge
(and Ram) trucks with two more lungs.
#S109-1969 DODGE CORONET Deluxe
2-dr sedan. VIN: WL21B9G171300. Ivy
Green Metallic/tan & green vinyl. Odo:
15,743 miles. 225-ci I6, 1-bbl, auto. Good
news: It wears its original paint job. Bad
news (and there’s plenty of it): The roof and
hood are heavily faded, sides have wear
from where the body side molding used to
be, plus all panels have some level of
scratches, dings and surface rust (with
rocker panels rusted out). Fairly solid door
fit with okay gaps. Tired original chrome and
trim. Stock and surface-rusted original Slant
6 underhood. Gray overspray on air cleaner.
Factory-applied undercoating has turned
gray, and has a few holes from where rust
has eaten away metal. New gas tank and
stock-style exhaust system. Seats have
heavier fading and seam splitting, but rest
of the interior isn’t all that bad. Radio pulled
out and sitting on the back seat. Seems to
run okay. Cond: 5+.
NOT SOLD AT $8,000. The consignor must
have gotten wind of the VanDerBrink Mopar
Collection auction two weeks prior, and
thought that crappy-condition Mopars were
Page 108
TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN
the Next Big Thing (based on the prices
there, one can’t be blamed). However, without
the proper ambiance of baking in a field
next to a crop of soybeans in the middle of
South Dakota, this didn’t quite work out as
well. I think the big misstep here was that
the Slant 6 in this car actually ran, and quite
well. Had it been a big block that was stuck
from inactivity for several decades, then
maybe it would ring the bell. Yet just like
every B-body at the SoDak venue, was bid
more than generously.
AMERICANA
#S161-1949 PACKARD DELUXE EIGHT
Series 2301 sedan. VIN: 2262944893.
Black/tan & brown herringbone broadcloth.
Odo: 14,736 miles. 288-ci I8, 2-bbl, 3-sp.
Equipped with overdrive, fog lamps, backup
lamp, and cormorant hood ornament.
Period spotlight and Fulton windshield visor.
Sold new by Packard Minneapolis, retaining
their dealer badge below trunk-lid emblem.
Consignor believes miles to be actual since
new. Original paint has seen plenty of wear
in the past 69 years. Heavy panel-edge
wear. Heavily faded rear-bumper chrome;
front isn’t much better, along with rest of
chrome. Remnants of period vacation souvenir
decals in left rear vent window. Older
redone seats, with some light staining and
wear on front seat bottom. Recent engine
work; newer green paint, chrome acorn nuts
for head studs, new fuel lines, modern coil
and refurbished oil filter canister. No air-filter
assembly. Cond: 4+.
this car was ignored more than properly
tended to for most of its existence, if this is
truly 14k miles. If, like me, you think that this
is actually 114k miles, then everything adds
up. There’s barely enough paint left to tell
what the original sheen might have been,
and if you try to buff it out, the chips will fill
up with buffing compound. So it’s time to
fire up the compressor for the media blaster
and start shopping for paint—and quotes for
chrome plating. All for a 4-door sedan that
most fans of that marque call “pregnant elephant.”
(You don’t want to know what the
haters call them.) Bid to the moon for a car
that doesn’t seem bad, yet is not all it
seems to be.
#S149-1964 STUDEBAKER GRAN TURISMO
HAWK 2-dr hard top. VIN: 64V1231.
White/black vinyl. Odo: 22,778 miles. 289-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Stated to have had a “bodyon
restoration” in recent years. Rather nice
bare-metal repaint, although there’s some
dust left on cowl and roof when it got
sprayed. Sloppier masking around VIN tag.
Mostly refurbished chrome and stainless
trim, although back bumper has original,
faded plating. Repop emblems, including
R1 badge on grille. Door and window seals
also refurbished, when they’d have been
better off replacing them. Doors sag, so
they only shut well when lifted while closing.
Selective interior soft-trim replacement and
refurbishment. Generally clean and tidy under
that large, heavy hood. Modern Edelbrock
carburetor with stainless braided fuel
lines and a small open-element air cleaner
topping the motor off. Cond: 3+.
tlebutt by some in the peanut gallery here
that this was a “fake.” Granted, I’m quite
certain that this didn’t leave South Bend in
late 1963 with an R1-spec engine (or one
loosely portraying it with modern parts like
this one). It’s also unsettling due to having
diddly squat for documentation, despite the
Studebaker Museum having all the build
sheets for these. Yet as there was only one
Hawk model and body for 1964, how do you
fake it? I’ll be the last to call myself a savant
on these (although I know how and who to
reference on them), but someone with even
less knowledge likely started calling wolf on
it; thus it suffered on the block. Yet being
hardly at all correct for a ’64 GT Hawk and
with incongruent work (either done top
notch or ignored), this sold closer to reasonable
rather than being well bought.
#S162-1967 AMC AMBASSADOR DPL
convertible. VIN: A7KC77Q106409. Matador
Red/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 46,678
miles. 343-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Good recent
refresh highlighted by a slightly better-thanaverage
repaint. Most chrome has been
replated, and most trim refurbished. Original,
faded DPL emblem on trunk lid. Reproduction
decal from the Topel AMC
dealership of Kenosha, WI. Decent door
and panel gaps, new door and glass seals
(for the most part). Good top vinyl, possibly
original. Interior in quite good shape, with
redyed door panels. Newer carpeting, good
original seats with moderate soiling in vinyl
perforations up front. Period AMC-accessory
8-track module mounted ahead of console
below dashboard, with stock AM radio
still in dash. Recent engine-bay fluff-andbuff,
actually detailed quite well but not
quite show-car correct. Solid undercarriage,
with most factory-installed undercoating
removed. New dual exhaust system and
fuel tank. Cragar SS wheels shod with older
radials. Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $5,500. I get the feeling that
SOLD AT $14,850. There was some scut-
SOLD AT $21,600. The DPL was the equivalent
of a Chevy Impala SS or a Ford Galaxie
500 XL—the sporty full-size, with
bucket seats and center console. With only
980 DPL convertibles built in 1967—let
alone an original red one—good luck finding
another one out there. Some can make the
argument that this sold well enough, yet I’m
more of the opinion that the buyer did well
here, maybe even with a little money left on
the table if flipped in the right venue. A
110 AmericanCarCollector.com
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GLOBAL
ROUNDUP
Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report
American Highlights
at Six Auctions
CLASSICS
#12-1915 SIMPLEX CRANE MODEL 5
tourer. VIN: 2046. Eng. # 2049. Black &
burgundy/burgundy leather. Odo: 68 miles.
Huge touring chassis used for this twincockpit,
boattail speedster. Rebodied by
second owner after WWII. Paint once
concours quality, now with nicks and chips
from use. Long black panels originally well
blocked, but now showing ripples. Cut-down
windscreen. Burgundy leather nicely broken-in;
main seat back looks like it’s been
re-dyed. Dash covered with numerous
gauges. Throttle pedal and shift gate look
modern. 564-ci inline 6 with copper intake
manifold and water lines. Partially mounted
twin spares in back. Cond: 2.
With silver-screen fame and authentic restoration, it sold for less than expected
— 1932 Ford 404 Jr. roadster, sold for $324,000 at RM Sotheby’s in Monterey
Silver Auctions
Spokane, WA — July 14, 2018
Auctioneers: Mitch Silver
Automotive lots sold/offered: 14/38
Sales rate: 37%
Sales total: $82,900
High sale: 1965 Ford Mustang convertible, sold
at $25,380
Buyer’s premium: 8%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by John Boyle
GAA
Greensboro, NC — July 26–28, 2018
Auctioneers: Eli Detweiler, Ben DeBruhl,
Ricky Parks, Mike Anderson
Automotive lots sold/offered: 501/627
Sales rate: 80%
Sales total: $14,486,668
High sale: 2005 Ford GT, sold at $294,500
Buyer’s premium: 7% onsite; 10% online,
included in sold prices
Report and photos by Mark Moskowitz,
Jeff Trepel, Larry Trepel
Gooding & Company
Pebble Beach, CA — August 21, 2018
Auctioneer: Charlie Ross
Automotive lots sold/offered: 122/146
Sales rate: 84%
Sales total: $116,502,500
High sale: 1935 Duesenberg SSJ, sold at
$22,000,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Joseph T. Seminetta
and Jack T. Seminetta
112 AmericanCarCollector.com
Worldwide Auctioneers
Pacific Grove, CA — August 23, 2018
Auctioneers: Rod Egan, John Kruse
Automotive lots sold/offered: 42/60
Sales rate: 70%
Sales total: $8,205,000
High sale: 1931 Duesenberg Model J SWB Sport
convertible sedan, sold at $1,320,000
Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Travis Shetler
Bonhams
Carmel, CA — August 24, 2018
Auctioneers: Malcolm Barber, Rupert Banner,
James Knight
Automotive lots sold/offered: 110/135
Sales rate: 81%
Sales total: $37,621,910
High American sale: 1956 Fina Sport Vignale
convertible, sold at $775,000
Buyer’s premium: 12% on first $250,000;
10% thereafter, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Michael Leven
RM Sotheby’s
Monterey, CA — August 24–25, 2018
Auctioneer: Maarten ten Holder
Automotive lots sold/offered: 125/150
Sales rate: 83%
Sales total: $157,931,940
High American sale: 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II Le
Mans coupe, sold at $9,795,000
Buyer’s premium: 12% on first $250k;
10% thereafter, included in sold prices
Report and photos by Carl Bomstead
NOT SOLD AT $130,000. What a magnificent
beast! Obviously Simplex never built
one like this, but it was done so long ago
there’s no sense in turning back now. Certainly
not as fast as a contemporary Bearcat
or Raceabout, but unquestionably safer with
actual doors and that lo-o-o-o-ng wheelbase.
Would love to see this bombing down
a modern highway. As for pricing, a nice,
stock Simplex 5 would pull between $150k–
$200k; as a mutt, a little less for our subject
car. Still, the high bid here was light by 10
or 20 large. Bonhams, Carmel, CA, 08/18.
#1-1916 LOCOMOBILE MODEL
38 collapsible cabriolet. VIN:
10850. Black/black fabric/black leather.
Odo: 44,811 miles. This giant car is in a
very impressive state of preservation considering
that the patina on display is 102
years old. An unmolested car reeking of
originality. Paint is dull and worn through in
many places; minimal amounts of bright trim
well weathered. The top may be able to
keep light rain out off of the occupants and
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ROUNDUP
GLOBAL
the interior seems to attest to the same.
Underhood, the engine compartment showcases
a running, but also original-appearing,
powerplant. A Pebble Beach winner in
2017. Cond: 4-. SOLD AT $473,000. Well
sold at a figure that exceeded the high bid
estimate by almost 20%. The car’s originality
and rarity brought all of the money and
then some. The buyer obtained an unusual,
impressive and thoroughly original example
of an early American luxury car. It seems
unlikely the market’s penchant for originality
will wane in the near future, and the buyer
should find some return on investment.
Worldwide Auctioneers, Pacific Grove,
CA, 08/18.
#60-1922 DUESENBERG MODEL A Sport
phaeton. VIN: 798. Eng. # 1366. Dove
Gray & dark gray/black cloth/black leather.
Odo: 25,736 miles. Very reserved in gray
tones with a dark red chassis slightly visible.
Bodywork and paint finish is very well done.
The nickel finishes are limited but lustrous.
Inside, the interior is also well finished. Appears
to have had the chassis modified during
a restoration in the 1950s, and the
correct-style engine is from 1924. Cond: 2+.
ACC Pocket Price Guide’s current median.
The V12 carries neither the cachet nor the
value of the V16, but the buyer obtained a
fantastic vehicle that looks every bit as impressive.
The car should provide a return
over the years. Worldwide Auctioneers,
Pacific Grove, CA, 08/18.
VIN: 2486. Eng. # J-475. Burgundy &
cordovan/black cloth/cordovan leather. Odo:
301 miles. This is an outstanding example
of a short-wheelbase chassis. One of only
two with a “V” windshield. Restored in the
1980s and freshened recently. Stunning
centerpiece of the auction and catalog
cover car. Paint and bodywork is finished to
a concours level, and the brightwork is
warm and unblemished. The new top fits as
it should and the interior meets the same
standards as the exterior. The car has a
fully documented history and has spent the
past 45 years with the seller. Cond: 1.
3
#53-1931 DUESENBERG MODEL
J SWB sport convertible sedan.
$203,501 (ACC# 1557960). Seller had 15
years of enjoyment at very little expense;
although it was driven only a hundred miles
or so. New owner has a stunning Full Classic.
However, they are not the most enjoyable
tour car. Fairly bought. RM Sotheby’s,
Monterey, CA, 08/18.
#111-1933 CHRYSLER CL IMPERIAL
dual-windshield phaeton. VIN: CL1313.
Red/tan canvas/black leather. Odo: 200
miles. A striking dual-windshield Chrysler
that was bought new by powerboat racer
Lou Fagol. He changed motor to V16 Cadillac.
Restored in 1985, with correct motor
recently added. Thought to be one of fewer
than 20 remaining. Paint a bit weak and
carpet taped down on edges. Starting to
unwind. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $260,000. Appeared this past
March at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction.
There, the car did not sell with a high
bid of $270,000 (ACC# 6863876), slightly
higher than the selling price in Monterey. As
noted when the car was previously written
up, the modifications seem to have been
holding the value down. In Monterey five
months later, with an additional four miles
showing on the speedometer, the seller decided
it was time to sell while there was a
buyer. With enough time, the purchaser
should see a slight profit. In the interim, the
new owner has a very handsome vehicle
that will be welcome at most events. Well
bought. Worldwide Auctioneers, Pacific
Grove, CA, 08/18.
#39-1931 CADILLAC 370A Sport dualcowl
phaeton. VIN: 1001581. Orange &
brown/brown cloth/tan leather. Odo: 76
miles. This very large Cadillac is beautiful,
with paint very well applied. Body panels
and brightwork without issue. The long top
is well fitted. Inside, the interior is finished to
the same concours standards. The car
needs nothing obvious. Cond: 1. SOLD AT
$170,000. Well bought and sold right at the
SOLD AT $1,320,000. Quite well bought at
approximately 80% of the current priceguide
market value. The new owner obtained
a stunning classic, which is quite
likely to increase in value. This motorcar
would not only be welcome at most any
event, but I would expect it to be specially
invited so that it can continue to be the
headlining star that it is. Worldwide Auctioneers,
Pacific Grove, CA, 08/18.
#135-1931 CORD L-29 cabriolet. VIN:
2929157. Red & black/tan canvas/red
leather. Odo: 56,053 miles. The L-29 was
one of America’s first front-wheel-drive cars,
which allowed body to be lower on frame.
An older restoration that has been recently
freshened. Equipped with Pilot Rays and
trunk rack. Fully documented with ACD Category
One certification. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$224,000. Last seen at RM’s Oakland, MI,
August 2003 sale, where it realized
NOT SOLD AT $220,000. This was last
seen at RM Sotheby’s 2017 Phoenix auction,
where it realized $258,000 (ACC#
6817028). It has not been driven since and
seller hoped to flip it for a quick profit. Did
not work out. Market is shifting, and even
though this is a desirable Full Classic, there
are no sure things. Might have been worth a
touch more, but needs some TLC. Good
luck next time. RM Sotheby’s, Monterey,
CA, 08/18.
phaeton. VIN: 902 489. Pale blue/blue
leather. Odo: 48,064 miles. A re-creation of
an Individual Custom sport phaeton that
was bodied by LeBaron. Built by Fran
Roxas on authentic 1108 Packard chassis
with correct engine and drivetrain. Only five
were originally built by LeBaron. Recent
restoration by famed Steve Babinsky shop.
Stunning coachwork and quality workmanship.
Cond: 1-.
10
#119-1934 PACKARD TWELVE
Individual Custom replica sport
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but the job was done well. Restored in 2012,
and there are documentation and photographs
to document everything. Even some
original accessories are present. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $445,000. As a re-creation, this
sold for 10% of the real thing; however, one
of the four remaining actual examples will
most likely never be available. A stunning
Packard, but new owner will be forever explaining
the car. Fair price if you must have
one and don’t have $4m for the real thing.
RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, CA, 08/18.
#164-1937 CORD 812 phaeton. VIN: 81232418H.
Black/tan canvas/brown leather.
Odo: 37,552 miles. A very original supercharged
Cord with rare rear-mounted spare.
Restored by ACD Company in late ’50s.
Rear spare fabricated was identical to eight
that were supplied by an L.A. Auburn
dealer. Again restored and debuted at 1997
ACD Club Reunion, where it won Best of
Show. Again judged Best of Show at 2017
ACD West Coast Meet. A well-maintained,
unusual supercharged Cord that still appears
fresh and crisp. Cond: 2+.
Sotheby’s at their 2018 Phoenix sale, where
it went for $190,400 (ACC# 6807437). Market
has shifted and some classic-era cars
are a bit soft. Does not have classic styling,
but a wonderful tour car. Well bought. RM
Sotheby’s, Monterey, CA, 08/18.
GM
#4-1956 CHEVROLET NOMAD wagon.
VIN: VC56L091264. Eng. # VC56L091264.
Grecian Gold & Calypso Cream/black &
yellow vinyl. Odo: 52,746 miles. 265-ci V8,
2-bbl, auto. Second year of the iconic
wagon based on the Motorama Corvette
version. Once part of John O’Quinn Collection.
Period-correct colors done in incorrect
multi-stage paint; base coat with countless
small flaws. Gaps poor; panels very straight.
Chrome excellent; bright trim good. Excellent
yellow-and-black upholstery probably
correct, but not complementary to exterior
colors. Nicely optioned with ps, push-button
radio, Powerglide transmission. Wears vintage
’56 California plates. Offered at no reserve.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $132,000. Well sold at a price
approaching twice the market median. However,
it’s well bought, too. The mostly single-family
stewardship is evident
throughout, and the color is striking. This
car was last sold in November of 2017 at
the Motostalgia auction in Waxahachie, TX.
At that time, the car traded hands for
$126,000 (ACC# 6851050). The subsequent
12 miles apparently added $500 for
each one traveled. Worldwide Auctioneers,
Pacific Grove, CA, 08/18.
SOLD AT $357,000. One of the best Cords
in existence, and it sold for a very strong
number. Hard to predict the Full Classic
market, as quality examples still bring the
money. This was well sold, but not for silly
money. RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, CA,
08/18.
#212-1939 CADILLAC SERIES 75 convertible.
VIN: 3291095. Antoinette Blue/tan
canvas/tan leather. Odo: 332 miles. An expensive
car in the era priced at $4,065, and
mounted on massive 143-inch-wheelbase
chassis. Was once owned by Walt Disney
Co. as part of promotional display. An extensive
restoration completed in 2007.
CCCA Senior badge in 2011 along with
other awards. One of just 27 built and five
thought to still remain. A well-restored example.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $173,600. Previously
offered at Gooding’s Pebble Beach
2016 sale, where it realized $209,000
(ACC# 6807437). Last offered by RM
114 AmericanCarCollector.com
#27-1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA custom
2-dr hard top. VIN: F58L139990. Black/
black, gray & blue vinyl. Odo: 702 miles.
350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. An older restoration/
customization which, judging by the turquoise
used in the subtle pinstripes, dates to
the ’90s or early 2000s. Paint aging well and
unmarked, but could use a professional buffing.
Bodywork well done, but there is a small
repaired crease on passenger’s door that
can be seen in strong light. Stainless and
chrome in good shape, but could also use a
proper polish. Interior is unmarked, with
lovely painted dash and factory ’58 tri-color
seat covers. Custom touches include oldstyle
chrome wheels, with lethal-looking bullet
centers, blanked-off lake pipes exiting in
back of front wheels. Engine bay filled with
shiny aftermarket bits; electronic ignition
added. Minor oil weep from valve cover and
light corrosion on master cylinder. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $62,720. Rich and dramatic livery
too greatly amplified with clearcoat and upsets
this Nomad-purist’s sensibilities. Nice as
it is, the car just doesn’t look right to me. Fortunately,
there was plenty of interest from the
bidders, and this car fell right in the middle of
its reasonable and realistic estimates. It was
fairly bought and sold. (See profile, p. 52.)
Bonhams, Carmel, CA, 08/18.
#41-1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO
Brougham 4-dr hard top. VIN: 5770091032.
Copenhagen Blue/stainless steel/blue
leather. Odo: 39,246 miles. 365-ci V8, 2x4bbl,
auto. An excellent example of a
Brougham. This low-mileage car has had
the same family ownership for the first 54
years of its life. Trim is in excellent condition,
and the interior is just as nice. At some
point the driver’s seat bottom was replaced,
NOT SOLD AT $31,500. A well-executed,
mild custom that looks just like they did
back in the day. It’s said three ’56 Corvette
grilles were used to make the grille, deseamed
and rechromed. A well-done tribute
to an age long gone, but thankfully devoid
of clichés like Continental kits, spotlights
and fuzzy dice. Bid to a respectable number;
one could make a case either way on
whether the seller should have taken it. Not
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surprisingly as a custom, the high offer was
low for a stock car in this condition. However,
Silver sold another lightly customized
Condition #3 Impala at the 2016 Coeur
d’Alene sale for $28,620, which I called well
bought (ACC# 6803628). Silver Auctions,
Spokane, WA, 07/18.
#27-1958 BUICK LIMITED convertible.
VIN: 8E1010461. Seminole Red/white
vinyl/red leather. Odo: 389 miles. 364-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. An eyeful of red Buick that has
been restored to an excellent standard.
Paint applied to concours standards. Body
panels are well prepped, but the fit is just
slightly off at the driver’s door. Extensive
amount of chrome trim is all in perfect condition,
even the overly ornate grille. Interior
is rather nice, with just a hint of waviness in
the seat piping. One great-looking car.
Cond: 1-.
increase in sync with the market, but I predict
it will do a bit better. Worldwide Auctioneers,
Pacific Grove, CA, 08/18.
#FR0153-1966 CHEVROLET CORVAIR
Corsa coupe. VIN: 107376W134810. Marina
Blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 76,302 miles.
164-ci turbocharged H6, 4-sp. Complete,
outstanding recent restoration. Superb metallic-blue
paintwork. Door and panel fit excellent,
bumpers and every chrome piece
and emblem done to perfection. All glass
appears new. Full interior restoration also
flawless; seats and dash stunning, with no
miscues. Steering wheel and hub show just
a slight bit of patina. Discreet modern cup
holder between seats, easily removable.
Engine compartment as good as rest of car,
like new in appearance. Goodyear tires running
on non-OE Chevy Rally wheels.
Cond: 1-.
ment, but they looked excellent and could
easily be replaced with OE style if desired.
While the sale price was unusually high for
a Corvair, it was in line with prices of the
short list of concours-rated examples. At
under $27k, this Corvair seemed like an
incredible bargain compared to some of the
cars we see going for so much more. GAA,
Greensboro, NC, 07/18.
#ST0108-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO RS
custom coupe. VIN: 123379N556151.
Red/black vinyl. Odo: 36,010 miles. 396-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Excellent custom paint.
Rally Sport and 396 badges mounted
loosely. Poor trunk fit. Most chrome appears
new. Driver’s door sticks. Several body
seams seem to have excessive filler and
paint. Seat covers incredibly shiny; said to
be new interior. Stock dashboard and stock
console gauges show age. Seats creak.
Carpet is buckled. Engine compartment
clean and shiny. Plug wires seem excessively
long. One hood rubber bumper per
side. Engine paint clean and neat frame
paint. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $181,500. Well sold at the top of
the market for the model and perhaps even
the marque. Only a few other Buick models
could be expected to garner such a price.
The buyer obtained a virtually showroomnew
edition of a rare car with an outsized
presence. The car neatly captures the colors,
size and styling of 1950s American automobiles
so perfectly that the value should
SOLD AT $26,750. Unusual quality of restoration
for a Corvair. Every element
seemed carefully restored to a level you
might see in a Shelby Mustang (or Ferrari
275 GTB). Added cup holder should be immediately
removed so no one attempts to
drink anything inside. The Rally wheels
were the only noticeable non-original ele-
SOLD AT $44,138. Pro Touring, or restomods
more broadly, are hot right now, and
mid-’60s Mustangs and 1969 Camaros
seem to have taken the place of the ’55–57
Chevrolets of yesteryear. This one had expensive
paint and great components, but
execution seemed suboptimal. Fairly sold
with a nod to the seller. GAA, Greensboro,
NC, 07/18.
#FR0233-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Z/28 coupe. VIN: 124379N618870. Dover
White/red vinyl. Odo: 76,444 miles. 302-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older (date unspecified)
restoration holding up very well. Unusual
(for a Z/28) Dover White paint done to a
high standard, but with mild micro-scratching
from age. Panel fit, glass and chrome all
in good order. Rally wheels may be slightly
taller or wider than originals, but the car
doesn’t have the tall-ground-clearance-SUV
look that I have seen on some gen-one Camaros.
Base Camaro interior looks more
glamorous than usual in red, but still features
the flat, hard, uncomfortable GM buckets
of the era. Very little to fault in the
interior; the only flaw I could find was delamination
on the rear-view mirror glass.
Very clean underhood and underneath but
with a few modifications such as Hooker
headers and (nicely done) Flowmaster exhaust.
Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $62,060. You
can find 1969 Z/28s everywhere, but this
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Daytona Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
24,827 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A concours-level
Yenko Camaro. Paint is excellent
over well-prepped body panels. Chrome
is all high quality. Inside, interior is finished
in the same fashion, but for the panel inside
the passenger’s B-pillar, which needs attention.
Full restoration with complete documentation
and paperwork showing the car is
as built. Cond: 1.
#46-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Yenko coupe. VIN: 124379N677396.
one was especially appealing. Not heavily
equipped, but with a few desirable options
such as rosewood steering wheel, tinted
windshield, AM/FM and (working!) clock.
Great colors: A red interior always provides
pizzazz. Excellent restoration holding up
well. Much more documentation, including
Jerry MacNeish certification, than your
usual ’69 Camaro. Despite all this, I thought
it sold for a rather middling, even low price
for the model. The last recorded sale was at
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2014 for
$68,200 (ACC# 6725185), so it’s going in
the wrong direction for the consignor. Indeed,
1969 Z/28s have been trending
downward lately, so there may not be much
profit opportunity, but this was a good deal
for an end-user. GAA, Greensboro, NC,
07/18.
Monterey. However, the buyer obtained a
very rare and desirable car with a great deal
of profit built in as soon as the gavel fell.
Worldwide Auctioneers, Pacific Grove,
CA, 08/18.
SOLD AT $165,000. Extremely well bought
at roughly 75% of the price guide’s value for
the car. This car was sold in April 2013 at
Worldwide Auctions’ Montgomery, TX, sale.
There it sold for $209,000 (ACC# 6784000),
with one fewer mile on the odometer. The
car was offered without a reserve, which
should have been a relatively safe bet in
#7-1970 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
pickup. VIN: 136800K219380. Gold/white
vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 15,718 miles. 350-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. A stock El Camino, reportedly
a two-owner car sporting a decade-old
restoration. Paint has held up well, and the
body is straight, with factory panel gaps.
Stainless window trim shows its age, and
could use a polish, but the bumpers are
much better. Grille in fine shape. Factory
vinyl top is complemented by a period-accessory,
matching hard-vinyl bed cover.
Factory Rally wheels fitted with good tires.
Interior is stock with excellent dash that suffers
only from two very small screw holes
where I suspect a CB-radio microphone
holder was once mounted. Slight fade to
door panels, but seats, carpet and headliner
look like they were replaced during restoration.
Engine is clean, with fresh paint on oil
pan, but the rest of the engine bay is dirty
and worn. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT
$10,500. One of my favorite vehicles here.
Everyone’s favorite year of Chevelle/El
Camino, with upscale vinyl roof. It’s clearly
had care since restoration, and with some
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November–December 2018 117
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canvas/red vinyl. Odo: 14 miles. 235-ci 150hp
I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. The 245th produced
out of a total of 300 for first-year Corvettes.
Powered by Blue Flame 6 that produced
150 hp. Restored by marque expert in 2003.
The chassis is period replacement with correct
markings. Owner’s manual signed by
Zora Arkus Duntov. Top latch on driver’s
side broken and covered with overspray. A
lot of questions. Cond: 2+.
cleaning and detailing under the hood would
be a fun show car. The bidders must have
been asleep for this one; the high bid was
about $10k below the ACC median. Maybe
its subdued colors and lack of go-fast parts
made it a bit too mild. Silver Auctions,
Spokane, WA, 07/18.
#28-1988 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Formula
coupe. VIN: 1G2FS21E7JL202963. Blue/
gray cloth. Odo: 29,108 miles. 5.0-L fuelinjected
V8, auto. A Montana car, reportedly
stored for years, and miles claimed to be
original. Owner said hood (and perhaps
door?) repainted after saddle fell on it while
being stored in a barn. Some overspray on
cowl and masking seen in door jambs. Body
gaps appear factory-correct. Door weatherstrip
cracked by age. Black finish on T-top
edge peeling. Original interior is holding up
well, but the GM plastics are—expectedly—
showing some age. Carpet under rear hatch
unfaded. Aftermarket radio in dash, original
is included. Fresh Michelin tires on factory
wheels. Underhood is stock and clean but
not detailed. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $184,800. Price paid was well
below recent transactions, and replacement
chassis is the culprit. NCRS judging would
frown on the change, which is most likely
why it has never been presented there.
Considering the issues, the price is fair. RM
Sotheby’s, Monterey, CA, 08/18.
#48-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: E57S103654. Eng. # F328EN.
Onyx Black/black vinyl/Venetian Red
vinyl. Odo: 63,093 miles. 283-ci 283-hp fuelinjected
V8, 4-sp. Black paint variable;
mostly excellent quality but with ripples and
orange peel on nose and dry spots where
respray(?) meets good paint near hood line.
Engine bay not detailed and somewhat unkempt.
All other aspects of car very well
done. Cond: 2-.
#205-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194675S121086. Milano
Maroon/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 1,673
miles. 327-ci 365-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Powered
by period-correct but not original 327ci
V8. Power steering and brakes added
along with neoprene fender liners. Has aftermarket
knockoff wheels and radio. Dash
incorrectly finished in dull paint. Holes in
deck for hard top covered over. Front end
appears to have been smacked at some
point. Just a driver. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $81,200. Price paid was surprising
considering the replacement motor and
other needs. With the suspension modifications,
will be a fun driver and wonderful car
for the Copperstate 1000. All things considered,
well sold. RM Sotheby’s, Monterey,
CA, 08/18.
FOMOCO
#244-1932 FORD 404 Jr. roadster.
VIN: 1B34926. Black & white/red vinyl.
Odo: 6,229 miles. Built and raced by the
Berardini Brothers, and was a terror on the
L.A. drag strips in the ’50s. Fitted with fullrace
404 Iskenderian cam, four-carb intake
manifold. Named “Jr.” when Pat Berardini
had a son. Engine reconfigured on numerous
occasions. Restored by Roger Morrison
to original specifications. Won preservation
award at 2005 Grand National Show. An
historic Deuce. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $8,500. A non-Trans Am
Firebird that has survived 30 years in surprisingly
good shape. Original owner must
have been old/wealthy enough not to have
needed to drive this in the winter, hence its
low miles and good condition. If it weren’t
for the topical repaint, it would be a great
survivor-class car; that is, if anyone really
cares about a third-generation Firebird (discuss
among yourselves). Bid to Trans Am
numbers found in the ACC price guide. To
get more, the owner will have to nationally
advertise it, or hit the road to find Firebird
fans or where the low miles might be better
appreciated. Silver Auctions, Spokane,
WA, 07/18.
CORVETTE
#169-1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
roadster. VIN: E53F001245. Polo White/tan
118 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $106,400. In ACC Premium Auction
Database as $90k no-sale from McCormick’s
Palm Springs February 2011 sale,
where it was rated in Condition #2. Our
scribe noted bids were a bit shy: “the low
six-figures was closer (to correct).” Reserve
came off at $70k. A black ’57 Fuelie with
black coves, red upholstery and wide whites
really should have generated more buzz in
the room. The restoration has faded a bit,
and may even have had a little nip and tuck
in the interim. But the bidders were lukewarm
and with the reserve coming off so
soon, the consignor’s expectations weren’t
especially high, either. Add a really good
respray to the price paid and the new owner
should be just about right into the car. Fairly
sold. (See profile, p. 50.) Bonhams, Carmel,
CA, 08/18.
SOLD AT $324,000. This was expected to
sell for a great deal more than was realized
here. It appeared in “Blackboard Jungle,”
and has been authentically restored to perfection.
An absolute bargain. Very well
bought. (See profile, p. 58.) RM Sotheby’s,
Monterey, CA, 08/18.
#47-1939 LINCOLN ZEPHYR El Zorro
coupe. VIN: AZ281253. Sun-Glow Copper/
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tan leather. Odo: 5,024 miles. A stunning
custom Lincoln. Chopped body is all that
remains of the original Zephyr, with a new
engine, new suspension and a completely
custom interior. Paint is show-quality over a
very smooth and well-prepped body. The
bodywork done to the top is very good, with
just a bit of an alignment issue at the rear
windows. Inside, the interior is also showquality,
with attractive leather surrounded by
modern amenities. Drew continuous onlookers,
photo seekers and lots of questions.
Cond: 1.
had this for 33 years, and the car certainly
reflects careful use and storage as well as
ongoing work. It would be a fine driver as it
sits, but with the rest of the car being as
nice as it is, it deserves a new paint job.
Considering that need, it was fairly sold,
leaving room in the budget for new paint. In
return, the owner would have a great car
when done. Silver Auctions, Spokane,
WA, 07/18.
SOLD AT $101,200. Well bought and sold.
A custom can often be a challenge at sale
time, but the seller cannot complain about a
six-figure price. As for the buyer, they also
cannot complain, as there must be twice the
sale price invested in the build. Drive the
car, show the car, enjoy the car and see
what happens if you decide to part ways
with it in the future. Worldwide Auctioneers,
Pacific Grove, CA, 08/18.
#42-1948 FORD SUPER DELUXE convertible.
VIN: 799A1986375. Black/black
cloth/tan vinyl. Odo: 35,002 miles. 239-ci
V8, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Older paint beginning to
have issues, with small bubbles throughout,
a two-inch crack on passenger’s side panel,
as well as the expected swirls. Very nice
bumpers and fog lights, like-new factory
hubcaps and side trim, but the grille has
minor dings. Door seals look younger than
the car, but old enough to remember the
’70s. Quality cloth top looks new or very
well cared for. Interior is very nice; the
painted wood dash and door sills look recent,
as does the dash chrome, but it looks
like not all the pits were removed before
chroming. Notes say radio not working and
clock is disconnected. Aftermarket steering
wheel looks out of place in otherwise-stock
interior. Clean underhood and stock except
for newer overflow tank. Cond: 3.
#ST0076-1949 FORD CUSTOM resto-mod
convertible. VIN: NCS99495. Burgundy/
white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 5,379 miles.
350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Original paint and
pinstriping well applied, but showing some
age with a few cracks, chips and touch-ups.
Trunk and door fit suboptimal. Hubcap and
trim chrome excellent. Minimal scratching
on front bumper. White vinyl top is excellent,
as is white vinyl interior. Custom tilt
steering wheel. Fascinating vinyl inserts on
floor carpet. Aftermarket a/c. Dash has a
single gauge and clock. Aftermarket stereo
system. Lots of chrome and polished aluminum
in pristine engine compartment. Mustang
II suspension with disc brakes up front.
Cond: 2-.
interior...nothing to dislike. However, the
gray cloth interior, while well done, was boring
enough to put one to sleep. If it were
mine, my first stop would be an interior shop
for something a bit less generic. Considering
its age, it was bid to a respectable number
(the high bid was more than my price
guide gives for a stock truck), but you
couldn’t build a truck like it for that price. I
can see why the owner took it home, but
they’ll have to travel to get more money.
Silver Auctions, Spokane, WA, 07/18.
SOLD AT $34,240. Big, heavy, period customs
are not in favor now. As is so often
said, this car could not be reproduced for
the money spent. Huge effort was put in this
old car, and if one looked past a drab color
and labeled it correctly as a resto-mod, the
value could easily be seen. Well bought!
GAA, Greensboro, NC, 07/18.
SOLD AT $25,300. The last of the post-war
pre-war Fords, switching production to the
all-new ’49s in June ’48. Current owner has
#36-1955 FORD F-100 custom pickup.
VIN: F10V5L17422. Black/gray cloth. Odo:
25,286 miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Despite
being an older build, with a fair amount
of miles, it still looks very presentable with
well-done black paint over a very straight
body. Nice chrome bumpers and grille without
issues. Newer door seals and window
trim. Hard bed cover painted to match. The
interior was done with the rest of the truck,
and features aftermarket gauges and a/c in
stock dash. Basic, gray interior free of wear.
The usual aftermarket steering wheel. Engine
bay is clean and features a Cleveland
351 with an Edelbrock 4-bbl on a Holley
manifold. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $26,000.
A very well-done, mild custom. The original
223 I6 or 256 V8 is long gone and replaced
with a 351. A great-looking second-generation
truck in basic black, Ford power, new
#17-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: D7FH192394. Deep Purple/black
cloth/gray & black vinyl. Odo: 718 miles.
312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Super-straight body
covered by older, custom paint, with plenty
of swirls and chips. Both bumpers have bad
scratches. All side trim worn and needs professional
buffing. Plastic chrome trim on
taillight lens down to tan plastic. Dashpad
and stainless good, but door handles and
window winders worn. Door cards warped.
Rust/corrosion on shift lever. Older carpet is
dirty, but would likely revive. Outside mirrors
losing their silver. Aftermarket chrome
wheels look too small at 14 inches.
Underhood is dirty and undetailed. No hard
top on site; cloth top down, unavailable for
inspection. Cond: 3-.
NOT SOLD AT $23,600. These have been
collectible since the day Ford switched to
the ’58 Square Birds. In the mid-’60s, a carguy
neighbor had one (along with a new ’64
Riviera) and I recall my dad saying, “He
must be nuts to spend $2,000 on a USED
car!” Like many ’50s cars, they seem to appeal
to a certain generation, and as they
downsize there are plenty ’55–57s to be
had; as I write this, there are 279 on the
Hemmings website. The price guide gives
the median for these as $34k. Considering
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the expensive needs of this car (paint,
chrome, interior, plus unknown but older
mechanical bits) I can see why the bids
stopped where they did. This was probably
a looker in its day, but now it needs a total
redo if you want to do anything other than
use it for ice-cream runs. The seller MIGHT
get more if he advertises and waits, but
given the competition out there, he probably
should have taken the money. Silver Auctions,
Spokane, WA, 07/18.
leather. 260-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. One of the
auction’s main attractions. One of 75 firstgeneration
Cobras. Completely restored to
concours levels. Gleaming deep black paint
expertly applied over a very straight body.
Bright work is evidently flawless, and the
businesslike interior is excellent. Engine bay
looks as if it was just assembled. Seller has
owned the car since 1976. Cond: 1.
6
#20-1962 SHELBY COBRA roadster.
VIN: CSX2061. Black/black
NOT SOLD AT $775,000. Failed to sell
when bidding stalled well below the low estimate.
The later 289 may have been the culprit.
A fun road car but would have a
problem on the judging field. RM Sotheby’s,
Monterey, CA, 08/18.
SOLD AT $990,000. Well bought and sold
at a price slightly above the current median
value. The seller has deemed that it was
time to make a change after 42 years, and
the buyer obtained a fantastic early Cobra
that appears to need nothing. This car will
appreciate and will give the new owner
#FR0171-1964 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
sedan. VIN: 4Y82N421423. Cream, red &
yellow/beige leather. Odo: 67,996 miles.
430-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Originally a police
car used by the Sheriff of Cresson, TX. Exterior
has some gloss remaining, but many
paint and trim flaws. Panel fit good, body
probably never dismantled. Roof lights and
siren wiring go straight through two holes
SOLD AT $16,050. This fairly unusual Continental
was once in the long-gone Pate
Foundation Museum of Transportation, then
in the J.C. Daniels Collection of over 400
Lincolns, from which it was acquired back in
2003 in a massive RM auction. Sitting in the
car, it was clear the Cresson sheriff used it
as his living room, bedroom, maybe even
his bathroom. It was dirty and grimy, the
victim of too many cups of coffee, doughnuts
and night-duty naps. Buyer should be
prepared to break out the Lysol and box of
rags. Certainly some novelty value here, but
new owner might wonder why he let the red
mist inspire him to purchase it. Definitely will
stand out at any event, though, especially in
Texas. Well sold. GAA, Greensboro, NC,
07/18.
#ST0057-1964 FORD F-100 Flareside
pickup. VIN: F10JL542543. Teal & white/
black vinyl. Odo: 83,034 miles. 351-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. Recent restoration with modifications,
including Windsor 351 engine, AOD
transmission, Mustang II front end, stainless
exhaust, wood bed and a/c. Body very
nicely done in attractive teal, lowered, with
OE-style wheels and hubcaps. Interior has
a few modifications such as steering wheel,
but largely in the original style. Engine bay
carefully done, with Edelbrock valve covers
and air cleaner, cleanly installed wiring and
ancillary components. Frame and under-
bragging rights that few can ever hope to
achieve. Worldwide Auctioneers, Pacific
Grove, CA, 08/18.
#117-1963 SHELBY COBRA roadster.
VIN: CSX2095. Dark blue/red leather. Odo:
63,846 miles. 289-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp.
Modified in 1981 with wider flares. Later 289
with dual quads installed at earlier date.
Body modifications returned to original in
early 2000s. Actively used and enjoyed and
stated to be an excellent driver. Seating
worn and badges faded. Cond: 2.
drilled in roof, with electrical tape and some
odd goo at holes. Primer also visible on
roof. Duct tape holding loudspeaker to roof
bar. “Museum of Transportation” trunk lettering
now covered with black paint. Cresson
Sheriff logos possibly redone, appear
post-1964. Interior moist as a rain forest,
rust and pitting on interior chrome—perhaps
goo on roof not working well enough. Seats
still intact; leather either creme colored or
originally white—hard to know which.
Cond: 4+.
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body show little use since restoration, and
all components look carefully finished.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $32,635. This was a
most impressive F-100 with just the right
modifications to make it a more modern
driver while retaining an authentic look and
experience. It apparently underwent a long
restoration at a small engine shop in Jefferson,
GA, and I’d say it was done with great
skill and care. Advertised online at $51k, it
sold here well below that asking price. Hammered
at a high price for an F-100, but for
one with these mods and this build level, I
thought it was a bargain. The description
stated that it was offered without a title and
only a Georgia registration, which may have
discouraged some bidders from walking into
a possible, if unlikely, titling nightmare.
GAA, Greensboro, NC, 07/18.
#20-1965 FORD MUSTANG convertible.
VIN: 5F080711809. Silver Blue/white vinyl/
white vinyl. Odo: 6,317 miles. 289-ci V8,
2-bbl, auto. Fairly recent respray in factory
color seems to be aging well, but unbelievably,
the engine badges have overspray;
showing they weren’t removed for painting.
Body is straight and in good shape except
for a few door dings on passenger’s side
and a shallow dimple on back of rear quarter
panel. Bumpers have minor wear, rear
repop has a dimple near mounting bolt.
Most stainless, windshield trim and door
handles have light wear; taillights lightly
pitted. Interior chrome good, but steeringwheel
hub pitted. Top has wrinkles and dirty
folds from storage, but fits well. Nice nonPony
interior done at time of restoration and
likewise is aging well. Underhood also aging
but features a new radiator, alternator and
brake master cylinder. Minor oil leaks at the
intake manifold and a valve cover. Cond: 3.
on them.... Silver Auctions, Spokane, WA,
07/18.
#216-1965 SHELBY GT350 fastback. VIN:
SFM5S053. Wimbledon White/black vinyl.
Odo: 70,040 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 5-sp.
An early “two-digit” GT350 with battery
mounted in trunk and fiberglass hood. Has
been upgraded with 5-speed transmission,
but correct T-10 goes with car. An older
restoration that now has a few issues.
Windshield starting to delaminate and trunk
soiled. In need of a fluff-and-buff. Cond: 2.
racer. Wears the scars of active use, with
rash on the nose and numerous scratches
and bruises. Plenty of history and should be
wicked quick. Price paid was within expectations.
RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, CA,
08/18.
#1-1966 FORD MUSTANG GT coupe. VIN:
6F07A139237. Emberglo/Emberglo &
Parchment vinyl. Odo: 88,697 miles. 289-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Once an AACA National
First winner, but not recently. Paint looks
well applied but on the thick side. Now with
lots of chips around panel edges; panels
themselves wavy. Two-tone Luxury interior;
seat covers with Pony embossing once
nice, but now almost look like they’re
redyed. Equipped with all GT gingerbread:
fog lights in grille, special gas cap, emblems,
styled wheels, wood steering wheel,
Rally Pack gauges, upgraded suspension.
A-code 289 backed up by 4-speed transmission.
Sold at no reserve. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $379,000. The early cars—the
first 100 or so—bring a premium, and that
was the case here. Well documented with
original motor and date-coded GT350 fenders,
so all should be okay with price paid.
Well bought and properly sold. RM Sotheby’s,
Monterey, CA, 08/18.
#162-1965 SHELBY GT350 R fastback.
VIN: SFM5R096. Wimbledon
White/black vinyl. Odo: 12,809 miles. 289-ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. One of only 36 GT350 Rs
produced in 1965. The R, or race, version
had a fiberglass front lower apron, 34-gallon
tank, magnesium wheels and no mufflers.
Engine modifications increased horsepower
to 350. Delivered to Comstock Racing team
in Canada. Restored in 1996 and returned
to original colors. Converted for vintage racing
and actively used. Cond: 3+.
7
SOLD AT $26,880. Previously sold at Mecum’s
2017 Kissimmee auction for $26,400
(ACC# 6823734). A striking early Mustang
in upgraded spec and an iconic color.
Somebody went to a lot of effort to dress it
up, but seems like the car hasn’t been well
cared for since. There was a lot to like about
this Mustang, but it’s not aging well. Let’s
hope that the new owners show it a little
love and freshen her up a bit. In the end,
this was an average GT price for an average
GT, so this transaction should leave
everybody whole. Bonhams, Carmel, CA,
08/18.
SOLD AT $25,380. Another aging restoration,
but unlike the T-bird (Lot 17), this just
needs some TLC to bring it back. With
73,112 produced in ’65, these aren’t hard to
find. This is simply a nice driver; with the
base-level 289 and base interior, just the
way most were built. I give the restorer
credit for resisting the temptation of turning
it into a loaded K-code car. Chrome dealer
emblem from Jarmon Motors in Carrollton,
TX, gives one hope that it’s always been out
of the salt. It sold right where it should have,
in line with various price guides and a few
grand below the ACC median. Hopefully the
new owner will get some new badges (at a
whopping $16.08 a pair) without overspray
SOLD AT $720,000. A ready-to-go vintage
“
leather. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Know as
the Mr. Formal Wear 427, as it appeared in
several provocative ads. New body from
CSX3102. Recent work returning it to street
specifications. Original Halibrand wheels
5
Wears the scars of active use, with
rash on the nose and numerous
scratches and bruises. Plenty of
history and should be wicked quick.
1965 Shelby GT350 R fastback
#121-1966 SHELBY COBRA roadster.
VIN: CSX3102. Red/black
November–December 2018 121
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latch-adjustment issue. Front bumper
slightly off on right. No visible rust. Claimed
one repaint in an attractive light green is
decent but needs a good wax job. Vinyl top
slightly discolored but intact. Rubber window
seals worn. Chrome mostly good, except
around windows. Delicate-looking
spoke wheel covers in amazingly good
shape. Lots of tread on recent Michelins.
Interior also needs detailing. Dash remarkably
good. Seat leather not torn but hard; in
need of treatment. Black shag carpeting
dirty and disgusting, but, again, intact.
Scruffy underhood but looks undisturbed.
Cond: 3+.
likely consumed by transportation and fees.
One of these shows up at most every major
auction, and this is the going rate for lowmileage
examples. RM Sotheby’s, Monterey,
CA, 08/18.
#ST0085-2006 FORD GT coupe. VIN:
1FAFP90S06Y40023. Tungsten Silver/black
leather. Odo: 714 miles. 5.4-L supercharged
V8, 6-sp. Paint without chips or significant
flaws. Interior upholstery looks unused.
There are some scratches on left door sill.
No scratches on spoiler or diffusers.
Forged-alloy wheels without chip or curb
rash. Calipers are black. No central stripe or
McIntosh stereo. Cond: 2+.
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SOLD AT $7,950. Has all the requisite design
elements of the late-’60s, early ’70s
American personal luxury car: the parthenon
grille fronting an enormously long hood;
the vinyl top; even the spare-tire hump
adorning the decklid. However, the Mark III
puts them together in a semi-tasteful package,
which was quite restrained compared
to the garish Marks IV, V and VI yet to
come. Mark III and its competitors haven’t
yet received much recognition from the collector
market, but I think they have nowhere
to go but up. This seemed like a solid,
sound and mostly original entry-level collector
car for very little cash. Well bought, but
fear the gasoline bill. GAA, Greensboro,
NC, 07/18.
#150-2005 FORD GT coupe. VIN: 1FAFP90S85Y400754.
Red/black leather. Odo:
831 miles. 5.4-L supercharged V8, 5-sp.
Ford instant collectible, and initial buyers
have been doing rather well. This one had
all four options and original window sticker.
Received recent service and limited use.
Maintained in exceptional condition.
Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $324,000. This was last seen at
Bonhams’ 2014 Carmel sale, where it realized
$297,000, as noted in ACC database
(ACC# 6719963), but catalog stated it was
acquired in New York in 2014. Regardless,
owner treaded water, as slight profit was
SOLD AT $53,500. The name Petty is singularly
identified with Plymouth, Pontiac,
Oldsmobile, Dodge, Ford...depending on
the era. And this year it is Chevrolet. Sans
consistent brand association, does the
name, the signature electric blue color, and
loud presentation confer as much value as
Roush or Saleen? This car had significant
horsepower modifications and listed for
$92,410. Depreciation is typical of other
new cars, and this Mustang was fairly
bought and sold. GAA, Greensboro, NC,
07/18.
November–December 2018 123
NOT SOLD AT $300,000. Low-mileage
Ford GT decked out in most common color
from 2006 model-year run. Most unusual
aspect was central-stripe delete. A marketcorrect
price offered and refused. GAA,
Greensboro, NC, 07/18.
#ST0043-2015 FORD MUSTANG GT Petty
Garage Stage 2 coupe. VIN: 1FA6P8CF6F5397722.
Blue & black/ebony leather.
Odo: 2,964 miles. 5.0-L supercharged V8,
6-sp. Excellent blue and black metal-flake
paint. No scuffs or chips. Interior appears
unused. Large touchscreen. Engine compartment
perfect and wheels unblemished.
Roush-labeled supercharger. Black and
blue wheels. Cond: 1-.
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MOPAR
#259-1961 PLYMOUTH ASIMMETRICA
roadster. VIN: 1102224086. Maroon/tan.
miles. 171-ci I6, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Based on Virgil
Exner’s final project at Chrysler. May have
been solely Ghia project, but no documentation
either way. Based on Plymouth Valiant
chassis and drivetrain with split
cast-iron headers and Carter 4-barrel carburetor.
One of two built and displayed at Turing
and Geneva Motor Show in 1961. Well
maintained but showing mild patina due to
age. Sure to draw a crowd. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $65,270. Dodge produced about
7,200 Coronet R/Ts in 1969. Of those, 107
were Hemis (including just 10 convertibles).
Oddly, Dodge provided no breakdown of
440 Magnum-equipped hard tops versus
convertibles, but we can extrapolate that
fewer than 700 were convertibles. So quite
a rare muscle car. I liked the condition of
this car. You would be proud to show it, but
you wouldn’t be afraid to drive it. Original
window sticker and bill of sale from New
Jersey dealer displayed with the car were a
bonus. Price here was spot-on, with typical
price-guide values for an R/T 440 convertible,
so fair to both buyer and seller. GAA,
Greensboro, NC, 07/18.
SOLD AT $335,000. If the odd and unusual
are your thing, then this was the ticket.
Space-age styling that Exner was known
for, with Ghia coachwork. Sold for under the
low estimate but for a reasonable number.
No concerns here. RM Sotheby’s, Monterey,
CA, 08/18.
#FR0154-1969 DODGE CORONET R/T
convertible. VIN: WS27L9G270419. Red/
black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 14,304 miles.
440-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Appealing, driverquality
R/T convertible. Retina-searing
bright red paint generally well applied, with
a few areas of light orange peel. Bumper
and windshield header chrome excellent,
some small chrome pieces not as good.
Door fit quite good, but retains authentic
tinny Mopar shut sound of the period. Functional
Ramcharger hood scoops. Clear replacement
windshield. Close to show-quality
inside, with excellent seats, door panels and
steering wheel. Rally gauges, original AM
radio, and the clock works! Most everything
underhood is excellent, but headers and
radiator are more aged-looking, maybe a
good sign of use. Windshield card claimed
the car had “correct exhaust pipes,” but to
me, the exhaust tips were the only non-authentic
item I could find on this car. Excellent
Magnum 500 wheels on Redlines look
great. Cond: 2.
#ST0073-1970 DODGE CHALLENGER
T/A 2-dr hard top. VIN: JH23J0B279397.
Top Banana/black vinyl. Odo: 49,363 miles.
340-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. Previous rotisserie
restoration by The Finer Details. Paint and
panel fit excellent. Some polishing marks on
bumper chrome and some scratches on
door-sill plates. Excellent upholstery. All
gauges excellent. Original factory build
sheet matches the car. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $31,900. Well bought at approximately
10% below the current market median.
Vipers have slowed a bit, but nice
ones like this should bring everyone pleasure,
as far as market value goes. Worldwide
Auctioneers, Pacific Grove, CA,
08/18.
AMERICANA
#52-1941 PACKARD ONE-TWENTY Deluxe
wagon. VIN: 1473. Eng. # D305558A.
Barbola Blue/black vinyl/brown leather.
Odo: 1,564 miles. Nearly 30-year-old restoration
holding up very well. Correct metallicblue
paint nicely applied, now with
miscellaneous chips and marks. Vinyl roof
soft and well secured, but some peeling
caulk at base. Mostly original ash and mahogany
generously varnished and in fine
condition. Leather seats broken in; chrome
frames clear and shiny. Optioned with single
side spare, radio and under-seat heater.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $74,900. Four years and 22 miles
ago, this was purchased at Mecum Indianapolis
for $64,800 (ACC# 6709572). Seller
passed on a bid of $72,500 (ACC# 6827641)
at GAA 16 months ago. In the interim since
its last GAA appearance, it was seen on RK
Motors website with a list of $86,900 and has
had four miles added to the odometer. Dodge
produced 76,935 Challengers in 1970. Bigblocks
(440s and 426s) command the bigger
bucks, as do convertibles. There were 2,399
Six Pack T/As produced, more than half with
automatics, and not surprisingly, the similarly
conditioned, stick-shift-equipped examples
demand and get a premium. Previously, automatic
T/As might have gotten 15%–20%
more, but the market has dropped. Has it
settled? GAA, Greensboro, NC, 07/18.
#40-1994 DODGE VIPER RT/10 roadster.
VIN: 1B3BR65E1RV100910. Red/black
leather. Odo: 12,409 miles. 8.0-L fuel-injected
V10, 6-sp. A virtually new Viper. In
the same Florida collection since new, the
car shows practically no evidence of use
and needs nothing. Factory paint over the
original body is very good. Inside, the interior
is as-new. Extremely low mileage shows
through. All factory documentation is included.
Cond: 1.
124 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $134,400. This large peoplemover
did not come off as pretentious, but
definitely spoke of the finer life; very different
from a surfer woodie. It was not overdone,
and looked ready for its next picnic. I
was quite taken by its purposeful and practical
aspects, and was glad at least two bidders
appreciated it as well. It was not
cheap, but it was not overpriced. Bonhams,
Carmel, CA, 08/18.
#FR0079-1947 WILLYS 2T Jeep pickup.
VIN: 451EE110071. Green/brown vinyl.
Odo: 97,186 miles. 134-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp.
Fresh restoration. Nicely done paintwork to
original level of finish, so some mild, appropriate
orange peel. Lights, trim and badges
all in fine condition. Wood in bed appears
rich, carefully done. New exhaust system.
Interior simple and inviting, with authenticlooking
bench seat, door panels and instru
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ments. Steering wheel in good shape with a
nicely patinated hub. Frame, undercarriage
and suspension are all in good shape but
not freshly painted; likely done at previous
time. Engine compartment restored, clean,
as simple as rest of truck. Again, not perfect,
but appropriate. Cond: 2.
MARKETMOMENT
1982 Pontiac Trans Am
KITT
SOLD at $66,000
Mecum Auctions, Harrisburg, PA, August 2–4, Lot S139
NOT SOLD AT $18,000. A very nicely restored
example of a Willys Jeep, not often
seen at auctions. One of my favorite lots; I
liked the originality and careful work done
by the restorer, and expected it to do quite
well on the block. I was surprised when it
stalled at $18k—if you can’t sell it in
Greensboro, where do you take it? Consignor
was right to hold out; it should bring
more when the right buyer happens to be in
the room. Deserves at least mid-$20k, in my
opinion. GAA, Greensboro, NC, 07/18.
#148-1948 TUCKER 48 sedan.
VIN: 1045. Maroon/tan cloth. Odo:
256 miles. 335-ci H6, 2-bbl, 3-sp. A quality
restoration by RM Auto Restoration and one
of 47 surviving examples of the innovative
Tucker. A late-production car that was completed
by former employees after company
failed. Once fitted with front-mounted
Oldsmobile V8. Restored in 2008 with newly
sourced motor and NOS dashboard.
Respray in original maroon. An exceptional
example of an innovative car. Cond: 1.
1
Carol Duckworth, courtesy of Mecum Auctions
Car Market with a couple of older friends when we happened upon
a Knight Rider KITT conversion.
Everyone else in my group
laughed at it. I secretly wanted it.
Why? Because I was a kid in the 1980s,
A few years back, I was reviewing cars at an auction for Sports
when David Hasselhoff was Michael Knight,
and his jet-black Trans Am — KITT — helped
him save the day every week. I loved everything
about the talking car and the guy who
drove it. Four-year-old me stayed up to see it.
And I demanded my mother make me a jacket
just like Knight’s. I persisted until she did it,
and then I wore it until it didn’t fit anymore.
Maybe it’s a time-and-place sort of thing. As an adult, I’m not going to argue that the show
SOLD AT $1,820,000. This was last seen at
RM’s August 2010 sale, where it realized a
record price of $1,127,500 (ACC#
6829229). Little did we know that the market
would treat the Tucker so kindly and a
record in 2010 would be a bargain today.
Price paid here is the new market-correct
price, and who knows where it will go from
here. RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, CA, 08/18.
was any good, but to a kid, it was. That’s why we continue to see cars like this bring big money
at auctions traditionally dominated by serious collector cars. Once-impressionable kids who
now have disposable income have made these cars serious. These buyers want a tactile item to
go with their nostalgia. “The A-Team” van, “The Dukes of Hazzard” General Lee, the timemachine
DeLorean and KITT are a new generation’s Barris-built 1960s Batmobiles.
This one was fully priced at $66k, but it also had a host of working features, just like what
you would have seen on the show. It was
reportedly built by someone who worked
on the original cars for the show. That
plus condition count for a lot, so this
price really didn’t surprise me that much.
Building one to this level — if that’s your
thing — isn’t cheap.
Someone wanted to own KITT badly,
plain and simple. Whether it was a good
buy really depends on your point of
view, or maybe how old you were when
Michael Knight was turbo-boosting his
way across America’s living rooms.
Call this well sold to the mass market, but it was well bought to a smaller group of buyers
looking to grab hold of their own history.A
— Jim Pickering
November–December 2018
November-December 2018 125
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ONETO WATCH
Median Sold Price By Year
Cars with Values on the Move
$10,000
$12,000
$8,000
$6,000
$6,760
$4,000
$2,000
$0
$6,500
$9,900
$9,900
$8,800
#ST0032-1960 STUDEBAKER LARK VIII
convertible. VIN: 60V59224. Black/beige
cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 59,663 miles. 259-ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Excellent restoration a number
of years ago, now showing just a few
blemishes. Body panels straight and gaps
all fine. Paint still looking good, with some
spots here and there displaying some wear.
Firestone tires starting to show their age.
Most chrome trim excellent; a few pieces
show some pitting, with one piece partially
detached. White vinyl top has some minor
discoloration. Beautifully restored interior
still shines, with dash and seats expertly
done. A few flaws in seats and carpet
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
1992–96 Ford Bronco SUV
T
wo areas often discussed in the pages of ACC are the crazy prices trucks and
SUVs are bringing at auction, and vehicles on the radars of young collectors. The
fifth-generation Ford Bronco, built from 1992 to 1996, applies to both topics.
Just like previous generations, the 20- and 30-somethings today want a vehicle
they can modify and use without spending $25k on a restoration or dropping
$40k on a finished product. These late-’90s Fords are reliable and offer some comfort features
that make them a great daily driver
over older generations. They’re perfect
for someone with a limited budget who
can only afford one car for both work
and fun.
Ford made almost 160,000 of these,
so there is no shortage of donor cars.
The Bronco’s popularity has created a
strong aftermarket parts scene, which
is perfect since the 302 or 351 under the
hood is ripe for modification. Add an
aftermarket air filter and a nice rumbling
exhaust, and
you’re just
scratching the surface of possibilities. Lift it and add some offroad
tires and it becomes an unstoppable tank.
From base-trim XL to the luxury Eddie Bauer Edition, 19
Detailing
Years built: 1992–96
Number produced:
Number sold at auction
in the past 12
159,181
Average price of those
cars: $12,252
months: 14
Number listed in the
ACC Premium
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $8,800
Database: 86
fifth-gen Broncos sold at auction in 2017. The median price on
these has been hovering around $10,000 for the past few years,
with only a slight drop in 2018. The average price over the past
year has been close to $11,300. Even this year’s top sale at Mecum
Kissimmee of $17,600 is affordable, still allowing room in the
budget to personalize it.
As these ’92-and-later Broncos gain more attention, prices will
go up. Plus, the highly anticipated new Bronco is coming in 2020,
126 AmericanCarCollector.comAmericanCarCollector.com
visible. Undercarriage shows tidy restoration
with some use, still looks very good.
Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $20,063. This Lark was
treated to a meticulous restoration at one
time, uncommon for Studebakers of this
modest value. Body claimed to have all
original panels; mileage purportedly 59k;
much of its life spent with third owner. All
seemed likely to be true based on my quick
inspection. Restoration now starting to show
some age, but if carefully maintained and
stored, should have many fine years ahead
of it. A top-tier example in Lark world, which
may sadly see values slowly drop as followers
become fewer. Fairly bought and sold.
GAA, Greensboro, NC, 07/18.
#FR0260-1969 AMC AMX 2-dr hard top.
VIN: A9M397X250126. Pompeii Yellow/
black vinyl. Odo: 77,478 miles. 390-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Well-optioned example with
4-speed, GoPack, ps, pb, tilt and more (no
a/c, however). Claimed rotisserie restoration.
Panel fit per factory; paint more than
decent but with some areas of light orange
peel. Chrome mostly good or better, except
drip rails are heavily dented. Interior almost
and that could push interest — and values — higher.A
— Chad Taylor
Page 125
GLOVEBOXNOTES by Jim Pickering
new-looking, with extremely nice seats, carpet,
headliner, dash, instruments, door panels
and sun visors. Armrests are warped,
but as they say in the used-car trade, “they
all do that.” Magnum 500 wheels on Redlines.
Well-finished and authentic
underhood except for deteriorated insulation
pad and modern battery. Cond: 2. SOLD
AT $35,845. I’m not sure why the restorer
stopped short at replacing the drip rails, but
overall this was one of the nicest AMXs I
have seen, in an unusual and appealing
color and with the right spec. A few minor
improvements could easily make this car a
2+. Previously sold at Mecum Dallas in September
2017 for $28,050 (ACC# 6849474).
If the Dallas buyer was this auction’s seller,
little profit came his way after auction fees
and transportation. Price here was in the
middle of varying price-guide values, probably
a bit of a bargain for the buyer. Appeared
on Tennessee dealer’s website a
week after the auction with an asking price
of $49,900. GAA, Greensboro, NC, 07/18.
#ST0094-1977 JEEP CJ-5 SUV. VIN:
J7F83AH090017. Green/tan canvas/tan
vinyl. Odo: 1,234 miles. 304-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Excellent paint, clearcoat and decal
application. Chrome around headlights is
pitted, but chrome grille and bumper look
excellent. Side trim appears aged. Upholstery
near perfect. Dashboard and gauges
are excellent; some paint scraped from roll
bar. Engine-compartment paint appears to
be original, and a shade different from exterior.
Black appears to have been repainted
and engine bay—while free of leaks and
reasonably neat—has added wiring, which
is not as neat as the rest of the car. Top
shows minimal wear. The windows are
rolled up and not seen. Polished aluminum
wheels show no scuffs or dents. Cond: 2-.
Superformance Corvette Grand Sport coupe
ROUNDUP
GLOBAL
Price as tested: Base model without engine or transmission, $99,900. Complete as
tested, $169,265
Equipment: Hand-laminated, dimensionally correct fiberglass body with reinforcing
inserts, original-style headlights and indicator lenses, original-style steering wheel,
gauge placement and pedal assemblies, heater and a/c, latch-and-lock seat belts,
power windows, power steering, 4-wheel vented Wilwood disc brakes, custom
shocks, Monza-style fuel filler, 17-gallon stainless fuel tank, Grand Sport #2 paint
scheme with four roundels, blue leather interior, rear tail circular cutouts, stainless
sidepipes, functional differential oil cooler, 15-inch magnesium wheels with Avon
CR6ZZ tires, GM Performance LT1 engine and Tremec T56 6-speed manual.
EPA mileage: Will vary by engine; expect 20s cruising with this combo.
Likes: Looks for all the world like a factory Grand Sport, minus a few updates that
blend in nearly seamlessly. Explosive power from the LT1’s 460 hp, 6-speed manual
feels notchy like a T56 should. Raspy exhaust note, decent visibility from the driver’s
seat. Feels like a mid-’60s Corvette with a bunch of power and great brakes. Can be
either an animal or calm cruiser, depending on you.
Dislikes: Floor features a bump just
under the brake pedal, which takes a
little getting used to when sliding your
foot off the gas and onto the brake.
Expensive.
Verdict: The Grand Sport is a complete
package if you order it as such — it’s
$100k as a roller, with the paint, engine
and transmission taking the price up
from there. This example had GM’s
modern LT1 under the hood, so it was in
effect a new Corvette in an old-looking
body. But that engine added $18,500 to
the sticker price. Then again, try to price
out building something like this from
scratch — and to this level — for less.
SOLD AT $19,795. This CJ-5 had the biggest
engine of the line, which was said to
have been rebuilt. It presented extremely
well and lacked only a few details to raise it
to 2+. Eleven jeeps crossed the block at
GAA, and most were favorably or fairly
priced. A proper transaction for buyer and
seller. GAA, Greensboro, NC, 07/18. A
It’s usable enough to be driven everywhere,
so an owner will want to use it all
the time, and you’ll be stopped everywhere
you go by people with questions,
just like I was. In my experience, most
people thought it was an original oneof-five
Grand Sport. What you let them
believe is up to you.
Fun to drive:
Fun to look at:
overall experience:
November–December 2018 127
127
Page 126
The Parts Hunter
Pat Smith
Air Meters
and Rev Counters
What’s in a part number? Dollar bills, if it’s the right one
579-optioned cars. As Rochester improved their Ramjet units, they’d use up old air-meter bodies and
rivet on metal tags stating the current application. This tag is for the 1961 315-hp V8. Price paid was
high, as there were a lot more 1961 Fuelies made than ’57s. It’s possible this air meter wound up in a
’58 and the later-era tag sold separately.
level as a new one. The patina is what sold this piece. It had just the right wear in the right
places without making turn signals or headlamp installs a mess. Most likely this went on a
truck that isn’t being restored to brand-new condition. A lot of vintage trucks are solid “drivers”
or “patina” rides, complete with made-up shop signs on doors and tailgate. This grille would
be perfect for that. There’s demand for both grades of parts. Someone thought it was worth it.
#232811252584 Hood Ornament Front Emblem
1973–74 Dodge Charger. 8 photos. Item condition:
Used. eBay Motors. Oroville, WA. 6/20/2018.
“Cosmetically is an 8–8.5 out of 10. This will detail
up nicer than we have rated. Has minor surface
blems. No cracks. No surface dings or dents, Has
some light surface scratches. Chrome has a few
medium pimples. Some dulling on top. Chrome
is overall bright and shiny. Straight and true.
Checked, inspected and guaranteed good. No
issues of troubles to bolt on and use as-is.”
Sold at $28.06.
This was a lot for an emblem with wear. Item will
not bolt on without the spring or bottom anchor, both of which are absent from this piece. The
spring allows the ornament to flex in a car wash and for object strikes. The anchor obviously
holds it in place. Both of those can be found at swapmeets, but why not include it with the
ornament? I’d pass and look for a complete item in better shape.
128 AmericanCarCollector.com
#182623729067 1968 Ford F-Series Ranger stepside grille.
12 photos. Item condition: Used. eBay Motors. Darrington,
WA. 9/18/2018.
“This is a very clean, straight original grille from a 1968 Ford
Ranger. It has a couple of dings and scratches as shown in the
pictures but is very usable as-is and would easily straighten
and polish to be immaculate. It includes the Ranger emblem
housing and the headlight bezels. Passenger headlight bezel
does have some wrinkling where somebody straightened it,
but there are no holes, no rips no tears.”
Sold at $500.
Calling this a deal is relative. You can get a brand-new one for
this truck, but it’s $750 plus shipping. This one needs work and
I suspect shipping is going to bump the price up to the same
#162647409263 Corvette Fuel-Injection Air Meter 1957. 8 photos. Item
condition: Used. eBay Motors. Austin, TX. 6/11/2018.
“Chevrolet Corvette air meter, original condition, just out of long-term
climate-controlled storage. Impossible to find. Blow-out sale, save $400 off
the normal price of $999.99. Limited Time!”
Sold at $599.99.
The 1957 air meter for Fuelie ’Vettes is rare, and there were different versions
for horsepower applications. This one was cast as 7014388, which
was a revised casting for 1958 250-hp engines and used on the RPO
#352433593443 1970–72 Olds Cutlass
AM/FM Stereo Radio. 12 photos. Item
condition: Used. eBay Motors. Santa Cruz,
CA. 8/26/2018.
“Awesome original AM/FM Stereo radio out
of a 1971 Olds Cutlass. This radio is the
one-piece stereo radio that was only used
in late-1971–72 Cutlass models and is very
hard to find. This radio will also install in
1970–72 Cutlass models with no modifications.
This radio has been tested and plays
loud and clear on both channels on AM and
FM with excellent reception. The stereo indicator
light in the FM dial works as it should.”
Sold at $433.87.
A steep price, no doubt, but for an original
premium radio that isn’t reproduced yet, it’s
a good deal. Only caveat to be noted is you
do have to change the connectors if you’re
installing it in a car with multiplex wiring.
This is clearly a 1971 model, according to
tag, and it isn’t a plug-and-play deal. In fact,
you can’t easily use other GM divisions’ multiplex
radios if doing a swap. A Buick multiplex
wiring harness is laid out differently
from Pontiac. Olds, of course, compounds
the matter by hanging their 8-track player
right under the dash, unlike the others. Stuff
like this makes restoration expensive. Price
paid was market level.
Page 127
#253772921069 Rotunda 8,000-RPM Tach for
Fairlane, Thunderbolt, Galaxie. 8 photos. Item condition:
Used. eBay Motors. Surrey, BC, CAN. 7/23/2018.
“Excellent working tachometer. Good for any Ford
1961–69.”
Sold at $600.
The early muscle-car-era tachs haven’t been cheap
for a long time. Recently, a few of the desirable ones
like the Sun tach and mid-’60s S/W gauge trios have
been reproduced. This one’s the real thing and it’s in
stellar condition. Price paid is high, but think about what
it costs to find a core and have it rebuilt — it’ll be very
close to this. Seller did all right. Likely went into a 1965-or-earlier drag-racing Ford.
The governor consists of four metal weights paired to the rotating shaft connected to the
speedo cable. It controlled the transmission’s shift points. In the old days, a drag-racing trick
involved shaving the inner weights to raise the shift points. Today, you can buy governor
hop-up kits with all the springs needed to do the job for about $55. As a replacement part, this
governor is a good deal since a plastic replacement gear runs $15 plus shipping and you still
have to do the repair. I’ll take the complete plug-and-play unit instead. A
#132740161363 1966 Olds and Pontiac TH400
Governor NOS 8624214. 8 photos. Item condition: New.
eBay Motors. Needham Heights, MA. 7/11/2018.
“General Motors NOS TH400 M-40 transmission
governor. Fits some 1966 Oldsmobile and Pontiac cars.
1966 Olds Starfire, 1st Type—used up to transmission #
OD8508, 1966 full-size Pontiacs; Grand Prix, Catalina,
Bonneville (for PD and PH-code transmissions, but not
PB which used 8624213 or 8623852). I also have some
8624213 for the same price.”
Sold at $41.99.
Sports Car Market
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November–December 2018 129
Page 128
JUNKYARD TREASURES
Hidden Gems
in the Gem State
New owners at B&T Auto Salvage have been trying to group similar cars together, such as this stack of Chevrolet Corvairs
B&T Auto Salvage is an Idaho parts
staple, known to locals for years
Story and photos by Phil Skinner
that are 35–60 years of age, sometimes older.
One of the first treasures I spotted was a 1942 DeSoto coupe, the first
F
Chrysler-built production car to have hide-away headlights. There were piles of
Corvairs, groups of Studebakers and even vehicles from AMC, including a rare
1972 Ambassador with right-hand drive that had been built for the U.S. Postal
Service.
When the original B&T owners, Burton and Tom, decided to retire, it was
taken over in the 2010s by Darrell Heck. With the help of several employees and
his family, he had started to clean up the yard and organize it a bit when he fell
ill in the autumn of 2017.
Detailing
What: B&T Auto Salvage
Location: 22443 Old Hwy
30, Caldwell, ID 83607
Hours: Monday through
Friday, 8:30 am to
5 p.m.; Saturday
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Phone: 208-459-0866
Web: facebook.com/
pages/B-T-AutoSalvage
130 AmericanCarCollector.com
“We lost Darrell in mid-June 2018,” said Floyd
Darbin, who has been helping manage the yard.
“There are probate issues, but his daughter is passionate
about the yard and plans to continue where
Dad left off.”
Current projects include building their online
presence and catering to customers who can’t
venture to Idaho.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” Darbin
said. “We miss Darrell, but I think the yard is in
competent hands and we are going to be around for
many years to come.” A
There were still quite a few bits left of this 1957
Chevrolet 210 station wagon
Rarely seen anywhere, this was the first 1942
DeSoto I have ever seen in a parts yard
or over 50 years, Caldwell, ID, locals have known about B&T Auto
Salvage. Up front, it’s a traditional salvage yard, where later-model
cars are brought in from various locations and then parted out, leaving
those items of no monetary value to go to the shredder. However,
toward the rear portion of the yard sit the untouchables — those cars
Page 130
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GM
1941 Buick Series 50 Super 8
convertible
1967 Chevrolet Camaro custom coupe
S/N 223379L116357. Warwick
Blue/Parchment. 31,990 miles. V8, automatic.
An absolutely exceptional and beautiful
example of this very rare and all-American
classic muscle car. 400/350-hp 4-bbl V8 car
with a date-correct XH-code replacement
and rebuilt engine matched correctly to a
TH400 3-speed automatic transmission.
Independent front suspension with coil
springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf
springs, dual exhausts and PHS documentation.
$32,500 OBO. West Coast Classics,
LLC. Contact Simon, Ph: 310.399.3990,
email: wcclassics@aol.com. Website: www.
TheWestCoastClassics.com. (CA)
S/N 139I3347. Sienna Rust/tan. Inline 8. One
previous owner from new; car in largely original
condition. Fascinating history. Optional
Dynaflow transmission. Go to our website
for the full story on this magnificent find!
Charles Crail Automobiles. Contact Devon,
Ph: 805.570.4677, email: devoncrail@
gmail.com. Website: www.charlescrail.com/
vehicles/215/1941-buick-series-50-superconvertible.
(CA)
1966 Pontiac GTO 2-dr hard top
S/N 124377L142446. Red/black. V8, automatic.
Absolutely exceptional and beautiful
example. Highly coveted original Southern
California black-plate Camaro that has been
beautifully restored and mildly customized
with a date-correct original MF-code 327
2-bbl V8 engine. This must be one of the
nicest custom V8 Camaro coupes available
anywhere. In turn-key daily-driving-ready,
daily-head-turning and daily-appreciating
condition. $29,500 OBO. West Coast Classics
LLC. Ph: 310.779.0526, email: wcclassics@aol.com.
Website: www.TheWestCoastClassics.com.
(CA)
1967 Pontiac Grand Prix 2-dr hard top
1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 replica 2-dr
hard top
1969 Chevrolet Camaro 396 Pace Car
convertible
matching. All original with one repaint, updated
to R134a a/c and big-block radiator.
This car is in excellent condition and comes
with the original owner’s manual, brochure
and records. $64,900. Contact Ron, Ph:
215.633.0775, email: rga11@msn.com. (PA)
S/N 124679N641963. Dover White/orange.
39,581 miles. V8, 4-spd manual. Meticulously
restored Jerry MacNeish-verified RPO
Z-11 SS 396 Pace Car. Additional photos
and information available upon request.
$90,000. Contact Rich, Ph: 413.525.6908,
email: skwerly1@msn.com. (MA)
1969 Pontiac Firebird 400 2-dr hard top
1973 Chevrolet Corvette 454/275
coupe
S/N 1Z37Z3S409844. Dark blue
metallic/black custom. 6,000 miles. V8, 4-spd
automatic. LS-4, Benchmark, Bloomington
Gold-Survivor-Corvette USA. Close-ratio
manual transmission. Killer FireStone 500
tires, including spare. $73,000 OBO. RMC
Enterprises Inc. Contact Richard, Ph:
773.725.4848, email: asnowplower@aol.
com. (IL)
1986 Chevrolet Corvette convertible
S/N 344870E166189. Gold/black. 6,000
miles. V8, 4-spd manual. Professionally
restored 2017. New paint, black vinyl top,
new 4-speed, AM radio, factory 8-track, Rally
one wheels, black interior, power windows,
doors and trunk. $60,000. Contact Jerome,
Ph: 262.497.3747, email: mr1970olds@att.
net. (WI)
CORVETTE
1965 Chevrolet Corvette convertible
S/N 242176P132960. V8, automatic. Montero
Red, new Legendary Auto Interiors
black interior, 389-ci engine with Tri-Power
and 2-speed Turbine 300 Powerglide auto
transmission. PHS certificate, new Vintage
Air Gen IV a/c, high-torque starter, electric
fans, high-flow water pump, all lines stainless
steel, wood steering wheel, Delco Moraine
brake booster, all-new brakes, T3 headlamps,
Flow Master mufflers/tailpipes, Rally II
red center caps/lug nuts, Goodyear lettering
Poly Glass tires (OEM), 100-amp chrome
alternator, Monroe gas shocks. Excellent
condition. No sales calls. $49,500. Contact
Jerry, Ph: 209-402-2837 or 209-532-0855,
email: imc@hub3.net. (CA)
132 AmericanCarCollector.com
S/N 266577C124381. Tyrol Blue Metallic/
Parchment. V8, automatic. Exceptional example
of this original-owner and completely
rust-free Grand Prix with the 400 YC-code
V8 engine. Purchased new at Porter Pontiac
of Denver, CO, on 6/28/1967, and still boasting
its original owner’s manuals and Protecto-Plate.
Many local car show first-place trophies
and recently purchased via its original
owner’s local Colorado dealership. Finished
in its original factory Tyrol Blue Metallic (color
code F) paint with original Parchment (trim
code 585) seats, and all original interior with
the large chrome dials and factory gauges.
$19,500 OBO. West Coast Classics LLC.
Contact Simon, Ph: 310.779.0526, email:
wcclassics@aol.com. Website: www.TheWestCoastClassics.com.
(CA)
S/N 1G1YY6784G5901971. Bright
Red/Bright Red leather. 17,500 miles. V8,
automatic. Original Southern California
family-owned Indy Pace Car replica in
beautiful and highly desirable original factory
all Bright Red color combination. Only
17k original miles! The car comes with all
its original dealer documentation including
owner’s manuals and dealer brochures plus
spare keys from its original selling dealer,
Key Chevrolet of Cupertino, CA. Clean
CARFAX report and a recent California
smog certificate and all of its original service
records. $16,500 OBO. West Coast Classics.
Ph: 310.779.0526, email: wcclassics@aol.
com. Website: www.TheWestCoastClassics.
com. (CA)
1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 coupe
Black/gray. 5,900 miles. V8, 6-spd
manual. Like new with super-low miles.
All paperwork and records from day one.
New Goodyear F1s, fresh fluids, SS injectors,
turn-key and needs nothing. 100
photos available. $34,900 OBO. Contact
William, Ph: 609.790.1526, email: wtgiovanetti@verizon.net.
Website: www.
flickr.com/photos/99107519@N02/albums/72157670079951608.
(NJ)
S/N 194675S110568. Rally Red/black. V8,
automatic. 327/300-hp, two-owner car from
new, same owner past 16 years, who is
a technical director for the Corvette Club.
Originally an Arizona car. Very rare, one of
872, with ice-cold factory a/c. This nicely optioned
car has knockoff wheels, teak steering
wheel, telescopic steering column, ps, pb,
AM-FM radio, power antenna, tinted glass,
whitewall tires and leather seats. Numbers
Page 131
Showcase Gallery
FOMOCO
1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible
1964 Ford Fairlane 500 2-dr hard top
great integrity. $195,000. Contact Colin, Ph:
414.375.2656, email: colin@thecomercollection.com.
Website: colinsclassicauto.
com. (WI)
S/N P5FH140915. Torch Red/red & white.
21,350 miles. V8, automatic. Always
garaged, rust-free example of this noexpense-spared
restored Thunderbird with
both factory hard top and new white soft top
and with factory specifications and options
including Ford-o-Matic automatic transmission,
telescopic steering column, power
front disc brakes, fender skirts, tach, clock,
power four-way driver’s seat, heater and
defroster, AM radio and its original 292 V8
4-bbl engine and highly desirable and striking
Thunderbird chrome wheels. $34,500 OBO.
West Coast Classics LLC. Contact Simon,
Ph: 310.779.0526, email: wcclassics@aol.
com. Website: www.TheWestCoastClassics.
com. (CA)
S/N 4K43C162162. Red/red. 7,656 miles.
V8, 4-spd automatic. Great collector vehicle,
mint condition, garage kept. Illness
forces sale. $32,000. Contact Stephen E,
Ph: 850.450.3584, email: maat24@yahoo.
com. (FL)
1967 Shelby GT500 fastback
S/N 1763. White/black. V8, 4-spd manual.
#1763 is an original 4-speed/ inboard-headlight
GT500 in as-delivered specification.
Unrestored with one repaint in 1986, #1763
retains its original engine, transmission,
sheet metal, fiberglass, interior, tags and
all Shelby components. Documented with
complete history from new. A GT500 with
S/N W5573927. Heron Blue & white/blue &
gray pattern. 63,950 miles. V8, automatic.
An exceptionally straight, original, rust-free
and great daily-driving survivor of this very
rare Mopar model. Original 301-ci V8 engine
and super-rare factory options including
PowerFlite automatic transmission ($189),
Air-Temp a/c ($570), two-way power front
seat ($71), power steering ($113), power
brakes ($40), power windows ($125), heater
and defroster ($78), Solex tinted windshield
($20) and wire wheels with white sidewall
tires. One of very few such remaining examples,
with extremely rare additional factory
options. $25,500 OBO. West Coast Classics
LLC. Contact Simon, Ph: 310.399.3990,
MOPAR
1955 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe sedan
S/N WH23F8G173967. Yellow/white. 59,000
miles. V8, automatic. All original except for
repaint in July 2017. Low original miles.
Underneath the hood is Chrysler’s LA-series
318 V8, still sporting its 2-barrel carburetor
and factory air conditioning, dual exhaust
(Flowmaster) and radiator stripping to reveal
the brass upper tank. New water pump,
valve cover gaskets, intake manifold gasket,
starter and thermostat. Power steering and
drum brakes. Documented with its broadcast
sheet. $29,000 OBO. Contact Richard, Ph:
513.678.1274, email: ls3_camaro@yahoo.
com. (OH)
AMERICANA
1963 Studebaker Avanti coupe
Stock restoration with original R1 240-hp
engine. Fully optioned, several upgrades and
much documentation. Near-perfect condition.
$41,000. email: paintim613@aol.com.
(AZ) A
It’s so
easy!
We’ve made
uploading your
Showcase
Gallery listings
online easier.
As an added
bonus, we now
feature multiple
images for our
web listings.
www.AmericanCarCollector.com/classifieds/place-ad
November–December 2018 133
email: wcclassics@aol.com. Website: www.
TheWestCoastClassics.com. (CA)
1968 Dodge Coronet 440 2-dr hard top
Page 132
RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218,
or email advert@americancarcollector.com
Auction Companies
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
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)
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
don’t stop there. We specialize in
collections and sell it all! Contact
us today. info@wyoderauction.
com. Learn more about us at
wyoderauction.com and like us on
Facebook.
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)
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,
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.
134 AmericanCarCollector.com
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
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
39th St., Phoenix, AZ 85040.
info@russoandsteele.com,
www.russoandsteele.com. (AZ)
Wheeler Auction Group.
833.599.8999. Collector Car
Auction company specializing in
the marketing and sale of pre-war,
classic, vintage, antique, muscle
and exotic automobiles. What sets
Wheeler apart from other auction
companies in their industry is the
quality and quantity of marketing
that they do for their clients,
combined with some of the lowest
selling commissions in the industry.
Contact them today to discuss
the marketing of your vehicle or
collection!
Info@WheelerAuctionGroup.com
www.WheelerAuctionGroup.com
Buy/Sell/General
California Car Cover Company.
800-423-5525. More than just
custom-fit car covers, California
Car Cover is the home of complete
car care and automotive lifestyle
products. Offering the best in car
accessories, garage items, detailing
products, nostalgic collectibles,
apparel and more! Call 1-800-4235525
or visit Calcarcover.com for a
free catalog.
W. Yoder Auction. 920.787.5549.
W. Yoder Auction holds the only
semi-annual collector car auction
in the state of Wisconsin open
to the public where anyone can
buy and anyone can sell! But we
Page 133
Classic Car Transport
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,
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)
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
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.
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
West Coast Classics.
310.399.3990. West Coast
Classics are internationally
renowned California Classic Car
Dealers who specialize in buying
and selling of rare and classic
European and American classic
cars. Two branch locations in
Southern California; 1205 Bow
Avenue in Torrance, and 1918
Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica. We
ship throughout the world and
will provide you with unparalleled
service of your rare, sports, exotic,
luxury, collector or classic car
needs. www.WestCoastClassics.
com info@WestCoastClassics.
com (CA)
info@sundayautotransport.com
Collection Management
Paragon Corvette
Reproductions. 800-882-4688. At
Paragon, you’ll receive the finest
quality of 1953–96 Corvette parts
and experience in the industry.
Our catalogs and website are filled
with hundreds of helpful schematics,
photos and tech-tips. Our
Vintage Department has a treasure
chest of NOS and used parts.
Look up our Stick With Us
Discount Program and our firstonline-order
savings. Call us or
visit www.paragoncorvette.com
to order today. (MI)
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)
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.
FOLLOW
ACC
RideCache. 512-751-8450.
A professional, ad-free software
tool and service that helps you
manage your collection, digitally
preserve your valuable documentation
and securely share with
those that need access. Manage
your collection with our DIY tools
or use our RideCache Build service
and let our professional team
build your account. Learn more at
http://ridecache.com/ACC
RideCache – Organize, Manage,
Preserve your Collection.
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)
Reliable Carriers Inc. 800-5216393.
As the country’s largest
enclosed-auto transport company,
Reliable Carriers faithfully serves
November–December 2018 135
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
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)
Page 134
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
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)
Insurance
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)
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)
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)
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.
136 AmericanCarCollector.com
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)
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
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)
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)
Leasing-Finance
Museums
Custom Autosound
Manufacturing. 800-888-8637.
Since 1977 providing audio solutions
for classic cars, trucks and
street rods. Covering over 400
applications, our radios and
speakers fit the original locations
without modifications. Keep the
classic look of your vehicle while
enjoying state-of-the-art audio.
Check out all of our products at
www.customautosound.com. (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)
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!
LeMay Family Collection
Foundation. LeMay Family
Collection Foundation at
Marymount Events Center near
Tacoma, WA, hosts an epic backdrop
for your next event. Home to
500 fabulous collector cars, 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)
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)
Page 135
National Parts Depot. 800-8747595.
We stock huge inventories
of concours-correct restoration
parts for:
body and paint work. We work with
many reputable shops around the
country that send us their projects
for bodywork and paint. We also
offer classic car collection management,
storage, consulting and
classic car valuations.
www.classicgaragellc.com (ID)
1965–73 and 1979–93 Mustang
1967–81 Camaro & Firebird
1964–72 GTO, Tempest & LeMans
1964–87 Chevelle, Malibu &
El Camino
1948–96 F-Series Ford Truck
1947–98 C/K 1/2-ton Chevy Truck
1966–96 Bronco
1955–57 Thunderbird
www.nationalpartsdepot.com
Original Parts Group Inc. With
over 30 years’ experience, OPGI
manufactures and stocks over
75,000 of the finest restoration parts
and accessories for GM classics, at
the best prices anywhere. The largest
selection of Chevelle, El Camino,
Monte Carlo, GTO, Le Mans,
Tempest, Gran Prix, Bonneville,
Catalina, Cutlass, 442, Skylark, GS,
Riviera and Cadillac classic parts
anywhere. Visit www.OPGI.com or
call 800-243-8355. (CA)
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
Classic Garage Automobile
Restoration. 208.755.3334.
Classic Garage is a full service,
classic car shop offering full-restoration
and partial-restoration work,
including custom builds. Our specialty
is high-end, show-quality
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)
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)
Advertisers
Index
7-Eight Marketing ..............................79
Agents For Montana Titles ..............120
American Collectors Insurance ...........2
Autosport Groups ..............................83
Barrett-Jackson .................................25
Blue Bars .........................................129
Camaro Central .................................99
Car Girl Art .........................................41
CarCapsule USA ...............................85
Chevs of the 40’s ..............................81
Corvette America ............................. 4–5
Custom Autosound Mfg., Inc ............79
EMS Automotive ..............................115
Evapo-Rust ........................................35
Factory Five Racing ...........................71
Greensboro Auto Auction ................109
Grundy Insurance ..............................19
Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. ........67
JC Taylor ...........................................97
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.
1-866-MB-CLASSIC. (1-866-6225277).
The trusted center of competence
for all classic
Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts.
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)
Metal Rescue® Rust Remover is
your clean, safe, easy-to-use rust
remover for iron and steel. From
small parts that can be soaked to
large parts that can’t, our ready-touse
BATH, CONCENTRATE, or
on-the-spot GEL are extremely
effective at removing rust. The
entire line of Metal Rescue offers
non-toxic, environmentally-safe
rust removal without the use of
harmful or corrosive acids. From
hubcaps to headlights to spot-rust
on doors and hoods, Metal Rescue
from Workshop Hero™ has got
you covered!
Visit www.workshophero.com
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
CAR COLLECTOR
AMERICAN
™
AmericanCarCollector.com/subscribe
SUBSCRIBE TO ACC
877.219.2605 Ext. 1
Jim Meyer Racing Products Inc. .....110
JJ Best Banc & Co ..........................107
JJ Rods .............................................89
Larry’s Thunderbird and Mustang Parts ..37
Leake Auction Company .....................3
LicensePlates.tv ..............................116
Lucas Oil Products, Inc. ..................101
Lutty’s Chevy Warehouse .................45
MCACN, LLC .....................................77
McCollister’s Auto Transport...........140
Metal Rescue ...................................131
Michael Irvine Studios .......................95
Mid America Motorworks ..................15
National Corvette Museum ..............115
National Parts Depot .........................75
Obsolete & Classic Auto Parts, Inc. 111
Original Parts Group ..........................23
Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions ....31
Paragon Corvette Reproductions ....103
Park Place LTD ..................................73
Passport Transport ............................87
Performance Racing Oils .................105
Petersen Collector Car Auction .........84
Premier Auction Group ......................29
Raleigh Classic Car Auctions .......... 6–7
Restoration Supply Company .........115
RM Auctions ......................................13
Ronald McDonald House ................123
Russo and Steele LLC .......................17
Sports Car Market ...........................129
Steve’s Auto Restorations Inc. ..........27
Streetside Classics ............................11
Summit Racing Equipment ................91
The Chevy Store Inc ..........................93
Thomas C Sunday Inc .....................129
TYCTA ...............................................30
Volunteer Vette Products ..................69
Wayne Yoder Auction ........................21
West Coast Classics, LLC ...............111
Wheeler Auctions ............................139
Zip Products, Inc. ..............................49
zMAX .................................................47
November–December 2018 137
Keith Martin’s
Page 136
Surfing Around
Carl Bomstead
Automobilia at Auction
Carl’s thought: The Rock Island Auction Company, at their
September 7 sale, sold a Winchester Model 1886 Takedown Lever-Action
rifle for an amazing $1,178,750. It was engraved and signed by master
engraver John Ulrich and featured highly detailed gold-inlaid animal
scenes. The engraving and gold inlays cover the sides and top of the hammer
and sides and bottom of the lever. The takedown collar and barrel breech are also decorated with scrollwork and gold and platinum inlays.
The rifle was fully documented with a factory letter and was stated to be the finest 1886 Winchester known. Now, rifles are not my cup of tea,
but there are numerous serious collectors and, as we have seen here, they pay adult money for historically significant examples.
EBAY #132640977659—
1920s POUR-EZEE
ROCKER OIL CAN.
Number of bids: 35. SOLD
AT: $1,625.99. Date sold:
6/10/2018. This appeared to
be a generic shipping can,
as it was stated to be the
ideal shipping drum. Graphics
were in great shape, and
it sold for a bunch. For years
these were not especially
popular, but they have been
coming into their own as of
late.
EBAY #223097283680—
1912–13 CITRUS
COUNTY, FL, PORCELAIN
LICENSE PLATE.
Number of bids: 50. SOLD
AT: $3,838. Date sold:
8/17/2018. The history of
Florida license plates is a
bit complicated. Vehicles
were first licensed in 1905, but that was discontinued in 1915.
Counties, however, issued plates from 1911 until 1917, so for a time
vehicles had two or three plates. This one was from that period and
was in exceptional condition, with only spider cracks noted. Pricey,
but the value was there.
EBAY #192579488261—
FOOEY FACE LICENSEPLATE
ATTACHMENT.
Number of bids: 44. SOLD AT:
$2,300. Date sold: 7/1/2018.
These were originally priced
at $2.69. When the driver
behind you was being a jerk,
you touched the button on the
dash and Fooey Face sprung
into action. His eyes light up,
he sticks out his tongue and
he gives the guy the raspberry.
This one was not in the best
of shape and one eye did not
light up, but it sold at a lot less
than a couple others offered
recently.
138 AmericanCarCollector.com
EBAY #302816305827—FORD EMPLOYEE
BADGE #13 FROM MONTEVIDEO,
URUGUAY. Number of
bids: Best Offer Accepted. SOLD AT:
$4,999.99. Date sold : 8/7/2018. This
is an extremely rare Ford employee
badge with a very low number. Seller
sold another earlier in the year that
he acquired from the same family for
$4,829 — it was number 58. Ford
guys usually don’t spend this kind
of money on trinkets, but the Ford
Badge Book rates this as one of the rarest, so I guess it was worth
the money.
EBAY #49547020997—1950s
NOBLEMEN CAR CLUB JACKET.
Number of bids: 4. SOLD AT:
$535. Date sold: 6/10/2018. The
Noblemen were from Great Falls,
MT, and this jacket had only minor
wear. In the ’50s, no self-respecting
car club member went out without
wearing his “colors.” Fair price for a
cool jacket.
EBAY #13198483799—VINTAGE
16-INCH CORVETTE SERVICE
NEON CLOCK. Number of bids:
60. SOLD AT: $1,650. Date sold:
8/19/2018. This one takes a leap
of faith. If it is the real thing, then
it was a very good buy. If a fake,
however, then the buyer paid way
too much. Hard to tell without
seeing it first-hand.
EBAY #273373230541—SHELL
GASOLINE 400 EXTRA DRY
PUMP PLATE. Number of bids:
69. SOLD AT: $3,375. Date sold:
8/3/2018. The buyer threw away
a bunch of money buying this
fake pump plate. Seller made
up a bunch of info regarding the
age, but several others were
sold at the same time as this one
for $189. Worth $50 as decorative
piece, but no more. A