September-October 2016 - American Car Collector

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CAR COLLECTOR The Scoop CORVETTE 2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 $82.5k / Mecum Yesterday’s king of the horsepower hill drops in value — John L. Stein Page 56 GM 1968 PONTIAC GTO RAM AIR II $132k / Barrett-Jackson Rare, overshadowed Pontiac muscle brings big money — Pat Smith Page 58 Volume 5 • Issue 29 • September-October 2016 The Collector Market in Eight Sales FoMoCo 1966 SHELBY GT350 “CARRY-OVER” $159.5k / Bonhams Pinning the market on a barn-find racer — Colin Comer Page 60 MOPAR 1966 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE HEMI $63k / Auctions America Under-market purchase on a Hemi sleeper — Tom Glatch Page 62 AMERICAN ™ 8 AmericanCarCollector.com Keith Martin's

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CUSTOM 1960 MERCURY COLONY PARK “THE LIZARD KING” $90k / Barrett-Jackson Boyd-built wagon is a bargain for buyer — Ken Gross Page 64 AMERICANA RACE 1932 LINCOLN KB JUDKINS COUPE $198k / The Finest Market money on a rare coachbuilt Lincoln — Carl Bomstead Page 66 1942 WILLYS AMERICAR GASSER $66k / Mecum An iconic, legit gasser powers its way to $66k — Jay Harden Page 68 TRUCK 1949 DODGE B-1-B-108 HALF-TON PICKUP $28k / Barrett-Jackson A market-correct buy on a rising section of the market — B. Mitchell Carlson Page 70 Cover photo: 1966 Shelby GT350 “Carry-Over” Courtesy of Bonhams 1942 Willys Americar Gasser, p. 68 Courtesy of Mecum Auctions September-October 2016 9

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The Rundown EXPERTS’ COLUMNS 12 Torque I’ll build it someday — Jim Pickering 46 Cheap Thrills 1977–80 Ford Pinto Cruising Wagon — B. Mitchell Carlson 48 Horsepower Is the car club dead? — Colin Comer 52 Market Buys Three vehicles to break out your wallet for right now — Jim Pickering 54 Corvette Market What makes the Corvette so special? — John L. Stein 138 Surfing Around Must-have automobilia — Carl Bomstead AUCTIONS 76 Mecum — Indianapolis, IN 29th annual Spring Classic rakes in over $48m — B. Mitchell Carlson 88 Twin Cities Auctions — St. Paul, MN 94 cars cross the block for a $1.54m total — B. Mitchell Carlson 96 Mecum — Portland, OR First-time auction in Portland nets $9.3m — Jim Pickering, Chad Taylor and Chad Tyson 108 Lucky Collector Car Auctions — Tacoma, WA Lucky continues the eclectic-mix tradition, generating $1.2m — Jack Tockston 118 Roundup American vehicles at Dan Kruse in Midland, TX, and Silver in Coeur d’Alene, ID — Phil Skinner, John Boyle 10 AmericanCarCollector.com FUN RIDES 26 Good Reads Ford dragsters, pickups of the ’50s and ’60s, guide to Barracudas and Challengers, Pontiac concept cars — Mark Wigginton 27 International Scout Encyclopedia — B. Mitchell Carlson 30 Desktop Classics 1963 Cobra 289 roadster — Marshall Buck 34 Snapshots Racing Model Ts on the Montana 500 — John Boyle 130 Junkyard Treasures Muscle car parts in Sweden — Phil Skinner SERV DEPA 14 What’s Happening Car events of note 16 Crossing the Block Upcoming auctions and highlighted star cars 24 Your Turn Brake feedback and a rare hauler 28 Parts Time Cool parts to keep your car on the road 30 Cool Stuff Start your engines, light your projects, protect your investments 38 Wrenching Adding hidden tunes to a farm-fresh Ford 44 Readers’ Forum Which classic truck to buy? 86 Market Moment 1 1983 Pontiac Trans Am “KITT” custom coupe — Jim Pickering 103 Market Moment 2 1942 Ford GPA Amphibious — B. Mitchell Carlson 116 One to Watch 1978 Dodge D150 Li’l Red Express — Jim Pickering 128 The Parts Hunter Rare parts and pieces on the market — Patrick Smith 132 Showcase Gallery Sell your car in ACC’s classifieds section 134 Resource Directory Get to know our advertisers 135 Advertiser Index

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Torque Jim Pickering I’ll Build It Someday SOMETIMES IT’S MORE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAN THE PROJECT A few weeks ago, while on a walk with my daughter in my neighborhood, I caught a glimpse of a rounded metal roof peeking out from behind a fence. I stood up tall to look over and saw a ’56 Chevy 2-door post. Half-consumed by blackberry bushes, it sat with its ’70s-era white-letter radials sunk into the dirt, its headliner draping down over its seats, and its front bumper tossed on the ground, upside-down in the weeds. Its original paint was burned from rust after years in the elements. I immediately found myself planning out a project. I visualized working over all its issues and putting together all the right parts for a gasser build. The rest of my week was haunted by solid-cam chatter, bouncy straight axles and 4-speed gear whine. The waypoint Car guys tend to think of cars in our neighborhoods as waypoints on a map. When we’re giving somebody directions, it’s not “turn right at 35th,” it’s “turn right at the house with the faded blue ’67 Chevelle.” We can’t help it. We know where all the cool cars sit out in the open and we know where they’re hidden. We remember where we’ve seen chrome peeking out from rarely open garage doors, or unmistakable shapes under tarps in backyards. And we’re always on the lookout for more. Of course, there’s a good reason these cars are burned in our memories: Most of us have tried and failed to buy this stuff in the past. Typically, our requests are met with cold rejection from owners. Sometimes a huge asking price is thrown down. Other times the cars simply aren’t for sale. Regardless, the mantra usually is, “I’m going to build it someday.” Since “someday” is closer to never than tomorrow, the cars become part of the landscape, and part of a car guy’s mental map as projects we wished we could have made reality. Those vexing no-sell owners get labeled as crazy or eccentric — or at the very least out of touch with reality — and we go back to our home garages, usually where a complete car and at least one other project we’d never sell live in various states of completion. 12 AmericanCarCollector.com Just a few things to tidy up, and then on to the Chevy... Rust is king All this stuff has been car-guy standard for as long as I can remember. But with the recent popularity behind barn finds, such as the Shelby profiled on p. 60 of this issue, it’s clear that old cars left to die a waiting death are now becoming more mainstream cool. Add to that booming cable-television car-show popularity and its winning formula, where cars are found and rebuilt in record time for profit — all without the builders even getting their hands dirty. The result is growing interest in the old-car world from the outside, and an explanation for the new security fence — and razor wire — surrounding the yard where I saw that old ’56. It screams “don’t ask” so the owner doesn’t have to sit guard in that chair all day. And while you might be quick to judge the owner of a car like that neglected Chevy for just letting it sit rather than cashing out in the midst of a strong market, you also can’t blame him for wanting to hang on to it. See, if I owned that ’56, it would get rust repairs, a tunnel-ram small-block, and maybe even a 4-speed and straight axle. But all that stuff takes time, money and skill. The reality of it is that I’ve already got a car I’m unwilling to sell — my ’66 Caprice — that takes up my working space and time. So the ’56 would probably sit for who knows how long as I built a grand plan for it — and who’s to say that’s not exactly what was happening here? Dreams and realities don’t often cross, but if you’ve always wanted a shoebox Chevy hot rod and you’ve got a rusty one out back, you’ve also got a legit reason to dream about it. The appeal behind a car like this is not so much about the car itself, but instead about the possibility of what the car can be. There’s value in that for an owner, leading the market by just enough to keep him from selling. If he gets to it someday, that’s great. If not, at least he had the chance. As cool as this old ’56 is, my gasser Chevy dream isn’t going to be a reality this time. But it’s okay — I’ll remember where it is. And hey, there’s a ’66 Impala SS convertible project that’s been sitting at my dad’s place for 20 years. I’ll build it someday. A

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WHAT’SHAPPENING Let us know about your events Do you know of American-car-related events or happenings that we should publicize? Contact us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208 or online at comments@ americancarcollector.com. An ACD Week The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival cranks up on August 28 and runs through September 5, with events including an epic swapmeet, mini beer tents, car shows and a historic tour. This is a bucket-list week for classic car fans. For a full list of events, visit acdfestival.org (IN) Fun with Corvettes The 23rd Annual Corvette Funfest rum- bles to life on September 15 in Effingham, IL, and this year celebrates 20 years of the C5 Corvette. By the time the party ends on September 18, four days and nights of cruises, seminars, concerts, a giant Corvette sale corral, swapmeet, concerts, parties and off-the-hook burnouts will be over. Serious Corvette fans head to Effingham, IL, to kiss summer goodbye in a haze of hot exhaust and melted rubber. For more information, visit www.corvettefunfest.com (IL) 14 AmericanCarCollector.com Rolling Iron and Waves Surfing and cars — especially American cars — are joined at the hip, and the Surf City Car Show on September 3 brings plenty of hot rods, customs and bone-stock woodie surf wagons to the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City, OR. Early September brings the best weather of the year to the Oregon Coast. Wax your car — and bring your wetsuit. For more information, surf over to www.chinookwindscasino. com (OR) Bring Your ’Bird to Pennsylvania The 23rd Annual International Thunderbird Club Convention will spark a massive ’Bird migration to Harrisburg, PA, from September 6 to 11. Events include an AACA Museum tour and Thunderbird car show, a Gettysburg Battlefield tour, a dinner cruise and a Saturday concours and banquet. For more information, visit www. intl-tbirdclub.com (PA)

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CROSSINGTHE Upcoming Auctions (Images are courtesy of the respective auction houses unless otherwise noted) BLOCK by Chad Tyson Star Car: 1967 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 at Mecum Louisville SEPTEMBER Auctions America — Auburn Fall 2016 Where: Auburn, IN When: August 31, September 1–4 Featured cars: • 1929 Auburn 8-90 cabriolet • 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator • 1934 Duesenberg Model J berline “The Queen of Diamonds” More: www.auctionsamerica.com Worldwide Auctioneers — The Auburn Auction Where: Auburn, IN When: September 3 Featured cars: • 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 • 1941 Chrysler Town & Country Barrelback wagon More: www.worldwide-auctioneers.com Silver — Sun Valley 2016 Where: Sun Valley, ID When: September 3–4 More: www.silverauctions.com Mecum — Louisville 2016 Where: Louisville, KY When: September 8–10 16 AmericanCarCollector.com Star Car: 1965 Chevrolet Nova “Dobbertin” Pro Street at Leake Detroit Featured cars: • Star Car: 1967 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 • 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 More: www.mecum.com • 1961 Chevrolet Corvette Big-Brake Fuelie J. Wood & Co. — The Mike Harper Collection Where: Greenwood, MO When: September 9 More: www.jwoodandcompany.com Leake — Detroit 2016 Where: Detroit, MI When: September 9–10 Featured cars: • Star Car: 1965 Chevrolet Nova “Dobbertin” Pro Street • 1958 Ford Fairlane Skyliner retractable hard top More: www.leakecar.com • 1965 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, with 396/425, 4-speed • 1956 Oldsmobile 98 Starfire • 1970 Ford Torino King Cobra, 429 CJ V8, 140-mph speedometer • 1929 Stutz Blackhawk roadster, CCCA award winner, formerly of the Harrah Collection

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CROSSINGTHEBLOCK Motostalgia — Watkins Glen USVGP Auction Where: Watkins Glen, NY When: September 10 More: www.motostalgia.com Dan Kruse Classics Where: Austin, TX When: September 10 More: www.dankruseclassics.com VanDerBrink — The Ken Brownlee Collection Where: Smithville, MO When: September 17 Featured cars: • 1966 Shelby GT350, with 289-ci V8, 4-speed More: www.vanderbrinkauctions.com • 1927 Ford Model T touring The Finest — Snowmass Where: Aspen, CO When: September 17 More: www.thefinest.com Silver — Street Vibrations 2016 Where: Reno, NV When: September 22–24 Featured cars: • 1973 Chevrolet Camaro • 1968 Mercury Cougar XR-7 • 1968 Chevrolet Impala More: www.silverauctions.com Tom Mack Classics Where: Concord, NC When: September 22 Featured cars: • 1938 Buick Special sedan • 1960 Chevrolet Impala convertible • 1969 Plymouth Road Runner • 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Z16 VanDerBrink — The Pinkley Collection Where: Blue Eye, MO When: October 1 More: www.vanderbrink.com Bonhams — Preserving the Automobile Where: Philadelphia, PA When: October 3 Featured cars: • 1927 Pierce-Arrow Model 80 sedan • 1913 Ford Model T touring • 1908 Galloway Highwheeler wagon • 1900 Locomobile Steamer More: www.bonhams.com 18 AmericanCarCollector.com More: www.mecum.com • 1955 Willys-Overland pickup • 1971 Dodge Challenger convertible, Pace Car edition, one of 50 Silver Where: Vancouver, WA When: October 8 More: www.silverauctions.com • Star Car: 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle COPO, one of 323, restored in 1998 RM Sotheby’s Where: Hershey, PA When: October 6–7 Featured cars: • 1946 Buick Roadmaster sedanette • 1916 Pierce-Arrow Model 66A-4 touring More: www.rmsothebys.com Vicari Where: Biloxi, MS When: October 6–8 Featured cars: • 1975 Ford Bronco • 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L89, numbers-matching with 4-speed and documentation More: www.vicariauction.com • 1956 Ford Thunderbird More: www.tommackclassics.com/auctions OCTOBER Mecum — Chicago 2016 Where: Schaumburg, IL When: October 6–8 Featured cars: Barrett-Jackson — Las Vegas 2016 Where: Las Vegas, NV When: October 13–15 Featured cars: • Star Car: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible, fewer than 3,500 miles since restoration, from Tammy Allen Collection • 1999 Shelby Series 1 convertible, #144, with less than 400 miles More: www.barrett-jackson.com Branson Where: Branson, MO When: October 14–15 Featured cars: • 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Fuelie convertible More: www.bransonauction.com • 1953 Muntz Jet VanDerBrink — The McAvoy Collection Where: Washington, GA When: October 22 Featured cars: • 1928 Ford custom pickup • 1954 Ford F-600 • 1949 Mercury Eight • 1957 Chevrolet 210 2-door sedan More: www.vanderbrink.com Southern Classic — 44th Semi-annual Music City Classic Where: Murfreesboro, TN When: October 22 More: www.southernclassicauctions.com A • 1937 Cord 812 phaeton, CCCA National Meet first-place winner, from Tammy Allen Collection Star Car: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible from the Tammy Allen Collection at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

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Publisher’s Note Keith Martin CAR COLLECTOR Volume 5, Number 5 September-October 2016 GET IN TOuCh Email: comments@americancarcollector.com Publisher Keith Martin Executive Editor Chester Allen Editor Jim Pickering Art Director Dave Tomaro Digital Media Director Jeff Stites Editor at Large Colin Comer Auction Editor Chad Tyson Data Specialist Chad Taylor Copy Editors Yael Abel, Dave Tomaro Auction Analysts Andy Staugaard Dan Grunwald Pat Campion The Truck Profile on p. 70 takes note of up-and-coming brands, such as this 1949 Dodge B-1-B Ford F150s that you can find in nearly every driveway in America. Studebakers, International Harvesters and Dodges are coming on C strong. Just read this month’s “Reader’s Forum” on p. 44 to find out what other pickup-truck collectors like you are looking for — and willing to pay increasingly big bucks for. Think about getting yours now before their prices start to skyrocket. Shelby Mustangs have always been collectible, but someone paid nearly $160,000 for a ratty barn-find ’66. Our own Colin Comer diagnoses this sale, and takes you through the highs and lows of it. Late-model Corvette ZR1s are starting to hit the auction block — these are true supercars at a fraction of the price of Ferraris. Read John L. Stein’s profile on p. 56 and find out exactly where the market is on these 638-horsepower road monsters. While most of the talk in Monterey will be about million-dollar exotics, Chevrolets, Fords, Dodges and more make up the heart of the American market. In this issue, the ACC experts will let you know exactly what is going on, what you should be looking for, and how much to pay. It’s the perfect companion for Monterey Car Week. When a good buy pops up, we want you to be ready to put your hand up, steal the car and take it home to your garage. See you at the auctions there. A Seeking American Deals in Monterey hances are you are picking up this issue in Monterey, CA. While you’ll be hearing a lot about exotics such as Ferraris and Cobras selling at the big auctions during Car Week, our advice is to keep your eyes on the pickup trucks. And not the run-of-the-mill Chevrolet C10s and Jeremy Da Rosa Adam Blumenthal Michael Leven Cody Tayloe Joe Seminetta Daren Kloes Jeff Trepel Morgan Eldridge Contributors Carl Bomstead Colin Comer John Draneas Michael Pierce Jay Harden Mark Wigginton Jeff Zurschmeide Information Technology Brian Baker SEO Consultant Michael Cottam Advertising and Events Manager Erin Olson Financial Manager Cheryl Ann Cox Advertising Coordinator Jessi Kramer ADVErTISING SALES Advertising Executives Darren Frank darren.frank@AmericanCarCollector.com 877.219.2605 x 214 Cindy Meitle cindy.meitle@AmericanCarCollector.com 877.219.2605 x 213 SuBSCrIPTIONS Customer happiness Specialist Lyndsey Camacho Subscriptions 877.219.2605 x 1 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., M–F service@AmericanCarCollector.com 503.253.2234 fax @AmericanCCMag CORRESPONDENCE Phone 503.261.0555 Fax 503.253.2234 General P.O. Box 4797 Portland, Oregon 97208 FedEx/DHL/UPS 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100 Portland, Oregon 97232 Email help@AmericanCarCollector.com Feedback comments@AmericanCarCollector.com Web www.AmericanCarCollector.com Late-model Corvette Zr1s offer Ferrari performance at a much more affordable price. See p. 56 22 AmericanCarCollector.com American Car Collector magazine (ISSN# 2164-1323) is published bimonthly by Automotive Investor Media Group, 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American Car Collector, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208. The information in American Car Collector magazine is compiled from a variety of reliable sources. However, we disclaim and deny any responsibility or liability for the timeliness, use, interpretation, accuracy and completeness of the information presented. All material, data, formats, and intellectual concepts in this issue © 2016 by American Car Collector, LLC, Automotive Investor Media Group, Inc., and Automotive Investor in this format and any other used by American Car Collector magazine. Copyright registered with the United States copyright office. PRINTED IN USA AMERICAN JOIN US Travis Shetler Jack Tockston Mark Moskowitz Phil Skinner John Boyle Doug Schultz Pierre Hedary Wallace Marx Bob DeKorne Brett Hatfield Larry Trepel B. Mitchell Carlson Ken Gross Tom Glatch John L. Stein Marshall Buck Dale Novak Keith Martin's

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YOUR TURN Tell us what’s on your mind Contact us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208 or online at comments@americancarcollector.com were produced. I must tell you that I see those quite often, especially compared to these trucks. I would appreciate it if you could verify the amounts as well as what you think the future may hold for this little hauler. Also, I am having some serious issues on finding folks that can reproduce the graphics, which will be needed since I plan to repaint sometime this fall. — Jay Parrish, via email Jim Pickering, ACC Editor, responds: Broken Brakes Kudos to ACC for an excellent article on changing out wheel cylinders in the JulyAugust 2016 edition! I have done loads of disc-brake cars, but it has been about 40 years since I’ve done a wheel cylinder rebuild — although it seems that no one rebuilds wheel cylinders any longer. One of the wheel cylinders on my ’65 GT350 began to leak like the proverbial sieve recently. As luck would have it, the July-August edition of ACC arrived at about the same time that my wheel cylinder began to leak. Although I would have attacked the job with the confidence of having done it many times decades before, I greatly appreciated being able to read “GIMME A BRAKE” to knock some of the cobwebs from my 59-year-old memory. As you can see from the attached photo, I was lucky enough to have retained all of the appropriate tools that make the job a real cinch. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I still had a couple of brake-spring pliers in my toolbox — I even found the special tool that is used to remove the brake-shoe retainer spring from the backing-plate pin! Thank you for putting together an ex- ceptionally well-written how-to article. Oh, by the way, I should also mention that the photos that accompanied the article were of superb quality! — Lee Cross, via email Numbers on an Indy Pace Truck? I read your “One to Watch” piece in the July-August issue about the 1993 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Indy Pace Car with great interest. I just acquired a 1993 Chevy Pace Truck 24 AmericanCarCollector.com project. I had just got off a tour of active duty, and I had just sold my ’71 GMC at Barrett Jackson, so I was itching to get something going again. During that time, a friend came across a 1993 Pace Truck. I love this body style and am surprised that it has not taken off yet, especially when thinking of the likes of Van Halen, Boyd Coddington and numerous others who created such a following for these when they were new. The truck was rough from sitting out in the Arizona sun and had over 200k on the clock. Because of that, I had it torn down to the frame, which is getting powder-coated as I write this, and will have it properly restored as we put it together. Many have laughed at me for putting such effort into this truck, but they also laughed when I bought my 1977 Y-82 Trans Am a few years ago. Can you share your insight on this truck? I was told that 1,500 were made — one for each dealership, which to me sounds like the numbers for the Mustang pace car. Your article pointed out that only 633 Camaros I did some digging and surprisingly didn’t come up with a whole lot on these trucks in terms of hard data, but GM has released a complete verified production number of 1,534 out of 74,413 trucks built in ’93. Most were short beds, some were long beds. So while the Camaro is rarer on paper, I do think you’ve got something here, but we’ll get to that in a second. GM had a long history of building not only Indy Pace Cars, but also “Official Trucks” as well — mostly from GMC in the square-body years, known as “Indy Haulers.” I’m sure that with the buzz around the all-new Camaro for ’93, GM wanted to move some pickups as well, which is probably why they featured Chevrolets that year. The trucks themselves had a lot of the same parts as the 454SS, including the sport suspension and color-keyed trim and bumpers. Trucks have been moving up in the marketplace, and with more people now talking about the square (1973–87) years as collectible, there will be a time where even the later trucks, like your ’93, will move up as well. Remember that people didn’t really save these things. They were and have been used as trucks, so the rarity factor, at least through attrition, is in your favor over the Camaro. As for the graphics, I’d suggest hunting an NOS set. I know that’s easier said than done, but it’s the only way you can be sure they’re 100% correct.A

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GOODREADS by Mark Wigginton At some point in his youth, author Charles Morris took the road Total Performers: Ford Drag Racing in the 1960s by Charles Morris, CarTech, 168 pages, $25.45, Amazon then less traveled — he became a Ford fan when all those around him embraced Chevrolet. Reading and dreaming about Fords turned into driving and racing them. The passion never wavered, and Morris brings a deep knowledge base to his examination of 1960s drag racing by the company behind the Total Performance marketing platform. Fresh off the factory ban on racing involvement (which was about as successful as banning passion in a drive-in), Ford started supporting racers, developing engines and helping teams when, as Morris says, drag cars had names. Morris has created a data-rich look at the decade, from the famous Ford dealer Robert Tasca Sr.’s getting into drag racing after getting tired of kids in hot Chevys cruising past his dealership, right through to the successful 428 Cobra Jet Mustangs. It’s a well-researched, detailed look at the period. Lineage: ( Fit and finish: is best) The Definitive Barracuda & Challenger Guide 1970–1974 by Scott Ross, CarTech, 192 pages, $28.67, Amazon Mopar was just a tad late to the pony-car party, but the introduc- tion of the Barracuda and Challenger models kicked that party into high gear. Fast, lightweight and menacing, the Barracuda and Challenger have become highly sought-after collectibles, as well as Boomer memory machines. Scott Ross, former editor of Drive magazine and a selfconfessed Mopar junkie, takes a look at the beginnings, going into some detail about the design, the corporate decisions and engineering struggles, all in service of two models that lasted only four model years and never sold to expectations. But history has a way of sorting out winners and losers, and the Barracuda and Challenger have looked better and better over time. Ross fills the “Definitive Guide” with plenty of data, from build sheets to all the options available, and the stories along the way will help anyone get up to speed if they are considering adding a complete or project car to the garage. It’s not just informative, it’s a good read as well. Lineage: Fit and finish: 26 AmericanCarCollector.com Drivability: Drivability: In a crowded, grassy field of cruise-in cars, why is it that a beauti- fully restored truck stands out so often? Is it ’57 Chevy fatigue, or the brawny appeal of utility? Norm Mort and his photographer son have two new looks at a specific slice of American trucks. It may be a narrow slice, but of more than half the pie, as light trucks consistently outsell passenger cars in the U.S. Mort goes quickly, manufacturer by manufacturer, through the offerings in each decade, and then focuses in more detail on the most important models, with plenty of new and vintage photography. Both decade-specific books are nice, breezy overviews of the truck world, with enough detail for context and enough photos to keep you moving. Lineage: Fit and finish: Drivability: Pontiac Concept And Show Cars by Don Keefe, CarTech, 192 pages, $27.26, Amazon Woulda, shoulda, coulda. That pretty much sums up the big file cabinet full of design exercises, show cars and futuristic follies every car company creates. Pontiac was no differ- ent than the others, except for the involvement of one Harley Earl, the VP of Styling for GM. Earl’s handiwork is all over Pontiac, the GM sub-brand introduced in the ’30s to create gap options for buyers (today’s equivalent is Starbucks, which offers a huge list of offerings to give you essentially the same drinks at a price point that won’t gag you). Don Keefe makes sure the most important of the concepts are covered. There is the Club De Mer, which is the one-finned two-seater from 1956. It’s a handsome package on a short wheelbase, nice enough looking in photos until you learn it was nearly two feet longer than a Miata and 10 inches lower. All the cars are here: the Banshee, the GTO Flammé, the Cirrus, Firebird Pegasus, and the Kamm-tailed Firebird Type K. Reading about and looking at all the wonderful designs, one has to wonder — where has all that brio and futuristic styling gone? Lineage: Fit and finish: Drivability: American 1/2-Ton Pickup Trucks of the 1950s and American 1/2-Ton Pickup Trucks of the 1960s by Norm Mort, Veloce, 112 pages each, $19.55 each, Amazon

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International Scout Encyclopedia by Jim Allen and John Glancy. 384 pages, $75, Octane Press Octane Press recently issued this one-stop source for everything pertaining to the history of the Scout. From initial development through the three major series (1961–64 Scout 80, 1966–71 Scout 800s, and 1971–80 Scout II/Traveler/ Terra), this book goes into great depth on the topic. It even includes a detailed cataloging of limited-production models — easily the most complete source on this aspect that’s ever been compiled into one document. The final chapter covers the Scout’s history in motorsports, and this really shines. Never before has this much of the history of the Scout in competition — primarily in off-road desert racing — ever been assembled in one place. It also has well-detailed appendices, covering research and restoration resources. I will say that the targeted audience here is assumed to bleed Harvester Red, which can be vexing for those not fluent in International trucks. The acronym LST is a great example. Those of us who’ve been around IHs know that it means Line Setting Ticket, and that it’s the build sheet that shows how a particular Scout was made. Those who are new to Scouts likely won’t. The appendix has a section that does a superb job of explaining International’s factory-issued build-out of the vehicle, so newbies to the Scout world will find reading and referencing this book will work best using at least two sets of bookmarks — one for the text and one for the appendix. If you are a Scout owner, or just a Scout fan, this is a must-have book.A Lineage: Fit and finish: Drivability: — B. Mitchell Carlson September-October 2016 27

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PARTSTIME by Chad Tyson New products to modernize your street machine 1932 Ford Truck Grille United Pacific Industries now makes exact-reproduction one- piece, die-stamped steel grilles for 1932 Ford trucks. The cost is $700. Visit www.uapac.com or call 866-327-5288 to get yours. Speedtech Extreme F-Body and X-Body Subframe Speedtech went back to the drawing board for their new ExtReme subframe for first- and second-generation Camaros and 1968–74 Novas. The package includes a fully welded box-style subframe with high-clearance rails, control arms, spindles, hubs, Viking doubleadjustable coil-over shocks, adjustable sway bar and a transmission crossmember to fit most options. Subframes start at $7,199 for either Camaro or Nova. Check them out at speedtechperformance. com. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 This is Continental’s all-season, ultra-high-performance tire. Continental designed these to offer performance in dry, wet or snowy conditions. They go so far as to say this is “the pinnacle of wet traction grip.” Sizes available for wheels from 16 inches all the way up to 22 inches. Speed ratings are either Y or W, so they’re good for most anything far above what’s allowable by law. Pricing depends on size, so head to www.continentaltire.com to find a set that matches your requirements. 1963–65 Plymouth B-Body OE-Style Quarter Panel Belvedere, Fury, Savoy and Satellite owners rejoice! Auto Metal Direct cuts these quarter panels on new tooling, so the lines are sharp, with correct curves and thickness of original panels. Driver’s and passenger’s sides are both available for $649.99, but don’t forget about those truck freight charges. Check www.autometaldirect. com for availability. 28 AmericanCarCollector.com

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COOLSTUFF Put It In a Bubble You just popped for a $10k paint job on your Mopar. How can you keep it safe and clean in your garage? CarCapsule’s what you need. Built of 10mil PVC and fitted with an electric fan that keeps the bubble inflated while also exchanging the air inside, CarCapsule will protect against scratching from bikes, rakes, brooms, etc. It also keeps rodents out and eliminates condensation. Priced according to size and options, starting at $359 from www. carcapsule.com Cheap Protection Consider for a second that you driving around in a valuable old car with old wiring and maybe some old fuel components, too. This $69.97 polished fire extinguisher from H3R Performance is small enough to mount someplace inconspicuous and nice enough to show off out in the open. Wherever you stick it, just get one and keep it onboard. Get it from www.summitracing. com by Jim Pickering Light Where You Want It Who has three hands and Start It Up Fire up your new or rebuilt engine before you drop it into your car with a Custom Series Easy-Run Engine Test Stand. Built to save you money by using some of the components you probably already have, this made-in-the-USA unit lets you break in a cam, search for leaks and make all those little engine adjustments without worrying about your fender paint or underhood detailing. Prices start at $995 from www.easy-run.net DESKTOPCLASSICS by Marshall Buck 1963 Cobra 289 roadster This Cobra model is an oldie, but a superb one. I have yet to find an overall better model of a 289 roadster. This one, along with numerous other road and competition versions, was produced by Exoto, which is known for great diecast models but poor customer service. Overall stance and proportions are excellent, and there is truly a wealth of detail everywhere, from full underside to an excellent and complete engine bay and interior. Working features are extensive. All panels open, delicate prop rods work, as do steering and suspension. Even the gas cap flips open. Wheel and tire detail is all there — separate valve stems, emblems on the knockoffs, golden brake calipers, correct tire treads and sidewalls. 30 AmericanCarCollector.com Detailing Scale: 1:18 Available colors: Blue metallic plus many other colors Quantity: Estimated 2,000 of each road version; approximately 18,000 total Price: $275–$600 (eBay) Production date: 2003 Web: www.exoto.com Ratings Detailing: Accuracy: Overall quality: Overall value: is best can see in the dark? Nobody. But you’ll feel like you do with this Slim LED Work Light from Griot’s Garage. It comes with a magnetic swivel ball-joint base, offers variable-intensity adjustment and is rechargeable. It’s also small enough to stay out of your way while you’re working under the hood. $59.99 from www.griotsgarage.com

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SNAPSHOTS Putting the “T” in Competition TWENTY MODEL TS RUN FLAT-OUT ACROSS 500 MILES OF MONTANA ROADS The cars are flagged out at one-minute intervals, and passing someone is a sign — however slow — of progress Story and photos by John Boyle F or 56 years, the Montana Cross Country T Association has sponsored the Montana 500 — a timed race for Ford Model Ts. Simply put, it covers 500 miles in several stages over three days. Think of it as the Mille Miglia for the average guy. With association dues only $10 per year and entry fees just $35, there is no prize money. But winners hold on to the traveling trophy for a year, and that, along with bragging rights, makes competition keen. Getting serious Montana State Rep. Mike Cuffe entered his well- worn black roadster pickup. “It’s a friendly competition, but beneath the surface it can get serious. It’s an honor to win and a real challenge in driving and car setup.” Multiple winner and current race association president Tom Carnegie jokes that his usually easygoing nature changes during a run, “I turn into a total jerk.” Despite that self-criticism, he’s not above loaning parts and repair advice to fellow competitors. This year, the racers returned every night to Dillon, a farming community on I-15, not far from Yellowstone Park. The course changes yearly, sometimes on twolane roads, other times on the Interstate. The Interstate routes are favored by many competitors in offering easier passing (for racers and the public), wide shoulders, and the chance to run the cars at maximum speed. That point is somewhat relative, given the fact that Model Ts, even in race trim, are developing just over 20 hp and the cars top out in the mid-50-mph range. In short, race as hard as you like; you’re unlikely to break the state’s 80-mph speed limit. 34 AmericanCarCollector.com Past winner Nan robinson’s yellow roadster — minus side curtains, her next winter project to improve aerodynamics

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SNAPSHOTS 2016 winner Tom Carnegie waits to be flagged out Making a T racer Race rules are reasonably simple. Cars must have factory-style bodies (no light- weight aftermarket speedsters), as well as stock engine blocks, transmissions and axle ratios. Engine internals are balanced and modified cams are the norm. Like stock T engines, the racing units seem to be nearly bulletproof, with most technical issues stemming from the stock coil-ignition and timing systems. To make sure everything is stock, the winning car is stripped down after the race. While not much can be done to resolve the cars’ brick-like shape, one thing did improve aerodynamics. “All the cars that passed me today had side curtains, so that’s my next project. It might add a couple of miles per hour,” said Nan Robinson, 14-race veteran and past winner. Russell Hanna from Spokane, WA, was new to the event. A longtime Model A driver, he’s a customer of Carnegie’s Antique Auto Ranch, an early-Ford restoration and parts supplier. “Tom said I needed a T and loaned me this one [a race-prepped ’23 roadster]. “There was a bit of a learning curve,” Hanna admits, “It makes my ‘A’ feel like a Cadillac.” Keeping it running Retired Montana bridge engineer Tony Cervoski was in the top five after the first day before taking a young Ohio man as a passenger. “An extra 150 pounds in a 20-horsepower car is a pretty big deal, so I took 70 pounds of tools and spares out of the trunk. So it was about a 100-pound net weight gain,” he explained. Why did he do it? “This young guy is building a car. I did it to hopefully deliver a new competitor. I want to keep the race going.” Despite the weight handicap, Cervoski finished in 5th place. After three days, 553 miles and just over 10 hours of timed racing, the time spread between the first three cars was 3:56… and less than a third of a mile per hour. Eighteen of the 20 cars finished. Tom Carnegie took home the trophy for the sixth time, with an average speed of www.antiqueautoranch.com.A 36 AmericanCarCollector.com 54.98 mph. Newcomer Hanna finished a respectable 12th. He said he’ll be spending the winter building a car for next year’s race. “I want to build a winning car to my tastes… I’m hoping for a cold winter so I can get it done.” For more information, including 2017 dates when they become available, go to Participants are not without a sense of humor Dennis Powers, 2nd-place finisher in 2015 and ’16, adds oil to his roadster

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WRENCHINGHOW-TO RETRO LOOKS ... ... MODERN SOUND BRING YOUR CLASSIC INTO THE 21st CENTURY WITH A HIDDEN BLUETOOTH STEREO SYSTEM by Jim Pickering and Chad Tyson radio. They just look right — better than a modern LED plastic piece that would be out of place in an otherwise OEM interior. Sure, there are some replacement modern systems that look stock-ish, but one of those is not exactly the same thing as an original unit — especially if you’re showing your car. Not to mention the fact that some original radios are odd sizes that aren’t currently supported in the aftermarket. So what do you do? The answer to the problem comes in the form of a Bluetooth unit C from Out of Sight Audio — keep that OE AM radio, but add on a separate, completely hidden unit that functions through a wireless connection to your smartphone. It’s slick, invisible and simple. Auction Editor Chad Tyson just picked up a farm-fresh 1963 Ford F100 Unibody with a broken original AM radio, so we converted it using a hidden Mark III stereo head unit from Out of Sight Audio. 38 AmericanCarCollector.com lassic cars and music go hand-in-hand. What fun is driving your ’57 Chevy without Buddy Holly, or your ’65 Mustang without the Beach Boys, or your ’70 Charger without the Stones? Chances are your classic car still has its original AM here’s everything we used, including the Out of Sight Audio unit, the Cirkit Boss wiring kit and assorted accessories Because this rig has already had some wiring “modifications” over the years, we also opted to install a Painless Cirkit Boss kit, which is an add-on stand-alone fuse panel that takes power right from the battery and provides four keyed and three constant hot 12-volt sources. No load on the original harness, no cutting up the dash for an aftermarket stereo. Here’s how quick and easy getting modern sound from your vintage car can be.

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PARTS LIST: OUT OF SIGHT AUDIO (www.outofsightaudio.com) Mark III Head Unit, $319.99 SUMMIT RACING (www.summitracing.com) P/N C7AZ-18808-DVCA, Scott Drake stereo dash speaker, $53.06 P/N 70207, Painless Performance Cirkit Boss Auxiliary Fuse Block, $95.99 P/N 8136PT, Pico Speaker Wire, $4.97 NAPA (www.napaonline.com) P/N 785300 Belkin 18-gauge wire (blue), $7.49 P/N 785306 Belkin 18-gauge wire (black), $7.49 P/N 03615 3M double-sided molding tape, $6.63 TIME SPENT: Hour and a half DIFFICULTY: J (J J J J J is toughest) 1 Step one is locating a good spot for the Cirkit Boss fuse panel. You don’t absolutely need to use one of these units, but it’s a great idea if you’re planning on adding other accessories in the future, or if you’re skeptical about mess- ing with your car’s original wiring. We found a good, accessible spot under the dash near the clutch pedal. 3 The Cirkit Boss kit is a stand-alone unit, drawing power through a heavy-gauge wire directly from the battery. It does, however, need a 12-volt keyed ignition source to use as a trigger. Using a test light, we found a fuse that’s hot with the key, and using the supplied fuse tap, plugged into it. We then cut the pink trigger wire to length, installed a female crimp connector on it, and plugged it in. 2 using the supplied ¼-inch self-tapping screws, we installed the panel to the firewall. Drilling pilot holes with a small bit first can make quick work of the job — but be aware of what’s on the other side of wherever you’re drilling. Also note that one of these mounting screws serves as the unit’s ground. 4 The kit comes with a circuit breaker to mount near the battery. We found a spot on the firewall, and using two more selftapping nuts, installed it. (Note the farm-engineered bungee cord battery hold-down Chad keeps saying he’s going to replace.) September-October 2016 39

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WRENCHINGHOW-TO 6 5 After running the red main power wire through an existing grommet on the firewall, we fed it through the original wiring harness retainers over to the breaker. The kit comes with the proper wire ends to fit over the breaker studs, complete with waterproof heat-shrink ends to keep out mois- ture. We cut the wire to length, crimped on the end, and installed it using the supplied 3/8-inch nuts. 7 We then ran another short length to the positive terminal of the battery, and using the ends supplied with the kit, bolted it all together. We also zip-tied the new feed wire to the positive battery cable, just to clean things up a bit. 8 10 Stereo time! Chad’s Ford was missing its original speaker, but the AM radio was still in place. To get to the speaker’s mounting location, we pulled the original stereo out of the dash and set it aside. 11 40 AmericanCarCollector.com After measuring the original speaker-mounting holes, we ordered up a new speaker from Summit Racing. This speaker is actually a stereo unit, featuring both a left and right input for stereo sound from the original mono AM speaker location. using a test light, we checked to make sure the system had power — 12-volts constant hot on the constant-marked wires and 12-volts keyed hot on the ignition-marked wires. 9 We wrapped up the wires we were not intending to use and tucked them out of the way — you can also pull the fuses on whatever you’re not using right away, just to be safe. We’ll be using the blue keyed-hot wire to power the new stereo.

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WRENCHINGHOW-TO 12 After installing both left and right speaker wires, we fed the new speaker up into the original location and installed it using the supplied mounting hardware. We then reinstalled the original speaker grille on the dash. 13 The best part about Out of Sight Audio’s unit is flexibility of mounting. It can go pretty much anywhere, as long as your Bluetooth device is no more than about three feet from it during operation. We elected to slide ours in the glovebox for easy access for later upgrades. This unit can power four 75-watt speakers and has two pre-amp outputs to power more speakers or a subwoofer. It can also be used in line with your original stereo system, adding Bluetooth to the factory system. 15 14 After picking our mounting location, we ran wires directly to the head unit. In our case, wiring was simple: power (blue), ground (black), right channel and left channel. The stereo uses a cool plug with a screw clamp for each wire. Installation is easy thanks to a numbered chart printed on top of the head unit. After cutting each wire to length and installing them in the plug, we then used 3M doublesided emblem tape to affix the stereo to the inside of the glovebox. 16 Lastly, we reinstalled the original AM radio for a stock look. As you can see, nothing looks out of place — no visible speakers, no visible head unit. Aside from the add-on seat cover, a floor mat, and some dirt and remnants of hay still stuck in the carpets, this thing looks time-warp 1963. 42 AmericanCarCollector.com stock. 17 A using the new stereo is as simple as this: Turn on the ignition, sync your device to the “OOSA” Bluetooth connection, and start playing music. All the controls for volume are done via your phone, as is selecting whatever you want to hear from Pandora, iTunes, iHeartRadio, etc. Best of all, everything looks 100%

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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 Buying a Classic Truck Here’s this month’s Reader’s Forum question, submitted by Tom N.: I’m looking at buying a classic truck. Something 1960 or newer. The market on this stuff seems to have really taken off lately. What’s the best value in terms of usability and return on investment? Ford? Chevy? Mopar? International? Readers respond: I’d look at 1973–79 Chevy/GMCs with flat hoods and round head- lights. Love the 1967–72 trucks, but they’re too pricey to “use.” Here in Montana all other brands do not seem to appreciate like the Chevys no matter how nice they might be. The Chevy parts are always cheaper and available. — Dan Burdick, via email n n n 1956 Ford or GMC or Chevy, but go with the big-rear-window models. Some mild upgrades are okay (brakes, PS, etc.) but stock or nearly stock appearance is the key. — Mike Storm, via email n n n I don’t think you can go wrong with a short-bed Chevy C10. 1970 is my favorite year. I’d “pick up” a blue-and-white unit with CST trim, 350 and Turbo-Hydramatic. — Ken Lawyer, via email n n n 1970–72 Chevrolet short-box two-wheel or four-wheel drive. You can’t go wrong. These will go to the moon in the near future, and finding a good one is not the problem — it’s just a matter of money. You get what you pay for, and remember you can never pay too much for a nice classic! Great paint jobs are $5,000 to $10,000 and more. — Arvid W., via email n n n Well, first off, ’60s is not classic. But if you could find a rust-free Mopar mid-’60s, I think you can’t go wrong, as everybody is most 44 AmericanCarCollector.com likely promoting GM or Ford, and as you can see, the market is jammed with these. Get something that you don’t see often — Mark Les, Alsip, IL n n n Almost any from 1960 to 1972 — particularly those from GM. Of course big blocks, 4x4s and anything specially optioned. Also short-bed stepside V8s — classic looks and rarer due to attrition. The pickup truck thing has a good upside. — Scott Holtz, via email n n n I‘m a truck collector, and you are right that we are certainly seeing an upswing in many models. The early Ford Broncos have just rocketed over the past few years far beyond anyone’s imagination, with Dodge Power Wagons trailing quickly along. I recommend that, regardless of manufacturer, you go with some- thing of lower production and that’s slightly different. For example, the Dodge Li’l Red Express series from 1978 and 1979 are still very affordable but inching up in value. Same for many mid- to late-’50s trucks by GMC and Dodge. While higher on the average price, the GM 4x4 trucks from NAPCO are really great trucks if you can find one. They’ve seen an appreciable increase in value, and I continue to see very nice examples bringing far above average market, with plenty of examples out there. Regardless of make, the parts for most trucks are easy to come by and if you’re a shade trade mechanic, it’s easy enough to do most work on them yourself. As to usability — heck, any truck with a bed is usable! Just make sure to protect that bed paint! — Christopher H. McDonald, Sandy Springs, GA n n n As a dealer, I find square-body GMs (1973–87) are the best value for resale and support. Getting parts for Mopars and Fords is much more difficult, especially when it comes to trim pieces. — Pete Mansolillo, via email n n n Buy 1957–59 Chevy/GM factory NAPCO 4WD pickups. Great style, rugged performance. Relative rarity. — Kerry Bonner, via email

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n n n Usability? No classic truck is suitable for all-around use. Most trucks that are shown and cruised aren’t used for work. For the ’60s, Chevys seem to be the most popular for cruising. There are rare gems that are great investments. In ’64 and ’65, Dodge offered a High Performance option on their pickups with a 426 Wedge. It is so rare I can’t find it listed on any of the value guides I use. Military-type Dodge Power Wagons are very hot with collectors. From an investment standpoint, I would consider early to mid-’50s Fords and Chevys. The Chevy Cameo is very collectible, as is its sister and more rare GMC Suburban Carrier. Early Ford pickups have the desirability of also having a flathead V8. The one-year design of the ’56 Ford pickup is also very popular. — Rick Gaskill, Hartford, KY n n n A Chevy Silverado truck from the ’70s or ’80s, well equipped with working a/c and 350-inch motor, a true original, perhaps with 4WD, is a good bet. I like silver (perhaps red or dark green) with leather seating and a number of power assists and trim-piece options from the factory. A matching tonneau cover with a black bed liner for protection is a good addition. — Warren, via email n n n Personally, I think they’re all going to increase in value. A ’63 Chevrolet 10 was our only vehicle for a time back in the ’70s. I now own a ’64 fleetside and a ’66 stepside — both are bone-stock and a blast to drive, and they bring back lots of memories. You should buy the model that you like or have a connection to and have fun with it. Get the best quality that you can afford. Both of my classic trucks have been solid investments, although I did not buy them to make money. I have owned a good number of classic cars, and from a financial standpoint, the worst case was break-even. I am a Chevy guy, but I do not think any of the classics from the different manufacturers will be a disappointment; however, from an investment standpoint, I think what was popular and good-looking back in the day will hold true today. My mid-’60s trucks get as much attention around town as my Rick Nelson concours-restored 1970 Chevelle LS6, which I drive. Go for it; it’s a lot of fun, and you will most likely make a profit when you decide to sell. — John Ginger, via email n n n My daily driver is a low-mile 1990 Ford Bronco XLT. It has a four-inch lift and correspondingly larger wheels and tires. It’s in great shape, has a/c, power windows, power locks, a decent stereo, and is moderately comfortable. Not a day goes by that I am not complimented on my truck. I bought it a year ago for $15k, and I have turned down a recent offer of $22k. I intend to drive it for a few more months, then park it in a warehouse. It has been a great truck, easy to use, and will have a decent return. My vote for classic truck? Any of the full-size, 2-door SUVs from the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. I think the early Broncos are priced out for investment, but the 1978–96 models still have potential. I think the same of the Chevy Blazer/GMC Jimmy and the Dodge Ramcharger/Plymouth Trailblazer. There are still rust-free, low-mile examples to be had for reasonable money, making for decent investments that can still be enjoyed. — Brett Hatfield, via emailA “Not a day goes by that I am not complimented on my truck. I bought it a year ago for $15k, and I have turned down a recent offer of $22k” Brett hatfield’s 1990 Ford Bronco XLT September-October 2016 45

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Cheap Thrills B. Mitchell Carlson MAKING IT PERSONAL A PINTO CRUISING WAGON COULD ONLY HAVE HAPPENED IN THE ’70s, WHEN THE “ME GENERATION” INSPIRED FORD TO GO FREE-WHEELIN’ A period brochure (right) illustrates some 1980 model options; below, a 1977 Cruising Wagon at auction Cheap Thr Cheap Thr lls B. Mitchell Carlson MAKING IT PERSONAL A PINTO CRUISING WAGON COULD ONLY HAVE HAPPENED IN THE ’70s, WHEN THE “ME GENERATION” INSPIRED FORD TO GO FREE-WHEELIN’ A pe ap Thrills B. Mitchell Carlson MAKING IT PERSONAL A PINTO CRUISING WAGON COULD ONLY HAVE HAPPENED IN THE ’70s, WHEN THE “ME GENERATION” INSPIRED FORD TO GO FREE-WHEELIN’ A period brochure (right) illustrates some 1980 model options; below, a 1977 Cruising Wagon at auction Van Van modifications were bound only by the owner’s imagination or p Thrills B. Mitchell Carlson MAKING IT PERSONAL A PINTO CRUISING WAGON COULD ONLY HAVE HAPPENED IN THE ’70s, WHEN THE “ME GENERATION” INSPIRED FORD TO GO FREE-WHEELIN’ A period brochure (right) illustrates some 1980 model options; below, a 1977 Cruising Wagon at auction Van modifications were bound only by the owner’s imagination or bank bank account, with mild to wild paint or vinyl graphics, customized interiors from plain to over-the-top faux luxury, aftermarket porthole windows, and the gamut of aftermarket wheels. In a few instances, engine performance was beefed up, but by and large, the van movement was about making a visual statement. Like most personalized vehicle trends, Vannin’ was initially looked down upon — especially with the overall perception (and occasional reality) of custom vans being rolling bordellos. Yet by the mid-1970s, Detroit started to embrace them. By 1976, the Big Three all had various van upgrade packages — and even builder packages that got you a bare-and-ready unit to personalize as you pleased. A new economy-size street van Ford’s vehicle personalization marketing effort at the time was called “Free Wheelin’.” Started in 1976, it focused on light trucks, but also on more affordable car lines for younger buyers. They offered a 46 AmericanCarCollector.com Cheap Thr Cheap Thr Cheap Thr Cheap Thr p Thrills B. Mitchell Carlson MAKING IT PERSONAL A PINTO CRUISING WAGON COULD ONLY HAVE HAPPENED IN p Thrills B. Mitchell Carlson MAKING IT PERSONAL A PINTO CRUISING WAGON COULD ONLY HAVE HAPPENED IN THE ’70s, WHEN THE “ME GENERATION” INSPIRED FORD TO GO FREE-WHEELIN’ A period brochure (right) illustrates some 1980 model options; below, a 1977 Cruising Wagon at auction Van modifications were bound only by the owner’s imagination or bank account, with mild to wild paint or vinyl graphics, customized interiors from plain to over-the-top faux luxury, aftermarket porthole windows, and the gamut of aftermarket wheels. In a few instances, engine performance was beefed up, but by and large, the van move- ment was about making a visual statement. Like most personalized vehicle trends, Vannin’ was initially looked down upon — especially with the overall perception (and occasional reality) of custom vans being rolling bordellos. Yet by the mid-1970s, Detroit started to embrace them. By 1976, the Big Three all had various van upgrade packages — and even builder packages that got you a bare-and-ready unit to personalize as you pleased. A new economy-size street van Ford’s vehicle personalization marketing effort at the time was called “Free Wheelin’.” Started in 1976, it focused on light trucks, but also on more affordable car lines for younger buyers. They offered a 46 AmericanCarCollector.com ages ages for personalized-looking pickups, vans and cars as inspiration for a new owner of a Mustang, Maverick or Pinto. It was the latter that got more traction, as one of the concepts was a Pinto MPG wagon with blocked-out rear-quarter windows and a very trendy custom van porthole window added. This piqued the interest of the customer base, and Ford decided to move the custom van trend down to their economy car. For 1977, Ford introduced the “mini street van” Pinto Cruising Wagon. It was a near copycat of an Econoline Cruising Van introduced the same year. Both featured silver paint with matte black side-panel inserts, bordered by red, orange and yellow stripes. And of course, they had glass bubble porthole rear-quarter windows. The Pinto Cruising Wagon came with front spoiler, sport mirrors and styled steel wheels. On the inside, it was only available with high-back bucket seats — in either standard full vinyl or with woven insets — and with the Sports Rally package trim and gauge pack,

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plus fully carpeted floor and rear-compartment sides. In addition to the full-monty two-tone, the Cruising Wagon was also available in single-color paint with a more low-key complementing striping and graphics. You could also get it sans graphics in one solid color. Engines and transmissions were standard Pinto — 89-hp 2.3L 4-cylinder or the optional 93-hp 2.8L V6. The Pinto carried on into Detailing Years produced: 1976–80 Number produced: 224,723 (all 1977–80 Pinto wagons) Original list price: $4,517 Current ACC Valuation: Median to date, $4,620; high sale, $10,500 Clubs: Pinto Car Club of America Engine # location: Label on the driver’s forward side of the valve cover Tune-up cost: $150 Distributor cap: $12 VIN location: Base of the windshield frame on the driver’s side Web: www.fordpinto.com and pintocarclub.com/pintopage/ index.htm Alternatives: 1970–77 Chevrolet Vega Kammback wagon, 1976–79 AMC Gremlin Levi’s Edition, 1976–77 AMC Pacer Levi’s Edition ACC Investment Grade: C 1978 with minimal changes, including the Cruising Wagon. For 1979, the car got a new front fascia and bolder taillights, giving it a bulkier look. All of the body styles carried over, although the Cruising Wagon was now referred to as the “Pinto Wagon with Cruising Package.” Now with only one graphics package, it retained the matte black door frames and side panels and now had all blacked-out trim. The vinyl graphics were now more of a rainbow motif and had wider side panels. The graphics-free Cruising Package (now with a $55 tape-stripe-delete credit) also changed to blackened trim, plus was narrowed down to one of only five color choices. End of the line With the controversy surrounding the Pinto’s easily ruptured fuel tanks (a non-issue with wagons, as they were better protected from the day they were introduced in 1972) and its replacement “world car” Escort one year out, Ford rolled out even more trim and graphics packages in 1980 to keep the Pinto fresh to the buying public. The Cruising Package once again got revised graphics on the upper rear-quarter panels around the porthole window. There was also a new one-year-only Rallye Pack, which was essentially a Cruising Wagon package with graphics from the also new Rallye Pack runabout. The no-graphics Cruising Package also continued — “the quiet version,” per Ford’s PR department, which also got you a $70 credit. When the Escort did arrive in 1981, it offered a wagon, but with five doors. It was a new day for Ford, a clean sheet with front-wheel drive, a new name, and no vestiges of “Cruising”— or even sporty. Cruising into the 21st century Over the past decade, Pintos have seen a renewed cult following, although some of the revised interest goes back to over a decade ago when 1970s “nerd cars” started coming into vogue. Pinto wagons were insanely popular when they were new (the Pinto Squire was the most popular of all Ford wagons in 1974, at 237,934 units sold). Pinto enthusiasts today also tend to focus on the wagons. Today, 1977 and ’78 silver and black full-graphics-package cars seem to surface regularly, as those were a popular dealer-ordered item to put on the showroom floor to generate traffic. While Ford’s attempt at making the compact wagon into a com- pact custom van trend petered out, it still did well enough to stay until the bitter end. Today, they are seeing increased interest — and prices — as one of the more odd examples of a most odd decade. A September-October 2016 47

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Horsepower Colin Comer REQUIEM for the Car Club ? HAS A VIRTUAL WORLD RUINED THE WAY CAR PEOPLE INTERACT? Who’s going to fill those empty chairs in the future? car world in the mid-1980s, and if you compare the three decades since, I think we’d all agree the world changed a lot more between 1985 and 2015 than it did between 1955 and 1985. Hogwash? (Sorry, old-guy term.) Let me point out what I base I that conclusion on: Think about what changed in cars and technology during those two periods. Analog era From 1955 to 1985, we gained radial tires, seat belts and superior performance. But even in 1985 the vast majority of new cars still had 48 AmericanCarCollector.com like to think I’m not getting old, but unless I stop looking in mirrors (and change my diet to 100% Ibuprofen), I can’t help but face the fact that I am. Along with that, I suppose, comes the responsibility to bitch about how much better it was in “the old days.” Now, let me clarify, I’m not that old. But I did enter the collector carburetors. We still all used telephones, or the USPS, or actually got up to go out and visit with friends. If you wanted to watch a TV show, you had to be home at the time it aired. Tuning your car consisted of points, plugs, maybe some Mallory or Holley parts from the local speed shop, and a day in the garage with at least two friends. Our quest for knowledge led us to the library to pore over smelly old Motor shop manuals or to pick the brain of the “old-timers” at the service station. From 1985 to 2015, it would be easier to list what stayed the same. Some cars are driving themselves, and a lot of others don’t even have engines. Most people no longer have a landline phone in their home. We have the Internet and carry it with us. The USPS? Only if we have to. “Tuning” your car involves plugging in a thing to a receptacle under your dash. You don’t even have to open the hood! And we quickly pull up a how-to video on our phone if we have a problem. Don’t get me wrong; this tech is fascinating, even if I don’t fully

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understand it all. But I do miss one thing it is erasing: the local car club scene. Learning by doing When I was a teenager, I joined every local club I could. My two favorites were the MG and Alfa Romeo owners’ clubs. The MG guys had awesome garage tours and road rallies. The Alfa club did much of the same but also had regularly scheduled tech sessions to help members fix their cars. That was great for me because I had an old Alfa that I knew nothing about. I also had none of the right tools to fix it. The Saab club held ice races in the winter. I learned more about car control there than anywhere else before or since — and no, they didn’t care that I never brought a Saab. During the other three seasons, the Corvette Club held gymkha- nas — now known as autocrosses — and no, I didn’t own a Corvette either, but they didn’t care. When these clubs weren’t getting together to do “car stuff,” they were socializing. Organized cookouts and dining-out events were a regular thing. Most clubs had a volunteer staff that would distribute a monthly newsletter with event schedule, and we all set our calendars around it. However, more important than any of the driving or tech stuff were the friendships. For a young guy just starting out, I couldn’t have met a better group of folks. No matter the club, it seems we all had one common interest: hanging out with other people who liked old cars, and helping each other. When you were in, you were part of a group that took care of its own. The old guys would teach the young guys what they could, loan tools, and usually come up with those elusive parts you needed from their stash. Looking back, I realize I caught this phenomenon just in time. The days of kids like me driving old cars because they were cool, cheap transportation were soon gone. I became great friends with most of the “old guys,” and the lessons they taught me, about cars and otherwise, have proven invaluable in my life. Sadly, most of these guys are gone now. A different world I suppose I’m now one of the “old guys.” But the local club scene is on life support. No kids I know of have old cars they want to learn how to work on themselves. Heck, most don’t care about cars at all. Few, if any, people are using old cars as daily drivers. Gone is the uncertainty of making it somewhere and the sense of accomplishment when you do, and wanting to see how many of your friends can do the same. Our world, for the most part, has gone virtual. Internet forums. Digital clubs. Kids more worried about Pokémon Go than messing around with old cars or hanging out with the old guys who know about them. Is there a fix? I think so, and it’s pretty simple. Support the local chapter of your national club. Join others, too. Attend the events. Help with the newsletters. Find, or create, a local cruise night and get a group to attend it. Get a bunch of your friends together, clean out your garages and have a car-part yard sale. Organize a local garage or shop tour a few times a year, some driving tours, tech sessions, a regular burger run or even a gymkhan… wait, I mean autocross. We all need to connect more outside of the Internet. Inspire each other to use and have fun with our cars. Most importantly, welcome the newbies no matter what they drive. They are the future, and it’s our job to make sure that 30 years from now, there is still an old-car hobby for one of them to write about. A September-October 2016 49

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Market Buys Jim Pickering BUY IT NOW THREE VEHICLES TO PURCHASE IN TODAY’S MARKET — AND WHY 1967–72 Chevrolet Truck Old trucks are hot, and these are among the hottest. But GM made a bunch of them, so supply is good. There is still a wide value margin between projects and complete trucks, and parts availability is a non-issue. Find a bone-stock $15k truck with good options and a few needs, put $3k or so into it, and you can get $20k-plus at sale time. 1987–93 Ford Mustang 5.0 Cars from the 1980s and 1990s are gaining strength. 5.0 Mustangs defined affordable performance in their era, and the cars with the aero noses, built 1987–93, are the ones to get. Find a stock example with low-ish miles for under $15k. It will go up in value. 2003–04 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra These things aren’t called “Terminators” for nothing. This is the high-water mark of the Coletti/Moss performance wars, with big power from a shrieking supercharged 4.6 DOHC V8. Only about 18,000 were built, and they’ve never been cheap, which probably means they never will be. $25k gets you a good one, and your money’s safe there. 52 AmericanCarCollector.com

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LASTIC FANTASTIC Courtesy of PLASTIC FANTASTIC Courtesy of Auctions America The sculptural curves of the 1953 through ’55 Corvettes would have been difficult to achieve in period by shaping metal BY MISSION, MOTIVE OR OPPORTUNITY, CORVETTE WAS NEVER WATERED DOWN LIKE A CHEAP WHISKEY ON BOURBON STREET F or an English major, I sure did lousy in Ye Olde English Literature. Byron, Keats, Milton and the rest seemed unbearably stuffy compared to my favorite authors of the period — the editors of Hot Rod, Road & Track and Car and Driver — in particular, Brock Yates. But one poet did come up with two lines that have stayed with me: “Oh, do not ask, ‘What is it?’” wrote T.S. Eliot. “Let us go and make our visit.” The critical thinking behind those words burrowed into my head like a deer tick and made me realize that as we wander through life, there’s no substitute for understanding the subject matter. Recently a thought connecting classic Corvettes and T.S. Eliot caromed into my brain, leading to a question: What is a 1953–82 Corvette exactly, and what makes it so special compared to the thousands of other car models running around the planet over the past 63 years? Let us go and make our visit. Rapid recognition Since the first ’53 rolled out of the Flint, MI, factory, Corvettes have never looked like any other car. Was that a Tempest or LeMans? Ya got me. Ditto for a Riviera or a Monte Carlo, a Pinto or a Bobcat, and a ’Cuda or a Challenger. It’s a point of pride to be able to pick out the subtleties that distinguish the early Corvette model years, and many do look similar. But there’s no mistaking they’re Corvettes. Sure, some generations were a bit quiet. But altogether over time, Corvette wins big points for holding a hammerlock on unique. Freaking fiberglass In 1953, fiberglass was avant-garde stuff. Utilized by a few boat builders and small-volume car manufacturers like Glasspar, this new composite expanded the complexity of shapes that could be economi- 54 AmericanCarCollector.com cally formed. Think of the taillight nacelles on a 1953–55 Corvette. With their tight compound curves, they would be almost impossible to stamp in body-gauge steel, and too expensive to form by hand or cast in metal. But in fiberglass? Simple. And so this wonder material allowed Corvette to take shape, and thereafter gain fame in a way that steel would have not permitted. On the downside, as time passed, fiberglass also gained a reputation as a lowbrow material in some quarters, utilized as it was by kit-car companies. Not-so-classy chassis In some ways, the passenger-car steel ladder frame and suspen- sion that underpinned early Corvettes seemed like a cheap trick. The heavy-hitter sports car companies like Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Maserati, Shelby and the like used racing-derived tubular steel frames. And what did Corvette get? A pressed-steel assembly festooned with welds, gussets and tabs and looking like something to roll parts around the assembly line, rather than the esteemed product of that assembly line. For its time, the early Corvettes’ raucous performance and dy- namic styling more than overcame their common frame and suspension designs. Although independent rear suspension added panache in 1963, the fundamental underpinnings of the Corvette endured for 30 model years. Meanwhile, cars like the Jaguar E-type, Porsche and even pony cars offered unit-body construction. However, then and now, a real positive for the C1, C2 and C3 Corvette generations is that they’re as sturdy as trucks. As they should be, because they were engineered like them. Point earned after all. Pushrods R Us How much do purists love their iron-block Chevy V8s? Tons. As

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proof, the exotic aluminum DOHC 32-valve LT5 ZR-1 that debuted for 1990 failed to ring sales bells all that loudly. And so while there’s nothing particularly exotic about a cast-iron block and heads, a single camshaft, eight valves, a carburetor and cast-iron manifolds, that combination just flat worked. The Chevrolet engineers who extracted ever more power out of this basic concept were nothing short of miracle workers. Their contributions — mechanical fuel injection, aluminum heads, advanced port shapes and cam profiles — kept the engine running ahead of competitive foreign companies. So while the age-old cast-iron pushrod Corvette V8 is not exotic, it is highly vaunted. Two seats only Despite the fact that John Hiatt’s “Thunderbird” might just be the best car ballad ever created, from a purity standpoint Ford mismanaged the flight of the ’Bird. A 2-passenger convertible for three years only, it then evolved to include rear seating, grew consistently bigger and fatter, and then ultimately got terminated… only to return as an amorphous blob. That’s the long way of saying that Corvette’s stewards aced it by conceiving and then defending the car’s two-seater status for six decades. By mission, motive or opportunity, Corvette was never watered down like a cheap whiskey on Bourbon Street. Props to the chops. Always be racing Numerous American car divisions have been involved in racing over the years, but how many of their models have competed for a half-century or more? Actually, there are a few, including Corvette, Mustang and Camaro. But only Corvette has conquered Daytona, Sebring and Le Mans. Add in ongoing and considerable accomplishments in amateur racing, and Corvette’s competition pedigree is secure. High production, no problem The Corvette market is a fascinating case study of supply and demand. On the supply side, some 1.6 million have been built over 63 years, so as a marque they are not in the least bit scarce. And with over 716,500 cars built from 1953 to ’82, the early solid-axle, midyear and shark generations are also plentiful (with obvious exceptions such as the 1953 roadsters and various rare RPOs). The good news with such ample production is that almost everyone can come to the party. The bad news is that everyone is already at the party. Fortunately, it’s a nice, big, festive one. Lucky in longevity As suggested above, a car nameplate surviving and thriving for 63 years is an extraordinary achievement — matched in popular music only by … the Drifters? True! With seven Corvette generations extant and the C8 now attracting speculation as to its engine placement — front versus amidships — the Corvette remains one in a class of one. But is it possible to stay around too long? Certainly, if you fail to evolve, achieve or impress. Fortunately, generation by generation, the Corvette has. Despite a period in the stylistic doldrums, the C7 busted loose in 2014, jumping back to the forefront of automotive design. So to the original question — what is a classic Corvette? For me, it’s the 1953–82 cars. Wolves bred from sheep, they’re a testament to creative genius operating under the burning klieg lights of control at the world’s largest corporation. Plastic bodies draped over pedestrian chassis, parlayed into racing champions and cultural icons though equal parts vision and design, performance, attitude and determination — that’s an early Corvette. Somewhere there was a plan for all this, and somehow, fan- tastically, it all worked. There are already plenty of books about Corvettes. Now someone needs to write a good poem.A September-October 2016 55

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PROFILE CORVETTE 2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 Depreciating Rocket Courtesy of Mecum Auctions This car lost 27% of its original price over seven years while 2005–06 Ford GTs have doubled or tripled in value. Why? VIN: 1G1YR26R295800799 by John L. Stein • 638-hp supercharged LS9 engine • 6-speed transmission, twin-disc clutch • Selective Magnetic Ride Control • Aluminum chassis, 3,324-lb curb weight • Carbon-fiber hood, front fenders, roof panel, rocker moldings and front splitter • Brembo four-wheel disc brakes • Chrome 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels • Blade Silver with black leather interior • Bose seven-speaker sound system • Keyless entry and remote start • Heated mirrors and seats • First year for the ZR1 since 1995 • One of 69 Blade Silver 2009 Corvette ZR1s produced • 3ZR Premium Equipment Group • 2,675 miles ACC Analysis This car, Lot F171, sold for $82,500, including buyer’s pre- mium, at Mecum’s Original Spring Classic auction in Indianapolis, IN, on May 20, 2016. Z details In Corvette history, the letter “Z” carries very spe- cial significance. It started with Zora Arkus-Duntov’s incalculable influence over Corvette’s performance mission, carried on with the first Z06 racing package on the C2 mid-year in 1963, continued in 1969 with the C3 one-off ZL1 aluminum big block — a true “unicorn” ’Vette. Then, of course, came the exotic C4 56 AmericanCarCollector.com 56 AmericanCarCollector.com 1990–95 DOHC 32-valve ZR-1, the C4 and C5’s Z51 handling package, and the supercharged 2009–13 ZR1 based on the C6 platform. Even back in ’09, due to ongoing concerns over global warming and CAFE standards, some felt that this 638-horsepower ZR1 would stand as the last truly monstrous performance car. Of course, that prediction didn’t play out, as the C7 generation’s Z06 supercharged LT4 engine makes 650 horsepower. All of this is meant to frame that the ZR1 sold at Mecum Indy, Lot F171, enjoys a solid position within the upper echelons of production Corvettes. Just 1,415 ZR1s were built for 2009, along with another 3,269 built for 2010–13 — a total of 4,684. That is 68% of the 6,922 total C4 ZR-1s built over a year-longer production run from 1990–95. So loosely figuring, the C6 ZR1 is one-third rarer than the earlier 32-valve model. Strength in engineering The 2009 ZR1 was based on the aluminum-framed C6 Corvette Z06, with an aggressive edge. The body was festooned with scoops, vents and aero downforce aids, and the wide carbon-fiber fenders hid huge 19inch front and 20-inch rear multi-spoke forged wheels — suitably chromed in this case for added bling. The piece de resistance was a transparent polycarbonate window in the carbon-fiber hood that showed off the unique Eaton-supercharged LS9 engine. And what an engine it was, belting out the most power of any production Corvette up until that time. Performance was a claimed 3.4 seconds to 60 mph — nearly superbike-level ferocity — and a top speed of

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COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Club: National Corvette Restorers Society 205 mph. Clearly, it was way more car than anyone needed for the street, but then “nothing succeeds like excess,” eh, Mr. Wilde? Suspension was via GM’s brilliant Selective Magnetic Ride Control, nicknamed “MR” for its trick computer-controlled magnetorheological dampers, which could adjust damping rates from zero to full in milliseconds; quicker than you can understand road nuances, the system would interpret and adjust for them. This gave the ZR1 — and other GM products with the technology — the track manners of a Le Mans car and the ride of an Eldorado Biarritz. Perfect presentation As evidenced by numerous 2005–06 Ford GT resales in recent years, the highest earners at auction are examples with the best color combinations, the best options, and the lowest mileage. This ZR1 ticked all three boxes here, with the Blade Silver paint over black interior making a strong, elegant presentation. Furthermore, options included the 3ZR package, a $10,000 addition to the car’s $103,300 base price that was only available on the ZR1. However, it’s worth mentioning that since most ZR1s were equipped with the 3ZR group, a better way to describe the option would be to say, “If you’re buying a ZR1, make sure it has this.” The 3ZR package has a seven-speaker Bose audio system and navigation, along with numerous other features. Perhaps the greatest plus for this ’09 ZR1, though, was its 2,675 original miles. Scarcely broken in, this registers the car as still virtually brand new in condition but it also leaves the room open for some careful use without hurting value. Once there are a couple thousand miles on the clock, a few hundred more won’t hurt, and at least the new owner can get some enjoyment out of his investment while waiting to see what the future holds. 638-hp ZR1 or 650-hp Z06 Back to that 2009-era debate about whether the 638-hp ZR1 would be the last unfettered, non-hybrid, hyper-performance Corvette. Well, it only took the C7 two years to surpass it with the 650-horse 2015 Z06. If future-generation Corvettes rely on turbocharged V6s or electric assists to deliver the C6 ZR1 and C7 Z06’s kind of power, this could prove that they were indeed the last of their breed. But until then, we’re left with a question: Why has the ZR1 shown here dropped in value? This example lost 27% of its original price over seven years, while Ford GTs, of which over 4,000 were produced, have doubled or tripled in value. However, this is not unexpected, as this car sold within the median and high-sale range as published in the 2016 ACC Pocket Price Guide. Here are some possible reasons. Primarily, aston- ishing as it is, the ZR1 is among nearly 200,000 C6 Corvettes built in numerous configurations, whereas the Ford GT was a standalone product and a terrific legacy to FoMoCo’s 1966–69 Le Mans triumphs. Second, with the better part of 5,000 examples built, the ZR1 is not rare when compared with a ’63 Z06 or a ’67–69 L88. And finally, there’s the C7 Z06 itself — all 650 direct-injected horsepower of it. While mathematically, the C6 ZR1 has not yet proven to be a great investment, fortunately, the new owner of this one can rest easy for two important reasons: the primary depreciation has already occurred on someone else’s watch; and the car has all the right specs and desirably low mileage. What comes next is up to the crystal ball. But I call it cloudy with a chance of C7 Z06s. A (Introductory description courtesy of Mecum Auctions.) 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 “Serial #00001” Lot 949.1, VIN: 1G1YN2DTXA5800001 Condition: 2+ Sold at $203,500 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/15/2012 ACC# 191746 Engine # location: Right-front cylinder-head deck Years produced: 2009–13 Number produced: 4,684 Original list price: $103,300 Current ACC Valuation: Median to date, $76,900; high sale, $91,800 Tune-up cost: $250 VIN location: Plate at base of windshield Web: www.ncrs.org Alternatives: 1965 Corvette 327/350 L79 coupe, 1996 Corvette Grand Sport convertible, 2015 Corvette Stingray coupe ACC Investment Grade: B Comps 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Hennessey Lot S95, VIN: 1G1YR26R895800743 Condition: 1Sold at $86,400 Mecum Auctions, Chicago, IL, 10/10/2014 ACC# 255987 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Lot S69, VIN: 1G1YM2DT5A5800328 Condition: 1Sold at $80,560 Mecum Auctions, St. Charles, IL, 6/22/2012 ACC# 207862 September-October 2016 57CC 57

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PROFILE GM Ram Air Rarity 1968 PONTIAC GTO RAM AIR II Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson The survivor total is less than 25% of production. Ram Air II cars make GTO Judges look positively common VIN: 242378P347671 by Patrick Smith This car still retains its born-with engine, transmission and rear-axle components. The car received a no-excuses, frame-off, three- T 58 AmericanCarCollector.com year restoration and was completed in 2013. The car was completely disassembled and stripped to bare metal by well-known Pontiac restorer Marvin Minarich. The restoration of this GTO is 100% factory correct, right down to the T-3 headlamps and originalstyle Firestone red-stripe tires. This car was sent to the GTOAA National Convention in 2013, scoring 652 out of 700 points, and again in 2014, where it scored 687 out of 700 points, receiving Concours Gold top honors for the restoration quality. ACC Analysis This car, Lot 644, sold for $132,000, including buyer’s pre- mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s Northeast 2016 auction in Uncasville, CT, on June 2016. When you tell someone your 1968 GTO hard top cost $132,000, they’ll likely ask if it’s gold-plated. All the media attention in recent years has been on Judges and Ram Air IV cars. The casual muscle car enthusiast knows ’68 GTOs had those cool hideaway headlamps, vent windows and maybe a Hurst Dual Gate shifter. GTO won the Motor Trend Car of the Year Award ostensibly for their Endura bumper and solid design. But in hindsight it should have been awarded for the release of the Ram Air II engine. his 1968 GTO is the ultra-rare and desirable Ram Air II model from the private collection of Jim Mattison, founder of Pontiac Historical Services (PHS). It is one of only 199 4-speed Ram Air II GTOs built in 1968. Hopping up the GTO 1968 was an important year for GTO. The Ram Air engine changed considerably in the space of a few months. It went from being a 1967 carry-over D-port 400 to an all-new, savage animal capable of low 12-second ETs with proper super tuning. Sporting option code 347, the Ram Air started out the 1968 year as the hot mill, but on May 15, Pontiac released a bulletin to their dealers advising them a new 400 engine was available to replace it. The new mill used the same 347 option code but was called Ram Air II. It packed forged-aluminum pistons with 10.75:1 compression, round-port cylinder heads with oversized tuliped valves, an aggressive cam, and a distributor with an advance curve to match. The cam was Pontiac’s first computer-designed profile, while the crankshaft, block, heads, harmonic balancer, intake and carburetor were all special for this engine. Wolf in sheep’s clothing Without decals, wings, call-outs or special clues to identify a Ram Air II, these cars flew under the radar. Pontiac treated it as a running production change rather than a new model to be hyped. Ram Air II GTOs were built from May to July — three months’ worth of production. Pontiac only made 246 cars: 199 4-speeds and 47 automatics. Was it a fast car? It devoured the smaller-cammed Ram Air III that came later and gave a Ram Air IV a hard time if it had too many options to weigh it down. Only a 455 HO or Super Duty could top it. With all the attention being piled on the mainstream Ram Air III for 1969 and the revised Ram Air IV,

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COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Ram Air II was shuffled deep in the deck and lost. The only ones who remembered it were the lucky few owners and those who were burned by its scalding performance. The II has always been a Pontiac aficionado’s car. Most people find it hard to distinguish between the base engine, 400 HO, the carry-over Ram Air and the Ram Air II. Press info was scarce on the engine. To date, only 19 examples — including the subject car — have been found among Pontiac fanatics. If you want numbers matching, it falls down to six cars. The survivor total is less than 25% of production. They make GTO Judges look positively common. Rare and valuable Rarity affects auction values, of course. Very few cars have been sold with their original engines. Take a look at the Verdoro Green hard top from the Thomas Stutzman Collection sold at Barrett-Jackson in January for $110,000 (Lot 1347). It was restored to show-standard but did not claim to have the original numbers-matching engine. The highest price in the ACC database is $149,600 for a convertible example at Auctions America’s Fall Auburn venue in 2011 (ACC# 187170). There have been two recent sales of restorable projects online, but these were nabbed quickly. Both made the rounds on forums and blogs when they appeared. The automatic Ram Air II is much more rare and should be, in theory, worth the same if not more than a 4-speed car. But the fact is the market has always shown a decided preference for stick-shift muscle where offered, and it will be the same with this model. No excuses That brings me to our subject car. It was the recipi- ent of a no-excuses frame-off complete restoration. The owner started with a 52,000-mile car that had been taken off road in 1972 and up to that point had never left Illinois. The front clip was removed at one point, which assured no more mileage was added on over the years. It was verified as an original Ram Air II prior to restoration and given the white-glove treatment. It doesn’t get much better than that. The first half of this year has established the floor for show-quality NOM and numbers-matching Ram Air II hard tops. This rarely happens in such a short amount of time with two similarly equipped cars. But with these two sales, we can see the outline of pricing on a typically equipped model, and for a show-quality, numbers-matching stick-shift car, that pricing is $120,000 to $140,000 depending on options and paint color. So with that, it’s clear to me that the sale price here was accurate for the top end of the market. It will be awhile before another one appears with a verifiable background, a good starting point for renovation and an equally solid restoration. By then the market will likely have risen. All things considered, this was fairly sold and well bought. A (Introductory description courtesy of Barrett- Jackson.) Club: GTO Association of America Engine # location: Beneath passenger’s side cylinder head between water pump hoses Web: www.gtoaa.org Alternatives: 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78, 1969 Ford Mustang 428 CJ, 1969 Plymouth GTX ACC Investment Grade: B Comps Years produced: 1968 Number produced: 246 (199 4-speed, 47 automatic) Original list price: $3,374 Current ACC Valuation: Median to date, $25,542; high sale, $149,600 Tune up/major service: $200 Distributor cap: $12.40 VIN location: Driver’s side door pillar, partial VIN on engine and transmission 1968 Pontiac GTO Ram Air II Lot 1347, VIN: 242378B136340 Condition: 1 Sold at $110,000 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/25/2016 ACC# 6803760 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV convertible Lot 699, VIN: 242679R167185 Condition: 2+ Sold at $134,200 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV, 9/26/2015 ACC# 270203 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air III Lot 669, VIN: 242379G127904 Condition: 3Sold at $55,000 Barrett-Jackson, Palm Beach, FL, 4/12/2014 ACC# 243202 September-October 2016 59

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PROFILE FOMOCO Barn-Find Shelby 1966 SHELBY GT350 “CARRY-OVER” Courtesy of Bonhams This car was clearly set up to go fast and be used hard. It was not some pampered garage queen reserved for ice cream runs VIN: SFM6S163 by Colin Comer This 1966 Shelby GT350’s early life was spent with Worcester, MA, dealer Harr Ford as a racer/demonstrator. In 1967 Francis “Fran” Grayson visited Harr to purchase a new high-performance car and opted for this GT350. Fran used it extensively both on the road and on the drag strip until parking it in 1976 in a storage building. It only recently re-emerged. Despite being driven in New England conditions, the Shelby has survived quite well. Some rust has affected the car, but a sympathetic treatment should allow some repairs. The Shelby is being offered with no attempts having been made to recommission the car in any way. The Shelby includes its five original Cragar Shelby mags as well as NOS Ford quarter panels (still in a factory crate), NOS Ford right front fender, NOS Ford gas tank and two good used doors. A one-owner, totally original and unmolested GT350 is a rare discovery today. This is a very special opportunity to acquire one of these coveted icons. ACC Analysis This car, Lot 95, sold at Bonhams’ Greenwich Concours d’Elegance sale on June 5, 2016, for $159,500, including buyer’s premium. The pre-sale estimate was $80,000– $120,000. Such is the mystique of a “barn find” car — especially a Shelby. In the world of Shelby Mustangs, the original 1965 GT350 is king. With just 521 “Street” versions made, they are not only rare but also raucous enough to make every drive feel like you’re Ken Miles lapping 60 AmericanCarCollector.com 60 AmericanCarCollector.com Riverside. But in period, not everybody was hip to that, so for 1966 Shelby made a kinder, gentler version. These were quieter, softer, cheaper to build, and yes, even available in colors, and with back seats and automatic transmissions optional. Total production for 1966 was 2,367. And the first 252 of those have reached mythical status. Why? They were built using semi-complete 1965 “knock-down” Mustangs, just like the 1965 GT350s were. As such, they have some unique features including 15-inch wheels, black-painted engines (instead of the newfor-1966 Corporate Blue color), 1965 interiors, and other 1965 bits mixed in with the new 1966 gauge cluster, pedestal-mounted tach, full rear-exiting exhaust, Plexiglas quarter windows and rear-brake cooling scoops. Just like the 1965s, all were finished in Wimbledon White. Myths, truths and value It didn’t take long for this first batch of 1966s to get a name. Most call them “Carry-Over” cars. Others refer to them as “leftovers” or “1965.5” GT350s. Why? The oft-told story is that this was a group of 1965 GT350s that didn’t get sold and were converted to 1966s. The truth is far more boring than that. Ford had a scheduled plant shutdown every July and August. So if Shelby wanted to hit the streets in September ’65 with their new 1966 GT350 to coincide with everybody else’s 1966 model year introductions, they needed to order up some extra Mustangs in June. You guessed it. 252 ended up as the number. Without question, these Carry-Over cars are

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COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Year produced: 1966 Number produced: 2,367 (252 “Carry-Over”) Original list price: $4,428 Current ACC Valuation: Median to date: $179,900, high sale, $313,500 Tune-up cost: $500 Distributor cap: $10 Chassis # location: Tag on left inner fender apron Club info: Shelby American Automobile Club unique. The 1965 chassis with 1966 updates added in truly created a “1965.5” car. Many think they are the best of both years, and I wouldn’t disagree. Calling them a Carry-Over car is correct, but “left-over” or otherwise trying to insert them into history as “extra” 1965 GT350s isn’t. But no matter what you call them, in the market, Carry-Over cars have rightfully established a middle ground between 1965 and 1966 values, with a bump of about 40% over a comparable “regular” 1966 4-speed GT350. Unmolested or used? This brings us to our subject car, SFM6S163. Bonhams, rather than simply marketing 163 as a restorable 1966 GT350, created an exceptional buzz about its “discovery.” Almost every enthusiast outlet picked up the story, as did the mainstream media. The story was great — a one-owner Shelby parked for 40 years. But then there’s the actual car. Advertised as “to- tally original and unmolested,” it certainly was anything but, just as you’d expect any car that was raced. The original aluminum T-10 transmission, shifter and bellhousing were missing, and in their place were a cast-iron Top Loader, a blow-proof bellhousing and a Hurst shifter. The original carburetor, fuel pump, tach, ignition, exhaust and numerous other items were also MIA. The battery was relocated to the trunk, and it appears that the wheelwell lips were rolled for larger tires. A panhard bar was welded to the rear axle. This was a car that was clearly set up to go fast and had been used hard. It was not some pampered garage queen reserved for ice cream runs. None of this is a deal killer, in spite of the expense of putting all this right, given the great history and paperwork. And, super bonus, shortly before the sale, SAAC verified that 163 retained its original numbersmatching engine — internal condition unknown, of course, because the car hasn’t run since 1976. Tin-worm troubles This car was on the road for just 10 years, but in that time rust was able to do significant damage. 163 is a crusty one, with corrosion on every component from the roof on down. To restore it properly, somebody will use all of that NOS metal and more as the car needs significant repair or replacement to the floors, trunk floor, doors, fenders, quarter panels, the hood frame and rear frame rails — just from a cursory glance. I suspect if and when it is acid-dipped, there will be a lot of other areas needing repair. Even if a skilled fabricator saves as much as possible, there is no way 163 will retain anywhere near all of its original sheet metal when completed — which to many is a crucial item. And we haven’t even talked about numbers yet. Dollars and sense To just get 163 running and driving again, assuming there isn’t any catastrophic failure within the engine, the original T-10 transmission (street value $15k-plus) was included and isn’t blown up, and the unibody is structurally sound enough to support this effort, it would take a minimum of $35k in the shop. And that is just to make it functional, with no cosmetic restoration or cost of getting correct original parts factored in. To do a full restoration to concours level with “real” parts? Figure $150k minimum, and probably closer to $200k in the end, plus a couple of years of waiting. If 163 had been found wearing nice original paint, with all of its original parts, running, driving, and rust-free with all else being equal, the sales result here would have been an absolute steal. But given 163’s condition, if restored, the new owner will have well over $300k in it before the dust settles. That’s a price point the best Carry-Over cars have rarely exceeded. Of course, you can’t put a price on history or emo- tions. In this case, a handful of bidders clearly loved the story of this woebegone Shelby, and the result was it selling extremely well. That said, I can’t fault the buyer one bit, as regardless of the circumstances, it is becoming harder to be the second, third or even fourth owner of a desirable Shelby by the day, and no rust repair can change the lineage here. One way or another, rusty and ragged or freshly restored, I hope to see 163 again… under its own power, with a grinning owner who made the financial side of this mission secondary to saving a cool old GT350 with a great story.A (Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams.) 1966 Shelby GT350 Lot 503, S/N: SFM6S485 Condition: 2+ Sold at $129,250 Web: www.saac.com Alternatives: 1957 Ford Thunderbird F-code, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/360 coupe, 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Investment Grade: A Comps Engine # location: Right side of engine block 1966 Shelby GT350 Lot 817, VIN: SFM6S462 Condition: 3+ Not sold at $170,000 ACC# 6800000 Auctions America, Auburn, IN, 5/7/2016 1966 Shelby GT350 Lot 776, S/N: SFM65892 Condition: 1Sold at $220,000 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV, 9/27/2014 ACC# 256083 Auctions America, Burbank, CA, 8/3/2013 ACC# 227046 The Shelby Archive, courtesy of Bonhams September-October 2016 61CC 61

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PROFILE MOPAR Sleeper Deal 1966 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE HEMI Courtesy of Auctions America The average collector may think this looks like Grandma’s car, especially next to a ’66 GTO or Chevelle — but twist the key and you immediately feel like Richard Petty 62 AmericanCarCollector.com 62 AmericanCarCollector.com VIN: RP23H67250092 by Tom Glatch • 426-ci 425-hp Hemi V8 engine • Hurst console shift 4-speed manual transmission • Frame-off rotisserie restoration in 2013 • Owner states this car is one of 503 with this engine/transmission combination • Two 4-barrel carburetors • Dana 60 rear end with 3:55 gears • Radio • Bucket seats • Spinner hubcaps on steel wheels • Redline tires ACC Analysis This car, Lot 763, sold for $63,000, including buyer’s pre- mium, at Auctions America’s Auburn Spring Auction and Swap Meet in Auburn, IN, on May 7, 2016. “The mild-mannered 1966 Plymouth Satellite rolls unobtrusively along the secondary road at 55 mph, quiet serene and comfortable, with no more than a suggestion of engine sound. A straight stretch is encountered. The driver’s right foot is thrust abruptly to the floor. Just six roaring, full-thrust seconds elapse before 90 mph is reached. The Satellite accomplishes this without resorting to a cloakroom quick-change, a skin-tight red-and-blue leotard and the shouts of awed onlookers.” Car Life magazine had just driven the first street Hemi — and it was one of those life-changing encounters. And yes, this is one of those rare Clark Kent/ Superman automobiles. Power in a plain box The Hemi Satellite doesn’t look the part of a super- hero. It doesn’t drive in regular traffic like a NASCAR racer, or attract attention with fake scoops and gaudy stripes. But when called upon, the Street Hemi does things in a heroic way — 0–60 mph in 7.1 seconds and 1,320 feet in 14.5 seconds at 95 mph. Just remember, Car Life conservatively tested on circa-1966 bias-ply tires, with a driver and passenger onboard, heavy test equipment, and street-friendly 3.23:1 gears. Car and Driver recorded 0–60 in 5.3 seconds. Dyno tests have shown a bone-stock 426 Street Hemi could produce 433 horses. Those are serious heroics. Equally amazing was the drivability of the Street Hemi. Remember, when Chrysler unleashed the 426 Hemi in 1964, the only intent was racing domination. In their first race, Plymouths and Dodges finished the Daytona 500 1-2-3-5. Similar results occurred on the USAC stock-car circuit, and at the 1965 NHRA Winternationals, where all 11 cars in Top

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COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Stock Eliminator were Hemi powered. If it wasn’t for NASCAR banning the Hemi in 1965, and allowing the engine back in ’66 under the condition of having availability on the street, the A102 Street Hemi project would not have happened. You can thank NASCAR’s founder, Bill France, that it did. Tame the beast Making the Hemi a fairly docile city dweller involved slightly different cylinder heads with 10.25:1 compression (12.5:1 on the race version) and mounting pads for the various accessories a street car has. Twin Carter AFB 4-barrel carbs and a different intake manifold were added, while a milder cam along with cast-iron exhaust manifolds rounded out the changes. That was about all it took to turn Superman into Clark Kent. Even the giant 2.25-inch intake valves remained. There was a tradeoff — the solid lifters needed constant adjustment, and the twin-carb setup was often difficult to properly tune. But when done right, the Street Hemi was practically insurmountable, at least until the A12 440 6-Barrel Road Runner (and Coronet Super Bee) came along in 1969 (see ACC #8 and #20). Big engine, big money It’s the racing heritage of the Hemi that helps drive its price up today. Get into a ’66 Satellite (or the more stripped-down Belvedere II) and twist the key, and you immediately feel like Richard Petty, or NHRA record setter Shirley “Drag-On Lady” Shahan. Rarity is also a factor, since Chrysler built just 10,904 street Hemis from 1966 to 1971. But 1,521 Hemi Plymouths were ordered in 1966: 817 Satellite, 677 Belvedere II, 27 Satellite convertible. In fact, more 426 Hemi cars were built in 1966 than in any other year of the second-generation Hemi’s existence. Then there is the taxi-like styling of the 1966–67 Satellites. I once owned a ’67 Satellite 383 convertible, so to me this car is a thing of beauty; to the average collector it looks a bit too much like Grandma’s car, especially next to a ’66 GTO or Chevelle. Some people love the unassuming Clark Kent factor, but most prefer the sleek look of the ’68 to ’70 Hemi Road Runner and GTX, or the unique ’70–71 E-body Hemi ’Cuda. There’s a reason why a 1971 Hemi ’Cuda convertible is worth seven figures today — they are incredibly sexy, and just seven were built. But that supply-anddemand also makes this Satellite an absolute bargain. We’ve seen ’66 Hemi Satellite and Belvedere II hard tops sell for as much as $151,200 (ACC# 36960), although $77k is the current ACC median price. Mecum tried selling this car in 2013 (ACC# 224062), when bidding reached $60k but did not meet reserve. Interest in this particular Satellite hasn’t exactly skyrocketed since then. The ’66 Hemi Belvederes and Satellites are truly af- fordable, but a $63,000 sale? Compared to the market median, someone just walked away with a legendary 426 Hemi at a bargain price. I’d call this one very well bought.A (Introductory description courtesy of Auctions America.) Club: WPC Club Inc. More: www.chryslerclub.org Alternatives: 1966 Pontiac GTO, 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396, 1966 Ford Fairlane GT ACC Investment Grade: B Comps Engine # location: Pad on the right side of the block to the rear of the engine mount Years produced: 1966–67 Number produced: 817 Original list price: $4,360 Current ACC Valuation: Median to date, $77,000; high sale, $124,200 Tune-up/major service: $300 Distributor cap: $11.95 VIN location: Plate on the driver’s door post 1966 Plymouth Satellite Hemi Lot S277, VIN: RP23H67214780 Condition: 3 Sold at $50,350 Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis, IN, 5/15/2012 ACC# 201905 1966 Plymouth Satellite Hemi Lot 2478, VIN: RP23H67308894 Condition 2 Sold at $77,000 Leake Auctions, Oklahoma City, OK, 2/17/2012 ACC# 196859 1966 Plymouth Satellite Hemi Lot 5148, VIN: N/A Condition: 2 Sold at $53,900 Auctions America by RM, Auburn, IN, 9/1/2011 ACC# 185996 September-October 2016 May-June 2016 63

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PROFILE HOT ROD & CUSTOM 1960 MERCURY COLONY PARK “THE LIZARD KING” Where’s the Green for “The Lizard”? Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Boyd-built “Boydster” roadsters and other customs have crossed the auction block, but they have not achieved truly record results — at least not yet 64 AmericanCarCollector.com VIN: 0J57M512567 by Ken Gross • 533-ci big-block Ford V8, (estimated) 450 hp, modified for E85 fuel • FAST ECU fuel injection, Edelbrock intake manifold • Ford C6 3-speed automatic transmission, disc brakes B • Air Ride Technologies 4-link suspension • Built by Boyd Coddington and Hot Rods by Boyd • Featured on “American Hot Rod” TV Series oyd Coddington teamed up with the SoBe (South Beach) beverage company to design and build the first-ever E85-powered hot rod. The project started out as a rather clean, stock 1960 Mercury woodie wagon, now known as “The Lizard King.” It was revealed as part of the ESA East Coast Scholastic Surfing Championships presented by FEW-New Zealand at Bethune Park in New Smyrna Beach, FL. The project aired on later episodes of “American Hot Rod” on TLC. Hot rod designer Todd Emmens combined a surfing-inspired concept, with the Boyd look to give it a hot-rod touch. Channel Island Surfboards founder Al Merrick was a contributor. ACC Analysis This car, Lot 630, sold for mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s Inaugural Northeast $90,200, including buyer’s pre- Auction in Uncasville, CT, on June 23–25, 2016. Big station wagons are making a comeback in the custom-car and cruiser scene. Once the province of suburban families, and memorialized in period-perfect films such as “The Stepford Wives,” with dutiful spouses awaiting their besotted husbands, pouring into Westport in NY Central Club Cars from Grand

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COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Central Station, these heavy haulers are prime fodder for classy tow vehicles and much more. With a few tasteful modifications, Di-Noc-trimmed old “woodie” wagons are the perfect way to transport the entire family to a Friday night cruise-in. It’s easy to customize one of these “Wurlitzers on Wheels.” Start with a big-block domestic 4-door wagon (many of them were hard tops), don’t remove any of the lavish trim, slam it with cut coils and flattened springs or air suspension, add trick wheels with blackwalls or wide whites, consider a set of Bellflower Tips or lake pipes, trim the interior to the nines with a tuck-and-roll leather fantasy and you’ve nailed it. It’s not easy being green When the SoBe Beverage Company of South Florida wanted a primo promotional vehicle, they turned to Boyd Coddington. Who better than the late “Wizard of Whittier, CA” to customize a behemoth like this? No stranger to big iron, “Hot Rods by Boyd” did the landmark CadZZilla Cadillac coupe for Billy Gibbons (designed by Larry Erickson), the CheZoom ’57 Chevy hard top for “Mr. Gasket” Joe Hrudka, the luscious red “Boyd Air” ’57 Chevy convertible (by Chip Foose) for the Hot Rod Power Tour, and even more to the point, a slammed ’50 Packard woodie for Larry Donnellson. Blessed with a talented crew and some of the best designers in the business, not to mention off-and-on coordination with another twisted genius, “Lil John” Buttera, Boyd Coddington pioneered a clean, minimalist look for rods and customs that took the restyling genre by storm beginning in the 1970s. In addition to many magazine cover cars, a full line of ever-evolving, sexy and affordable billet aluminum Boyd Wheels and other accessories, Boyd’s high-profile hot rods — he won the Grand National Roadster Show’s AMBR award seven times — attracted the attention of Wall Street. The rapid-rising California car-building company went public, only to eventually crash and burn. Boyd’s untimely death in 2008 from complications from surgery (he was a longtime diabetic) ended his shop’s show-stopping creations. Bargain billet by Boyd From its gleaming Di-Noc-trimmed exterior to the luscious interior, complete with console, and custom Boyd steering wheel, this green goddess is as finely finished as a Detroit concept car. There are no external mirrors, making it even cleaner looking. Lowered tastefully, subtly shaved and oh-so-sleek, with custom five-spoke Boyd billet wheels and a powerful engine transplant with green-hued valve covers, this Merc must have thrilled the SoBe marketing team that paid big money for it. Over the past few years, Boyd-built “Boydster” roadsters and other customs have crossed the auction block, but they have not achieved truly record results — at least not yet. Roy Brizio, who builds exquisite coupes and roadsters in South San Francisco, like many of his fellow rodders, liked and respected Boyd. Brizio says he thinks “not enough time has passed yet” for Boyd-built iron to reach crazy prices. Indeed, the more well-known creations to come out of Boyd’s shop have brought higher prices than seen here in the not-too-distant past, including CheZoom, which sold for $379,500 out of the Ron Pratte Collection at Barrett-Jackson’s 2015 Scottsdale event (ACC# 256704). I expect we’ll see prices on cars like that grow in the future, and take the values of cars like this lesser-known Boyd work up with them. Not much green for a big green car You couldn’t build this woodie for $90k, and that doesn’t even count the Boyd imprimatur, or the fact that it was featured on “American Hot Rod,” or that it was likely the first show car of its type to run on E85 fuel. A perfect stocker would be $35k to $40k. So I’d call it a stone bargain, and I predict we’ll see a day when the best Boyd-built customs set pricing records. Meanwhile, the lucky new owner of this Colony Park cruiser can simply have fun with it. A (Introductory description courtesy of Barrett- Jackson.) 1929 Ford Custom “Alumatub” 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air “CheZoom” Lot 2514, VIN: VC57S329 Condition: 1 Sold at $379,500 Detailing Year produced: 1960, 2007 Number produced: Mercury built 7,411 Colony Park Wagons. This one is unique. Original MSRP: $3,837 in 1960, build cost unknown Current ACC Valuation: $90,200 (As this car is unique, sale price is median price) Tune-up, major service: $500 (estimated) Engine # location: Casting number on side of block Clubs: Goodguys, National Street Rod Association (NSRA) VIN location: On data plate riveted to firewall Web: www.good-guys.com, www.nsra.com Alternatives: Any Boyd-built car from the 1980s through 2008, including the 1963 Dodge Polara “Max Hemi,” “Alumatub,” and Ron Pratte’s 1954 Chevrolet Corvette ACC Investment Grade: C Comps Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/10/2015 ACC# 256704 Lot 2516, VIN: 29A00037 Condition: 1Sold at $187,000 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/10/2015 ACC# 256758 1956 Ford Ranch Wagon Custom Lot 186, VIN: A6RR150907 Condition: 2+ Sold at $57,750 RM Auctions, Farmers Branch, TX, 11/15/2014 ACC# 256269 September-October 2016 65

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PROFILE AMERICANA 1932 LINCOLN KB JUDKINS COUPE Rare and Classy Coupe It is uncertain how many were built in 1932. One source states six, another 23, and yet another less than 30 VIN: KB1635 by Carl Bomstead This car wears a custom body by Judkins — a firm that was founded in 1857 as a small carriage builder. Judkins furnished custom bodies for numerous car builders of distinction, but Lincoln was their primary client. Between 1921 and 1939, Judkins produced 5,904 bodies with 2,212 being offered on the 2-passenger coupe. T 66 AmericanCarCollector.com 66 AmericanCarCollector.com The exact number of Judkins-bodied coupes produced in 1932 is unknown but is thought to be less than 30. The example offered here is believed to be the only example with a rear-mounted spare. This design presents a smooth-flowing fender line that enhances the length of the car while expressing its elegance. ACC Analysis This car, Lot 126, sold for $198,000, including buyer’s pre- mium, at The Finest Automobile Auctions’ sale on June 11, 2016, in Hershey, PA. If you wish to start a spirited discussion, simply mention to a Cadillac guy that Henry Leland left his 1932 Lincoln KB Judkins coupe has benefited from a 15-year restoration completed in 2009. Authenticity was emphasized, and a recent inspection by a noted marque expert confirmed its correctness. Cadillac to form Lincoln so he could build a better car. Well, the statement does have a thread of truth. Henry Leland was one of the co-founders of Cadillac, which was started in 1902 at the site of the failed Henry Ford Company. He managed the company, along with his son Wilfred, after it was acquired by General Motors in 1908. Both resigned in 1917 after an argument with Billy Durant and founded the Lincoln Motor Company. Leland named the company after his favorite president and quickly got to producing Liberty engines, as he’d already received a $10 million advance from the federal government to do so. From war to luxury As the war ended and the government canceled their irrevocable contract, Leland found himself looking at an empty factory, 6,000 employees and mounting debt due to IRS liens. He turned to what he knew best: manufacturing luxury automobiles. The first Lincoln was completed in September 1920. The car was brilliantly engineered but had a lackluster and outdated design. Because of Leland’s tending to the most minor of details, the cars were late to market, and after 17 months, just 3,400 had been sold. Due to a struggling economy and additional tax Courtesy of The Finest Automobile Auctions

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COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! Detailing Years produced: 1932–34 Number produced: Fewer than 30 Original list price: $5,100 Current ACC Valuation: Median to date, $147,125; high sale, $198,000 Tune up-cost: $350 Distributor cap: $125 Engine/chassis # location: Left side of crankcase below first cylinder Club: Horseless Carriage Foundation liens, the company was placed in receivership on November 8, 1921. In February of the following year, the Ford Motor Company purchased Lincoln from the receiver for $8 million: the amount of their liabilities. Henry Ford promised Leland continued control of the company but quickly began demolishing his executive office, and on June 22, 1922, demanded the Lelands’ resignations. By one account, Henry Leland was carried out to the street in his office chair. Ford’s custom-bodied era Edsel Ford, Henry’s “forgotten son” was installed as the new president. The senior Ford paid little attention to Lincoln, and Edsel was able to continue the Lelands’ exceptional engineering while acquiring designs from the leading coachbuilders of the era. The first Ford-engineered Lincoln, the Model K — so named simply because that’s what Edsel decided — appeared in 1931. Cadillac had stunned the automotive world a year earlier when they introduced the V16, quickly followed by the V12. At least seven marques responded with V12 offerings, including Lincoln. Lincoln’s V12 was the KB, which was rated at 150 horsepower and rode on a 145-inch wheelbase. Edsel Ford encouraged coachbuilders to work their magic, and splendid custom and “catalog-custom” offerings followed from Brunn, Waterhouse, Dietrich, Judkins and others. The J.B. Judkins Company was the most prolific designer and featured sharper lines and a fabriccovered roof. The cars were priced at $5,100 when fitted with a trunk and $5,350 with a rumbleseat. It is uncertain how many were built in 1932. One source states six, another 23, and yet another less than 30. Unique subject The 1932 Lincoln KB Judkins coupe sold by The Finest is unique in that it is the only one known with a rear-mounted spare rather than sidemounts. It is also unique in that it was featured in an episode of Wayne Carini’s highly rated “Chasing Classic Cars,” which aired in June of this year. The show documented Carini locating the car in a collection in Illinois and sending it to his shop in Connecticut, where his team returned it to good running order and repainted the fenders and moldings black. Carini presented the Lincoln at Bonhams’ Scottsdale 2016 auction, but it failed to sell when the final bid of $180,000 did not meet his expectations. This attractive Lincoln was again offered at The Finest Automobile Auctions six months later and sold for a very similar amount when the fees are factored in. A couple of factors were at play here: Dealers need to move their inventory, and closed Lincolns are a tough sell. Few have sold for north of $200,000, so while Carini may have done a bit better the third time around, the car would have been “shop worn” and overexposed to the market if it did not sell. So, considering that, I think he made the prudent decision here, and the new owner has a very desirable one-off Lincoln acquired at a fair price. Well bought and sold. (Introductory description courtesy of The Finest Automobile Auctions.) A 1932 Lincoln Model KB Judkins coupe Lot 143, VIN: KB473 Condition: 2+ Sold at $154,000 Web: www.hcfi.org Alternatives: 1932 Packard Twin-Six, 1932 Cadillac 320B V12, 1932 Stutz DV-32 ACC investment Grade: B Comps 1932 Lincoln Model KB Judkins coupe Lot 174, VIN: KB1644 Condition: 2 Sold at $198,000 RM Sotheby’s, Amelia Island, FL, 3/14/2015 ACC# 264371 RM Auctions, Plymouth, MI, 7/28/2012 ACC# 209060 1932 Lincoln Model KB Waterhouse coupe Lot 16, VIN: KB9 Condition: 1 Sold at $203,500 Gooding & Co., Pebble Beach, CA, 8/18/2007 ACC# 46548 September-October 2016 July-August 2016 67 67CC

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PROFILE RACE 1942 WILLYS AMERICAR GASSER Nose-High Monster Buy Courtesy of Mecum Auctions I won’t deny that $60,000 is a lot of money to spend on a nightmarish, OG hooligan machine that can’t be trusted, but it really feels like a deal 68 AmericanCarCollector.com VIN: 4289098 ACC Analysis This car, Lot F139, sold for by Jay Harden • Ford 427 SOHC side-oiler engine #G5AE6059B • Engine purchased through Jim Aikey Ford in Des Plaines, IL, by Richard Wolter for $3,200 in 1968 • Engine invoice specifies the 427 Cammer was intended for a drag-racing Willys • Accompanied with a very rare 427 SOHC engine service manual that demonstrates how to properly tune the engine for competition • Steel body with fiberglass tilt front end • Straight front axle with shock absorbers • Roll cage, safety harness • Two 4-barrel carburetors • Floor-shifted automatic transmission • Black seat upholstery • Woodgrain dash and door panels • Switches for water pumps, oil pump and distributor • Tach and auxiliary gauges • Moon tank and battery in the trunk • Open stainless-steel headers • Chrome five-spoke wheels with BF Goodrich Silvertown tires in front • Steel wheels with slicks in back $66,000, including buyer’s pre- mium, at Mecum’s 29th Original Spring Classic sale in Indianapolis, IN, on May 17–21. This 1942 Willys Gasser may be the perfect embodi- ment of what separates hot-rodders and drag racers from everyone else. Appropriately enough, this beauty is even wearing the same facial expression most people will have when you tell them it was damn near stolen at sixty large. Try it. Tell me their mouths don’t go all slack-jawed as they try to determine whether or not you’re crazy. Just look at this thing. It is likely horrendously loud, terrifying to drive, and an absolute bear to keep tuned properly. But if you’re anything like me, you’re running through a mental checklist of personal possessions you’d be willing to liquidate to make this monster your own. Analog overkill I find it difficult to look at this car without equal parts admiration and astonishment — the former for the purposefulness and simplicity of a time long past, and the latter for the sobering recognition of how absolutely bananas this car really is. There probably weren’t many men or women who

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COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com! could’ve raced this car safely back in the late ’60s. I can absolutely guarantee there are even fewer today. With big power, evil handling and odd ergonomics, this is not a car for rookies or Cars & Coffee burnout wannabes. Do not tap the glass. Do not feed the animal. There is a lot of ink and digital blogo- sphere space dedicated to the modern muscle and supercars of today’s renaissance of automotive performance. But if I’m completely honest about it, none of that is really all that exciting to me. Maybe I’m growing jaded with age, or maybe I’m just sick of everyone and everything telling me what I can or should do — or guessing what I intend to do. I don’t want my car to read my emails to me. I don’t want my car to politely remind me that I’m backing up. Maybe that’s why I love this Willys so much. This car will kill you if you check your email while driving it. This car barks like a junkyard Rottweiler at everyone within three square blocks when you’re backing up. If ever there were a vehicle capable of reducing a man and his ego to a smoldering pile of rubble, this bad-boy would be damn near the top of the list. Chasing the speed monster How nuts is this thing? Just look at that brake-to- throttle-to-shifter configuration. And that steering column. Who thought that was a good idea? I’ll tell ya who — a mad man who made a deal with the Devil, sucker-punched him, and then took his lunch money for taking too long to forge the document. I imagine the original build plan looked a little something like this: 1. Locate throttle pedal where only acceptably comfortable position results in immediate wide-open condition — check. 2. Position steering column at sufficiently steep angle as to initiate instant self-preservation instinct upon engagement — check. 3. Consume all remaining available floor space with brake pedal — check. Functional, yes. But would you really want to let that Cammer loose while pawing at that wheel to keep the short-wheelbase chassis out of the wall? How about while simultaneously working the brake with your left foot and the gas with your right? None of these items are out of the ordinary for a legit gasser from the era. It took equal parts engineer- Detailing Year produced: 1942 Number produced: 3,829 (all 1942 Willys) Original list price: $737 Current ACC Valuation: Median to date, $62,700; high sale, $121,500 Tune-up/major service: $500 (estimated) ing, driving skill and fearlessness to win in those days, and while a car like this may be too hairy for a lot of us today, you can’t deny its cool factor. Right money for the right stuff I won’t deny that $60,000 is a lot of money to spend on a nightmarish, OG hooligan machine that can’t be trusted farther than you can throw it, but it really feels like a deal. There’s very little in the way of industryaccepted pricing for items like this, but there’s plenty here to justify the expense. First off, an original steel Willys body is easily one of the top five most iconic body styles in the history of hot rods and street rodding. In fact, it’s one of the few bodies that collectors and enthusiasts have been so smitten with that they’re readily willing to accept fiberglass imitations as suitable replacements. With two-thirds of the original body intact and in solid condition and a mostly complete interior to boot, this old girl has a leg up on 95% of the Willys I’ve seen in the past couple of decades. Second off, we haven’t even begun to talk about that Cammer. I’ve been doing my best to avoid waxing poetic about that giant lump of mechanical aphrodisiac for fear I won’t be able to stop once I start. The 427 SOHCs are super rare, often outrageously expensive, and are almost universally viewed as top-shelf collectibles. I’ve heard rumors of complete, stand-alone engines selling for more than the price paid here, so our buyer is likely in good shape even if the rest of the car is nothing more than a glorified engine stand. The downside to this ride, if there is one, is that there simply is very little in the way of authenticated history in the sale literature. I’d love to assume that this car is a very original snapshot of one of the most influential periods in American automotive history — and it certainly looks the part — but we just can’t know for sure based on the information we’ve been given. For some, that’s a deal breaker. In this case — and at this price — I think lack of pedigree is easily compensated for by the authenticity of the presentation. This car has the right body and the right engine to take us back to that time when short-wheelbase monsters roamed the Earth, and that is a feat worth celebrating. Well bought. A (Introductory description courtesy of Mecum Auctions.) September-October 2016 69 1941 Willys Custom Lot 176, VIN: 44112372 Condition: 3+ Sold at $66,000 RM Auctions, Farmers Branch, TX, 11/15/2014 ACC# 256093 Web: www.good-guys.com, www.nsra.com Alternatives: Any period-built gasser, front-engine dragster or altered-wheelbase Funny Car with legitimate history and/or legitimate period speed parts Engine # location: Casting number on right-hand side of block ACC Investment Grade: B Comps Distributor cap: $20 VIN location: Frame front crossmember, right side of cowl under hood 1966 Ford Fairlane XL Gasser Lot 4056, VIN: 6K47C182142 Condition: 3 Sold at $28,600 Auctions America, Auburn, IN, 8/30/2014 ACC# 245250 1966 Mercury Comet Funny Car Lot 1306, VIN: N/A Condition: 2+ Sold at $176,000 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/18/10 ACC# 155047

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PROFILE TRUCK 1949 DODGE B-1-B-108 ½-TON PICKUP Picking Up Clout in the Market While Dodges and the independents have traditionally lagged in value compared to brands C and F, today everyone else is moving up the food chain at a higher rate 70 AmericanCarCollector.com 70 AmericanCarCollector.com VIN: 9234880 by B. Mitchell Carlson brakes, oak bed stained black, rare dual horns, original air and oil filters, and a vintage oil bath. It has all-new brakes, bearings in rear end, new glass and seals. T ACC Analysis This truck, Lot 599.2, sold for mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s Northeast auction at Uncasville, CT, on June 23–25, 2016. Piloting a new era for Dodge Dodge’s new post-war trucks were introduced in December 1947. Updates included a revised loca$28,050, including buyer’s pre- his truck has only 37 miles since a complete restoration. It features a rebuilt flathead 6-cylinder engine and 4-speed manual freshly synchronized transmission with a new clutch. It also has upgraded front-disc tion of the front axle, which was farther back. The engine was moved farther forward on the chassis as well, which, when combined with all-new steering geometry, resulted in the most nimble of America’s immediate post-war trucks. On top of this was all-new sheet metal and a new cab. There were two variations of the cab in three trim levels. The standard cab was taller than its predecessor, with a larger glass area. It had dualvacuum motor windshield wipers at the bottom of the windshield, a cowl ventilator and a sun visor on the driver’s side only. The Deluxe cab added door-vent windows and rear-quarter windows, while the Custom cab further added dual sun visors, a driver’s door armrest, and foam-rubber seat padding. That greater window area gave this generation of Dodge trucks the nickname “Pilot House,” which was used extensively by Dodge to market the new cab’s greater visibility. Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson

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COLLECTOr’S rESOurCE: The easiest way to track a car’s value over time is the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, make, model, VIN and more. Sign up at www.AmericanCarCollector.com. A custom Custom Our featured truck is a Custom Cab and then some. It was trimmed out inside with changes that include armrests on both doors, vinyl-covered door panels (over the stock dyed cardboard), floor carpeting, and a seat reupholstered in a non-stock vinyl pattern. A Signal-Stat turn-signal control quadrant clamped to the left of the steering column was likely added as a Day Two modification (Day One in states that pioneered the requirement of turn signals by 1948). Other concessions to the 21st century include a 12-volt electrical system and front-disc brake conversion. This is like a lot of trucks on the market today. For most, it’s more accurate to substitute “refurbished” for “restoration,” as a lot more has been changed and upgraded than returned to as it was when originally manufactured. I’d also like to know how you “freshly synchronize” a 4-speed transmission with straight-cut gears — barring a different transmission. It was repainted a not-entirely-stock yellow, as the only yellow available beyond special-order fleet paint was school-bus-like Armor Yellow. Pickups from the Pilot House era also came standard from the factory with black cargo boxes with black rear fenders. Getting them painted to match the cab was an extracost option, but the majority of production used black pickup boxes. The front bumper was correctly painted, as chrome bumpers were an extra-cost option across the board. The beauty of this truck is that, barring the repaint, there’s nothing here that would stop you from taking it back to bone stock. Even the most involved changes are essentially bolt-ons. This gives the new owner the option of just driving the truck as is, and when it’s time for major maintenance or to redo it, it’s an easy restoration. Which part do I need? One thing new owners of trucks like this tend to overlook is parts supply and maintenance. That disc-conversion kit from the mid-1980s may be based on a vehicle that has even less parts support than your old Dodge. Front-disc brakes on a truck that originally had a one-inch-diameter master cylinder for all four corners sounds like a godsend until 30k miles down the road when it needs pads. Or it needs front wheel bearings. Good luck figuring out where those parts came from. As the voice of experience here, while the original part may sometimes be difficult to locate, more often than not it’s still available. And more readily than you’d have guessed. Piloting a Pilot House Pilot House Dodges are among the best trucks of this era for today’s new vintage-truck enthusiast. They steer better than their period peers, and one could make the argument that they handle better than the rest, too. The standard 3-speed (a floor-shift, until the column shift B-2-B of 1950) has syncros in second and third, so it’s a breeze for anyone who knows what to do with three pedals on the floor. Even the heavier-duty 4-speed in our featured truck is not too difficult to master, despite the double-clutching required due to the straight-cut gears. Therein lies a certain amount of the appeal in trucks of this era: They are a pure driving experience. You can’t yak on the cell phone when driving one. You need to be focused on the task of operating the vehicle. You are mastering a vehicle that the majority of license holders now can’t drive, let alone figure out how to start. Each time I do the secret handshake of pulling the choke and kicking the starter in one of these, I’m rewarded with the direct road feel, the now-unique chorus of the straight-cut gear whine, and the light burble of a flathead six that won’t beat anybody off the line (except for longevity). These are vehicles built to savor the Blue Roads. Put a small-block V8 with an automatic transmission in one and you lose those tactile feelings. Might as well buy a Chevy SSR and save a lot of trouble. The going rate for going slow The selling price of our featured truck is in the realm of today’s market reality. It probably cost at least this to build the truck, and refreshed generally stock pickups from the post-war era are now firmly in the $20k to $30k region anyway. Even rough originals and poorly modified underlyers are rising in price. While Dodges and the independents have tradition- ally lagged in value compared to brands C and F, today everyone else is moving up the food chain at a higher rate. You can make the argument either way that there are plenty of Fords and Chevys out there to keep their market in check — even approaching seven decades after they were built — or that all the other makers are finally getting their due respect and now folks who otherwise weren’t traditional “old truck guys” are buying them. These new buyers aren’t as Bowtie- or Blue Oval-biased, so they are willing to consider a Dodge, International or Studebaker on its own merits, and greater numbers are doing that. As such, call this market- correct, if not well bought if the courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.) September-October 2016 71 May-June 2016 71CC owner is in it for the long term.A (Introductory description Detailing Years produced: 1948–53 Number produced: 299,900 (all B-1 production, 1948–49) Engine # location: Stamped on a boss on the driver’s side front of the engine block, just below the cylinder head Current ACC Valuation: Median to date, $14,605; high sale, $45,000 Tune-up cost: $150 Distributor cap: $12 VIN location: Tag attached to the driver’s door frame or stamped on the side of the frame aft of the left front spring hanger Clubs: Dodge Pilothouse Era Club of America, American Truck Historical Society Web: www.dodgepilothouseclub.org, www.aths.org Alternatives: 1950–53 International L-110 pickup, 1949–53 Studebaker 2R-5 pickup, 1946–62 Willys Jeep pickup ACC Investment Grade: B Comps 1949 Dodge B-1-B-108 pickup Lot 232, VIN: 9236644 Condition: 2Sold at $14,630 Branson, Branson, MO, 4/15/2016 ACC# 6799511 1950 Dodge B-2-C pickup Lot 68, VIN: 83358868 Condition: 3 Sold at $11,070 Silver Auctions, Fort McDowell, AZ, 1/19/2013 ACC# 215050 1949 Dodge B-1-B-108 pickup Lot 284, VIN: 82141956 Condition: 3 Sold at $8,138 ACC# 39895 McCormick’s, Palm Springs, CA, 11/19/2005

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MARKET OVERVIEW Following the Money in Sales from the Midwest to the West Coast IF A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS, WHAT DOES IT DO FOR TRUCKS? by Chad Tyson TOP 10 sales this issue 1. 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 roadster, $1,210,000— Mecum, IN, p. 80 2. 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 roadster, $1,100,000— Mecum, IN, p. 80 3. 1965 Shelby GT350 fastback, $550,000—Mecum, IN, p. 80 4. 1965 Shelby GT350 fastback, $335,500—Mecum, Or, p. 104 5. 1970 Plymouth hemi ’Cuda 2-dr hard top, $209,000— Mecum, Or, p. 106 6. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, $176,000— Mecum, Or, p. 102 7. 1968 Chevrolet Nova SS 427 COPO 2-dr hard top, $159,500—Mecum, Or, p. 100 8. 1968 Ford Mustang Lightweight fastback, $154,000—Mecum, IN, p. 82 9. 2015 Shelby GT350 50th Anniversary coupe, $148,500—Mecum, IN, p. 82 10. 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Z11 2-dr hard top, $121,000— Mecum, Or, p. 98 BEST BUYS 1955 Chevrolet Cameo pickup, $22,275—Lucky, WA, p. 110 74 AmericanCarCollector.com which ran May 17–21. Sales hit a four-year high (and third all-time highest of the sale) at $48,152,936. They flirted with $50m by hitting a 70% sell-through rate on 1,562 cars offered. Shelby Cobras claimed the top two sales spots, with a 1965 427 reaching $1.2m and a 1964 289 close behind at $1.1m. A month later, Mecum set up shop in M ecum Auctions appears in two feature reports for this issue of ACC. We’ll first look at their 29th Annual Spring Classic in Indianapolis, ACC’s hometown of Portland, OR, for their June 17–18 sale. At the Expo Center, all four halls were filled with American iron. A 1965 Shelby GT350 found a new home at $335,500 — the highest price achieved over that weekend sale. That, along with 296 other sold cars, brought this first-time-sale total to $9,316,726. Twin Cities Auctions resurfaced for their once-a- 1955 Dodge C-3 B6-106 pickup, sold for $18,150 at Mecum’s Indy sale That Dodge isn’t the only example we have for year sale in St. Paul, MN. Numbers were slightly down across the board compared with last year, but 59% isn’t a sales rate to scoff at. All in, the total reached $1,551,544 on 95 cars sold. In Tacoma, WA, Lucky Collector Car Auctions hosted a Spring Classic sale of their own. Of 191 cars, 125 sold, bringing in $1,325,204. Jack Tockston tells us the story of what went down there. Chad’s Market Moment: Most of you just flipped the page from the $28k 1949 Dodge B-1 pickup. Is anybody else still gobsmacked? It wasn’t long ago when that price was the top end for the ultimate collectible pickups — 1967–72 Chevys. Now, don’t read that as those are the best pickups, or even my preferred ones; just that those are the most desired, easiest sold and consistently expensive in the market. The responses you gave in the Readers’ Forum bear that out, too. Those Chevys can handily trade for more now, but, with that higher ceiling, more and more folks are looking at rigs that fit their budgets, which might not have risen as rapidly. So someone pays a bit more for that B-1 because more people are also vying for it. A rising tide does lift all … well, you know. escalating truck prices, as on p. 70 you’ll read our “One to Watch” on another rapidly rising Dodge, the Li’l Red Express. Throughout the market reports you’ll also see few well-bought or good-deal trucks. They mostly carry the “market-correct” designation now. However, it may not be long before you or I look back on these prices and consider how many good deals we missed out on.A Lucky Tacoma, WA May 14 Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis, IN May 17–21 Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX May 21 Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN June 17 Mecum, Portland, Or June 17–18 Silver, Couer d’Alene, ID June 18 $0 $1.6m $9.3m $393k $10m $20m $30m $40m $50m $60m $1.4m Auctions in this issue $1.3m $48.2m 1958 Chevrolet Impala 2-dr hard top, $28,620—Silver, ID, p. 119 1965 Ford Thunderbird convertible, $19,440—Dan Kruse Classics, TX, p. 126 1983 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona 500 Pace Car 25th Anniversary coupe, $2,160—Silver, ID, p. 122 1935 Chrysler Airflow C-1 sedan, $20,625—Lucky, WA, p. 114

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Indianapolis, IN Mecum — 29th Annual Spring Classic A GOOD WEEKEND FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE FORDS AND SHELBYS Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN May 12–16, 2016 Auctioneers: Mark Delzell, Mike Hagerman, Bobby McGlothlen, Matt Moravec, Jeff Knox, Logan Schmid, Russ Coughlin Automotive lots sold/ offered: 1,094/1,562 Sales rate: 70% Sales total: $48,152,936 High sale: 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 roadster, sold at $1,210,000 Buyer’s premium: 10% (minimum $500), included in sold prices Mecum’s Indy auction top seller — 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 roadster, sold at $1,210,000 Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson 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 76 AmericanCarCollector.com B ack home again in Indiana, Mecum’s Spring Classic has called the State Fairgrounds in northwest Indianapolis home for almost a decade. Long settled in here for their secondlargest auction, they continued to tweak the layout for 2016. Changes this year included moving the main entrance to the west end of the compound, installing temporary canopies between the buildings for walkways, and having designated walkways in most buildings for the major pedestrian flow. Along those aisles were the usual vendors and major sponsors. All the while, the flow of cars into and out of the auction hall remained unchanged. Despite threats of rain for Friday and Saturday, Mother Nature generally cooperated with Mecum this year — making those covered walkways more sunshades than rain cover. An added bonus was an overall uptick in numbers. With 161 more cars on offer and 173 more sold than in 2015, it helped Mecum get within spitting distance of $50 million in overall sales, and a 4% increase in the sell-through rate. All in all, this was the third-highest total for Mecum at Indy, as well as their highest sales rate ever here. Topping all sales this year was virtually a repeat of last year — a 427-powered Shelby Cobra. While last year’s car brought $1,080,000, this year’s example from the highlighted Joe McMurrey Collection surpassed its million-dollar reserve by two bids, finding a new home at $1,210,000. The other real-deal Shelby Cobra here this weekend followed close behind. Originally owned by founder of outboard boat engine manufacturer Mercury Marine and period NASCAR team owner E.C. Kiekhaefer, the Silver Mink-painted, 289-powered 1964 Cobra also met its million-dollar reserve, selling for $1.1 million. While it was good weekend for sales of high-perfor- mance Fords and Shelbys, dedicated drag racing cars didn’t fare as well. The most famous of the bunch came from one consignor; the 1971 Sox & Martin Hemi ’Cuda and “Grumpy’s Toy VIII” — the 1970 Camaro built and campaigned initially by NHRA legend Bill Jenkins. Both cars failed to meet their reserves, with final bids of $750k and $285k respectively. The only noteworthy drag car that sold this weekend was the 1968 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet factory-supplied lightweight campaigned by Dave Lydall. Initially a no-sale on Friday at $150k, it was a post-block sale for $154,000. Chalk another one up for the Ford Performance camp. With Mecum expanding further out towards the coasts every year, it’s good to see that there’s still a solid base for them here where they began, in the middle of America.A

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M COMPANYNAME // auction_cityauction_stateauction_country ECUM AUCTIONS // Indianapolis, IN GM #T219-1950 CHEVROLET STYLELINE Deluxe Bel Air 2-dr hard top. VIN: 2HK35520. Black/gray cloth & black vinyl. Odo: 701 miles. 216-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Cosmetic redo before consignor purchased it in 2005. Decent older repaint, with a few chips and light scratches in places. Piecemeal brightwork, with some original stainless trim and older bumper replating. Taillights have blue dots added. Fitted with dealer-accessory backup lights, stainless gravel shields and fender pants. Period aftermarket curb feelers, clamp-on mirrors and Impala hood ornament. At first glance, engine looks clean and stock, but it has a split exhaust manifold, dumping into dual pipes and mufflers. Very good amateur interior redo, with some lifting of pinchweld moldings. Heavily crazed dashboard clock crystal and horn button. Runs out well, with that distinctivebut-muted split-manifold exhaust rap. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $55,000. Back in the day, this car was a formidable competitor in New York state, generally running up to 11.73-second quarters. With lighter gearing to make it a bit more manageable off track in the 21st century, I figured that it should’ve done a little better than what it was bid to— obviously, so did the consignor. However, it also seemed like there was very little interest on the block for it, as it spent a little less time doing the quarter mile than being up for bids. SOLD AT $18,700. 1950 was the first year for a Chevy hard top, the Bel Air. In 1953, the name went from being used only for 2-door hard tops that were part of the Styleline series to being the highest trim line. Offered at no reserve, it was going to do what it was going to do, which was fall right in line as a market-correct sale. #F182-1966 CHEVROLET BISCAYNE 2-dr sedan. VIN: 154166T195016. Ermine White/blue vinyl & nylon. Odo: 7,237 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Specifically ordered as a competition drag car, with a copy of original invoice displayed with car. Options include L72 425-hp motor, M21 4-speed, 4.56 ratio Posi diff, F41 HD suspension, metallic brakes, heater delete and full tinted glass. Restored in late ’90s, then earned AACA Certified Competition Race Vehicle accreditation and a national first place in 2010. Period racing tweaks include headers, Hurst shifter, cable-driven tach on top of dash and additional gauges in heaterdelete panel. Fitted with 3.70 rear-end gear set when restored. Engine a period-authentic replacement block, but retains original heads and induction. Authentic sheen to repaint, and hand-painted lettering to replace original. Tidy engine bay, with factorystyle inspection markings a bit exaggerated. Cond: 2+. #F212.1-1970 CHEVROLET CAMARO NHRA Pro Stock coupe. White/black vinyl. Odo: 33,283 miles. 468-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. All external VINs have been removed. Signed off by the late Bill Jenkins as being his “Grumpy’s Toy VIII” before car was restored in 2003, and signed by him on cowl after completion in 2005. Highly authentic restoration to when it first campaigned in 1970—including all graphics. Excellent repaint, with a few chips in back from being moved around. Not the best body fit, especially between front clip and doors. Hood pinned shut all week, so no inspection of engine possible. Seats could very well be original, as they show some light cracking and fade. Dashboard looks like it was redyed. Has a column-shift-automatic dashboard, yet the car has always had a 4-speed in it. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $285,000. As part of the same collection as the 1971 Sox & Martin Hemi ’Cuda offered just before this. For those who recall the NHRA of the early 1970s, it was a treat to see both of these drag-racing icons together. Yet, as with the ’Cuda, one quickly got the impression that this was more for show than sale. However, I will agree with the consignor that the final bid seems a bit light once again for an icon of the sport when it was new. However, I don’t feel it’s as strong as their $400k reserve; since, like any one-off, values are ever so fickle. September-October 2016 77

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Indianapolis, IN #T175-1970 OLDSMOBILE 442 2-dr hard top. VIN: 344870Z132789. Twilight Blue/ bright blue vinyl. Odo: 951 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Well equipped with power steering, power front-disc brakes, a/c, power windows, tilt steering column, Rally gauge package, speed minder, power trunk release and AM/FM/8-track stereo. Highenough quality frame-off restoration within past decade to score well in Oldsmobile Club of America concours judging. Superb base/clear repaint. All chrome was replated to OEM spec. Concours-quality detailing under hood, with only some light corrosion on brake master cylinder. While all interior soft vinyl is authentic reproduction, the hard vinyl is all-original and re-dyed. Cond: 1-. Equally clean undercarriage. Reupholstered interior, with slight soiling on door panels and their armrests. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $80,300. Zone Demo cars were usually batch-built early in production for the model year and loaded up with options as both VIP and customer demonstrators. In the case of these Buicks, it’s believed that about 25 were built—all identical to this car, painted new-for-1971 Cortez Gold. On top of that, they constitute approximately one-third of GS Stage 1 convertible production for ’71, with only 81 built. Maybe not a concours lawn ornament, but all factors combined to make this one surpass reserve without much difficulty. SOLD AT $66,000. Although this wasn’t presented with any documentation, this car has all the trappings of a dealer demo, with that many options on it. About the only way to improve upon this car would be color, as this blue isn’t everybody’s favorite—but at least it’s not Pinehurst Green. Top-tier 442s are finally getting some respect in the marketplace, after decades of “too bad it ain’t no Chevelle” mentality. With plenty of folks bidding on it, I’ll call it market-correct. #F148-1971 BUICK SKYLARK GS Stage 1 convertible. VIN: 434671H100563. Cortez Gold/white vinyl/Pearl White vinyl. Odo: 42,400 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Early production, batch-built Zone Demo car, originally shipped to Florida. Reproduction Polyglas GT tires on Buick Road Wheels. Concours-quality, frame-off restoration completed within past few years. Subtle updates of an electric fan ahead of radiator, underdashboard gauges and chambered mufflers. Superb repaint and panel fit. Replating a touch better than stock, but not quite show-chrome. Some of underhood components are a bit too glossy, and reproduction battery is on a quick-disconnect switch, but otherwise a concours-correct engine bay. #F16-1974 CHEVROLET C10 Custom Deluxe pickup. VIN: CCV1441163400. Hawaiian Blue & white/blue vinyl & nylon. Odo: 17,697 miles. 350-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Assembled by GM of Canada. Stated that 17,697 indicated miles are correct since new and that it’s almost all original components and finishes. Original, GM-applied light orange peel paint on the cab and upper doors. Modern replacement internal-antenna windshield. Period-correct, slightly off door fit. Excellent original brightwork. Good repaint on air cleaner, but they got sloppy on motor, with copious overspray. Mix of original and replacement belts, hoses and clamps. Light fading of door panels, with yellowing of colored rubber floor mat and driver’s side seat bolster of an otherwise superb original interior. Cond: 3+. wheels. Better-than-stock repaint—no sight of even the lightest orange peel anywhere. Good workmanship in fitting reproduction decals. Modern, non-OEM replacement windshield. Original engine repainted as part of rebuild process (in a tad brighter shade of blue than stock), with all correct components detailed and returned under hood. Light flash rust starting to take hold on bare-metal fasteners, both under hood and under car. Newer fuel tank and authentic exhaust system. Like-new interior, as it’s essentially all new reproduction components. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $30,250. While 190 hp won’t set the world on fire, it at least was better than what was trickling out of Detroit at the time. Restored to better-than-original build quality (not that it’s all that difficult to do for a 1980 product), selling price is no worse than high market—and a better deal than those Ponchos that have been seeing an uptick in prices this year. However, if “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” gets re-released, watch out. CORVETTE SOLD AT $33,000. When I first decided to write up this truck, I was initially thinking that it was too bad that they didn’t do a better repaint on this otherwise-superb older resto. Then I read the windshield description to find that the paint is original. These 1973–80 Chevy pickups are now exploding in value, same as the previous generation did a decade earlier. Makes sense, as the demographic that grew up around these and fondly remember them can now afford to buy the best they can find. Hitting reserve at $23k didn’t really surprise me, but when it continued to be strongly bid beyond, that did. Call it well sold today, but can be the norm in the foreseeable future. #T69.1-1980 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 coupe. VIN: 1P87LAN544861. Orange/ tinted glass/black vinyl. Odo: 2,356 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Recent bare-body restoration and powertrain rebuild. Fresh off-brand radials on stock-styled steel 78 AmericanCarCollector.com #T231-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. VIN: 194377S110262. Goodwood Green/Saddle vinyl. Odo: 96,248 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Retains original window sticker from A&C Chevrolet of Fort Montgomery, NY. It—along with copy of tank sticker—confirms that car was restored to its original configuration. Teakwood steering wheel added sometime later in its existence. Excellent body prep and base/clear paint application. Front wheelwell lips have some heavier re-enforcing. Generally good—yet not spot-on—door gaps. Better prep work than original. Recent engine bay tidying up on good work done as part of restoration. Not tidied up on undercarriage, but still shows that it was well restored earlier—now that it’s seen some light use. Cond: 2.

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Indianapolis, IN NOT SOLD AT $57,000. The consignor talked up the possibility that a West Point cadet may have been original owner, as the dealership is very close to the U.S. Military Academy. I’d reason that an instructor or member of staff was original owner, if it was an Army officer. Granted, there have always been plenty of rich kids who were at West Point, but they were also looking at the uncertainly of where most would end up after graduation—such as Vietnam. Until you knew what post you’d end up at, a somewhat expensive car to deal with could be quite an albatross. On Thursday (as Lot T213), it was stated on the block that it had a $65k reserve, so being bid to $50k on Friday (as Lot F321) was more an act of futility. FOMOCO #T101.1-1958 FORD COURIER 2-dr sedan delivery. VIN: H8RS152838. Sun Gold/tan vinyl & brown nylon. Odo: 623 miles. 352-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Equipped with Select-Aire a/c, power steering, power brakes, power windows, Town & Country AM radio and clock. Dealer-accessory spotlights on both sides. Superb-quality frame-off restoration, likely with odometer reset at that time. Better quality paint application than technically possible in 1958. Door fit at least as good as original. Brightwork one step down from show chrome. All-new glass—including that rare bugger in rear liftgate. Original-style reproduction interior soft trim. Generally authentic under hood, aside from coil and NAPA battery. Just as squeaky clean on undercarriage. Cond: 2. #T80-1963 FORD GALAXIE 500 2-dr hard top. VIN: 3J66R165233. Orange/black vinyl. Odo: 43,391 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. An original 427 car, but was Champagne with black vinyl interior. Motor in car is now a ’66 side-oiler block, with 1963 heads, intake and cast-header exhaust manifolds. Recent better-quality, trim-off, color-change repaint. No body tag on door, painted-over rivets. Mostly reproduction trim, with lettering not replaced on trunk lid. Replated bumpers. Recent light underhood cleanup. Aftermarket cast-aluminum valve covers and deep-sump oil pan. Seats redone with orange piping. Orange-painted inserts in window cranks. Original dashboard bezels are yellowed. Aftermarket gauges below the dashboard, with modern stereo displacing original radio. Cond: 3+. 427 Cobra tanked on the block. While that hardly happened, I did figure right that it wouldn’t disappoint. It equaled the 427’s million-dollar reserve, but the phone bid that did it was the last to be placed. A decent buy, as I think we can pretty much agree that any ’60s Cobra (regardless of what’s powering it) that can move under its own power is now a member of the million-dollar club. SOLD AT $41,800. Last seen at VanDerBrink’s Murdo auction in May 2013 (ACC# 6392293). Back then I called the $21,630 selling price a “decent buy.” Today that really looks like a smoking-hot deal for a bitsa that sold well three years later. NOT SOLD AT $39,000. It’s unusual for a Courier to have a split-bench seat, as they usually were fitted with buckets standard, with only one for the driver. Then again, there are a lot of things unusual about this, as most sedan deliveries were working trucks. However, a/c is feasible if this was intended for a business that needed some sort of climate control for their cargo (dairy…florist…beer distributor…ambulance service…coroner…). Without documentation beyond reproduction body tag and real serial number, I’m inclined to assume that a lot of goodies were added on as part of restoration. Can’t really blame them, as there’s not much call for bare-bones sedan deliveries—aside from a raw canvas for modifications. Rare enough, but bid enough. 80 AmericanCarCollector.com #F163-1964 SHELBY COBRA 289 roadster. VIN: CSX2271. Silver Mink/red leather. Odo: 55,515 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Originally sold new to Mercury Marine founder and NASCAR team owner E.C. Kiekhaefer of Fond du Lac, WI, with optional Class A accessory group. Concours-quality restoration completed in 2003, showing light use since. Superb barebody repaint. Decent door, trunk and hood fit. Modern replacement windshield, with some chrome scuffing at frame base on driver’s side. Light scratches on wind wings. Light carpeting and seat-bottom wear. Seats have period aircraft-style lap seat belts. Glovebox is signed by Mr. Shelby. Wheel chrome starting to look somewhat dull. Very clean and tidy engine bay. Cond: 2+. 2 SOLD AT $1,210,000. Centerpiece car from centerpiece Joe McMurrey Collection that focused on Shelbys. This is a Cobra that looks almost good enough for concours lawns, but plays and belongs on the track. It wasn’t too surprising that it was bid to a million bucks. Two more bids—heavily worked by Mecum’s heir apparent Frank—got the deal done by an on-site bidder. SOLD AT $1,100,000. Last seen by ACC at several venues (ACC# 1640928, 1571230). I figured that with its provenance, it would likely be the top sale of the weekend if the #F125-1965 SHELBY GT350 fastback. VIN: SFM55041. Wimbledon White/black vinyl. Odo: 2,751 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Early production car, with early features such as all-fiberglass hood with mesh over the round intake, prop-rod hood, nine-rivet steering wheel rim and battery relocated to trunk. Shelby five-spoke mag wheels shod with repro Goodyear Blue Streak tires. Restored in late 1980s to thenconcours-quality standards, with limited track and highway use since. Superb trimoff repaint, with only a few light road-debris chips since. Older replated parts now mellowed to look like minty originals, although front bumper is mounted pointing slightly downward (call it a subtle aerodynamic ad- 3 #F124-1965 SHELBY COBRA 427 roadster. VIN: CSX3295. Wimbledon White/black leather. Odo: 20,208 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated that 20,208 indicated miles are correct. Complete, documented ownership history since sold new by J.D. Ball Ford of Miami, FL. Black sidepipes and roll bar, along with Halibrand wheels, were swapped in from original components by a previous owner. Restored by consignor circa 2008 for authenticity and usefulness over concours glamour. Repaint has a very authentic period sheen to it. Generally stock under hood—aside from a modern distributor, ignition and remote oil-filter lines. Light fuel staining on intake manifold, but otherwise clean and tidy. Raised white lettering more yellow and brown on older radial tires. Light wrinkling on seat leather and minimal carpet soiling. If it has a soft top, it wasn’t available for viewing. Cond: 2-. 1 TOP 10 TOP 10 TOP 10

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Indianapolis, IN justment and you’re good). Better panel and door fit than you’ll find on a bone-stock ’Stang. Tidy and generally authentic engine bay and undercarriage. Cond: 2. here at the Spring Classic three years ago (ACC# 6737929). Bid to a no-sale on the block at $150k, post-event data supplied by auction company now shows it sold. With consignment fees factored in, this sale came out as as a wash at best for the consignor. SOLD AT $550,000. This is a very welldocumented GT350, from the moment it was built in the then-new Shelby American facility at the LAX airport. These two-digitserial number cars are among the most coveted of the Mustang-based Shelbys, so the only surprise about the bidding going past the $450k reserve was why said reserve was that low. A decent buy today, well bought for the long term. #F180.1-1968 FORD MUSTANG Lightweight fastback. VIN: 8F02R135031. Wimbledon White/black vinyl. Odo: 944 miles. Marti Report confirms this as one of the first 50 Cobra Jets, distributed to teams by Ford, for use at the NHRA Winternationals. Also stated that 944 indicated miles are actual since new. Authentically restored in recent years to ready-to-racefor-the-first-time condition—if not slightly better. Fitted with Cragar SS wheels, with drag slicks in back. Graphics by and large are reproduced in their original mediums— painted by hand and decals. Painstakingly authentic under hood, to include all smog equipment. A modern Motorcraft battery 8 #S180-1969 FORD MUSTANG Boss 429 fastback. VIN: 9F02Z198745. Wimbledon White/black vinyl. Odo: 18,117 miles. 429-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Kar Kraft number KK1857. Attested to, by consignor, that 18,117 miles are actual and that car is original aside from tires, battery, select service parts (some belts and hoses), and fluids. Also retains most documentation from new. Most of paint is original. Air-cleaner assembly seems repainted, as paint is incongruent with any other painted surface under hood. A few other components had some cosmetic detailing over the years, but, by and large, things are mostly original in there. Radiator not touched, with flaking paint and a few dings. Slightly wider door gaps up front than out back—typical of original production. Light seat-bottom and carpet wear. Cond: 2-. AM radio. Period-accessory trailer-brake controller, cruise control, running boards and topper. Stated that 45,390 indicated miles are believed to be actual, and, apart from a repaint in 2000, truck is essentially original. Still retains dealer emblem on cowl and mud flaps from when it sold new by Christie Ford of Langdon, ND. Quality repaint, but not so over-the-top that original brightwork looks out of place. Indestructible poly seat shows no appreciable wear, while steering wheel has multiple light cracks and fissures. Light-to-moderate carpet wear and soiling. Repainting valve covers and cleaning engine bay is as far as they went with detailing under hood. Cond: 3+. only concession to 2016. Just as clean and authentic under car. All-reproduction interior vinyl trim and carpet. Original seat belts front and rear. Correct Hurst shifter, as used in combat. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $154,000. Last seen on our radar selling for $144,450, “ NOT SOLD AT $260,000. Original owner traded this in back in 1993, with 17,800 miles on it at the time, at a Ford dealer in Florida for a new Taurus. Even back then, boy, did he get screwed. I remember decent Boss 9s with low miles doing no less than $50k at that time—even a fully loaded SHO wouldn’t set you back that far. As for what both are worth today, the original owner might stick his head in the oven just thinking about it. Granted, this was one of three Boss 429s not to sell here this weekend, but final bid represented reality rather than a pie-in-the-sky chandelier bid. #T279-1974 FORD F-250 Custom Series pickup. VIN: F25JLT50312. Hot Ginger & Sandpiper Yellow/black nylon. Odo: 45,390 miles. 460-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optional integral a/c, power steering, power brakes and Front bumper is mounted pointing slightly downward (call it a subtle aerodynamic adjustment and you’re good). 82 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $11,000. Correspondent Stu Lenzke and I last saw this at the 2013 Motor Magic auction in Minot, ND, then selling for $7,800. Two years later, out in a major market, it didn’t fare much better. This has more to do with it being a ¾-ton, which have always lagged in values behind the ever-popular-and-generally-better-geared-for-the-highway half-tons. Still, this won’t take up any more space in your garage compared to an F-series Super Duty (actually less than any variation beyond a single cab). So, for what it brought, still makes an interesting errand truck that you actually can take to cruise night. 8JZ0F5520136. Deep Impact Blue/black cloth. Odo: 33 miles. 5.4-L fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Second-to-last 2015 GT350 build for the inaugural year, optioned with Tech Package and over-the-top stripes. Window sticker still on passenger’s door glass, but other stickers (such as Domestic Content label) have been removed. Has mostly been dealer prepped, with 33 miles on the clock, but still has seat and steering-wheel protective plastic in place. No discernible signs of wear or use on whole car, aside from light tire wear. Doesn’t even have flash corrosion on undercarriage. Cond: 1. 9 #F200-2015 SHELBY GT350 50th Anniversary coupe. VIN: 1FA6P- ” SOLD AT $148,500. I asked the consignor TOP 10 TOP 10

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about car-cover option on other Shelby he consigned here (as I’m on the waiting list to order a ’17), which led to a lengthy conversation about these cars. Needless to say, he was very pleasantly surprised at the outcome on his GT350—more than double what he claims to have paid for it. He was pleased enough just that his $100k reserve was blown right past. Even more pleased when that ’16 GT350 R I was inquiring about sold a few hours later for $118,250. While you can almost justify the 2015’s price (as there were only 137 made in that first year), base-model GT350 Rs are still being made. Can’t even blame the bidder’s bar for it, as they sold to phone bidders. MOPAR #T114-1965 DODGE DART GT Charger 2-dr hard top. VIN: L455151829. Light yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 628 miles. 273-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Aftermarket Cragar SS wheels shod with modern radials. Betterquality restoration in recent years, but not a concours queen. Excellent body prep and paint application, but overspray on stock exhaust system. Rest of undercarriage painted semi-gloss black. New windshield and perimeter seal. Good door fit. Most brightwork either replated or professionally polished, but side emblems have light pitting. Full reproduction interior kit, professionally installed. Optional rear speaker’s grille not well attached on rear parcel shelf. Light pitting inside gauges. Generally clean and well detailed under hood. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $24,750. Claimed to be one of 480 West-Coast-only Charger-package GTs. It’s rare enough to see a ’65 Dart GT, let alone one with a 273 V8 or a 4-speed. Not that it makes it ultra desirable, as typical Mopar fans ignore Darts before 1967 (and essentially all Valiants). For those folks who can think beyond the Hemi for something a lot more practical with a V8 that likes to rev, this was a pretty good buy. Even with reserve met at $20,500. #F212-1971 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA NHRA Pro Stock 2-dr hard top. VIN: SMPR0471. White, red & blue/black vinyl. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Bill of sale only, no title, as it originally was a Chrysler-provided body-in-white, with acid-etched shell. Built by Sox & Martin. Campaigned by Ronnie Sox in 1971 in NHRA Pro Stock class, with several victories that year. Restored circa 2003, shortly after it was found still racing in Sportsman class. Authentically returned to September-October 2016 85

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Indianapolis, IN MARKETMOMENT 1983 Pontiac Trans Am “KITT” custom coupe SOLD at $21,450 Barrett-Jackson, Uncasville, CT, June 23–25, 2016, Lot 455 VIN: 1G2AW87HXDN236858 its 1971 configuration, with the blessing and assistance of most of the original team. Correct 1971-style paint and graphics. Not the best body fit, but typical for its time and purpose. Hood left shut all week. Authentically restored interior, including period race gear and decal for a dashboard. Squeaky-clean undercarriage, not even showing tire residue from racing. Period authentic Keystone Klassic wheels with Mickey Thompson drag slicks. Cond: 2-. Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson mom sew me a jacket that looked like Michael Knight’s. But when you’re four, you don’t tend to see plot holes, or stunt models, or bad acting. Nope, I loved the car that talked, turbo-boosted over things, and drove itself, and I suspect there are a lot of people my age out there today who still feel the same way. It was just so cool. Okay, so I know that Hasselhoff is no Steve McQueen, but bear with me here for a mo- I loved “Knight Rider” as a kid. Four-year-old me even made my ment. The young, impressionable kids who watched Michael Knight, the Duke boys, and B.A. Baracus slide their rides around living rooms across America during prime-time are now in their 30s and are serious buyers in the collector car market. TV screen dream cars from the era are popping up at auction, which is nothing new, but they’re starting to bring bigger money as the market changes. This KITT replica is a good example at $21k. It had everything it needed to look the part, even down to the bowling-ball hubcaps (known for falling off) and the apparently hard-to-find tan cloth seats. There are several sources for all the fiberglass KITT nose and dash parts, and this one looks to use decent quality stuff — remember how wavy ‘glass can be and how unforgiving black paint is. The car market is really driven by two things: nostalgia and cool factor. Whether or not this car is cool really comes down to you, and the same can be said about nostalgia when the timeframe in question is the most-would-rather-forget 1980s. But don’t be surprised to see bidders of a certain age driving up prices on things like this at auction — if it can happen to a 1960s Batmobile, it can happen to a talking Trans Am. A NOT SOLD AT $750,000. Sold to the consignor at Mecum’s Spring Classic in 2007 ($929,250; ACC# 1569809). I got the impression that this car and Grumpy’s Toy VIII (also owned by this consignor) were pretty much here for eye candy, with very high reserves just in case someone really wanted to buy one at their price. With a reserve in the neighborhood of one million bucks, no one was willing to chase this drag-racing icon that far. #F140-1986 SHELBY GLHS hatchback. VIN: 1B3BZ18E3GD262796. Black/gray cloth. Odo: 21,285 miles. 2.2-L fuel-injected I4, 5-sp. Stated that 21,285 miles are correct since new. Better-quality, but maskedoff, repaint and new graphics circa 2005. Moderate rock chipping on leading edge of hood. Door and panel fit better than expected for era, but lack of bumper cladding makes car come off as unfinished. 1988 and ’89 Mopar Nationals decals on windshield. Minimal wear and soiling of original interior. Light yellowing of gauges. Dash plaque form Shelby Automobiles indicating it’s the 240th of 500 built. Generally clean under hood, but bare-metal components are showing light corrosion. Rattle-can undercoating, before installation of new Koni rear struts. Newer, off-brand performance tires on original wheels. Cond: 2-. — Jim Pickering 86 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $19,800. It seemed like everyone walking by this pocket rocket had to get a dig in against it. It’s not like it was Aunt Mildred’s basic SE package with a slushbox AmericanCarCollector.com

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Indianapolis, IN transmission. Two steps above the usual GLH, and one over the GLHT, this had an air-to-air intercooler and induction tweaks done by Shelby for an additional 65 hp and 29 hp respectively. What everyone seems to forget today is that this would beat up a VW Golf GTI and take its lunch money. Most people didn’t get either car back then. With the Mopar muscle-car mentality, this was especially true for the GLHS. Still, sold a bit well considering that it’s not a much of a minty virgin as some would believe, but not by much. AMERICANA #F56-1951 CROSLEY HOTSHOT Super roadster. VIN: VC30127. Yellow/black cloth/maroon vinyl. Odo: 29,847 miles. 44-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Optional AM radio. Older repaint, which still presents well. Heavier paint chipping around hood (which stayed shut all weekend) and on dashboard. Period aftermarket bird hood ornament, with chrome so weak that it looks like silver paint. Original chrome on car decent, yet with some light pitting. Side glass seals lifting out of windshield frame. Newer carpeting, interior vinyl and non-stock cloth top. Faded and pitted original gauges. Recently restored steering wheel. Older, glossy, black-painted undercarriage, with rusty exhaust system. Decent older bias-ply tires. Cond: 3. U.S.-made car with rear-disc brakes). Actually the most prudent printed information I got was, “offered at no reserve,” so it did as good as could be expected, if not a tad better with the juice factored in. #W157-1981 JEEP CJ-8 Scrambler pickup. VIN: 1JCCE88E2BT057670. White/ tan fiberglass/brown vinyl. Odo: 26,443 miles. 258-ci I6, 2-bbl, auto. Optional automatic transmission, a/c, power steering, power brakes, tachometer, clock and AM/ FM radio. Consignor of the opinion that 26,443 miles indicated are actual since new. Original paint over wavy rocker panels. Mediocre passenger’s door fit, yet pretty good on driver’s side. Good original plating. Carpeting likely replacement, as it’s in superb condition, but poorly fit. Aftermarket oil pressure and voltmeter gauges cleanly integrated into dashboard above radio. Heavier surface rust on all bare metal under hood, with a recent wash-off and replacement battery. Tweaked Holley/Weber progressive 2-bbl carb, with manifold spacer, displaces stock unit. Topped with an open-element air cleaner. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $19,800. The auction description could’ve just as well been blank, as all it did was give basics (engine size, transmission) and a couple of not entirely accurate trivia tidbits (the first U.S.-made “sports car”; first SOLD AT $25,300. For inaugural-year CJ-8 Scramblers the upgraded Sport trim packages were the SR and SL. This Scrambler has the latter, which got you a chromed grille, bumpers and wheels, among other amenities. In the past decade, Scramblers have become insanely popular, now outstripping values of the CJ-7s they were based upon. That, combined with low miles and general originality, makes this marketpriced, if not a touch cheap. A September-October 2016 87

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN Twin Cities — Back to the Fifties THE CONSIGNMENTS REPRESENTED A GOOD MIX OF $10K-TO-$50K VEHICLES, WITH POST-WAR AMERICAN LUXURY AND PICKUPS LEADING Twin Cities Auctions St. Paul, MN June 17–18, 2016 Auctioneers: Gary Dehler, Kurt Warner Automotive lots sold/ offered: 94/156 Sales rate: 60% Sales total: $1,551,544 High sale: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible, sold at $51,840 Buyer’s premium: 8%, minimum $400, included in sold prices Low miles and little use — 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 fastback, sold at $24,840 Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson 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 88 AmericanCarCollector.com in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Since 1987, he and business partner Sandy Doll have conducted at least one collector car auction each year in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. For the last four years, their one-and-only sale has T been at one of the largest car events in the world — the Minnesota Street Rod Association’s Back to the Fifties Weekend. This year, 11,943 participating vehicles arrived at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds north of St. Paul, which should bring in a reasonable number of folks looking to buy an old car. Although the auction is held in the historic Cattle Exhibition building, it’s on the edge of the site, so it was isolated from the rest of the event. The made-pre-1965 requirement for the show doesn’t apply to the auction, yet folks could easily come and go to the auction from the show. For 2016, the overall numbers were all lower. While there were only 20 fewer consignments, sales were a little softer. This is something of a microcosm of the market right now. The sell-through rate (including post-event sales) was 3% less and the overall take was almost $300k less. The biggest factor for less money was the lack of a sale over $100k. Actually, the high-sale gap hirty years on, with two name changes, a buyout of the company’s motorcycle division, and refocusing on just local car auctions, Ron Christenson’s Twin Cities Auctions is still around putting buyers and sellers together from 2015 to 2016 was over $100k. Last year, the top sale was a 427-powered 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 2-door hard top at $160,500, while this year it was a well-restored 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible at $51,840. If anything, post-block sales carried the weekend. Without the active and fruitful post-block deals, on-the-hammer sales were just under half. Also like last year, the consignments represented a good mix of $10k-to-$50k vehicles, with post-war American luxury and pickups leading. Overall, a nice selection was available for most everyone’s level of interest. If there is one thing the auction company should look at changing, it would be the volume of automobilia sold before the cars each day. I know that it’s a good way to get the auction tuned up and ready to go; however, it becomes counter-productive when there are more of those lots than cars. Each day, the sale started like clockwork at noon, but with all that other stuff to sell, a lot of bidders didn’t hang around for it — leaving to come back sometime later, sometimes not at all. On Saturday, it took an excessively long time to go through it, so it was pushing 2 p.m. by the time the first car hit the block — with plenty of empty chairs to greet it. With an agreement with MSRA for Twin Cities to continue to be here next year and beyond, hopefully we’ll see more higher-end consignments and fewer reproduction signs in 2017. A

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN GM #S126-1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-dr sedan. VIN: C56J003227. Aqua & ivory/ white vinyl & gray nylon. Odo: 86,929 miles. 235-ci I6, 1-bbl, auto. Older topical repaint, with less-than-careful masking of white in door jambs. Heavier orange peel on trunk lid. Replated bumpers, but done on the cheap and flaking around bolt holes. Some selective trim replacement in recent years. Mostly original interior, with some re-dying of door panels. Seats have some light-tomoderate wear on driver’s side cloth inserts. Unfortunately, it was stored damp, and has a near-overpowering musty odor inside. Cleaned-up original engine, with most of its original paint. Function over form pretty much describes most everything else under hood. Unkempt original undercarriage. Cond: 3. ishing of brightwork. Stated an all-original interior, but clock has heavier yellowing and fading than anything else. Color shade mismatch on several dash panels. Newer AM/ FM/cassette displaces original radio. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $29,160. Not a horrible car as it sits, but a little detail work and finishing what others started would make this a far better cruiser. Sold on lower end of market. Even with tweaks it won’t make it worth flipping, but said tweaks will make it a better car to drive. SOLD AT $15,120. I liked that it still has Stovebolt six in it, but it really needs to sit outside in the sun for about a month with doors and windows open to vent out mildew smell. Truth be told, it will more likely need selective upholstery replacement. As much as I wanted to like this old sedan, not enough was still original to be a survivortype car, but it would pain me to have to ditch the interior to cure the smell. As such, it’s not so much of a smokin’ hot deal, with the reserve surpassed at $14k final bid. #F176-1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr hard top. VIN: F580130446. White/multiaqua vinyl. Odo: 80,254 miles. 283-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Engine code correct for a ’58 283 with 4-bbl, but now fed with a modern Edelbrock/Carter AFB topped by a small open-element air cleaner. Between that and non-stock dual-exhaust system, it has a somewhat robust exhaust note. Repainted motor, now has some grime from use. Universal-fit, flex upper-radiator hose, stretched to the limit. Older topical repaint, with lots of overspray on door seals. All four rubber door stops missing, so while doors latch #S118.1-1964 CHEVROLET CORVAIR Monza coupe. VIN: 40927W165414. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 95,707 miles. 164-ci H6, 2x1-bbl, 4-sp. Stated it was stored for about three decades. Low-buck repaint, even when done decades back. Still generally presentable, even with an almost-semigloss finish (but at least that’s hip now). Good door fit on passenger’s side, but driver’s side a bit off. Heavy scratching on rear window from an ice scraper. Headlight trim bezels from a 1960 Corvair. Interior of car smells like it’s been sitting for three decades, with a musty odor. Carpet looks— and smells—like it got damp before being stored. Broken driver’s door armrest. Very dirty engine bay, but easily shows work done on motor; including a new fuel pump and fan belt. New radial tires, one size under closest OE fitment. Runs out well. Cond: 3-. and AM/FM stereo radio. Dealer-installed a/c. Originally had eight-lug wheels, now fitted with modern aftermarket alloys and radials. Good base/clear repaint in original color. Door glass seals starting to stiffen up and crack. Mostly good original brightwork. Good door fit. Heavier yellowing on door pulls. Front seats re-dyed, as rear seats are original and have yellowed piping. Nonstock, chambered exhaust, but still has a muted, yet serious, note to it. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $11,500. Per PHS, one of only 318 High Output 428s with automatic transmissions built for the year. Not all went into Grand Prix, as it was also an option for Bonnevilles, Executives and Catalinas—regardless of body style (imagine THAT in a Safari wagon). Last seen at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in January 2015, a no-sale at $15k (ACC# 6773811). Final bid then would’ve been about right—if it had the base-level 400 in it. Here, bidders barely acknowledged that the car was even on the block. SOLD AT $2,900. Like just about anything on a 1960 Corvair, the headlight bezels are unique for that year. On all other years of earlies (1961–64), the bezels were larger facing center of car, to match the slightly extended front panel. At least the ’60 bezels were also used on all Forward Control trucks. This was one of five cars from an estate that have been sitting for decades— this being the newest car. Stored back when decent driver Corvairs were no more than $500. Do the math for 30 to 35 years of dollar valuations, and you pretty much get to the final bid—factoring in the storage issues. well, they rattle. Selective replating and pol90 AmericanCarCollector.com #S113-1968 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2-dr hard top. VIN: 266578P273856. Meridian Turquoise/Parchment vinyl. Odo: 46,158 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. PHS documents confirm it was equipped with optional 428 HO motor, TH400 transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, full tinted glass, tilt steering column, rear-window defogger, remote-control outside mirror #S152-1978 OLDSMOBILE TORONADO Brougham coupe. VIN: 3Z57K8M713655. White/white vinyl/maroon velour. Odo: 87,123 miles. 403-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Oneowner retired couple’s car until recently. Decent original paint, but heavier edge wear and road abrasions on front and behind wheelwells. Rear quarter-panel end caps broken and crudely glued back together. Doors rattle when shut. Serviceable original chrome and stainless trim congruent with paint. Mylar brightwork yellowed and cracking. Aftermarket deer whistles on front-bumper trim panel. Landau top vinyl shrinking and pulling up from body moldings. Heavier wear on driver’s seat bottom, but otherwise has a nice original interior. Used-car engine bay. Unkempt undercarriage that spent a lot of time on dirt roads, but shows no corrosion thanks to the 38-year-old factory undercoating. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $3,500. I saw this car two weekends earlier, when seller tried to peddle it across the street from the VanDerBrink auction in Hoven, SD (the photo I

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN used here). While low-mile Oldstermobiles have seen an uptick in prices, that’s on really low-mile, minty examples. Rougharound-the-edges ones like this are becoming a tougher sell as time passes. Final bid should’ve been a gift from the gods. #S112-1979 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. VIN: 2W87K9N179017. Gold/black velour. Odo: 62,722 miles. 403-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optional T-tops, AM/FM cassette, WS6 Package, power windows, rear defroster and tilt steering column. Decent repaint, with some sloppy masking in door jambs. Primer overspray on capacity decal on driver’s door. Driver’s door latch stuck, so door won’t latch. Perhaps coincidentally, doorhandle casting is cracked. Newer door and trunk seals. Hood sits slightly high overall. Light warping of front fascia, ahead of wheelwells, due more to age than sun baking. Original interior, with more sun fade on seat backs than wear. Seat-back seat-belt retainers all broken. Door panel and dashboard vacuum-plated trim heavily worn. Light detailing under hood—actually more of a darn good cleanup than a detail job. Recent spray-can lightweight undercoating, but they did miss economy dual-exhaust system. Cond: 3. accessory rubber floor mats up front. Cond: 2-. FOMOCO SOLD AT $9,990. It’s a little unusual to see an Oshawa, Ontario-assembled wagon down here, as Arlington (Texas) Assembly was still cranking out these B-body wagons with great regularity. This square-box design continued in production through 1990, with minimal changes. While later 1991–96 generation saw early interest—and was quickly saved due to being the last RWD GM wagons—these 1977–90 square boxes are starting to see some appreciation. Not a bad deal all around. CORVETTE SOLD AT $17,820. Last seen in the ACC Premium Auction Database selling for $16,050 at Mecum’s Spring Classic in May 2013 (ACC# 224179). In a way, I’m hoping that door-latch issue surfaced once it got here (since stuff does happen, with no notice, that will drive you bonkers when trying to market a car), rather than the consignor giving up and just kicking it out the door from sheer frustration. #F121-1985 CHEVROLET CAPRICE Classic 9-passenger wagon. VIN: 2G1BN35H6F9121283. Brown metallic/tan cloth. Odo: 6,035 miles. 305-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optional tilt steering column and a/c. Dealer-accessory branded black-plastic mud flaps on all four wheelwells. Stated that 6,035 indicated miles actual since new, and that car is all original. Well-preserved original paint, chrome, alloy trim and interior fittings. Paint on front valance and some of rocker-panel trim has some light rock chips. Undercarriage looks like most of those limited miles were on gravel. Generally original under hood, and could be detailed a little better. Heaviest interior wear is on dealer- 92 AmericanCarCollector.com #S170-1995 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Indy Pace Car edition convertible. VIN: 1G1YY32P4S5112726. Purple metallic & white/black cloth/black & purple leather. Odo: 12,991 miles. 5.7-L 300-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Stated that 12,991 miles are actual, and that car is untouched from new—aside from basic maintenance. Wellcared-for original paint. Not only has topframe clear protection film not been removed from roof-flipper panel, but original sticker from factory telling owner not to remove them is still attached. Light wrinkling on driver’s seat bottom and hint of wear on driver’s side outboard seat bolster. As minted by GM under hood, to include a replacement AC-Delco battery. Light road spray on undercarriage, but it looks like they tried to wash off bottom of muffler. Still shod with original Goodyears. Cond: 2-. #S117-1935 FORD MODEL 48 Deluxe Trunkback sedan. VIN: 18338723. Brown & black/tan mohair. Odo: 68,034 miles. Repowered by a 1948 Ford 239-ci V8, but generally looks the part, aside from distributor. Decent older repaint, in a not-so-authentic metallic brown. Older black repaint on fenders doing pretty well, but original chromed DeLuxe grille shell also painted over and now has significant chipping. Lower radiator support and horns painted to match red wheels. Rear quarter windows heavily delaminating. Good amateur interior reupholstery work, with correct seat pleats—even if cloth fitted a bit loose on headliner. Stated it has a replacement speedometer/odometer. Period-accessory heater. Unkempt undercarriage, with a coil of wire tie wrapped to a rear spring shackle for aftermarket electric fuel pump—because you never know when you’ll have to move the pump to front of the car. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $9,720. 1935 Fords were different inside, in that the end of the shift lever, after curving gracefully up from the floor, makes a short turn up to get top of knob almost level with floor. Talking with consignor before it crossed the block, he mentioned that he was realistically hoping for $10k, but would cut it loose at $9k. Which is pretty much the way things played out. #S104-1949 FORD F-1 pickup. VIN: 98RC212994. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 33,299 miles. 239-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Lousy repaint, which almost looks like a rattle-can job done over (and over again) on top of original, dead paint. Lazy masking around dry-rotted windshield and backlight gaskets, plus door glass. More easily spent on new, varnished oak box flooring, with polished skid strips. Selective trim replacement, with earlier period door hinge and clamp-on mirrors NOT SOLD AT $20,000. I’m more surprised when I see an Indy Pace Car edition (pick a year, it doesn’t matter) that actually gets used as a real car like my C5 coupe. Seems like they all end up as Instant Collectibles. Compared to all those out there still on MSO, this is almost high miles. Stated while rolling off the block that “$24k will do it.” I certainly hope so. Actually, the $20k bid really should’ve gotten the job done.

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN added. Okay door fit—for a truck. Aftermarket diamond-tread door sills. Good seat recovering, done in a generic pleat. Carpet added to floor and ad-hoc headliner is more of a synthetic trunk-liner material. Fairly spiffy, generally stock engine bay. Routing of ignition and electrical wiring a bit haphazard, but generally clean. New non-stock dual-exhaust system and modern radial tires. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $10,152. Second year into the all-new post-war Ford pickups was, for all intents and purposes, on cruise control. Ford still sold as many as it could get ahold of materials to build, so why mess with success? As such, the only way to tell the difference between a 1948 and 1949 F-1 was first digit of serial number. An odd juxtaposition of a few things done well and a lot of things done really badly; you can’t even make the argument that it’s a workerbee (especially with the new wood bed floor). With reserve surpassed at $9k, it kept on getting bids; I’ll just call it well sold. #S124.4-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. VIN: D7FH136825. Light blue/light blue hard top, dark blue cloth/white & blue vinyl. Odo: 80,338 miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Body tag codes out as originally Thunderbird Bronze with a Colonial White hard top and all-white interior. Factory-optional 3-speed with overdrive. Reproduction ’62– 63 Sports Roadster Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels on radial wide whites, modern a/c and retro-look AM/FM/cassette stereo. Excellent color-change body-on, trim-off repaint. Aftermarket wing nuts on cast-alloy valve covers, period finned aluminum voltage-regulator cover and modern commercial battery, but otherwise done up to looking stock. Non-stock dark blue pad added to top of door panels, to hide some of the arm-out-the-window soiling and wear. Older seat upholstery kit still presenting well, with minimal wear. Retro-looking modern seat belts. Cond: 2-. with more money are less fussy, and paid full market price for a cruiser—not a show car. #S98-1959 FORD GALAXIE Skyliner retractable hard top. VIN: H9RW130512. Black & white/red vinyl & black cloth. Odo: 82,812 miles. 352-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Dealeraccessory Continental kit, with extended non-stock exhaust system and modern aftermarket outlets. Stated restored by consignor 25 years ago. Wears an AACA National First Place badge on grille—from 1996. Repaint still good, despite some small-brush touch-ups on various chips. Rechromed bumpers still present well. Gold-tone trim getting discolored. All four headlights are halogens. Reproduction dash pad starting to warp and lift along windshield. Door pinchweld moldings sloppily reglued. Good door fit, and, more importantly, top functions well. Recent fluff-andbuff under hood. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $11,070. Y-block truck engines— from their introduction until they were put out to pasture for light duties in 1965—had a particularly nasty exhaust configuration. The driver’s side manifold exited in front of engine, where a pipe crossed over the block, between the water pump and the upper radiator hose, where it connected to the front of the passenger’s side exhaust manifold and eventually exited out the back of it to the exhaust pipe and muffler. A surefire way to get burned arms if you had to work on one of these beasts; it may explain why a lot of folks became Chevy fans. Personally, I’m not a fan of the red accents inside and with the wheels, but like the tweaked suspension, it’s easily cured if stock is your fancy. As such, it was a pretty good buy. SOLD AT $43,200. Built in mid-January of 1959, this is actually a transitional car, when top-line Ford went from being a Fairlane 500 to a Galaxie. Cars from this period—like this one—will have both sets of badges on them in various places as the year progressed. Two decades ago, this was probably a pretty nice car, but even then it still wasn’t as authentic as consignor claims. However, owner seems to still think it’s the show queen from two-and-a-half decades ago. Originally a no-sale at $42k on Friday as F158, then also a no-sale when reran on Saturday as S98. Post-event data from auction company shows it sold—for plenty. SOLD AT $43,200. I recall seeing this car over 20 years ago at one of this auction company’s events—two name changes ago now. As the consignor here was a long-term customer of theirs, this has to be that same car. Back then, I didn’t pay much attention to the color change; I liked the blue with 3-speed-overdrive combination. Today, while I’m a little fussier on details, this is still an appealing combination. However, others 94 AmericanCarCollector.com #F125.1-1962 FORD F-100 Custom Cab Unibody pickup. VIN: F10CK302754. Pagoda Green & white/green & white vinyl. Odo: 87,020 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Newer, good-quality repaint. All chrome either replated or replaced. Galpin Ford of San Fernando Valley, CA, license-plate frame, around standard-issue MN plates. Modern aftermarket white-vinyl tonneau cover. Modern CD sound system mounted in glovebox. Left door has a period dealeraccessory zippered door pocket in red vinyl, while right door doesn’t have one, but does have an insert upper trim panel in red. Must have something to do with red-painted stock wheels. Speaking of wheels, suspension lowered a couple of inches all around. Undercarriage has an older undercoating job. Recent engine detailing, generally stock to include exhaust cross-over pipe—aside from chrome valve covers. Cond: 3+. #F146-1963 FORD GALAXIE 500 XL 2-dr hard top. VIN: 3D64B113557. Black/red vinyl. Odo: 91,271 miles. 406-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. When originally built at the Dallas Assembly Plant, this 406 was topped by a 4-bbl carb; now it has a correct-style, Ford dealer-accessory tri-power induction system. Has some panels with original paint, but by and large has been repainted bit by bit. Dye splatter on door jambs and body tag when door panels and/or dashboard redone in car. New reproduction seats and carpeting, with correct seat belts added front and rear—all expertly installed. 1977 New Mexico inspection sticker on windshield. Good door and panel fit. Engine has most pieces from chrome dress-up kit, but not all. Generally stock detailing, aside from modern battery. Correct 15-inch wheels with tri-bar spinner wheel covers and modern radials. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $32,940. Don’t let ’em fool you. Even hardcore Ford fans who know these cars will tell you that the only Ford to ever come from the factory with tri-power attached under hood is the M-code 1962–63 T-bird. All other setups were either shipped

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS // St. Paul, MN in the trunk or (more often than not) were sold across a parts counter. Generally leaning towards decent original, the reserve was lifted at $28k for a pretty good overall deal. #F125-1965 FORD MUSTANG 2+2 fastback. VIN: 5F09C639832. Rangoon Red/ white vinyl. Odo: 5,272 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Single-family ownership since purchased new from Burns Motor Co. of Hawley, MN. Generally original paint, although front fenders are slightly off hue from doors. Good original front bumper, while rear bumper coated with light pitting. Heavier wear on driver’s seat than passenger’s, manifesting as a glossier finish. Center console has heaviest yellowing of all interior components. While engine bay had been recently cleaned, it’s never been detailed. Flaking original paint on engine, air cleaner and radiator. Bare-metal replacement water pump and timing-chain cover. It must have been two-for-one day at River Rouge when this was built, since the VIN was stamped twice on driver’s side fender support. Minimal surface rust on undercarriage. Newer radial tires. Cond: 3. still usable. Solid, bank-vault door fit. Factory-supplied, original owner’s nameplate affixed to trim panel over glovebox. Dealer service tag from Ford dealer in Hibbing, MN, when it had an oil change in 1989 at 42k miles. Generally original albeit a bit greasy under hood, with some belt and hose changes. Runs out just fine. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $3,800. If this had a maroon interior and pinstripe, it would be a dead ringer for one that I used to own—and frequently wish that I still had. One of the best buys in the collector car market for several years, I’d write these up for my “Cheap Thrills” column except that I keep getting vetoed by Editor Pickering. Selling prices have been moving up on these—actually all ’70s land yachts—although low miles is what’s been driving that. However, with 57k on the clock here, I’m calling this well bought. Heck, from past experience, if it’s 157k instead, they didn’t get screwed, since it has lots of life left in it. SOLD AT $24,840. By the looks of it, this must have been someone’s summer-fun car since new, as any use up here in the Rust Belt during winter would’ve rotted this out. What rust is on the car is consistent with being parked over the winter. As a near survivor-grade car, especially in good colors, this was a pretty decent buy. #F154-1978 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL Town Car sedan. VIN: 8Y82A939072. White/white vinyl/Jade Green velour. Odo: 57,527 miles. 460-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Period Midland 40-channel CB radio installed under dashboard. Seller states that 57,572 indicated are miles actual and that car is essentially original. Good original paint, aside from some light cracking, chipping and flaking on plastic bumper skirting. Broken left taillight trim, with a cracked lens, but “ MOPAR #S133-1969 DODGE DART Swinger 340 2-dr hard top. VIN: LM23P9B235541. Copper/tan vinyl. Odo: 8,997 miles. 340-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Retains most documentation from when purchased new by previous owner. Originally was stripe delete—period photos of car show it without them—but now is striped. Actual miles from new— bought new to be a drag-race car. As such, engine block is a replacement, although rest of powertrain is put back to original. Still has a longer-duration cam and headers, but original bumpstick and manifolds are included. Repainted three decades ago, but, with several light chips and nicks, comes off as original. Nice original interior, although there’s some seam separations on corners of seat back. Period Sun tach clamped to steering column. Cond: 3+. Hopefully, owner is selling because he realized that he can’t do bodywork— over actually having paid someone else for doing an abomination like this. SOLD AT $36,720. Period photos of car were from 1977, when it was running at now-former North Star Dragstrip north of Minneapolis. It sported a hood scoop, slicks on steelies in back, and Cragar SS wheels a couple inches up in the air as car is launching off the line. Unfortunately, there are no timing slips. Interesting that original owner chose a Dart 340 Swinger for a dedicated drag car. Probably figuring that he’d do better in lower classes than messing with Hemis, Cobra Jets and Mark IV big blocks. While it seems a little steep, it’s low miles that make this market-correct—although tweaks keep it from being a decent buy. #F124-1970 PLYMOUTH ’CUDA 2-dr hard top. VIN: BS23H0B366066. Yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 52,542 miles. 440-cc V8, 4-bbl, auto. Body tag gone. Originally a 340-powered ’Cuda. Now fitted with a modified 440, with the usual goodies festooned to it: aftermarket intake, headers, chrome valve covers, plus a mix of dingy original and aftermarket billet belt pulleys. Ten-footer repaint over lousy bodywork. Top of leftfront fender filler cracking. Excess body filler built up along center character line of driver’s door, and has a one-by-two-inch section of paint chipped out and brush-filled back in. Door fit off on both sides. Back window in place, but most trim out, along with rear parcel shelf. Most of original interior otherwise there, with a couple of small tears in seat backs. Damp, stained carpet smells congruent to a leaky heater core. Usually needed a jump pack to start. Cond: 4+. ” NOT SOLD AT $18,000. Hopefully, owner is selling because he realized that he can’t do bodywork—over actually having paid someone else for doing an abomination like this. “Foaming pile of dog dung” is the one phrase that keeps coming into my mind about this copulation of parts. Only upside here is to buy it cheap and hit the Reset button. No, $18k isn’t cheap enough. Better yet, avoid it, as there’s little worse than trying to fix other people’s mistakes. A September-October 2016 95

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Portland, OR Mecum — Portland 2016 THAT REAL-DEAL FIRST-YEAR SHELBY GT350 REPRESENTED A DAMN GOOD BUY CONSIDERING HOW ORIGINAL, IF NOT EXACTLY PERFECT, IT WAS Mecum Auctions Portland, OR June 17–18, 2016 Auctioneers: Mark Delzell, Jimmy Landis, Mike Hagerman, Matt Moravec Automotive lots sold/ offered: 297/488 Sales rate: 61% Sales total: $9,316,726 High sale: 1965 Shelby GT350 fastback, sold at $335,500 Buyer’s premium: 10% buyer’s premium, minimum $500, included in sold prices Mecum brought some great American iron for their inaugural Portland sale: a 1968 Chevrolet Nova SS 427 COPO 2-door sedan, sold at $159,500, and a 1965 Shelby GT350 fastback, sold at $335,500 Report and photos by Jim Pickering, Chad Taylor and Chad Tyson 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 96 AmericanCarCollector.com Intro by Chad Tyson Market opinions in italics off the bat they pulled out a $20.7m sale. Flash forward to 2014 in Seattle, where that first sale netted $15.3m, with a 53% sales rate. Obviously, the truth is the tremendous team effort I behind the scenes powering the company to new heights. The efforts by Sam Murtaugh, David Morton and John Kraman, among others, from scoping out venues to building relationships with local pillars of the auto community, are a huge part of the company’s growth. It was back in March when I heard the word that Mecum was skipping their Washington stop of the past two years and hitting somewhere a bit farther south — Portland. It’s easy to forget (much as we try to remind you) that among the bustling streets brimming with Subarus and whatever the plural version of Prius is, there is a huge car-collecting culture here. From the weekly thousand- ’m not sure where Dana Mecum found his divining stick, but I want one. This man leads a company that can seemingly pick a city (well, maybe not any city) and start printing money. Back in 2011, Mecum started their now-annual Dallas sale. Right plus cruise-in that is Beaches to the Pacific Northwest’s newest motorsports museum, World of Speed, to dozens of forgotten-but-not-gone drag strips, we have a lot of love for the automobile. But all that doesn’t matter much unless the hammer strikes “sold.” Mecum did that at a pretty good clip (61%) here. The high sale was a 1965 Shelby GT350 that brought $335,500. That real-deal first-year Shelby Mustang represented a damn good buy considering how original, if not exactly perfect, it was. Runner-up high sale was a 1969 Mustang Boss 429 at $264,000. The rest of the top 10 sales read as a who’s who of American muscle: COPO Nova, GT500, Z11, 427/435 and Hemi ’Cuda. My favorite car of the auction was a custom, yellow ’72 Camaro. It didn’t meet its undisclosed reserve with a $67,500 bid, but I never found a yellow hue that I liked before that car. The 468-ci V8, remarkable fit and finish, and graphite trim kept my mind on that car long after the auction packed up shop. I’ll be surprised if Mecum doesn’t come back to the Rose City next year. But by now it’s pretty obvious Mecum goes where that divining rod points. A

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Portland, OR GM #S132-1959 OLDSMOBILE 98 convertible. VIN: 599C07024. Light blue/light blue vinyl/blue & white vinyl. Odo: 34,870 miles. 394-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Frame-up rotisserie restoration using many NOS parts. Paint nearly perfect. Light blue top new, with back window clear and unscratched. Brightwork and trim showing light scratches throughout. Wide whitewall tires finish off 1950s look. Matching light blue and white bench seats, with white piping, are brand new. All dash trim bright, as are gauges and controls. Engine compartment looks like it did when driving off showroom floor. Extremely clean. Cond: 2. owner since 1992, and used in 2001’s “That Thing You Do!” starring Tom Hanks. A poster car for what GM’s been up to with their LS-series conversion kits. Buy the engine, the harness, and a fuel system, and you’re on the go again with a modern, clean, 430-hp monster in place of your classic car’s old engine. It may seem wrong at first, but in terms of actually using your car, something like this will be a lot more friendly in traffic—plus there are no more leaky carbs and chokes to deal with. That rust will need to be fixed sooner rather than later, but otherwise I’d call this a fair deal considering the parts installed.—J. Pickering NOT SOLD AT $60,000. What’s not to love here? Great color combination gives it a fresh-and-clean ’50s look. Interior done extremely well and keeps with upscale feeling of this car. With a rebuilt engine, transmission and front end, this car is cruise-in ready. A beautiful alternative to Fords and Chevys. High bid seemed sufficient to buy the car, but consignor opted to hold out for more.—C. Taylor #F37-1961 BUICK LESABRE 2-dr hard top. VIN: 4H2006519. White & blue/gray vinyl. Odo: 41 miles. 6.2-L fuel-injected V8, auto. Generally okay white paint covers up some rust issues around rear window. Chrome and trim look good for a driver. Panel gaps and body lines straight and consistent. Interior restored using some nonstock door panels and seat covers, but it doesn’t stand out. Original engine and transmission yanked in favor of a GM Performance LS3 and modern automatic transmission. Clean installation without any visible hack-job wiring or cobbled-up parts. 150 miles since conversion. A nice driver. Cond: 3-. #S111-1962 CHEVROLET BEL AIR Z11 2-dr hard top. VIN: 21637S120438. Roman Red/red vinyl. Odo: 806 miles. 409-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Completely restored some time back, with some polish scratching to otherwise smooth paint. Great panel gaps, chrome and trim. One-piece bumpers, Sun tach, 3.31 Posi rear end. Allbusiness stock-style interior shows no wear. Fitted with Z11-spec 409 built by Lamar Walden at a cost of almost $16k in 2002. Said to produce 540 hp on 13.5:1 compression. Rare Z11 two-piece intake manifold and 731 high-performance cylinder heads. A finalist for the 2016 Goodguys Muscle Car of the Year, with the winner to be announced in October. Cond: 2+. 10 SOLD AT $49,500. Have you ever wanted the luxuries and dependability of your current car but wished it had styling from back in the day? Here you go. Complete with DVD player for the kids and navigation to get you around town. All mods necessary to complete this build done with utmost care and highest quality. Denali kick plates and badging might be a bit much, though. It’s hard to know what a custom like this should bring, but price seems high considering what a newer Denali costs. Granted, it won’t have the same character, but somebody in the room needed this behemoth.—C. Taylor SOLD AT $121,000. You gotta love 409-powered, bubble-top Chevys, and this one had a great look. But that said, nowhere did it say that this car came stock with the parts now installed—and with 13.5:1 compression, there are no simple gas station fill-ups in new owner’s future. Hope he’s got room in his garage for a 55-gallon drum of 110-octane Rocket racing fuel, because that’s what this thing will guzzle—at $9 or so per gallon. Price paid here was on high side of market, all things considered, but I can’t argue with the fun (and cool) factor of a wicked W-motor that hides under stock looks.—J. Pickering SOLD AT $18,700. Said to have had one 98 AmericanCarCollector.com #S112-1964 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Custom utility. VIN: 0R93586. Blue/black leather. 6.2-L fuel-injected V8, auto. Vintage 1964 Suburban body on 2009 Yukon Denali chassis. Paint a near-pristine blue, with contrasting silver around acres of windows. #S156-1967 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 2-dr hard top. VIN: 1381775194870. Butternut Yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 61,801 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Really nice paint application in an OE color. Chrome looks like a fresh replate. Good body panel gaps, nice trim. Trunk seal installed backwards, mushrooming in instead of out. Some visible rust marks in trunk suggest it leaks slightly. Stock interior with both aftermarket tach and factory tach. Engine compartment spotless, with engine dressed as a 375-hp 396. Fitted with power steering, but no power brakes. Said to be a factory 138-code SS, with 3.31-ratio 12-bolt rear and SS 396 trim. Sits right on 14-inch Rally wheels and Redline tires. Less than 20 miles on restoration. Cond: 2+. Chrome bumpers, mirror caps and trim also pristine. Custom LED headlights installed. Denali interior nicely modified to fit inside Suburban body. Nothing from ’60s integrated into this interior. Heated leather buckets, wood trim dash and steering wheel, and even a sunroof have all been borrowed. Engine clean and fits nicely under large hood. Has all the electronics—including rain-sensing wipers and stability control. Cond: 2. TOP 10

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Portland, OR SOLD AT $93,500. A factory SS 396 Chevelle sells for a median price of about $39,600. So how did we get to $93,500 here? This car was done well throughout, but was it really nice enough to set a new auction record for the model, especially considering it wasn’t a 396 car anymore? I can’t argue with the quality of presentation here, but I’d still call this well sold compared to zero-needs cars that would sell for the same money or less.—J. Pickering 114278W 369657. Tripoli Turquoise/black vinyl. Odo: 69,204 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Claimed to be #4 of 50 COPO 9738 Nova Super Sports ordered by Fred Gibb Chevrolet, and fitted with a massive L72 427 big-block engine by Dick Harrell. Restoration by Ed Cunneen. Paint flawless, some minor surface scratching to chrome—consistent with a lot of polishing. Excellent panel gaps, super straight body. Fiberglass stinger hood autographed underneath by Elaine Harrell and Harrell crew members. Engine compartment spotless and correct aside from yellowed paper air filter element and coated tubular headers. Clean interior in black vinyl, with sweeper tach mounted to steering column and two Stewart-Warner gauges under dash. Cond: 1-. 7 #S116-1968 CHEVROLET NOVA SS 427 COPO 2-dr sedan. VIN: Interior clean and spartan, engine compartment all business, with proper hose clamps and finishes. Space-saver spare in trunk. Fitted with 427, M22 Rock Crusher Muncie, 12-bolt rear with 4.10 gears, and radio-delete plate. Clearly restored, and done pretty well to look like a COPO. Owned by WWE superstar John Cena and said to be still titled in his name. Cond: 2-. last statement on car card. GM X-body cars, like the Nova, don’t have a complete frame. Like a Camaro, there’s a front subframe and a rear axle—so what exactly is a rebodied Nova? Was this a 6-cyl Nova built up around a VIN, engine, subframe, and axle? Hard to say, but there were enough questions here to stop bidding at this market level.—J. Pickering SOLD AT $68,750. John Cena apparently bought this car for $175,000 in 2007, according to the board leaning on the front bumper. More pertinent than that fact was the careful mention that the car’s “believed to be” an early Los Angeles COPO, but there’s no evidence to support it. With cars as special as COPO 427s, you need proof to bring big money, and regardless of what Cena thought about this car when he bought it, this price was pretty much topped out without more proof of car’s origin and a little more time spent adjusting the details.— J. Pickering SOLD AT $159,500. If you’re looking for a top-dog Nova, you’ve found it. These cars aren’t especially heavy, and the addition of the L72 427—an engine initially rated by the factory at 450 hp—makes this a true screamer. 1968 Novas are special cars already, as they have unique trim and interior parts different from 1969 and later versions. Not much to gripe about here, as this car had everything going for it: history, documentation, restoration quality and straightup grunt. Big money for a Nova, to be sure, but then again, this isn’t your everyday Chevy II.—J. Pickering #S166-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO coupe. VIN: 124379L511422. Garnet Red/ red vinyl. Odo: 31,881 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Red repaint done with car assembled—jambs are same color, but not as shiny or bright. Door fit inconsistent, with both sitting up away from quarter panels when shut. Chrome and trim okay, but showing some wear consistent with use. 100AmericanCarCollector.com #S150-1970 CHEVROLET NOVA Yenko Deuce 2-dr sedan. VIN: 114270W352754. Cortez Silver & black/black vinyl. Odo: 20,806 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Great paint shows only light orange peel. Fantastic chrome and trim, good panel gaps, sits on the right Torq Thrust wheels and Firestone Wide Oval tires. M21 4-speed, 12-bolt rear with 4.10 gears, hood-mounted tach. Black stripes well executed. Engine compartment features correct components, including dual-snorkel air cleaner and deep-groove pullies. Fitted with A.I.R. system. Claimed to be one of 175 Yenko Deuce Novas built, and one of 12 in Cortez Silver. Car card says “rebodied restoration.” Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $80,000. Last seen at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January 2015, where it sold for $82,500 (ACC# 6779595). This shiny thing had my attention right up to the record scratch that was the #S138.1-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 454 replica 2-dr hard top. VIN: 136370L165708. Black & white/black vinyl. Odo: 11 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Decent paint without issue other than some polishing scratches and slightly too-wide SS stripes. Panel gaps not consistent. Rear bumper twisted—high on one side and low on other. Front bumper mounted crooked and appears to be wrong one for the car, with too-big turn-signal-light cutouts. Fenders fixed to car with incorrect bolts in some places and no bolts in others. Grille wrong color for an SS car. Engine compartment looks generally stock other than a polished intake and a lot of shiny prep spray. Odd routing of power-steering hose. Clean stock interior with SS gauges and 7,000-rpm tach. C-pillar panels warped, twisted and showing through rear window. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $39,600. Your average person on the street isn’t going to notice all the little things that were wrong with this Chevelle. But to purists, or even just die-hard Chevy people, the issues here stood out about as blatantly as the wheels. Almost $40k was big money for a street machine that had needs, but once some of those issues are straightened out (like that twisted rear bumper, for example), this may not look too expensive—especially if the new owner finds some evidence that a Rat was under that hood from new. Well sold otherwise.—J. Pickering #S81.1-1970 CHEVROLET NOVA 2-dr sedan. VIN: 114270W393037. Cranberry Red/black vinyl. Odo: 31,982 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Original, numbers-matching 396/375 L78, with under 32k miles and original Cranberry Red paint. Correct SS wheels and Polyglas tires. Straight body, but paint shows its age. Scratched all over, with some bubbling by driver’s side window. Chrome and trim also quite scratched, but looks fairly straight and, most importantly, all there. I couldn’t get a complete look at TOP 10

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Portland, OR interior, as the car was locked, with the windows up, but appears decent. There is, however, a tear on driver’s seat bottom. Underhood keeps with rest of car—mostly original and maintained, but not show quality by any means. Cond: 3. Jeff Richards of Super Camaros in nearby Vancouver, WA. Attention to detail on a remarkable level. Not repeatable at high bid, as these builds seldom are, but it wasn’t a lowball offer. Still, we, as a market, use reserves for a reason, and since that mark wasn’t hit, the seller took it home.—C. Tyson SOLD AT $64,900. A real-deal, untouched, big-block Nova. Conditional shortcomings could easily be overlooked because of the originality, which does seem to be a musthave for many collectors right now. Sold price seems rather high compared to the price guide median for this car. Apparently, the right person was in the room. Well sold.—C. Taylor #S117-1972 CHEVROLET CAMARO RS custom coupe. VIN: 1Q87K2N136071. Yellow Goldmine Pearl/black leather. 468-ci V8, 4-bbl, 5-sp. Impressive and expressive paint. All formerly chrome trim pieces now a dark graphite. Lots of fun, Pro Touring goodies: 4-link rear suspension, 13-inch disc brakes, Pro-G Advanced Geometry front suspension, 4.11 Posi diff (but in a 10-bolt), and rack-and-pinion steering. Custom body touches include 19-inch wheels, front splitter, rear diffuser, three-piece spoiler, hand-formed body extensions and painted undercarriage. Mirrors line the floor to show off underside. Big engine still swimming in bay, with smoothed firewall and billet everywhere. Interior as splendid as exterior, with black-face designer gauges and custom leather-and-suede seats. Cond: 2. #F218-1995 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD custom sedan. VIN: 1G6DW52P6SR713140. Kandy Tangerine/orange velour/ orange cloth & yellow leather. 5.7-L fuelinjected V8, auto. “LA” script as hood mascot and repeated in graphics around car— stands for Liquid Assets. Band of graphics on both sides of car feature seductively posed fantasy women. Done in relative good taste, as no nipples were evident. Embossed paisley pattern on many triple-plated chrome surfaces: spare cover, air-suspension compressor (which negates trunk space), and grille surround (rest of grille had “jewels” glued to grille bars). Paisley pattern continues to orange cloth seat inserts. Not sure where airbags are anymore. Presented with rear suspension pumped up and front at normal height. Cond: 2. CORVETTE 6 S115681. Marlboro Maroon & black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 50,218 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Nice repaint in original color, with hood-stinger stripe application centered better than would have been done at the factory. No seam broadcasting through paint in what appears to be a no-hit body, no clearance cuts in rear wheelwells for wider tires. Nice interior, with very clean and correct engine compartment. Options include M21 4-speed, 3.70 Posi, transistorized ignition, power steering and brakes, telescopic column, and AM/FM radio. Comes with original tank sticker, NCRS shipping data report, owner history, restoration receipts and more. Oregon car since new. Cond: 1-. #S122-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194677- NOT SOLD AT $67,500. A custom build by “ NOT SOLD AT $20,000. Easy to spot from five miles. In the dark. During a rainstorm. Except it doesn’t rain much in Southern California (and I question how dark it gets in L.A. even at 3 a.m.), and that’s where I’d expect to find this car. There’s no reason the seller should have accepted this $20k high bid, but I really want to know what it takes to get it sold. Reminded me of a Buick from Silver’s spring Portland sale in 2011, with a custom (also nippleless) mural on the decklid. That Buick was in the county-impound row. Back to this car, with three-year build costing a reported $155k, $20k won’t be enough to pry this creamcicle loose. Yet, at least. We’ll just have to see where it pops up again.—C. Tyson GM X-body cars, like the Nova, don’t have a complete frame. There’s a front subframe and a rear axle—so what, exactly, is a rebodied Nova? 102AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $176,000. The advertising with this car said that it had correct drivetrain components and “born-with” options. If we’re being picky, that doesn’t exactly explicitly say that the car has its original engine. Still, this L71 Corvette had all the right stuff for Corvette collectors, and it really was in top-notch condition throughout. A slightly high price to pay for a nice 435, but I think condition and options justified it here.—J. Pickering ” #S69-1995 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR-1 coupe. VIN: 1G1YZ22J0S5800340. Bright Aqua/gray leather. Odo: 10,814 miles. 5.7-L 405-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Low-mileage, top-of-the-line Corvette. No chrome to speak of on this beauty. Aqua paint clean, with slight scratches from polishing and some typical flaws associated with factory paint from the era. Gray interior in excellent condition. Very clean, especially considering light color, but then again, not much time was spent in the seat given the low miles. Engine clean and original. No hard-water spots on black surrounding surfaces, which almost never look good. Comes with two tops and original window sticker. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $33,550. I’ve found it hard to climb into these C4 Corvettes. That giant door sill with a low seat and tiny footwell don’t make it easy. Especially when trying to keep a light-colored interior clean. Perhaps that’s what kept the TOP 10

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Portland, OR MARKETMOMENT 1942 Ford GPA Amphibious owner out of this car and it in the garage, keeping miles down. No matter. Someone wanted this well-kept ’Vette and, hopefully, they will put some miles on it. Strong bid slightly over ACC median price, but this was an above-average car.—C. Taylor FOMOCO #S148-1930 FORD MODEL A custom pickup. VIN: A3328568. Black/black vinyl/ black vinyl. Odo: 3,181 miles. 427-ci supercharged V8, auto. Decent black paint, good panel fit, little body chrome and trim all showing well. Massive small-block engine done up with a lot of shine and a huge Roots-style blower. Fitted with nitrous injection under dual Quick Fuel 4-bbl blower carbs. Said to be dynoed at 823 horsepower. Engine has nice custom headers exiting through front fenders. All red-andblue AN fittings fading from sun exposure. Huge wheelie bars in back, sitting on rear slicks, but has street tires on other rims tossed in bed. Simple starting instructions spelled out inside; has no ignition key— starts on a switch. No reserve. Cond: 3. SOLD at $125,000 Bonhams Greenwich, Greenwich, CT, June 5, 2016, Lot 62 VIN: 3936 Courtesy of Bonhams Holy Grails of military vehicle collecting. While not as successful in military operations as the core G503 Ford GPW jeep it’s based on, or the later GMC DUKW 2 ½-ton amphibious truck, it nonetheless served enough of a purpose that after the war, the Soviets copied the Lend-Lease examples they received from us. Since GPAs have all the pitfalls of a boat and an old truck combined into one, The Ford GPA (affectionately known as the “Seep”) is one of the there is no such thing as a cheap date when it comes to a GPA. They are more difficult to maintain and far more needy than the core jeep, and a restoration is not for the novice. Subsequently, selling prices even for tidy-but-needy examples tend to be high. Since only 12,778 GPAs were built from 1942 to 1943, and anything for the war effort until the spring of 1945 was a rush to get to the troops — or in the case of the GPA, Lend-Lease — I’d like to see proof that supports the “never saw active duty” statement made by the auction company about this example. Most GPAs that exist today were used at stateside training bases, since the vast majority of regular production never returned from overseas. More likely, our example was originally deployed in that manner — with a serial number in the first third of production — and when our use of them was curtailed, it was parked on base for the duration. The high-water mark for a public sale of a GPA in recent years was the freshly restored ex- SOLD AT $37,400. Holy overkill. How much can this thing actually weigh? 2,500 pounds? And that huffed 427 small block probably accounts for about 600 pounds of that. So take 2,500 pounds and add in 823 horsepower and you can see why it needed two sets of rear tires and a stout wheelie bar. This thing looked to have been built well (aside from not having an ignition key), and I’m sure it’s a handful to drive. Think the new owner will try out that nitrous system? Bought for under what it would cost to build something similar, so I’d call it a good deal on that metric.—J. Pickering ample sold from the late Chet Krause’s collection in 2010 for $160k (ACC# 165643). Since our featured example was restored eight years ago and has seen use both on land and in fresh water — evident in images from the auction company — the selling price is right in the ballpark of where you can expect to pay for one that should both drive and swim but not sink. If anything, since it has proved that it works both ways, I’ll call this a good deal for someone who is interested in using this in re-enactments — or just impressing the neighbors out at the lake cabin.A — B. Mitchell Carlson September-October 2016 103 September-October 2016

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Portland, OR #F49-1947 FORD SUPER DELUXE convertible. VIN: 799A1540F04. Blue/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 99,453 miles. 239-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Great patina to old blue paint. No major dents or dings, but lots of fading throughout. Chrome and trim dinged, scratched, but all there. Windshield shows deep wiper scratches; top looks like newest thing on car. Fitted with driver’s side spotlight and yellow running lights on front bumper. Dash and gauges also show some wear, but it’s even with exterior of car. Seats in good shape—probably done at same time as convertible top. Chrome dual exhaust. Washington state plates from 1947, with no modern tags. Cond: 4+. der. Even hose clamps are placed identically. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $63,250. I’m not a fan of customs, but this one was done very well. Modifications chosen keep this car from looking overdone. With a fuel-injected V8, four-wheel disc brakes and a C6 transmission, this should be a comfortable driver, too. Plus seats seem extremely comfortable. Sold price seems high even for a custom of this caliber, but no matter. The generous owner donated this car—and it was sold with no reserve—all proceeds going to the Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon. So the more money, the better.—C. Taylor SOLD AT $20,900. This Ford would make a great driver as-is, with an even wear that it wore proudly. With the patina movement still in full swing, I’m not surprised this broke $20k here. After all, where will you find another that’s been more or less left alone like this? Well bought and sold.—J. Pickering #S77.1-1950 FORD CUSTOM DELUXE 2-dr sedan. VIN: B0LB131871. Blue/gray leather. 351-ci fuel-injected V8, auto. Featured in Street & Custom Rodding Illustrated and a multiple award winner. Top chopped two inches, Frenched headlights and taillights, trunk and hood shaved, and doors fitted with flush-mount handles. Paint incredibly clean, only showing a few light scratches from detailing. Perfect chrome. No scratches, pitting or bubbling here, there or anywhere. Custom gray interior impeccable. Plush leather seats all clean and reveal no signs of wear. Door panels not dinged up and carpet unstained. Under hood everything done looks remarkable. #S86-1965 SHELBY GT350 fastback. VIN: SFM5S377. White & blue/black vinyl. Odo: 37,435 miles. 289-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Genuine 1965 GT350 with matching-numbers engine. Same owner for past 38 years. Claimed rebuilt undercarriage, refinished original Koni shocks, original shifter and horn switch, original package shelf and more. Number of spare parts includes two carbs, intake, air cleaner, steering wheel, radiator and dashgauge pod. Paint shows its age, with subsurface bubbling on all flat surfaces—yet it shines up quite well. Hood looks better. Nice chrome, clean interior and engine compartment. Looks the part of an original that’s spent a lifetime being used and maintained as intended. Cond: 2-. 4 NOT SOLD AT $20,000. Anything marked SVT I’m interested in. As I pored over this truck, I looked further and deeper for faults, but there was little to complain about. I’ve long been baffled by people touting any tires over five years old on a rig they’re trying to sell—strikes me as the first thing I’d replace after purchase. Speaking of purchasing—no dice here on a reasonable bid. ACC median value is $17,400, but this one is notably better than middle of the market. Seller was fair to hold out for more, but I just don’t know when or where that’ll happen.— C. Tyson MOPAR SOLD AT $335,500. Shelby guys go nuts over the 1965 model, and for good reason. It’s not just the first example of Shelby’s raced-up “secretary’s car,” it’s also the most pure to concept—without a lot of comfort add-ons and with a crisp, barking side-exit exhaust system. This rare, real-deal car wasn’t perfect, but would you really want it to be?—J. Pickering Engine bay painted blue, matching exterior, and so are valve covers and master cylin- 104AmericanCarCollector.com #F214-2003 FORD F-150 SVT Lightning pickup. VIN: 2FTRF07323CA64477. Bright red/gray leather. Odo: 13,000 miles. 5.4-L supercharged V8, auto. Appears pretty much as it left Ontario Truck Plant. Light, occasional swirls in otherwise gleaming paint. No fading of black plastic body cladding. Logos and decals clean and markfree. Same with all the light lenses. No evidence of rips or holes in seats. Doors locked and hood pinned shut, so no inspection of engine bay from above, but no leaks or stains underneath. Original 13-year-old tires in remarkable shape. Cond: 1-. #S85-1947 DODGE pickup. VIN: D242000B. Red & black/black vinyl. An unmodified classic pickup. This one has been prettied up. Painted wheels with chrome center caps and rings wrapped in wide whitewalls look good. The paint is decent. Showing some scratches from polishing, especially the black fenders and accents. Although the main surfaces are smooth, the finer accents like the window trim, hinges and running boards were not prepped well before painting. The brightwork on the nose and front and rear bumper show nicely. Light colored wood adorns the pickup bed, with red painted strips securing the boards; matching wood bed rails look nice. Interior is very clean and stock with the seats showing minimal wear and door panels looking freshly covered, although they don’t have the straightest stitching. Gauges look original and are cracked. The inline six looks mostly stock and fairly clean. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $26,400. My favorite kinds of trucks are the ones restored back to stock specification. Yes, you can make them shinier and faster, but that is not what they were TOP 10

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MECUM AUCTIONS // Portland, OR meant for when they were built. They are simple and utilitarian. That is exactly what this truck is. The attention to detail is not great and it does look to have been driven some, keeping it from looking perfect, but let’s face it, these trucks rolled out of the factory with imperfections. The bidders in the room must have appreciated the overall look of this pickup, however, as it sold for a lot more than I would have expected given its condition. Well sold.—C. Taylor #F143-1969 DODGE CORONET R/T 2-dr hard top. VIN: WS23L9G163114. B5 Blue/ blue vinyl. Odo: 5,541 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A real Coronet R/T with correct Dana 60, Trak Pack, 3.54 gears and R/T gauge pack. Paint slightly dull from years of shining. Could use a good polish, but still presentable. Chrome and trim reveal some pitting and scratches. Blue interior looks good, shows no real signs of wear. Engine compartment showing its age, however, with corrosion on alternator and master cylinder reservoir. Some bubbling and discoloration on Ramcharger unit attached to hood. Cond: 3. what they think they’re getting. This one brought just a bit more than current median pricing for the model, and I’d call that right on the money considering how nice it was.—J. Pickering #F192-1971 DODGE CHARGER R/T 2-dr hard top. VIN: WS23U1A171232. Orange/ black vinyl. Odo: 47,665 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Appears to be a fairly original Charger. Stated factory R/T 440. Paint looks good at few feet, but up close appears scratched from washing and a few deeper marks from road use. No glaring flaws in chrome or trim. Sitting on factory wheels. Interior looks complete and tidy, with some signs of wear on driver’s seat and steering wheel. Engine compartment well used, with aftermarket radiator and cooling lines. Cond: 3. Farm-O-Road. In total, about 200 were built, so they’re rare. The biggest surprise, however, wasn’t this one’s rarity, condition, or “hope they see me” color. It was the fact that someone out there drove it almost 20,000 very slow miles. Was it used on a ranch or in a fruit orchard? Can’t imagine it was a commuter, but I suppose anything is possible. Regardless, it was done up to a very high level you don’t often see with these little things, and for that, the price was worth it.—J. Pickering SOLD AT $40,700. Manual steering and manual drum brakes really give a workout when handling this monster. A solid, driverquality car with a lot of eye appeal. No-frills kind of Mopar with a big, American V8 and manual transmission. Does it get much better? Bought well below ACC median price. Good buy.—C. Taylor RR0B234614. Blue/ black leather. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Fresh restoration of a legit Hemi ’Cuda. Claimed matching-numbers engine, original 727 transmission, and driven less than 600 miles since restoration. Nice paint shows some polish scratching. Great chrome and trim, sits on correct Polyglas tires. Engine compartment clean and correct, with interior spotless. Decoded and verified by David Wise. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $209,000. I overheard the seller tell someone, “If it was a 4-speed, I wouldn’t be selling it.” Half the fun of a legit muscle car is rowing your own gears, so I can’t blame the seller for that sentiment. This car’s two-year restoration job really looked great, and having the Wise blessing and original fender tag really makes a difference in making buyers comfortable that they’re really getting 5 #S95-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ‘CUDA 2-dr hard top. VIN: BS23- 106AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $33,000. A solid Mopar with driver-quality paint and engine compartment. If you’re looking for a weekend cruiser and some vintage muscle to show off to your friends, this is for you. A winning show car this is not. Probably kept most hardcore enthusiasts away. Although it did sell with original Dictaphone installed. Fair price considering lack of history and less-than-perfect condition.—C. Taylor AMERICANA #F16-1960 CROFTON BUG roadster. VIN: 1042. Green/brown vinyl. Odo: 19,600 miles. 44-ci I4, 1-bbl, manual. Looks like an airport luggage tug escapee. Good green paint, straight rust-free panels. Complete restoration from top to bottom. Assembled using fresh new hardware. Three-gauge dash very clean, with all switches present and in good shape. LED taillights. Looks as good or better than it would have new. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $15,400. W.B. Crofton bought the rights to Crosley in 1952 and SOLD AT $17,050. So many of these utilitarian vehicles were used and abused in the day. Some say that’s what they were meant to do. Although this is no show car, it has been fairly well cared for. Drive it around town for some errands or down some dusty, dirty back roads without worrying about hurting your show rig. Price was on higher side for a Scout II, but someone liked what they saw. Well sold.—C. Taylor A #F64-1976 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II SUV. VIN: F0062FGD39628. Yellow/tan vinyl. Odo: 25,688 miles. 304-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Nicely kept Scout. Looks to have been driven regularly, as paint a little dull and front end dirty. Free of any major dents or scrapes. Front bumper chrome looks decent, as do metal hubcaps. Rear bumper painted. Interior looks excellent. Bench seats hardly worn, plastic not faded, and all gauges clear and bright. Engine compartment dirty and shows signs of use—could use a good detail. Cond: 3. produced his engines for stationary use. He also started building these, which were slightly revised versions of the Crosley TOP 10

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LUCKY COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS // Tacoma, WA Lucky — Spring Classic 2016 FROM SHOW-READY TO PROJECTS — IT’S ALL AVAILABLE AT REASONABLE PRICES Lucky Collector Car Auctions Tacoma, WA May 14–15, 2016 Auctioneers: Jeff Stokes, Marty Hill, Dan Kruse Automotive lots sold/ offered: 125/187 Sales rate: 67% Sales total: $1,231,585 High sale: 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster, sold at $73,450 Buyer’s premium: 10%; 13% with credit card; included in sold prices 44-pound COpper BrAzed (CoBra) sheet-metal-construction OhV engine intact, this 1947 Crosley CC pickup sold at $4,675 Report and photos by Jack Tockston 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 108AmericanCarCollector.com Collection. From common to rare, bare chassis to concours-ready, the selection is always varied, interesting and quite entertaining. The venue was the Marymount Event Center in O Tacoma, WA, where the LeMay Family Collection of over 500 vintage vehicles is on display, with hundreds more within the LeMay—America’s Car Museum downtown. Combined, the collection of vehicles, memorabilia and artifacts is recognized as the largest in the world. Patron of the collection and “Tacoma’s favorite son” was Harold “Lucky” LeMay, known for his rags-toriches story, affinity for all things automotive, and once recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for owning the largest car collection. The name of this auction company acknowledges his enduring legacy. One principal of Lucky Auctions is Doug LeMay, son of Harold, representing the LeMay Family Collection and an avid car collector in his own right. I run into him at almost every auction I cover. Here, Doug is often found wearing blue coveralls, getting vehicles to start or towing them across the block with a tractor. Evan McMullen, the other principal, owns Cosmopolitan ver a weekend in the middle of May, Lucky Collector Car Auctions auctioned off another interesting mix of 187 vehicles culled from Pacific Northwest garages and the famous LeMay Family Motors LLC in Seattle, serving as chief promoter and administrator to ensure every facet of their sales runs smoothly. The list of sold offerings is typical of what you’ll find here. The oldest was a running and clean 1923 T-bucket hot rod roadster; the newest, a clean 2003 PT Cruiser. High sale was a 1935 Auburn 851 Speedster that sold for $73,450, and cheapest was a 1949 Chevy flatbed truck at $250. There were two star cars, a pink 1956 Cadillac DeVille, allegedly once owned by Elvis Presley, sans verified authentication, that sold for $22k; and a Chrysler-powered 1960 Facel Vega — little more than a lumpy shell once abandoned in an alley — which brought a surprising $49,500. There were 42 vehicles sold at no reserve, including a rare and complete one-year-only 1955 Studebaker President Speedster at $17,875 from the LeMay Family Collection, and a nice 1928 Willys Knight obtained for just $12,100. For my fantasy garage, I would have taken home the aforementioned Willys Knight, the Studebaker Speedster, plus a 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T show car with 440-ci engine, 4-speed manual, and no needs that sold way under build cost for $25,370. You can find more opportunities like these when Lucky Collector Car Auctions has their next sale in August. Northwest cars are famously rust-free, so it’s worth a look. A

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LUCKY COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS // Tacoma, WA GM #242-1953 CADILLAC SERIES 62 sedan. VIN: 538219. Green/green cloth. Odo: 74,652 miles. 331-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Remarkable overall condition, with zero rust and dings. Respray in original hues. Excellent chrome and stainless. Glass clear. Steel wheels, full caps wrapped by fresh wide whites. Minty interior, all-original-looking, with nice dash, factory clock and inop radio. Engine bay has light dust, but all stock including 6-volt battery—except hidden electronics in distributor for enhanced reliability. Rebuilt transmission. Clean and tidy, with too many doors for some. Cond: 2. alternative to spending big bucks on a depreciating new one. Too nice for trips to the dump; I wouldn’t be surprised if a dressed SBC might replace the I6 some day. As expected, interest on the block was lively, and it found a new owner for a price that seemed fair for a rust-free driver. Well bought and sold, with nod to buyer. & white vinyl. Odo: 411 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Lowered over rally wheels. Quality red paint over well-prepared panels and jambs. Gaps even. Chrome good, clean and clear glass. New wood floor in dentless bed, dual Flowmasters below. New black and white vinyl bench seat interior, with Hurst shifter for auto trans. Engine compartment detailed. Chevelle front clip and 3.08 rear end, 327-ci Chevy (350 hp), 4-bbl carb on Weiand intake, cooled by aluminum fan. Trans cooler, power steering and brakes, with dual-circuit master cylinder. Meticulous preparation plus presentation equals showworthy truck. Cond: 2. #255-1955 CHEVROLET CAMEO pickup. VIN: WA98244431. Red/black SOLD AT $17,600. This was a wonderful sedan; ideal for taking kids for ice cream on hot Sunday afternoons or on leisurely country drives. Although there was no indication miles were claimed as original, I’d believe it since it looked two years old at the most. Price paid seems right for condition and eligible for the well-bought column. #131-1954 CHEVROLET 3100 pickup. VIN: H540003110. Metallic blue/gray cloth. Odo: 60,776 miles. 235-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Nice quality blue metallic paint on well-prepared panels—no rust or damage repair found. Excellent brightwork, chrome rallies, narrow whitewalls on new tires. Exterior paint continues on interior metal panels, dash and cracked steering wheel. Bench seat and side panels in gray cloth. Cargo box in excellent condition, with new wood floor. Clean engine bay, 235-ci (108-hp) straight six stands proud in stock configuration. 3-speed manual rowed from column. Better than average examples seen at auctions. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $22,275. A lot of pickups have gone through auctions in recent years, and this resto-mod hauler would do well at the national level. This was so exceptional, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it flipped very soon. Obtained well below envisioned build cost; an astute bidder took possession at a reasonable investment, with potential upside. Well sold, and very well bought. #133-1958 OLDSMOBILE 88 2-dr hard top. VIN: 8363700253. Bronze & ivory/ green & beige vinyl. Odo: 37,066 miles. 371-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Minor scratches and scrapes in older bronze repaint punctuate driving pleasure. Yards of chrome mostly in good order, with very good stainless. Leftrear taillight housing cracked. Pot metal getting zits. Dual fender-mounted rear-view mirrors. Steel wheels with full caps and wide whitewalls (needing bleach). Rust-free and straight panels, while variable gaps are factory-correct. Stock interior in very good condition. Lightly crazed steering wheel. Underhood clean, 371-ci V8 painted gold. Tri-carb manifold has single 2-bbl in center, with fore and aft holes blanked off. In clean trunk, a second, complete J-2 tri-carb setup conveys with sale. Pleasing, correct and ready for the next conservator. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $21,188. GM used a gaudy amount of chrome trim in 1958, causing this example to be referred to in period as a “Chromesmobile.” A two-owner car, both of whom apparently owned garages since this ride was nearly pristine despite qualifying for AARP membership three years ago. Miles shown probably indicate it’s on lap two, proving it was well loved and no garage queen. Bidders “of a certain age” (as is my territory) expressed their enthusiasm with rapid-fire bids. Last man standing became the third conservator for a fair price to both parties involved. #118-1966 CHEVROLET CORVAIR 500 coupe. VIN: 101376W165058. Marina Blue/bright blue vinyl. Odo: 19,584 miles. 164-ci H6, 2x1-bbl, 4-sp. Quality respray in Corvette Marina Blue on straight and tidy steel. Minimal brightwork and glass as-new. New BSW radials on steel wheels and full caps. Black Monza air dam. New bright blue interior where Monza buckets replace factory bench. Three gauges neatly inserted in dash above radio for vacuum, oil temp and pressure. Steering wheel finish worn. New matching headliner, visors, carpet, and weather seals throughout. Stock engine (95 hp) dusty, with dual 1-bbl carbs. Many checks written to Clark’s Corvair for parts, now 99% done. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $15,400. Pickups continue to be popular at such events, and a worthwhile 110AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $7,975. I loved to watch these converted into Yenko Stingers and fly with Porsche 911s back in my SCCA days. (If you lived in sleepy Canonsburg, PA, and owned a small Chevy store, you’d understand Don Yenko’s need for speed and travel.) This 500 model had 95 hp and was owner-restored by Jim Simpson, Ferrari enthusiast, concours judge, and known to Publisher Martin. Presentation showed good attention to detail, with Monza upgrades to serve personal taste and diminish the size of his parts stash. On the block, interest soared to an acceptable number for a well-bought-and-sold result. BEST BUY

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LUCKY COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS // Tacoma, WA #224-1967 PONTIAC FIREBIRD convertible. VIN: 223677U123087. Red/black vinyl/ black vinyl. Odo: 40,074 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Above-average red paint. Rustand ding-free panels including trunk. Wellfitted black convertible top has clear window. Body-color rear spoiler. Rallies with trim rings and white-letter BFG radials. Excellent chrome and stainless. Clean interior redone in black vinyl, with cloth inserts. New Hurst floor shifter rows 4-speed manual. Kenwood CD and anscillary three-gauge panel added under dash. Engine bay clean, previous owner installed Chevy 350, with chrome valve covers. Red radiator hoses detract. Detailed top to bottom and sounds ready for the road. Cond: 2. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $19,525. Always an Oregon-Washington car, with two lady owners from new, and stored for a decade; all this helps explain the solid nature of this ride. It would be interesting to show it to them now and see their reactions. GM made 167,251 Camaro V8 coupes in 1968, and price guide lists a median value of $32k, high sale at $121k, and investment grade C—and 2% appreciation. This one sold for $19,525, which seems about right considering the engine swap. Let’s call this well bought and sold, with a nod to buyer. CORVETTE SOLD AT $17,325. Firebirds lag behind their sister Chevys, but this one had both worlds covered, with Pontiac on the outside and Bowtie power within. I asked the owner why he was selling his beautiful ragtop, and the answer was, “I want the money to buy a Tesla.” Nice as they are, his Tesla won’t turn heads like the drop-top he sold. Bidding was lively, reserve was dropped at $15k, and another $750 sealed the deal. I know the seller was satisfied, but the new owner was the one grinning after this well-bought result. #239-1968 CHEVROLET CAMARO coupe. VIN: 124378L348347. Black/black vinyl. Odo: 88,736 miles. 350-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Decent respray, with odd white tape stripes on nose and sides. SS and 350 badging. Rot-free panels, with factory gaps. Original black vinyl interior shows minor wear commensurate with claimed original miles. Dead foam in driver’s seat. SS steering wheel. Sony head in dash. Side panels mint. Original 327-ci V8 replaced with 350 (and 2-bbl carb) of unstated origin and specs. Engine rattle-canned Chevy orange. Mix of black #261-1978 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. VIN: 1Z87L8S41475. Black/black leather. Odo: 14,738 miles. 350-ci 180-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Quality black respray over original panels, with new weather seals. Painted T-tops. Fresh Hankook radials on factory alloys. Flaccid rubber antenna. Doors rattle on closing. Black leather interior worn in, not out. Thick wood steering wheel. Minor console scratches and remotemirror knob missing. Aftermarket tunes, tilt column. Engine compartment dirty, with headers. Auto transmission claimed as rebuilt. Note says speedo and a/c inop. Wellcared-for daily driver with semi-sinister presence. Cond: 3. FOMOCO #269-1935 FORD street rod coupe. VIN: DMV25354CA. Metallic green/gray cloth. Odo: 1,249 miles. Older build starting to unwind, with paint cracks around trunk lid corners, front bumper chrome starting to peel and door glass welts missing. Rightrear window and right door glass cracked. Shaved handles. Both doors slightly wavy. Subtle pinstripe along beltline. American mags with spinners wrapped by radials. Tidy custom gray-cloth interior. Tilt, five Stewart-Warner gauges and floor gear selector for auto trans. Underhood clean, with Chevy V8 that looks to be 350 ci (no specs provided), Torker intake, 4-bbl carb, a/c, chrome alternator. Has needs for show, ready for cruising as-is. California-assigned VIN. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $39,600. I saw this ride in I5 gridlock a couple of times. Then flathead powered, so odometer may reflect miles on replacement drivetrain. Despite its needs, this was one of the high-end sales, but you couldn’t duplicate it at price paid. Previously bid to $36k at Mecum’s Seattle auction in 2014 (ACC# 6712266). So let’s call this one well bought and sold, with a nod to the auctioneer. SOLD AT $9,625. Odometer was into lap two, but overall condition implied respectful use, evidenced by lack of parking-lot dings and uncurbed alloys. Non-working speedometer and a/c were faults passed on to next owner—probably after getting repair estimates. Price guide shows 24,991 of these were built, now with median value of $13,700, high sale at $16,500, and investment grade C. With needs revealed and known, result is well bought and sold, with a nod to podium. and red heater hoses. Alternator has surface corrosion. Straight, clean and neat. 112AmericanCarCollector.com “ #126-1971 FORD MUSTANG Mach 1 fastback. VIN: 1F05M131386. Red/red & black vinyl. Odo: 47,533 miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Very good red finish, with no ripples in panels and factory gaps. Chrome rallys hold recent white-letter BFGs. Contrasting black rear-window louvers, spoiler, air dam, side stripes, lettering, plus shiny black paint trim on Ram Air hood. Inside smells new and looks it from headliner to thresholds. B&M automatic selector on floor. Custom black and red vinyl and cloth seating. Immaculate Non-working speedometer and a/c were faults passed on to next owner—probably after getting repair estimates. ”

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LUCKY COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS // Tacoma, WA and stock-looking underhood, 351-ci V8 with 4-bbl for motivation. Nice presentation. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $18,975. This Mach 1 had lots of eyeball, and lively bidding was anticipated from this muscle-car crowd. A couple pieces of original chrome could have used a refresh. The attractive but non-stock seat upholstery is a subjective matter and easily changed to stock. Either way, it would be an impressive and welcome addition to any marque showfield. Bidding reflected interest, and last man standing took it home for what seemed a satisfactory result for buyer and seller. MOPAR Tan/brown cloth. Odo: 75,986 miles. One repaint in original gray/tan, with chips on edge of driver’s door, straight rust-free panels and good gaps. Excellent brightwork. Dark red steel wheels, with nice small caps. Driver’s running board cover has light wear. Quality wool upholstery. Two cranks on dash open split windshield for period a/c. Instruments bright and clear. Nice woodgraining, mint steering wheel, Arvin electric heater and aftermarket turn signals. Working overdrive. Straight eight and whole compartment clean. Museum quality, just needs minor paint touch-up. Cond: 2. #263-1935 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW C-1 sedan. VIN: 6604426. Eng. # C14287. #257-1953 PLYMOUTH CRANBROOK sedan. VIN: 15575567. Light green/gray cloth. Odo: 48,789 miles. 218-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Old repaint in original color. Surface rust on all chrome. Stainless and aluminum door handles good. Steel wheels, with full caps and whitewall rubber. Panels straight, with factory gaps. No rust or trace of bodywork evident. Original interior, but driver’s seat has two holes worn to burlap and surface rust on sills. Uncracked steering wheel. Underhood driver quality and original. Flathead (218 ci, 100 hp) I6, with evidence of maintenance confined to missing oil cap. Ideal commuter or first car for teenager with low expectations. Cond: 4+. market electric fans cool radiator, with all else stock. Wonderful presentation marred only by sitting in the rain. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $28,600. In period, this Imperial was competing for buyers also considering the Continental, Cadillac and Mercedes. I looked long and hard to find demerits for something to say here, and came up with just nits—plus a fading, gold-plated accent on chrome hood ornament, and driver’s window needing adjustment upwards. This would be a star at any Mopar meet and make Don Garlits smile to hear an original 392 Hemi still purring. One of the Mopar fans took it home for a price both fair and appropriate for condition. Seller didn’t do too bad, either. AMERICANA SOLD AT $3,540. I haven’t seen a Cranbrook this straight since high school, and my piano teacher had one, too. These provided economical and reliable transportation, with conservative styling as an understatement. Envision this example lowered over nice alloys, with rechromed bumpers, updated interior, and Maaco paint to produce a cost-effective ride that turns heads. Final bidder came away with a wellbought runner, and I hope he does something fun with it. SOLD AT $20,625. A fine specimen of once-controversial styling, but I don’t know what happened here. Price guide lists 19,685 built, with median value of $32,500, high sale at $385,000, and B investment grade. Yet this beauty fell through the cracks, being hammered for just $18,750 (before buyer’s premium). Coffee was available, no one seemed asleep, or was it because you couldn’t stuff a Hemi in it? Result was extremely well bought for value and condition. 114AmericanCarCollector.com #135-1956 IMPERIAL NEWPORT 2-dr hard top. VIN: C561699. Black & white/ pearl white & green vinyl. Odo: 98,199 miles. 392-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Excellent black body paint. No rust or dings found. Clean, wide whitewalls on chrome wire wheels. Bright work nearly show-quality. Glass unblemished. Interior as-original, with chrome window garnishes, push-button trans selector, JVC CD under dash and equalizer mounted in glovebox. Light mildew on tops of visors and slight soiling on driver’s seat. Power everything. Minty under hood, with light rust on a/c bracket the only flaw. Power steering and brakes. 392 Hemi (325 hp) has light fuel staining on intake. Dual after- #295-1947 CROSLEY CC pickup. VIN: CC32373. Yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 44,142 miles. 44-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Fresh bright yellow paint on lilliputian sheet metal. Original red steel wheels refer to red commercial lettering broadcasting MAC Truck Roadside Service. Windshield and front bumper chrome excellent (no bumper on back). Stock, sheet-metal four-banger (26.5 hp) neat and tidy; and yes, you read “sheet metal” correctly. There’s not much truck to describe beyond: Cute, cute, cute! Cond: 2. SOLD AT $4,675. This tiny pickup reminded me of a 1946 Piper Cub: school-bus yellow with rudimentary controls, instruments on metal panel, stamped door handles and a light 4-banger in the nose. Its CoBra OHV engine referenced COpper BRAzed sheet metal construction that weighed just 44 pounds. Imagine this midget rig providing road assistance to MAC trucks outside Maltby, WA. Unsold on Saturday as Lot 172, but found a buyer on Sunday. #178-1950 HUDSON COMMODORE sedan. VIN: 50268963. Black/gray cloth. Odo: 61,721 miles. 262-ci I6, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Offered at no reserve. Old respray in original black looks good in rain. Brightwork very good. Washington Collector plate. All panels straight, with even gaps. Doors work smoothly and click shut. Minor surface rust in door jambs. Driver’s seat has big hole to springs. Door cards moldy. One crack in steering wheel. Original spare and jack in trunk. Dash has clear instruments, gloveboxes at both ends and aftermarket gauges for oil pressure and water temp underneath. BEST BUY

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LUCKY COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS // Tacoma, WA ONETO WATCH A focus on cars that are showing some financial upside Under long, heavy hood sits a single-carb I6 flathead—stock and complete in driver-quality condition. Visually, it wouldn’t take much to make this rust-free sedan a fun daily driver. Cond: 4. SOLD AT $4,130. When new, Hudsons were the hot setup in NASCAR, with optional Twin H carburetors, perimeter frames offering low center of gravity, and wind-cheating aerodynamics. Kind of campy today, it could be selected as Robin’s ride in the next Batman movie, or used again in “Cars.” (Of course, you’d have to do something about that stinky interior.) It started, ran and stopped well enough for buyer and seller to consummate a mutually satisfactory outcome. 1978–79 Dodge D150 Li’l Red Express pickup B y 1978, the muscle car was dead. Its closest living relative was the Trans Am, which had become more of a swingin’ visual statement than a true performer. Even the Corvette — arguably the benchmark of American car performance for pretty much any year since its inception — pumped out just 220 horses. And that was the faster L82 version. But Dodge had one last trick up its sleeve. Those EPA regulations that helped nail the muscle car coffin shut? They applied to cars. Not trucks. With that realization, the Li’l Red Express was born. It didn’t need catalytic converters, thanks to that EPA loophole, featured the parts-bin police-spec 360 with a few go-fast goodies, and had iconic stack exhaust exiting up the back of the cab. All were red with gold lettering, and all featured the stepside short bed with wood floor. Period magazine tests proved the concept: This truck, or at least a pre-production version of it, ran a 14.7 quarter mile and was the fastest production American car of the year up to 100 mph. Production versions were slower but kept up with the L82 ’Vette on the strip. Not bad. With truck prices Detailing Years built: 1978–79 Number produced: 2,188 (1978), 5,118 (1979) Average price of those trucks: $20,325 Number sold at auction in the past 12 months: 2 Current Median ACC Valuation: $28,00 116AmericanCarCollector.com climbing in the market more or less across the board, some of the rarer items, like the Li’l Red Express, are prime targets for buyers. We’ve seen these trucks’ median prices at auction climb 72% in 2015 and 26% in 2016, now topping out at $28,000. I’d suggest there’s room for more growth here, as these things are quick, relatively rare, and have an iconic look. A AmericanCarCollector.com — Jim Pickering SOLD AT $17,875. This was one of several vehicles offered at no reserve by the LeMay Family Collection Foundation, with proceeds to the Lemay—America’s Car Museum. A one-year model with 2,215 made, this was Studebaker’s attempt at a luxury sports coupe. In ’55, many designers thought tricolor paint, ashtrays in doors, and lots of chrome were hallmarks of luxury. Price paid seemed fair to both buyer and seller, with nod to the former. A #215-1955 STUDEBAKER PRESIDENT Speedster 2-dr hard top. VIN: 7807487. White, gray & pink/brown & white vinyl & leather. Odo: 64,425 miles. 259-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Original tricolor paint (white, gray and pink) on straight and rust-free factory steel. Extensive chrome and stainless excellent. Older wide whites on steel wheels, with wire hubcaps. Glass and weatherseals excellent. Light dust on mint white-leather seating, French-stitched leather headliner, carpet, vinyl side panels and chrome window surrounds. Classic engine-turned insert in dash. Instruments clear. Engine dusty, but factory stock, with no leaks, stains, battery or brakes per note. Easy recommissioning. Believable original miles. Cond: 4.

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report American Highlights at Two Auctions GM #5-1955 CADILLAC SERIES 75 funeral conversion coach. VIN: 5575865254. Black & red/burgundy velour. Odo: 69,580 miles. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. With a few ghoulish overtones, this well-presented limousine conversion of a once-stately, threeway side-loader coach was done with some restrained taste. Lounge-like seating for four with bar and an updated LS7 V8 to haul around this nearly three-ton limousine. Paint-work fairly good, with hand-applied flames. Most chrome appears original and well maintained. Upgraded radial tires on original wheels. If desired, this coach could probably be returned to its original configuration. Cond: 3+. A working-class rig — 1981 Chevrolet C10 Silverado pickup, sold at $7,560 during Dan Kruse Classics Midland, TX, auction Dan Kruse Classics Midland, TX — May 21, 2016 Auctioneers: Matthew Kruse, Marty Hill Automotive lots sold/offered: 76/145 Sales rate: 52% Sales total: $1,403,320 High sale: 1965 Shelby Cobra replica roadster, sold at $50,490 Buyer’s premium: 8%, included in sold prices Report and photographs by Phil Skinner Silver Coeur d’Alene, ID — June 18, 2016 Auctioneers: Mitch Silver, Matt Backs Automotive lots sold/offered: 32/78 Sales rate: 41% Sales total: $393,120 High sale: 1937 Chevrolet street rod convertible, sold at $46,440 Buyer’s premium: 8% included in sale prices Report and photos by John Boyle SOLD AT $21,600. Funeral coaches rarely do anything near what this example brought on the block. Upgraded engine, modern electrics, a/c and professional workmanship all combined to appeal to the right bidders. Reserve lifted at $15k, and bids kept on coming. Call this one both well bought and well sold. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. #25-1955 PONTIAC CHIEFTAIN 2-dr hard top. VIN: K755H10917. Tan & white/red vinyl. Odo: 6,559 miles. 287-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Older paint has chips on edges of doors and hood. Casual masking for twotone in door openings. Bumpers scratched and worn. Side trim could use a buffing. Paint trim flaking on hood streaks. Hood ornament crazed. Red interior a bit jarring compared to subtle exterior. Interior seems to be holding up better than the exterior, with exception of large burn on driver’s seat cushion. Dash chrome better than often seen. Auxiliary gauges added under dash. Underhood stock, but worn and dusty. Cond: 3-. Only 818 produced — 1969 Plymouth Satellite Sport convertible, sold at $24,840, Silver in Coeur d’Alene, ID 118AmericanCarCollector.com NOT SOLD AT $15,000. Trivia: Hard-top Pontiacs of this period were officially known as Catalinas. This was one tired Indian. Nice enough for Sunday drives and ice

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ROUNDUP GLOBAL cream runs, but in real need of some attention. Bid was respectable for condition, and seller could have taken it without regrets. Not sure why he didn’t. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. #43-1956 OLDSMOBILE 88 2-dr sedan. VIN: 567C7080. Canary Yellow & white/ white & yellow vinyl. Odo: 82,343 miles. 324-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Mild custom, with chrome reverse wheels, Moon hubcaps, tufted and luxurious interior, stock radio in dash and hidden modern unit in glovebox. Decent paint, but not trophy winning. Interior chrome sports some minor pitting; exterior much better and bumpers look new. Clear taillight lenses. Panel alignment also done well. Underhood better than expected, but still needs some help. Solid, presentable and ready to cruise. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $28,620. Originally a 3-speed column-shift car. Front discs and Tri-Power setup give it a custom vibe, with very stock looks. Obviously a labor of love by its longterm owner. I liked this car. It avoided some of the ’50s clichés (no dual spotlights, Continental kit or lake pipes), but was upgraded enough to be fun. I can’t believe the seller took the high bid, proving again that there are still bargains to be found. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. #33-1965 OLDSMOBILE 442 2-dr sedan. VIN: 338275Z120231. Butternut Yellow/ black vinyl. Odo: 16,063 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older restoration on straight body. Body seam above trunk lid missing on one side. Door, hood, trunk panel fit could be improved. Bumper and side trim is acceptable, grille and hood trim pitted. Very nice seats, carpet and dash. Console is nicer than most you see from this era. Factory a/c and 4-speed options fitted. Underhood restored and correct but dusty. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $17,280. These were glorious cars when new and could come from factory with big blocks, 4-speeds and other performance equipment. Had this been a numbers-matching restoration to stock configuration, the value of this car would have been 30%–40% more. It might have also brought more had seller put a fully charged battery under hood, so those interested could have seen how well it started up, you know, without a jump. A well-bought car, all things considered. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. #114-1967 BUICK SKYLARK 2-dr hard top. VIN: 444177Z119971. Dark blue/dark blue vinyl. Odo: 36,103 miles. 340-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Respray in a color close to original. Presented itself as a good potential driver that would be fun to take to a show as long as trophies were not the main goal. Fitted with power steering, brakes and driver’s seat, factory a/c, AM radio and even a clock (not working, of course). Mileage most likely on second go-around. Wearing American Racing Torq Thrusts, but originals were in trunk. Sheet metal showed minor dings. Glass in need of cleaning and had faint wiper marks on windshield. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $10,800. Offered at no reserve, this car had a lot of interest when it hit the block, but only for those who wanted to see if they could flip it—which someone might be able to do in the right setting. As much as the market loves stock vehicles, pure stock in this condition would have been hard-pressed to bring this money. With exception of soft trim, it could be returned to stock configuration. Call this one very well bought—almost cheap. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. #36-1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr hard top. VIN: F58J211609. Green/ green & silver vinyl. Odo: 3,600 miles. 348ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Nice older paint with the usual rock chips and polishing swirls. Huge bumpers are very nice; unfortunately, that only highlights the unpolished side trim. Older bias-ply tires with wide whites. Dual antennas. Interior looks unused; excellent dash and typical aftermarket gauges are hung beneath. Huge 4-speed gearshift lever sticking out of floor topped by an eight-ball. Engine bay is clean, but worn and undetailed. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $24,300. A real-deal ’65 442. Introduced late in the 1964 model year, the $156 442 option was Olds’ answer to Pontiac’s GTO. This banker’s hot rod sold for a bit under market, leaving the buyer some room to address the panel fit and trim issues. Fair deal for all. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. #37-1966 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS 2-dr hard top. VIN: 168376C142014. Ermine White/white vinyl. Odo: 57,660 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A well-executed resto-mod. From outside the only modification was post-1967-style Rally wheels with hubcaps. Under hood the crate 350 V8 was dressed up with chrome valve covers and air cleaner, aluminum intake, Holley carb, electronic ignition and more. Interior retained stock seats, but with updated stereo system and custom steering wheel. Workmanship well done, although I spotted some debris in paint finish. Soft trim looked new, fresh and inviting. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $11,880. For the condition, this sale was right in the market. With a lot of detailing—and maybe a replate on bumpers—it could bring a little more money. While it shared the body of a Gran Sport, it didn’t share the soul. A family-friendly hard top ready for the road, which is nothing to be ashamed of, and for the seller, very well sold. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. #60-1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO coupe. VIN: 124377N218887. Pewter/black vinyl. Odo: 67,549 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Beautiful presentation, and it attracted plenty of attention before sale. Body panels smooth and very well aligned. Interior looked factory-fresh. Non-original engine and transmission, but they looked right at home and detailed for show or sale. Upgraded Edelbrock intake and carb. Factorystyle transmission. Hard to believe this work was done more than 10 years ago. Rally wheels with Redline tires complemented exterior view. Sat level and started easy. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $39,960. Seller had $35k reserve but lifted it when bidding hit $30k. At least three interested bidders stayed in until $34k, while final two battled it out in good old-fashioned auction style, September-October 2016 119 BEST BUY

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP Speakers cut into doors and armrests cracked. Note says it came with factory a/c, but underhood components now missing. Engine bay not open for inspection. Cond: 3. no cracks in fascia or body. Top of dash showed some fading. Light wiper marks on windshield. Complete gauge package, power windows and a/c—of unknown working condition. Underhood sports original engine and looks to have been left in stock format. Clean but not show-car ready. Snowflake wheels added to impression of speed. Sat level and ran out well. Cond: 3. with no TV cameras around to capture the drama. A nicely done, no-stories car that found a good home and was well bought. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. #53-1971 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE Malibu convertible. VIN: 136671B238207. Lime Mist/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 77,584 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored to replicate a Super Sport, but not presented as an original. Done a few years ago, as top bore some wear and staining. Engine sourced from 1966 model. Repro SS-style wheels and badges along with hood stripes. Body looked smooth and even, with doors easily opening and closing. Seller presents car as a nicely done example and nothing more, which attracted the right people. Fitted with power steering, front-disc brakes, windows and top. Newer stereo in dash, along with proper tach and speedometer. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $13,500. Seemingly restored to owner’s taste, and more tasteful than many trucks or SUVs you’ll see. Much nicer than a winter beater, but not quite a showpiece. In other words, just what one needs here in Northern Idaho. Prices for these are all over the map, but considering its condition and the fact it’s from the popular ’67–72 generation of GM trucks, I can see why the owner thought it’s worth more than the high bid. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. #42-1978 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. VIN: 2W87Z8L187771. Gold metallic/tan cloth. Odo: 74,575 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Looks to be original paint due to fading and a bit of wear on decals. Interior shows some fading and wear issues, but fitted with full instruments including tach. Power windows, factory AM/FM, power steering, front-disc brakes, as well as original a/c. Underhood unmodified. Snowflake wheels in black, undersides in need of attention. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $28,080. One of the most popular of American muscle cars, these Chevelles were good looking when new, and, when properly restored, look great today. It might have brought about same money had it been done stock, but it wouldn’t have been as exciting. A new top would do wonders for this car and could boost values far above cost of replacement. Been shopped around a bit, with no sales from Mecum’s Dallas 2013 auction (ACC# 6729622, $25,000) and Leake’s fall 2013 Dallas sale (ACC# 6730320, $31,250). Fair deal today. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. #32-1971 CHEVROLET BLAZER SUV. VIN: KE1818650586. Blue/white fiberglass/ blue cloth. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A wellcared-for older restoration. Paint has minor chips and straight body. Excellent grille and bumpers. All four side-marker lights cracked. Very nice wheels. Good glass. Interior a mix of old and new. Nice seats and carpets. Dash plastics show wear. 120AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $10,260. California-built and sold new. No signs of rust, so new owner got a very solid car for the money. Condition was similar to the gold T/A (Lot 42), so this is a good comparison model-to-model and also engine-to-engine. Seller didn’t paint any misleading pictures, but bidders took a while to warm to this car. Hammer came down when there wasn’t any more money in room. Seller made a wise decision. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. #121-1981 CHEVROLET C10 Silverado pickup. VIN: 1GCDC14D3BB139896. Black/black vinyl. Odo: 60,467 miles. 4.1-L fuel-injected I6, auto. 22-inch wheels. Paint tired and had seen a lot of nights out under open Texas skies. Buffed out quite a bit and looked decent, but it wasn’t always this pretty. Wheels distracted from overall appearance as a working truck, and didn’t lend any appeal as a show truck. Interior appointed with aftermarket audio system. Gauges kind of cloudy and not that easy to read. Not sure if they’re even working. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $24,840. Seller lifted reserve before hitting the $20k mark. Bids were quickpaced and the crowd paid attention. Interest in this particular year of Firebird has been dramatic since January; a year ago, this would have been a $15k car—tops. Seller was delighted and new owner seemed pleased. Now everyone is going to try and bring a ’79 T/A to market. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. #29-1979 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Formula coupe. VIN: 2U87K9L195446. White/ red vinyl. Odo: 92,926 miles. 403-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. At first glance car looks a bit worn, but further inspection shows it’s complete, with SOLD AT $7,560. For the truck presented, this was a very generous offer and the seller did right by letting it go. New owner should be able to get money’s worth out of it as long as mechanics were as presented. A solid vehicle, and in this part of the world a good truck is as important as a good horse. What I term a fourth-gen C10, it has possibilities, but still in the working class for now. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16.

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP coupe. VIN: 1G2AW87H6DN215859. White/gray leather. Odo: 73,991 miles. 5.0-L V8, 4-bbl, 5-sp. One of 2,500 Firebird 25th Anniversary Daytona 500 Pace Car editions. Seller states that exterior all original. If accurate, paint has held up better than rest of car. Special fender badges present, but devoid of pace-car decals. T-tops look good and seem watertight. Special factory turbine wheels MIA, replaced with modern units. Special-edition leather/ suede Recaros need re-covering; back seat looks fine. Expected wear to console, with dash top cracked. Hood not open for inspection. Cond: 3-. #13-1983 PONTIAC TRANS AM Daytona 500 Pace Car 25th Anniversary #52-1984 CHEVROLET BLAZER SUV. VIN: 1GCK18HXEF138109. White & red/ white fiberglass/red vinyl & cloth. Odo: 37,277 miles. 305-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Newer paint in factory color and scheme was well applied. Minor chips around doors. Slight overspray on grille and firewall. Bumpers and stainless very good. High-end interior said to be original and like-new. OEM GM rubber floormats and newer radio. Engine compartment looks stock and, while not detailed, it’s very clean. Cond: 2-. and body nice, but some cracking noticeable in door opening. Chrome and stainless fine. Turbine-style knockoff wheels look new. Headlights fit better than many you see. Driver’s door hard to shut, passenger’s door sits high at rear. Seats show signs of wear, along with major fit issue to console armrest. Good dash. Interior not vacuumed before sale. Hood not open for inspection, no mention of matching numbers. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $2,160. In 1983, the third generation F-bodies were still new and popular, and, per GM habit, Pontiac produced this limited edition which had some nice upgrades. Recaros were de rigueur for upscale, sporty cars and added a nice touch to otherwise stark factory interiors of period. This car looked like what it is, a 30-plusyear-old pony car. With the miles covered, it hasn’t held up too badly. The price this car brought today was about a third of what it normally brings. If it’s mechanically sound, it was well bought, with plenty of room to take care of some of its needs. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. SOLD AT $9,450. Older SUVs are gaining in the market, and these stylish second-generation Blazers have always been popular, but you see few this nice. The crowd didn’t seem to like it as much as I did. Maybe Northwest SUV buyers prefer their rides a bit less shiny. I wish I had a bidder’s pass for this one. This very clean 4x4 was bought for average-condition money. Well bought. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. CORVETTE #67-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 40867S104517. Ermine White/white vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 19,070 miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Seller states recent ground-up restoration. Paint NOT SOLD AT $41,000. Window sheet provided many details on car, but unattended-to details—like the door-fit issues— gave one pause. The ACC Pocket Price Guide indicates that the ’64 C2s, are the lowest-price C2s, lacking the cachet of the first-year ’63s, and the standard four-wheel disc brakes of the ’65s. High bid nearly matched the price guide median, but seller was looking for more. If he attends to some of the issues, he might get it. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. #18-1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194671S113138. Green/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 59,459 miles. 350-ci 270-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Six-year-old restoration holding up very well. Paint unmarked except for crack developing atop rear spoiler. Chrome bumpers and stainless trim excellent. Good panel gaps, headlights fit well. Nice wheels and tires. Soft top soiled, with usual scratches to plastic window. Interior very good, with seat covers well-fitted, expected wear to dash and somewhat more wear to steering wheel. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $26,000. In 1971, Stingray coupes outsold convertibles by more than two to one. While a base-engine/automatic car, this drop top had a fairly recent restoration, a good look, factory a/c and a great color (in ’71, Brands Hatch Green was second only to War Bonnet Yellow as the most popular Corvette hue). Nonetheless, bidding fell just short of the price guide median. Seller was right in taking it home. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. 122AmericanCarCollector.com BEST BUY

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP #105-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. VIN: 1Z37W2S518360. Classic White/black vinyl. Odo: 48,708 miles. 454-ci 360-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Presented as numbers-matching drivetrain and with documentation from new. Last of an era with chrome bumpers, big-block engine and styling. Well appointed with original gauges all working, AM/FM radio, Rally wheels fitted with BF Goodrich T/A radials and chrome bumpers front and rear. Also a luggage rack on rear deck. Panels straight and with proper gaps. Mechanics in good shape. A little minor detailing under hood would have been appreciated. Cond: 2. mance, construction and rarity. As more mid-years start moving towards six figures, some of these examples are sure to follow that trend. But not yet, not today. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. FOMOCO #30-1955 MERCURY MONTEREY 2-dr hard top. VIN: 55LA12079M. Red & white/ white vinyl & red cloth. Odo: 94,757 miles. 292-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Well-applied and very shiny paint. Body straight, with excellent shutlines. Bumpers, door handles and hood ornament badly scratched and worn. Side and window trim a bit better. Aftermarket Continental kit, with patio-size bumper extension. Dash stainless good, but rest of interior weak, with worn gauges and chipped steering wheel. Sill plates badly dented. Cloth and vinyl seats dirty and SOLD AT $24,840. Seller had been hoping to net closer to $30k, which was a long way off from the final bid of $21,000. But postsale negotiations got final bidder and seller to reach an agreeable price. Despite being numbers-matching big-block, these early C3 Corvettes are still undervalued for perfor- NOT SOLD AT $17,000. This metal-roof hard top was among the most popular cars from Mercury in 1955, but it’s usually overshadowed by the plastic-top Sun Valley variant. It’s a red ’50s cruiser, but this one isn’t ready for any close-ups. Considering the car’s expensive needs (chrome, interior), high bid was a bit generous and could have been taken without regret. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. #8-1959 EDSEL RANGER sedan. VIN: C9UF711997. Black/blue cloth & vinyl. Odo: 91,314 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Seller states it’s all original except for older paint. Looks good from a distance but has wear, chips and a large crack upon closer inspection. Straight body with good shutlines. Bumpers worn and scratched. Side trim has minor pitting. Interior looks original, but well cared for. Driver’s door windlace frayed and drooping. Rear armrests faded. Driver’s window glass delaminating. Underhood stock-looking and dusty. Cond: 3. appear to be in incorrect material. Underhood not open for inspection. Cond: 3-. NOT SOLD AT $7,000. The Ranger remained the base Edsel for ’59, when models were cut from four to two. Oddly, the ’59 4-door Ranger had the highest production of any Edsel over the marque’s three-year history...but it only came to 12,814 units. The handwriting was on the wall. Seller stated this was a two-owner car, and it wasn’t bad, although the funeral-black color didn’t do it any favors. High bid today was $560 less than it brought in January at Silver’s Fort McDowell sale (ACC# 6798604). Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. #117-1960 FORD THUNDERBIRD 2-dr hard top. VIN: 0Y71Y181534. Maroon & white/black vinyl. Odo: 21,483 miles. 352-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Given a quickie cosmetic re-do, with color change from pure white. Didn’t look that bad for central Texas. Cheap wire wheels didn’t add to this car’s character, but the body was solid. Interior done on a budget, and nothing had been damaged to the point that it couldn’t be taken back to stock. Still has complete factory a/c, but unknown working condition— 124AmericanCarCollector.com

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP same for clock. Power steering operating without leaks. Aftermarket recent radio. Doors open and close. Tinted glass with banded windshield all in order. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $10,260. With restored examples hitting the $50k–$60k range, this car needed a lot and will probably never be taken to that degree. Engine in good running order, so with an engine-out detailing and repaint, this car could bring a bit more money than the investment. If purchased by a private party, they can have fun with the car, but working a/c is a must, and that will be another chunk of change. I liked the car and think that final price was well within the value limits of this ride. Well bought. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. Blue/dark blue vinyl/dark blue vinyl. Odo: 63,458 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Pretty car with straight body. Well presented, with older quality respray in original color. Some minor dings in left quarter panel and hood. Interior pure stock, with AM radio, clock, plus Swing-Away steering wheel. Under hood all in order, but needs some detailing. Top works a little sluggishly, but came up and went down. Factory stock wheels and covers. Engine starts easily and runs quiet—no blue or black smoke. Transmission shifts well. Chrome with some minor pitting on trim bits. Bumpers have a little bit of scuffing and wear. Cond: 3+. #22-1965 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. VIN: 5Y85Z166287. Diamond MOPAR #22-1969 PLYMOUTH SATELLITE Sport convertible. VIN: RP27H9G146823. Beige/ black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 24,891 miles. 383-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Better-than-average paint on a very straight (and unforgivingly slab) body. Only flaws noted were cracks near door and trunk. Stainless trim could use a buff. Rear panel between taillights dull and pitted. Wheels could use a cleaning, with dirty, no-name tires fitted. Interior very nice, with clean seats and carpet. Less-than-usual wear to plastic chrome on typically cheap-looking Mopar dash of the period. Cond: 2-. wheels sporting original tires—I would be concerned about them before going on a road trip. Fully equipped with proper stereo, a/c and basic amenities. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $24,840. The Sport Satellite was the more family-friendly (5 to 45 fewer horses when comparing 383 V8s) stablemate of the Road Runner. With just 818 produced, the Sport Satellite convertible had the second-lowest production numbers of any ’69 Plymouth—even the rarely-seen Road Runner convertible (with 2,128 produced) outsold it. If this had been a Road Runner, the price could be easily double what it brought here. A no-sale at $25,000 at Silver Portland in April 2016 (ACC# 6799715). Seller took the hint and let it go for slightly less today. This near top-of-themarket price was fair to both parties. Silver Auctions, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 06/16. SOLD AT $19,440. For car’s condition, and being a fully functional convertible, this was a fair price. For the quick flip, there is some room for profit. For the private party, lots of room for enjoyment. Well presented by sellers, well received by bidders—call this one well bought. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. #94-1999 PLYMOUTH PROWLER convertible. VIN: 1P3EW65G1XV505040. Prowler Red/black cloth/black leather. Odo: 2,504 miles. 3.5-L fuel-injected V6, auto. Very well maintained by original owners. In care of a dealer for past six months or so. Clean body with no damage. Interior near perfection, with only minor wear on driver’s seat. Engine bay and undercarriage both clean and ready for show or go. Original SOLD AT $29,700. While a number of lowmile Prowlers fetch well over $35k, this was auction time and a chance to catch a bargain, which the new owner got at this price. Prowlers have a lot of interest from collections, but also issues that are common to 17-year-old cars. Even long-term stored cars need love, occasional exercise and cosmetic attention. This example still looks great; hope new owner gets to enjoy it soon. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. AMERICANA #1-1960 WILLYS JEEP Gala Surrey utility. VIN: 5633718385. Cerulean Blue & Glacier White/Cerulean Blue & Glacier White canvas/Cerulean Blue & Glacier White vinyl. Odo: 22 miles. 134-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Professional restoration and done in splendid colors. Authenticity was the goal—reportedly as much was spent on finding original soft trim as was invested in bodywork and mechanics. Done several years ago, it still looks very clean. Starts up and drives like a dream. Basic motoring with only fuel and temperature gauges, plus speedometer. Underhood spotless. Only minor detailing needed to the chassis. Cond: 1-. 126AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $31,320. Seller had high hopes for somewhere north of $40k, and, even with this being the first automotive lot across the block (and Dan Kruse lets the first five cars rerun later in the day at no charge), the consignor seemed happy with the real money and lifted his reserve. New owner needs to exhibit this Jeep for a couple of shows, then take it out and drive it sparingly. A fun car for the right amount of money—well sold and well bought. Dan Kruse Classics, Midland, TX, 05/16. A BEST BUY

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The Parts Hunter Patrick Smith Thousand-Dollar Cocktail Shakers PARTS ONCE TOSSED IN THE NAME OF SPEED ARE AMONG THE MOST EXPENSIVE THINGS TO HUNT DOWN FOR YOUR OTHERWISE-CORRECT CAR seeming to serve no useful purpose, many lead-footed drivers yanked them out, thinking they were clever to remove so much dead weight. Of course, you had to put up with cowl shake on the road, but it was a small price to pay for that extra tenth off the ET. These were overpriced considering they’re reproduced, but not wildly so. Shipping will be expensive no matter where you get them. #172261509058 1966 Chevelle “Knee-Knocker” Tachometer 8 photos. Item condition: Used. eBay. Spencerport, NY. 8/9/16. “You are bidding on a used original 1966 Chevelle knee-knocker tachometer. This has a 5,000 rpm redline. This is in good shape. The orange is slightly faded. The case has very light pitting, hardly noticeable. Arm moves freely. Please look at all the photos and do your research prior to bidding.” Sold at: $185. With reproductions available now in every engine rpm style, why bother with an original 50-year-old unit? For a street-driven cruise night or grudge-match toy, a reproduction makes sense. But if you’re restoring a car to compete in judged events, you’re pretty well forced to go original, especially if it’s a top-tier concours event. Used to be the item not only had to be original, it also had to be like brand new. Thanks to the rise of MCACN and “patina” cars, a piece like this with very minor wear isn’t an issue. Price paid was about right for an L35 tachometer. to be completely redone, but everything is available. A nice feature is the seat-belt-warning wire leads are still attached. This makes it a 1972-and-later-style seat, but they could be redone as an earlier style. The price paid is good. I’ve sold sets in worse shape for more money. 128 AmericanCarCollector.com #291807652915 1970–74 Challenger Seats 2 photos. Item condition: Used. eBay. Maple Heights, OH. 7/7/16. “’70–74 ’Cuda and Challenger bucket seats with tracks as shown. Great cores in solid, usable shape. Local pickup only.” Sold at: $250. When it comes to buying used seats, the devil is in the details. One common mistake people make is to buy seats without the tracks, which are expensive by themselves. You don’t want to make that mistake on Mopars, because a pair of good B-body tracks are a third of the seat’s value. This pair of E-body buckets need #331897973194 1969 Camaro Convertible “Cocktail Shaker” Counterweights 2 photos. Item condition: Used. eBay. East Aurora, NY. 8/7/16. “Set of all four 1969 Camaro convertible Cocktail Shakers or counterweights originally installed in every 1969 Camaro convertible. They were very commonly removed to save weight or when the car was disassembled for repair. This is a nice original set with all mounting tabs intact. If you are restoring a convertible, RS, SS, or Pace Car that is missing these weights and you want to restore it correctly, you may want to consider this.” Sold at: $995. Commonly called “cocktail shakers,” these devices are actually vibration isolators designed to cancel shaking in sheet-metal panels by setting up an exact counter-vibration. Heavy and #291805048886 1976 Trans Am, Formula, Firebird Header Panel 6 photos. Item condition: Used. eBay. Elmira, NY. 7/7/16. “1976 Trans Am, Formula, Firebird grille. Will fit 1974, 1975, 1976, not sure about 1973. Has the honeycomb grille, one has a crack that is shown in the pic. Also they were drilled for fog lamps at some time. One headlamp trim ring fastener hole in the headlight bracket is rusted and missing. Missing the headlamp trim ring on the passenger side. The driver’s side was painted black at some time and the chrome is pitted. Both sealed beams work. Comes with mounting brackets in the pic. Has a small crack at left of nose, maybe two inches.” Sold at $299. I have to give the seller marks for honesty in describing the shortcomings of this part. One-year-only cars are difficult and expensive to restore if they’re basket cases. Every time you wonder how a restoration could possibly hit six figures, return to this listing. Even if you paid less, you still need to restore and add missing pieces, which fortunately are available. This is why a parts car can save you so much money in the end. Price paid is going to be full market and then some when the new owner is finished restoring this panel.A

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JUNKYARDTREASURES P.G. Larsson is aided by his daughter Anne-Louise in providing parts and supplies to owners of American cars in Sweden Swedes’ Smell of Success P.G. Larsson Bildelar brings vintage American parts to Sweden — and beyond Story and photos by Phil Skinner S wedes really love old American cars, especially from the 1950s to the 1970s. Recognizing a growing interest in the mid-1980s, P.G. Larsson of Tibro, Sweden, came up with an idea. As he traveled to the U.S. regularly for business, he started buying up cars that might have been a bit too far gone to be saved. He then salvaged anything useful and loaded up a container to be shipped back home. Starting first from his house, he Detailing What: P.G. Larsson Bildelar Where: Rydsgatan 12, 543 51 Tibro, Sweden Phone: 044-0504-125 75 Web: www.pgbildelar.se has been at his present location since 1989, and his fame has spread around the world. The majority of his customers come from Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, but he regularly gets requests for parts from all over Western Europe, as well as New Zealand and Australia. There are no complete cars available at P.G. Larsson’s business, but he did say that he keeps an inventory of complete cars at his Colorado facility, and these are available to interested buyers. All nuts, screws and other hardware is saved. When a body or chassis has been stripped of all usable parts, they are stored and saved at the Colorado facility just in case a need should arise in the future. A 130 AmericanCarCollector.com Parts hunters have a fairly easy job of finding what they need at the well-organized Larsson Parts Yard in Sweden

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Showcase Gallery Sell Your Car Here! Includes ACC website listing. Showcase Gallery color photo ad just $66/month ($88 non-subscribers) Text-Only Classified ad just $15/month ($25 non-subscribers) Three ways to submit your ad: Web: Visit americancarcollector.com/classifieds/place-ad to upload your photo (300 dpi jpg) and text, or text only. Secure online VISA/MC payments. Email: Send photo (300 dpi jpg) and text, or text only, to classifieds@ americancarcollector.com. We will contact you for payment information. Snail mail: ACC Showcase, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208-4797, with VISA/MC or check. 25 words max, subject to editing. Deadline: 1st of each month, one month prior to publication. Advertisers assume all liability for the content of their advertisements. The publisher of American Car Collector Magazine is not responsible for any omissions, erroneous, false and/or misleading statements of its advertisers. GM 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 2-door hard top 1955 Chevrolet Corvette 265/195 roadster S/N 5T07C195598. Yellow/black. V8, 3-spd automatic. Newly restored to nearperfect condition. Show-ready and a trophy winner. This car still has its original 289 V8 motor, which has been newly re- S/N 136379A341714. Carolina Blue/blue. 86,928 miles. V8, 3-spd automatic. Very nice example of pure American muscle. This special order color Carolina Blue SS was originally delivered to Wannamaker Motor Company in Broughton, SC. Date-code-correct 396-ci 325hp engine. $39,500. Contact Tom, Legendary Motors, LLC, 978.852.3988, Email: tom@ legendarymotorsllc.com (MA) CORVETTE 1972 Chevrolet Corvette LT-1 coupe S/N 1Z37L2S520239. Ontario Orange/Saddle. 11,340 miles. V8, 4-spd manual. Actual low miles, PB, PS, Tilt-Telescope, AM/FM, Protect-O-Plate and manuals, all original (even tires), except battery and stainless exhaust. Second owner (since 1979). Condition -1, perfect chrome and interior, no dings or stress marks, very close to like-new. Contact Dick, 320.333.1508, Email: falcor88@charter.net (MN) 132 AmericanCarCollector.com 327/360hp, 4-Speed. Duntov Mark of Excellence Award ·Roman Red lacquer paint, white soft top and black interior ·Extensive photo catalog documenting frame-off restoration ·ALL JUDGING SHEETS and invoices, Corvette constructors’ manual, and award data. A finer restoration will not be found ·Level One investment grade ·Performance Verification Award: Passed 145 functions tested without a failure ·Winter Regional Top Flight Score: 99.288 S/N VE55S001661. Gypsy Red/light beige. V8, 3-spd manual. V8 (265/195), rare 3-speed transmission, NCRS Top Flight, 1,100 Miles since complete frame-off restoration. Excellent interior and top. Fun to drive. Contact Rodger, 971.227.1753, Email: dwights@cbbmail.com (OR) 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie 327/360 convertible ·Duntov Mark of Excellence Award, Charlotte National Convention Score: 99.6 Arguably the highest-scoring 1962 Corvette Fuelie in NCRS history, resurrected to nearnew delivery condition. Owner/ restorer purchased in 1985, spending 25 years and 3,000 labor man-hours restoring to original delivery condition. $147,500. Contact Don, 520.349.0940, Email: dmack@ donmackey.com (AZ) FOMOCO 1965 Ford Mustang coupe built and so has the automatic transmission. New rear gears, new suspension and front-disc conversion. $22,900. Contact Andy, Modern Muscle Cars, 352.789.3364, Email: andya@ natda.org (FL) f1967 Shelby GT500 astback S/N 67400F7A02869. Lime Gold Green/black. V8, 4-spd manual. Highly-detailed twoyear documented professional restoration. Verified by deluxe Marti Report, SAAC report, build-sheet copies and production order. First model year for GT500 and last for Shelby’s Los Angeles production. With jack, spare and accessories. $162,500 OBO. Contact Jose, DriverSource, 281.497.1000, Email: sales@driversource.com (TX) A

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218, or email advert@americancarcollector.com Auction Companies Chasers” on CNBC Prime. www.leakecar.com. (OK) Auctions America. 877-906-2437. Auctions America specializes in the sale of American Classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods, customs and automobilia. Headquartered at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana, Auctions America boasts an expert team of full-time specialists who offer 190 years’ combined experience, making them uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of the hobby. www.auctionsamerica.com. (IN) Barrett-Jackson Auction. 480421-6694. 480-421-6697. For over four decades, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company has been recognized throughout the world for offering only the finest selection of quality collector vehicles, outstanding professional service and an unrivaled sales success. From classic and one-of-a-kind cars to exotics and muscle cars, BarrettJackson attracts only the best. Our auctions have captured the true essence of a passionate obsession with cars that extends to collectors and enthusiasts throughout the world. A television audience of millions watches unique and select vehicles while attendees enjoy a lifestyle experience featuring fine art, fashion and gourmet cuisine. In every way, the legend is unsurpassed. N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. info@barrett-jackson.com. www.barrett-jackson.com. (AZ) unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. www.RMSothebys.com. (CAN) Lucky Collector Car Auctions. 888-672-0020. Lucky Collector Car Auctions is aptly named after Harold “Lucky” Lemay. Based in the majestic, pastoral ground of Marymount, home to the Lemay Family Collection Foundation near Tacoma, WA, the collection, formerly the biggest in the world according to Guinness, now hosts an unrivaled event center, art collection and charitable foundation, which features two exceptional collector car auctions a year. www. luckyoldcar.com (WA) Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles. 602-252-2697. 602-252-6260. 5230 South 39th St., Phoenix, AZ 85040. info@russoandsteele.com; www.russoandsteele.com. (AZ) Silver Auctions. 800-255-4485. 2020 N. Monroe, Spokane, WA 99205. silver@silverauctions.com. www.silverauctions.com. (WA) 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 Worldwide Auctioneers. 866273-6394. Established by John Kruse and Rod C. Egan, The Worldwide Group—Auctioneers, Appraisers and Brokers—is one of the world’s premier auction houses, specializing in the procurement and sale of the world’s finest automobiles and vintage watercraft. www. worldwide-auctioneers.com. (IN) Buy/Sell/General Motorcar Portfolio LLC. 330-4538900. Buy, sell, trade, auction of affordable antique, classic, collector vehicles. Bob Lichty offers over 40 years’ experience in the classic car industry. Motorcar Portfolio, LLC. has been serving NE Ohio and the world since 2004. Let us help with your needs. See our current inventory at our website www.motorcarportfolio.com 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 Classic Car Transport 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 Leake Auctions. 800-722-9942. Leake Auction Company was established in 1972 as one of the first car auctions in the country. More than 40 years later, Leake has sold over 34,000 cars and currently operates auctions in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas. Recently they have been featured on several episodes of three different reality TV series — “Fast N Loud” on Discovery, “Dallas Car Sharks” on Velocity and “The Car 134 AmericanCarCollector.com 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 21 South Auto Gallery. 480.986.6460. Located in Mesa, AZ, 21 South Auto Gallery specializes in the sale of highquality European sports cars and American muscle. Whether you are looking for an investmentgrade collector car or a fun weekend cruiser, we would love to make your dreams a reality. We also buy classic cars in any condition. (AZ) Direct Connect Auto Transport. 800-668-3227. “The driver was friendly and helped our son feel comfortable about moving his lowered ’59 Volkswagen Beetle antique auto. The driver communicated well during pickup and delivery. It was fast, too. We spent two days in Phoenix after the car was picked up and it beat us back to the East Coast.” 5-Star Reviews Let Us Earn Yours directconnectautotransport.com Allard Motor Works LLC. BThe Allard Motor Works J2X is a handcrafted version of the famed British competition roadster that stirred the crowds in Europe and the Americas in the early 1950s. Our modern J2X MkIII, recognized by the Allard Register, integrates the latest technology into the original design, to provide a safe, comfort- able and reliable vehicle without compromising performance. www.allardj2x.com • info@ allardj2x.com • 877-J2X-1953 • facebook.com/allardj2x.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

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AMERICAN CAR COLLECTOR “THE AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE FIND OF THE YEAR” — Mark D. on Facebook Auctions • VAlues • PreViews • eVents GET 1 YEAR (6 ISSUES) FOR ONLY $29.95! AmericanCarCollector.com/subscribe or call 503-261-0555 Ext. 1 Advertisers Index Auctions America .......................... 11, 13 Autosport Groups ................................ 84 Barrett-Jackson ................................... 21 Bellflower Art ..................................... 135 Blue Bars ........................................... 135 Branson Collector Car Auction ............ 51 Camaro Central ................................. 113 Car Art by David Snyder .................... 121 CarCapsule USA ................................. 81 Chevs of the 40’s ................................ 77 Chubb Personal Insurance .................. 17 Classic Car Collection ....................... 127 Corvette America ................................. 19 Corvette Specialties .......................... 122 County Corvette .................................... 2 Dr. ColorChip Corporation .................. 85 Evans Cooling Systems Inc. ................ 15 Evapo-Rust .......................................... 41 Gano Filter Company ........................ 129 Genuine Hot Rod Hardware ................ 31 Greensboro Auto Auction .................. 123 Grundy Insurance ................................ 23 Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. .......... 43 Hahn-Vorbach & Associates LLC ........ 91 Heggen Law Office, P.C. ..................... 87 JC Taylor ........................................... 109 Jim Meyer Racing Products Inc. ....... 126 JJ Best Banc & Co .............................. 72 Leake Auction Company ....................... 3 Liquid Performance ............................. 49 Lory Lockwood .................................... 97 Lutty’s Chevy Warehouse ................. 125 McCollister’s Auto Transport............. 140 Michael Irvine Studios ....................... 139 Mid America Motorworks .................... 25 Motorcar Portfolio ............................. 101 Moultrie Swap Meet ............................ 50 National Corvette Museum ................ 129 National Corvette Restorers Society . 133 National Parts Depot ......................... 105 Obsolete & Classic Auto Parts, Inc. .. 127 Original Parts Group ............................ 73 Out of Sight Audio ............................... 47 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions ...... 35 Paramount Classic Cars .................... 107 Park Place LTD .................................... 89 Passport Transport ........................ 20, 75 Performance Racing Oils ..................... 87 Petersen Collector Car Auction ......... 132 POR-15 ................................................ 37 Rick Cole Auctions .............................6-7 Ronald McDonald House .................. 115 RPUI - The Right Stuff ........................... 4 RPUI - Trim Parts Group ....................... 5 Russo & Steele LLC............................. 33 SEMA ................................................... 32 Silver Collector Car Auctions .............. 53 Speed Digital ....................................... 79 Steve’s Auto Restorations Inc. ............ 27 Summit Racing Equipment ................ 131 Superformance .................................... 29 Swisstrax Corporation ......................... 99 The Chevy Store Inc .......................... 125 Thomas C Sunday Inc ....................... 135 TYCTA ............................................... 133 VanDerBrink Auctions ......................... 83 Veterans Fire Protection ...................... 85 Volunteer Vette Products .................... 93 WeatherTech ..................................... 124 Wildwood NJ Auction ........................ 117 Woodside Credit................................ 111 Zip Products, Inc. ................................ 55 zMax .................................................. 129 September-October 2016 135

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218, or email advert@americancarcollector.com 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. 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 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: info@sundayautotransport.com Corvette Parts & Restoration County Corvette. 610-696-7888. Sales, service, parts and restoration. When it must be right. www.countycorvette.com. (PA) 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. 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) 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) Volunteer Vette Products. 865521-9100. 1963–2004 Corvette Parts and Accessories. Supplying Corvette restoration parts and accessories for 30 years. Visit our website at Grundy Worldwide. 888-6478639. Grundy Worldwide offers agreed value insurance with no mileage limitations, zero deductible*, and high-liability limits. Our coverages are specifically designed for collectible-car owners. From classic cars to muscle cars, Grundy Worldwide has you covered. (*Zero deductible available in most states.) 888-6GRUNDY (888-647-8639). www.grundyworldwide.com. (PA) 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) Insurance Hagerty Collector Car Insurance. 800-922-4050. Collector cars aren’t like their latemodel counterparts. These classics actually appreciate in value, so standard market policies that cost significantly more won’t do the job. We’ll agree on a fair value and cover you for the full amount. No prorated claims, no hassles, no games. www.hagerty.com. (MI) Reliable Carriers Inc. 877-7447889. As the country’s largest enclosed-auto transport company, Reliable Carriers faithfully serves all 48 contiguous United States and Canada. Whether you’ve entered a concours event, need a relocation, are attending a corporate event or shipping the car of your dreams from one location to another, one American transportation company does it all. www.reliablecarriers.com 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 County Corvette. 610-696-7888. The most modern and bestequipped Corvette-only facility in the nation. www.countycorvette.com. (PA) 136 AmericanCarCollector.com 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 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. 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 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!

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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) Museums AutoBahn Power. Performance + Looks + Durability + Comfort = Autobahn Power! Autobahn Power is a veteran of vehicle modifications, parts and accessories. Our specialty has been to carry products that are better than original equipment in performance, safety and quality. Our warehouse, service shop and retail store are located in the Midwest for good access to all parts of the USA. We have completed literally hundreds of project cars. These performance vehicles are in enthusiasts’ hands across the USA. Many of the cars are in daily use, proving the durability of our workmanship and products. Check us out at www.autobahnpower.com. 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. the best prices anywhere. The largest selection of Chevelle, El Camino, Monte Carlo, GTO, Le Mans, Tempest, Gran Prix, Bonneville, Catalina, Cutlass, 442, Skylark, GS, Riviera and Cadillac classic parts anywhere. Visit www.OPGI.com or call 800-243-8355. Restoration—General 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 California Car Cover Company. 800-423-5525. More than just custom-fit car covers, California Car Cover is the home of complete car care and automotive lifestyle products. Offering the best in car accessories, garage items, detailing products, nostalgic collectibles, apparel and more! Call 1-800-4235525 or visit Calcarcover.com for a free catalog. LeMay Family Collection Foundation. LeMay Family Collection Foundation at Marymount Events Center near Tacoma, WA, hosts an epic 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. 253-2722336 www.lemaymarymount.org. 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) National Parts Depot. 800-8747595. We stock huge inventories of concours-correct restoration parts for: Custom Autosound Manufacturing. 800-888-8637. Since 1977 providing audio solutions for classic car and trucks. Covering over 400 application our radios and speakers fit the original location without modification. Keep the classic look of your vehicle while enjoying state-of-the-art audio. Check out all of our products at www.customautosound. com. Or if you’d like a free catalog, call 800-888-8637 (CA) 1965–73 and 1979–93 Mustang 1967–81 Camaro & Firebird 1964–72 GTO, Tempest & LeMans 1964–87 Chevelle, Malibu & El Camino 1948–96 F-Series Ford Truck 1947–98 C/K 1/2-ton Chevy Truck 1966–96 Bronco 1955–57 Thunderbird www.nationalpartsdepot.com Cosmopolitan Motors LLC. 206467-6531. Experts in worldwide acquisition, collection management, disposition and appraisal. For more than a quarter century, Cosmopolitan Motors has lived by its motto, “We covet the rare and unusual, whether pedigreed or proletarian.” Absurdly eclectic and proud of it. Find your treasure here, or pass it along to the next generation. www.cosmopolitanmotors.com (WA) 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 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 September-October 2016 137

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Surfing Around Carl Bomstead Automobilia from eBay and Beyond Carl’s thought: It’s difficult to imagine selling an $860,000 doorstop, but Hansons Auctions U.K., at their July 24 Derbyshire auction, did just that. Actually, the doorstop was a blue and white Chinese vase with the stamp from the era of the Qianlong Emperor, who ruled from 1711 to 1799. It had been handed down through the seller’s family, one of whom had been an antique dealer, but obviously they had no idea of the value of the vase they had been using as a doorstop. Here are a few other items I found while surfing around. MORFORD AUCTIONS LOT 142—INDIAN MOTOCYCLE ONEGALLON OIL CAN. SOLD AT: $4,485 including 15% buyer’s premium. Date sold: 6/24/2016. This early tin one-gallon lithographed can had been made by the Valvoline Oil Company for the Indian Motorcycle Company and featured the company’s early-style logo on both sides. It was an attractive can but had a few issues with rubs and light scratches and fading. These have been hard to find of late and the price just keeps going up. EBAY #222087284536— 1930s HUBLEY CAST-IRON HILL-CLIMBER MOTORCYCLE TOY. Number of Bids: 15. SOLD AT: $6,000. Date sold: 4/24/2016. This very desirable Hubley motorcycle toy was a touch over eight inches in length and was the largest cast-iron toy they made. It was in very nice condition. with a few minor areas of paint loss. It even had the original pull string. A cool toy, but at a price! EBAY #371601713146—1960s VINTAGE HURST 4-SPEED “T” SHIFTER. Number of Bids: 4. SOLD AT: $110.49. Date sold 4/22/2016. This Hurst “T” shifter was compatible with several hundred Chevrolet 283/327/350 engines from the ’60s and ’70s. It was slightly soiled and discolored but was certainly the finishing touch to a period hot rod. Cheap at twice the price! EBAY #212275479072—1965 CORVETTE DEALER SHOWROOM POSTER. Number of Bids: 8. SOLD AT: $565.77. Date sold: 6/22/2016. This cardboard poster featured the ’65 Corvette Sting Ray coupe and convertible. It measured 18 by 32 inches and was in acceptable condition with minor corner wear. A must-have if a Sting Ray is in the car barn. Sold for a very reasonable amount. 138 AmericanCarCollector.com HERITAGE AUCTIONS LOT 80015—1934 DAVID FRANK GILMORE OIL COMPANY SIGNED LETTER. SOLD AT: $95.60 including 15% buyer’s premium. Date sold: 6/30/2016. David Frank was the mechanic for the famed Gilmore Oil Company racing team, and this letter to the Automotive Gear Works discussed gear ratios he was requesting. The bold Gilmore letterhead was attractive and Frank’s signature was rated 10/10. This letter was part of the Dr. Harlan Hunter Collection that included all sorts of early racing memorabilia. This letter would have sold for a touch more, but I neglected to increase my bid! EBAY #252375186007— 1927 CHEVROLET QUOTAMAKER AIRPLANE MASCOT. Number of Bids: 14. SOLD AT: $600. Date sold: 5/11/2016. This mascot was awarded to Chevrolet salespeople in 1927 who made their sales quotas for the year. I have no idea how many sales people won the mascot, but today they are fairly common. It features the Spirit of St. Louis airplane supported by the Goddess of Victory. This example, in decent condition, was a relative bargain as these usually sell for close to two grand or so. EBAY #201569878—PAIR OF 1914 MONTANA LICENSE PLATES. Number of Bids: Buy-It-Now. SOLD AT: $15,000. Date sold: 4/27/2016. Montana first issued license plates in 1914, and the front plate had perforations for air flow. This was the only year for the perforations and just the M for the state identification. Rare as heck, and even more so in this condition, as illustrated by the price paid. A