American Car Collector September–October 2019

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Profiles

Auctions

Mecum, Indianapolis, IN, 5/14-5/19

Leake, Tulsa, OK, 6/6-6/8

Barrett-Jackson, Uncasville, CT, 6/26-6/29

Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN, 6/22

Mecum, Portland, OR, 6/21-6/22

RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 5/29-6/1

Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 6/2

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$440k?! Sells Through the Roof Mod Top CAR COLLECTOR GET INTO DODGE 1970 D100 $28k Truck-Market Bargain AMERICAN September–October 2019 Issue No. 47 www.AmericanCarCollector.com

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Eight Sales That Define the Market Volume 8 • Issue 47 • September–October 2019 CAR COLLECTOR The Scoop CORVETTE 1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 327/340 CONVERTIBLE $36 / RM Auctions Light money for a mid-year, but cheap for a reason — John L. Stein Page 52 GM 1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-DOOR HARD TOP $63k / Barrett-Jackson What’s in store for the Tri-Five market? — Jeff Zurschmeide Page 54 FoMoCo 1965 FORD GALAXIE 500 CAMMER $112k / Bonhams Why wasn’t this full-size SOHC Ford more expensive? — John Boyle Page 56 AMERICAN MOPAR 1969 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA MOD TOP $440k / Mecum What’s top money on a rare-top Mopar? — Dale Novak Page 58 8 AmericanCarCollector.com

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CUSTOM 1940 FORD DELUXE COUPE $46k / Barrett-Jackson A basic, classic custom trades hands at a great price — Jeff Zurschmeide Page 60 AMERICANA 1971 CHEVROLET BEAUVILLE CUSTOM VAN $17k / Barrett-Jackson A big price for a gnarly (not in a good way) surf wagon — John L. Stein Page 62 RACE 1973 FORD MUSTANG TRANS AM $49.5k / RM Auctions What’s a privateer’s Trans Am weapon worth? — Patrick Smith Page 64 TRUCK 1970 DODGE D100 PICKUP $27.5k / Barrett-Jackson A killer truck scooped up for an even better price — Kevin Whipps Page 66 COVER PHOTO: 1970 Dodge D100 pickup Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 convertible, p. 52 ©2019, courtesy of RM Auctions September–October 2019 9

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The Rundown COLUMNS 12 Torque: Tuning up ACC — Jim Pickering 46 Cheap Thrills: 1979–80 Ford Mustang Turbo — B. Mitchell Carlson 48 Horsepower: A pilgrimage to Indy — Jay Harden 50 On the Road: When you try — and fail — to buy your next project — Elana Scherr 138 Surfing Around: Must-have automobilia — Carl Bomstead FEATURES 22 Good Reads: Corvette racing, convertible tops, Dodge trucks and NASCAR facts — Mark Wigginton 28 Snapshots 1: A neon stop-off in Minnesota — B. Mitchell Carlson 30 Snapshots 2: There’s nothing simple about a basic old truck — Nick Jaynes 42 Your Turn: Where are ’96 Grand Sport prices? 44 Readers’ Forum: Buy, sell or hold late-model Corvettes? 90 Market Moment 1: 1973 Ford F-100 pickup — Chad Taylor 118 Market Moment 2: 1971 Chevrolet Nova — Jim Pickering 130 Junkyard Treasures: Moore’s Auto Salvage in South Dakota — Phil Skinner USEFUL STUFF 14 What’s Happening: Car events of note 16 Crossing the Block: Upcoming auctions 24 Parts Time: Aftermarket pieces for your vehicles 26 Cool Stuff: Lugs, lights and reels 34 Wrenching: Rebuilding a 4160-series Holley 10 AmericanCarCollector.com 70 Buy It Now: 1987–88 Ford Thunderbird Turbo coupe — Chad Tyson 82 One to Watch: 1983–84 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds coupe — Chad Taylor 128 The Parts Hunter: Gas caps, manifolds and Dodge grilles — Patrick Smith 132 Showcase Gallery: Sell your car in ACC’s classifieds section 133 Advertiser Index 134 Resource Directory: Get to know our advertisers AUCTIONS 68 Market Overview Top 10 auction sales, best buys — and Broncos busting the market — Chad Tyson 72 Barrett-Jackson — Uncasville, CT Barrett-Jackson’s fourth annual Northeast sale nets a 100% sell-through rate on 548 automobile lots — Adam Blumenthal 84 Mecum — Indianapolis, IN $63m on 1,127 of 1,724 cars is second-best-ever total at Indianapolis — B. Mitchell Carlson 94 Leake — Tulsa, OK Oklahoma sale brings in $8.1m on 352 of 516 cars changing homes — Brett Hatfield 102 Twin Cities — St. Paul, MN Moving down the street resulted in 74 of 119 lots selling for $1.5m — B. Mitchell Carlson 114 Roundup Highlights from RM Auctions in Auburn, IN; Bonhams in Greenwich, CT; and Mecum in Portland, OR

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TORQUE Jim Pickering Fine-Tuning ACC How is the magazine doing? We’d like your feedback after ACC installed Classic Auto Air a/c on the original 289. But that’s part of what I love about the Mustang. It’s an American car, and it just tends to work. Even after months of sitting, it cranked E like I’d driven it yesterday, but it wouldn’t fire. All the fuel had evaporated out of the carburetor. And then I smelled raw fuel. A lot of it. Evaporated fuel in the carburetor bowls had left behind sticky residue, and the floats had stuck down, flooding the engine and making a mess out of the intake. Oops. It was a good reminder for me — I know better than to crank up a carbed V8 that’s been sitting without tapping on the float bowls with a screwdriver handle. But we all need a reminder sometimes. I’m just glad this one didn’t include flames. Tune-up time That’s what prompted me to take the Mustang to my shop and rebuild the old 4160 Holley sitting on top of that 289. The job is easy to do, but a lot of car guys see carburetors as some kind of voodoo science. So I called up Summit Racing, ordered the proper kit, and tore down the Holley in my garage. My step-by-step coverage is this month’s “Wrenching” feature. It starts on p. 34. Once I had the carb back on the engine and the engine running, I set about tuning the carb. Some say you can do it by ear, listening to the rpm increase as you back out each mixture screw to the proper amount. I’ve always found the job to be a lot easier with a vacuum gauge hooked up to the carb — reading engine vacuum as you back off each mixture screw. The goal? Setting the highest reading possible on the gauge — and the highest rpm you can get — using just those mixture screws. Once I had the gauge reading where I wanted it, I gave each mixture screw an extra quarter-turn out, thumped the throttle a few times and called it done. As I was putting away my tools, I started thinking about a different kind of tune. 12 AmericanCarCollector.com Working on a magazine is like working on a car — making sure all the components fit together and run smoothly to get you where you need to be Dialing it in Building a magazine is a lot like building a car. There are components that all need to come together at a certain time, and they all need to be done to a high level of quality to carry the end product. The devil is in the details — sub-par prepwork under paint is usually visible even under a great paint job, and it’s not that different for a magazine idea that wasn’t well thought out, or a profile that missed the mark on the current market. We work hard to make ACC the best magazine it can be, and from time to time, that means it’s time get out our tools and tune things up a bit. You may have noticed that we’ve made a few incremental changes over the past few issues. Our covers feature cleaner designs, and we’ve tidied up our look on each of the pages inside as well. I’ve tuned our profiles as well as our Market Reports to tighten them up even further, and we’ve added a few new features to make our content more readable and quicker to digest. But that’s all more of a tune-by-ear sort of thing. I’d like to add a gauge into the mix, and to do so, I’ll need your help. So this August, I’ll be sending out a readers’ survey to get your thoughts on what you like about ACC, what you think needs work, and what you’d like to see more of. The survey will go out via email to our newsletter list. If you don’t already get the free ACC Newsletter — now weekly — you can sign up for it at www.americancarcollector.com. Or, if you’d rather, you can send your thoughts to us directly at comments@ americancarcollector.com. I won’t be publishing your responses — this is purely to gauge where we are, and to help us dial in ACC to make it more of the magazine that you — the reader — wants it to be. As for the Mustang, it ran great on the way back to ACC HQ — and while I’ve put a lot of miles on it, that day included a first for me. Next to me at a stoplight, a guy in a white van yelled and waved. “I love your Mustang. It looks great!” he said. “I love the way those old V8s smell!” Score one for the gauge. A verything seemed fine when I hit the key on the ACC Mustang. It had been sitting for months — a victim of deadlines, other projects and commitments that kept it parked in its stall

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WHAT’S HAPPENING 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. No Waiting for Parts or Installers The 26th Annual Corvette Funfest cranks up on September 19 in Effingham, IL. By the time the fun ends on September 22, four days and nights of cruises, seminars, concerts, a giant Corvette sale corral, swapmeet, real-time Corvette upgrade installations, concerts, parties and offthe-hook burnouts will be over. For more information, visit www.corvettefunfest.com. (IL) Shop Your Feet Off at Charlotte How can anyone check out 7,000 spaces crammed with parts, tools and cars in just four days? You can’t, but 150,000 gearheads will give it their best shot during the Charlotte AutoFair. This event churns away from October 17 through 19. This festival of cars also includes a 1,600-car sale corral, car shows, car-club gatherings and car exhibits — and it fills up the massive Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, and spills onto the surrounding parking areas. www.charlotteautofair.com (NC) 14 AmericanCarCollector.com A Classic Weekend at Hershey The 2019 Eastern Division AACA National Fall Meet in Hershey, PA — aka Hershey — is all about showing full classics. Okay, it’s also about 9,000 flea-market spaces, 1,000 car-corral spaces and more than 1,500 cars on show. This is THE car weekend for many East Coast collectors. This year’s Hershey is October 8 through 12, and it’s the perfect way to get the car out of the garage before the bad weather hits. www.hersheyaaca.org. (PA)

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CROSSING THE BLOCK UPCOMING AUCTIONS—Compiled by Chad Tyson (Images are courtesy of the respective auction houses unless otherwise noted) STAR CAR: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 at RM Auctions in Auburn, IN SEPTEMBER RM Auctions Where: Auburn, IN When: August 29–September 1 Web: www.rmsothebys.com Last year: 526/712 cars sold / $21.4m Featured cars: STAR CAR: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 • 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window coupe • 1923 Duesenberg Model A tourer Silver Auctions Where: Sun Valley, ID When: August 31–September 1 Web: www.silverauctions.com Lucky Collector Car Where: Tacoma, WA When: August 31–September 1 Web: www.luckyoldcar.com Last year: 82/154 cars sold / $1m Mecum Where: Dallas, TX When: September 4–7 Web: www.mecum.com 16 AmericanCarCollector.com Last year: 805/1,183 cars sold / $28.3m Featured cars: • 1971 Dodge Hemi Charger R/T • 1959 Chevrolet El Camino • 1971 Plymouth Hemi GTX Specialty Auto Auction Where: Loveland, CO When: September 7 Web: www.specialtyautoauction.com VanDerBrink Where: Red Oak, IA When: September 14 Web: www.vanderbrinkauctions.com Featured cars: • 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS • 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T • 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible Mecum Where: Louisville, KY When: September 20–21 Web: www.mecum.com Last year: 402/562 cars sold / $8m Featured cars: • 1963 Mercury Monterey • 1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390 coupe Saratoga Auto Auction Where: Saratoga Springs, NY When: September 20–21 Web: www.saratogaautoauction.org Last year: 174/280 cars sold / $5.7m Featured cars: • 1950 Cadillac Series 61 • 1955 Ford Thunderbird • 1953 Chevrolet Corvette roadster VanDerBrink Where: Cape Girardeau, MO When: September 21 Web: www.vanderbrinkauctions.com Southern Classic Where: Murfreesboro, TN When: September 28 Web: www.southernclassicauctions.com RM Sotheby’s Where: Dayton, OH When: September 28 Web: www.rmsothebys.com

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CROSSING THE BLOCK UPCOMING AUCTIONS—Compiled by Chad Tyson OCTOBER Carlisle Where: Carlisle, PA When: October 3–4 Web: www.carlisleauctions.com Barrett-Jackson Where: Las Vegas, NV When: October 3–5 Web: www.barrett-jackson.com Last year: 739/739 cars sold / $34m Worldwide Where: Corpus Christi, TX When: October 4–5 Web: www.worldwideauctioneers.com Featured cars: • 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham • 1928 Hudson Super Six Series O convertible sedan Bonhams Where: Birmingham, AL When: October 5 Web: www.bonhams.com Last year: 82/114 cars sold / $1.4m (Images are courtesy of the respective auction houses unless otherwise noted) Bonhams Where: Philadelphia, PA When: October 7 Web: www.bonhams.com Last year: 35/49 cars sold / $2.4m Featured cars: • 1903 Ford Model A • 1910 Stanley Steamer Tourer • 1913 Marmon Model 48 RM Auctions Where: Hershey, PA When: October 10–11 Web: www.rmsothebys.com Last year: 132/148 cars sold / $10.8m Featured cars: STAR CAR: 1936 Cord 810 Westchester sedan • 1919 Briggs & Stratton Flyer • 1904 George N. Pierce Arrow Vicari Where: Biloxi, MS When: October 10–12 Web: www.vicariauction.com Mecum Where: Las Vegas, NV When: October 10–12 Web: www.mecum.com Last year: 636/873 cars sold / $24.3m Featured cars: • 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente • 1970 Plymouth Road Runner • 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hard top Rand Luxury Auction Where: Roslyn, NY When: October 12 Web: www.randluxury.com Featured cars: • 2006 Ford GT • 2012 Fisker Karma Signature Edition • 1934 Lincoln 523 Dietrich roadster SG Auction Where: Winona, MN When: October 17–19 Web: www.sgauction.net Last year: 136/220 cars sold / $2.2m Branson Where: Branson, MO When: October 18–19 Web: www.bransonauction.com Last year: 158/225 cars sold / $5.1m Mecum Where: Schaumburg, IL When: October 24–26 Web: www.mecum.com Last year: 640/897 cars sold / $16.5m A STAR CAR: 1936 Cord 810 Westchester sedan at RM Auctions in Hershey, PA 18 AmericanCarCollector.com

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THIS ISSUE OF ACC WHAT’S HOT IN Editor Art Director CAR COLLECTOR Volume 8, Number 5 September–October 2019 GET IN TOUCH Publisher Associate Publisher Executive Editor Email: comments@americancarcollector.com Keith Martin Erin Olson erin.olson@AmericanCarCollector.com Chester Allen chester.allen@AmericanCarCollector.com Jim Pickering 503-261-0555 x 218 503-261-0555 x 203 jim.pickering@AmericanCarCollector.com 503-261-0555 x 208 Dave Tomaro david.tomaro@AmericanCarCollector.com 503-261-0555 x 202 Digital Media Director Jeff Stites Auction Editor Senior Data Editor Editor at Large Copy Editors Auction Analysts jeff.stites@AmericanCarCollector.com Chad Tyson chad.tyson@AmericanCarCollector.com Chad Taylor chad.taylor@AmericanCarCollector.com Jay Harden Yael Abel, Dave Tomaro Andy Staugaard, Travis Shetler, Dan Grunwald, Pat Campion, Mark Moskowitz, Jeremy Da Rosa, Adam Blumenthal, John Boyle, Bob DeKorne, Michael Leven, Doug Schultz, Cody Tayloe, Pierre Hedary, Joe Seminetta, Daren Kloes, Jeff Trepel, Brett Hatfield, Morgan Eldridge, Larry Trepel SNAPSHOTS: Classic Neon Lives On In a Former Minnesota GM Dealership p. 28 Contributors Carl Bomstead, B. Mitchell Carlson, Ken Gross, John Draneas, Tom Glatch, Michael Pierce, John L. Stein, Mark Wigginton, Dale Novak, Jeff Zurschmeide, Phil Skinner, Elana Scherr Information Technology Brian Baker Financial Manager brian.baker@AmericanCarCollector.com 503-261-0555 x 215 Cheryl Ann Cox cheryl.cox@AmericanCarCollector.com Advertising Coordinator Jessi Kramer jessi.kramer@AmericanCarCollector.com 503-261-0555 x 216 ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Executives Darren Frank darren.frank@AmericanCarCollector.com Cindy Meitle cindy.meitle@AmericanCarCollector.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Head of Subscriptions Subscriptions WRENCHING: How to bring a tired 4160-series Holley back to life p. 34 Susan L. Loeb susan.loeb@AmericanCarCollector.com 503-261-0555 x 217 877-219-2605 x 1 service@AmericanCarCollector.com @AmericanCCMag CORRESPONDENCE Phone Fax General Email Feedback Web 503-261-0555 503-253-2234 P.O. Box 4797, Portland, Oregon 97208 FedEx/DHL/UPS help@AmericanCarCollector.com comments@AmericanCarCollector.com www.AmericanCarCollector.com 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100 Portland, Oregon 97232 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday–Friday 877-219-2605 x 214 877-219-2605 x 213 503-261-0555 x 205 503-261-0555 x 221 503-261-0555 x 207 503-261-0555 x 206 AMERICAN JOIN US READERS’ FORUM: ACCers’ advice on whether to buy, sell or hold late-model Corvettes p. 44 20 AmericanCarCollector.com American Car Collector magazine (ISSN# 2164-1323) is published bimonthly by Automotive Investor Media Group, 401 NE 19th Street, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American Car Collector, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208. The information in American Car Collector magazine is compiled from a variety of reliable sources. However, we disclaim and deny any responsibility or liability for the timeliness, use, interpretation, accuracy and completeness of the information presented. All material, data, formats, and intellectual concepts in this issue © 2019 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 Keith Martin's

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GOOD READS Mark Wigginton Corvette Racing: The GT1 Years Dodge B-Series Trucks and Dodge C-Series by Nigel S Dobbie, SilverWood Books, 332 pages, $250, vintagemotorbooks.com There are few collectors and drivers more passionate than the ones behind the wheel of a Corvette. GM’s most famous creation from the early 1950s has gone through amazing changes, and the most recent model represents as much bang for the buck as any supercar on offer. That heritage of racing power on the street has waxed and waned, along with track success. But the period from 1999 through 2009 was special. Racing purpose-built C5Rs and C6Rs on the national and international stage through that decade saw Corvettes racing and winning week in and week out. The race cars were built by Pratt & Miller as well as Riley & Scott — two shops that are known for track success. During one amazing run from 2000 through 2007, the two-car Corvette team completed the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans without a DNF, while racing and winning in multiple series. Nigel Dobbie, an English author and Corvette racer, put together this definitive guide to the GT1 years back in 2011. It is now out of print but worth seeking out as a remarkably thorough trip through Corvette racing history. Lineage: ( Fit and finish: is best) Convertible Top Restoration and Installation by Fred Mattson, CarTech, 176 pages, $22.34, Amazon I’ve always been a firm believer in the advice often given by the famous advice columnist Dear Abby: “Seek professional help.” So while I’m happy to take apart an engine from the middle of last century, the idea of putting a top on my aging Miata gave me the shakes. I followed Abby’s advice. I might have reconsidered and done it myself if I had a copy of Convertible Top Restoration as my guide. Fred Mattson, also author of Automotive Upholstery and Interior Restoration, brings his experience both in the shop and behind the keyboard to tell, in simple visual terms, the ins and outs of working on a convertible top, from the easy to the multi-motor, failure-at-any-moment, complicated tops. It’s a fast and easy-to- understand read, profusely illustrated and designed to give you the confidence and skills you need to put the top down and make sure it comes back up. Lineage: Fit and finish: 22 AmericanCarCollector.com Drivability: Drivability: Trucks by Don Bunn, Iconografix, 142 and 158 pages, $49.95 and $25, vintagemotorbooks.com This pair of books came out in 2002 and 2005, respectively, and each is subtitled as a “Restorer’s and Collector’s Reference Guide and History.” The Dodge B-Series was built between 1948 and 1953, and featured a completely new truck (except for engine and drivetrain), and the introduction of the “Pilot House” cab, with better room for drivers and crew as well as enhanced visibility. The Dodge C-Series came along in 1954 and was produced through 1960. The biggest innovations were an automatic transmission (but loss of the “Pilot House”) and increased bed length. Along the way, the marketing folks built the “Job Rated” notion into their sales approach — a fancy way of saying, “Sure, you might pay a little more for this Dodge, but it will save you in the long run.” Author Don Bunn started out as a Plymouth car collector, and bought his first B-Series truck with the notion of turning it into a handy utility truck to support his car collecting. Instead, after redoing the mechanicals and sending it out for exterior restoration, he found the truck spoke to him in ways the cars never had. It’s a common affliction, as seen more and more at cruise-ins around the country with growing truck counts. Bunn pro- duced both books with a sharp eye toward the needs of collectors: plenty of history, inside knowledge and sharply researched data about production numbers, methods and aberrations; all tools you need to bring to your next project. He is quite the expert, with a long list of books about Dodge trucks. Anyone interested in a truck project should start here. Lineage: Fit and finish: Drivability:

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New Products to Modernize Your Street M PARTS TIME Jim Pickering Better-Handling Camaro Want to wake up your original Camaro’s handling? Che RideTech’s 1967–69 GM F-body StreetGRIP suspension s which includes everything you need to dramatically impro car’s ride quality and handling. Included in the kit are new d coil springs, a new front sway bar, Delrin control-arm bushings, updated ball-joints, HQ-series adjustable monotube shocks, composite leaf springs, Delrin leaf-spring bushings, and all the shackles and hardware required for installation. This system improves the OEM camber setup while also removing over 70 pounds of unspr weight. The dual-rate coils give a better ride and firmer ha than stock when pushed in the corners, while the HQ-serie let you dial in feel even further. Prices start at $2,500, and k available for most American muscle cars and trucks. Learn m www.ridetech.com. Let There Be Light Tired of dealing with C3 Corvette headlight actuators that don’t function correctly or are always in need of adjustment? Detroit Speed has what you need with their Electric Headlight Door Kits. These kits install in place of your original electric motors and hardware but use current sensing technology to provide automatic actuation that needs no adjustment. The system comes with two electric actuators, a control module and harness, brackets and mounting hardware. Get it from www. summitracing.com for $895. Nova Moldings If you have a third-gen Nova in need of trim pieces, Classic Industries has you covered. These just-announced stainless-steel windshield and rear-window molding sets for 1975–79 Chevrolet Nova and GM X-body are exact matches to OEM units, but without the scratching, fading, and inevitable dents and dings that come with years of use. Get a set — and the required mounting clips — at www.classicindustries.com for $244.99 (windshield) and $219.99 (back glass). 24 AmericanCarCollector.com

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COOL STUFF Chad Taylor Reel It In Whether you need extra lighting in the driveway for those under-hood adventures or a plethora of power tools in the backyard, Masterplug Heavy-Duty Metal Cord Reel will keep the power flowing no matter what. The steel reel with cord guide includes four 120-volt electrical sockets with thermal overload protection and manual overload reset button. The metal reel is available with L STUFF Chad Taylor Reel It In Whether you need extra lighti STUFF Chad Taylor Reel It In Whether you need extra lighting in the driveway for those under-hood adventures or a plethora of power tools in the backyard, Masterplug Heavy-Duty Metal Cord Reel will keep the power flowing no matter what. The steel reel with cord guide includes four 120-volt electrical sockets with thermal overload protection and manual overload reset button. The metal reel is available with Light Light Fight Finisher End the battle with work lights that sear holes in your retinas and grab the H2 Headlamp from One80light. The headlamp-on-steroids features a rechargeable battery pack powering a string of LED bulbs with two brightness settings. The H2 is waterproof and adjustable, making it useful for everybody no matter the situation. Get one at www. one80light.com for $50. Lug Wrench Reloaded Throw out that four-way lug wrench you have been tossing around your car for the past decade and replace it with the Powerbuilt Billy Club Lug Wrench. Featuring a ½-inch sliding socket drive head, the Billy Club can be used as a breaker bar, then shifted into a convenient tool to spin off loose lugs — both SAE and metric sizes. The kit includes two double-ended universal sockets and a three-inch extension, all of which are stored in the grip handles of the wrench. Pick one up now for $38.99 at www.summitracing.com. 26 AmericanCarCollector.com

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SNAPSHOTS: Spomer Classics and Museum SHINING ON S Story and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson ixty-two miles east of Sioux Falls, SD, is the agricultural city of Worthington, MN. There, just a short jog off the freeway you’ll find one of the better collections of automobilia, neons and collector cars in the Midwest — Spomer Classics and Museum. The spark plug for this collection is Marv Spomer. He owned the Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac franchises in Worthington for several decades, but sold out to retire in 2003. When Marv sold the franchises, the new owner consolidated into a single building, leaving Marv with one of the dealership showrooms. A few years later, Marv converted that 1960s vintage dealership into the museum. All told, there are over 1,000 major items in the collection, includ- ing more than 200 neon signs of all sizes. The centerpiece of the facility is the former service garage. Not The collection is housed in a former dealership 28 AmericanCarCollector.com A retired GM dealer keeps the (neon) lights on for vintage automobilia in southwestern Minnesota Detailing What: Spomer Classics and Museum Where: 322 Oxford St., Worthington, MN Website: www.spomerclassics. com More: Open by chance or appointment; to make arrangements to view the collection, call Marv at 507360-9557 only are the walls and ceiling filled with neons, advertising clocks and porcelain signs, but there are usually about a dozen cars from Marv’s collection — including a few for sale. Marv likes to point out that he gets all kinds of groups going through the collection. “We get quilting clubs, red-hat ladies’ clubs, youth groups…you name it. I also get a lot of bus tours stopping here.” Although the collection doesn’t For the $10 admission fee, he’ll give you a personalized tour. A have regular hours, Marv is usually around on Saturdays — especially in the summer months and around the time of the Sturgis motorcycle meet. Cars from Marv’s collection frequently join the neon display

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SNAPSHOTS: The Joys of Old-Vehicle Ownership An old pickup is a tune-up for the psyche A “Simple” Truck Jim Pickering Tune-up? No problem. You got four or five hours to spare? by Nick Jaynes “I t can’t be that hard to change the spark plugs,” my buddy Winslow laughed at me when I told him I might pay someone to perform a tune-up on my 1986 C20 Silverado. “It’s a square-body Chevy. It’ll take 30 minutes.” Slam-cut to the following weekend. All six-foot-five of me is Supermanning across the right-hand cylinder bank of the carbureted 454-cubic-inch V8. The ball of my right foot is pushing off a tree stump while my left foot dangles in the air ahead of the chrome bumper. My non-dominant left hand is fighting to seat the spark-plug wire onto the cylinder-eight plug. By hour four of the tune-up — 95% of which we’d completed in the first hour — I was exhausted. Hauling chickens If I hadn’t bought this 1986 Chevrolet C20, it’d be hauling chickens in rural Idaho right now. The day I discovered the truck on Craigslist, I wasn’t even looking for a pickup. Earlier that week, I had all but settled on buying a 1963 AMC Ambassador. The day before I intended to go buy the AMC, I just happened to take a peek at which Chevrolet trucks were on the market. GM trucks are simple, robust machines, and the market is waking up to the 1973–87s as classics, so they’re getting more expensive. I won’t say I’ve always wanted one, but as they’re a handsome, utilitarian design and something I can work on for fun, I like them. So I’d been watching for the right rig. That’s when I spotted it. It was cherry red with a tan stripe running down the length of both 30 AmericanCarCollector.com sides. The burgundy velour bench-seat interior — oh so 1980s — made me want it more. Then I saw that it had a factory 454-cubic-inch V8 under the hood and just 103,000 miles on the odometer. That sealed the deal. I had to have it. The truck was located outside Coeur d’Alene, ID. The owners, Kelly and Rosie, were willing to meet me halfway in Kennewick, WA. We agreed upon $3,500 and arranged to meet the following Saturday morning. Kelly and Rosie had been in possession of the C20 for less than a year. They didn’t know much of its history, aside from what was included in the glovebox. I later discovered the original build sheet stuffed in with the owner’s manual. It had been built in Janesville, WI, on a Tuesday. As I climbed into the truck for the first time, Kelly winced a smile at me. I could tell he was worried; I don’t think he believed it could make it to Portland. “If you didn’t buy it, an 80-year-old chicken farmer down the way from us was going to take it,” Kelly said, as I twisted the ignition and the 454 rumbled to life. Steamboat Chevy I’d only ever driven one other square-body GM, and that was years ago, so driving this one was a fresh experience for me. Truck-like didn’t begin to describe the C20’s driving dynamics. Steering it felt more like steering a steamboat up the Mississippi than driving a truck down I-84. On-center feel was nonexistent. I had to jerk the wheel up to five or six inches to the left and right just to keep it tracking straight-ish down the highway.

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Mashing the throttle didn’t give the thrust I expected, but it did de- liver gobs of torque. 1986 was the last year for carburation on the 454. Although it put out 10 more horsepower than ’87’s fuel-injected variant, it still put out far too few ponies for its 7.4 liters of displacement — around 240. But hey, this is a 454, just like an old LS6 Chevelle, and Chevy trucks are simple, right? I figured I could wake it up with speed parts later. Out on the highway, with my cruise control set and my boat- steering reflexes almost fully developed, I had some time to take a better look around. The dashpad had some cracks. The cloth seat cover showed a few tears. Some owner along the way must have had an energetic dog, since the door panels had hundreds of claw marks along the window line. Around that time I became aware of a noise. A big one. I don’t mean the engine — that was relatively quiet. No, there was a deafening wind noise at right around 75 mph. Four pennies had been stacked beneath the driver’s side wing- window latch, so that wasn’t getting any more shut. Both the driver’s and passenger’s side windows were fully cranked closed. Still, the white noise of air whipping past the squared-off lines of the Chevy was immense. Good thing I was alone in the truck. I wouldn’t have been able to hear my passenger. Complex simplicity After about five hours of futzing and much swearing. Winslow and I eventually seated that cylinder-eight spark-plug wire. Don’t ask me how; I am still not quite sure what got it. Winslow now regularly tells the story of the five-hour Chevy tune- up. Don’t get me started on the special plug wires I had to order, either, as the truck had non-common emissions components for this part of the world. Regular 454 C20 wires wouldn’t fit. I tried. With two different sets. But at the end of the day, the job is done, and that feels great. Did it really need the tune? Probably not. The thing returned eight miles per gallon before and after the work, so it probably served to tune up my psyche more than it did the ignition system. The day after I was spread out across the engine compartment, a theme popped into my head: complex simplicity. This truck is ostensibly basic: gas-burning large-displacement V8, rear-wheel drive, automatic, with crank windows. It’s the niggling details — such as emissions-market-specific plug wires —that make for a challenge now. But I’m up for it. Next up is solving the loose steering and that wind noise. It can’t be that hard, right? It’s just a Chevy truck. A September–October 2019 31

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WRENCHING: HOW TO CARB REFRESH Age and use can take a toll on a Holley 4-bbl. Here’s how to bring one back to life by Jim Pickering T he aftermarket scene is all about fuel injection these days, but there’s a lot to love about a carburetor. That is, until it starts to leak all over your intake manifold. Holley has been making carburetors since 1904. Their carbs came standard on original muscle cars and trucks throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Both Holley’s OE versions and aftermarket performance carbs are great choices for classic cars, but while they are simple and typically trouble-free, like any carb, they do need attention from time to time. Over years of use, gaskets can leak, float bowls will fill with crud, needles and seats can get sticky or blocked, and floats can sink. Any of these issues can ruin your underhood detail job, cause issues with idle or part-throttle drivability, or even start a fire. None of that is good, but you can fix it yourself with a couple of tools, a rebuild kit and a few hours of time on a Saturday morning. The 289 in ACC’s ’66 Mustang was the perfect candidate for some carb work, thanks to a couple of leaks and a few minor tuning issues that needed to be resolved. A quick rebuild was in order — so I called up Summit Racing, ordered a Holley rebuild kit and got to work. Carburetors may seem complex, but there’s really nothing to this job. Here’s how to do it. 34 AmericanCarCollector.com WHAT YOU’LL NEED SUMMIT RACING PARTS LIST Holley Carburetor TricKit, P/N 37-119, $32.04 OTHER PARTS CRC Carburetor Cleaner, 20-ounce spray can (3), $3.49 each TIME SPENT: Two hours DIFFICULTY: JJ (JJJJJ is toughest)

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1 ACC’s Mustang runs a Holley 4-bbl on top of an Edelbrock intake manifold. This was originally a 2-bbl car, swapped to 4-bbl power by its previous owner. That job was done years ago, and the carb clearly hadn’t been touched since. It was leaky, oxidized, and had sat for a while with fuel in the bowls. A rebuild just made sense here. 2 The first step to any rebuild is to verify which carburetor you have so you can source the proper rebuild kit. Holleys are identified by the numbers stamped on the air horn — in this case, this carb is P/N 80457-3 3414. Using Holley’s site, that decodes to a 4160-style carburetor, which in this case is a vacuum-secondary 600 CFM 4-bbl. The rebuild kit for this carb is P/N 37-119 — Summit racing had it in stock, shipped it out, and I had it in my garage the next day. 3 5 You’ll also need a way to clean parts. Carb and Choke cleaner, or in this case, “Clean-R-Carb” by CRC, is a good way to tackle fuel deposits both inside and outside a carburetor. Other than a few wrenches and screwdrivers, this is all you really need to make an old carburetor look and perform like new again. With the battery disconnected, the fuel line is the first thing to come apart. This line typically holds re- sidual pressure from the fuel pump once the engine has been shut off, so unless you’re dealing with a cold engine, expect to get some fuel dribble once the line is disconnected. I took a small, clean bolt from my stash and stuck it in the end of the fuel line, then retightened the clamp over the bolt to stop any fuel leaking while I was working. September–October 2019 35 4 Here’s what’s inside Holley P/N 37-119: a bunch of different gaskets for the carb body and the float bowls, new needle and seat assemblies, a new power valve, a new accelerator pump diaphragm, and a variety of other seals, O-rings, clips and documentation.

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WRENCHING: HOW TO 6 Before removing the carburetor, I first had to remove the throttle arm, which is held in place with a small cotter pin. There’s also typically a washer here as well. A pair of pliers made quick work of it. I also removed the vacuum line running to the distributor, the power wire for the electric choke, and the PCV hose in preparation for pulling the carb off the engine. 7 10 9 Teardown time. I typically start by removing the rear float-bowl first, but either one can be first. They’re held in place with four 5/16 hex bolts — note that the front and rear bolts are different lengths, so don’t get them mixed up. There’s also a tube that connects the front and rear float bowls — it’s sealed with rubber fittings that need to be wiggled free. Four half-inch nuts fix the carburetor to the intake manifold. After removing them and their lock washers, the carb is free to come off the engine. I placed all this hardware in a plastic bin so I wouldn’t lose anything. Up front, with the front bowl removed, you can see the main jets and the power valve. This section of the carburetor, known as the metering block assembly, also handles the idle mixture via a pair of adjuster screws on either side. 8 It’s smart to stuff a clean rag down into the intake manifold opening, just to be sure nothing would make its way down in there — nuts, bolts, washers, clips, etc. This is good insurance, as anything that falls down inside the intake will end up inside one of your cylinders. 12 11 The longer float-bowl screws up front also hold the metering block to the carb, so a little gentle sideways prying with a small screwdriver is all you need to free it. 36 AmericanCarCollector.com A Holley carburetor uses a power valve to enrich the fuel mixture under low vacuum conditions, such as when you go to full throttle. These are available in different sizes (vacuum ratings) for a variety of applications, or to tune your fuel delivery. These used to be sensitive to backfires, but Holley has since corrected that issue with a special built-in check valve to protect the valve. A 1-inch wrench works best here. 13 If your engine was running well, you can just count the number of turns on each of the two idle-mixture screws for a baseline to get the engine running again. Here it was one-and-a-half turns before they bottomed out, which gave a good ballpark of where they’d need to be upon reassembly. Next, remove them and their cork seals. A screwdriver and small hooked pick tool work great.

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WRENCHING: HOW TO 14 The idle-mixture screws can be damaged if they’ve been over-tightened. These screws are in good shape, but if you find yours have been rounded over or otherwise damaged, Holley sells replacements. 15 A 4160 carb is a vacuum-secondary carb with only one metering block — out back, it uses a metering plate that’s non-adjustable and held in place with special secondary metering-plate screws. To replace the gasket and clean everything really well, it all needs to come apart. 18 17 OE gasket material tends to stick to aluminum pretty well, but it all needs to be removed to ensure a solid seal and no internal vacuum leaks in your newly rebuilt carb. I like to use a flathead screwdriver (carefully) on the heavier stuff and a brass wire brush everywhere, as the brass won’t harm aluminum. Cleaning is where most of your time will be spent on a job like this. These parts have just been subjected to a heavy dose of carb cleaner — and I also blew cleaner through all the air bleeds and orifice holes as well to dislodge any grime that might have collected over the years. Now reassembly can begin. 16 With the electric choke assembly removed, the next step is to remove the baseplate from the carburetor main body. Six screws from the bottom hold this all together — but they’re all the same size, so getting it apart and back together isn’t tough. Pulling all this apart allows for a good cleaning and an inspection of the baseplate for any play in the throttle shafts. If there’s play, you’ll either need to swap the base or have it repaired with new throttle-blade bushings. 19 The old gaskets can show you which new ones from the kit to use. Once you’re certain that everything is both clean and true, the baseplate and the carb can go back together using the original screws — as can the secondary metering plate and its new gasket. 38 AmericanCarCollector.com

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WRENCHING: HOW TO 20 Before swapping out the needle and seat assembly — and all the assorted gaskets — it’s important to take a measurement of the float height, as it’s adjustable. Note that this bowl is upside-down — that’s the measurement you want, from the top of the float to the top of the float bowl. Do this for both the front and rear. If you’d like to change it, Holley has specs for a baseline setting in the instructions that come with this kit — and you can set the height by pulling the two sight plugs out of the fuel bowls, firing up the engine and adjusting the level until fuel starts to dribble out. 21 The float height is adjusted with a hex nut at the top of each fuel bowl and locked in place with a flathead screw. Turning the nut will raise or lower the needle and seat assembly, which will also raise or lower the fuel level in the float bowl. With the screw and the hex nut out of the way, the needle and seat assembly can be removed with a 5/16-inch wrench. It comes out the top. 22 The new needle and seat assembly is identical to the old one, but you should check to make sure it is indeed the proper part. Both of these are stamped with the same markings — both are 0.097 units. All that’s left is to install the new one where the old one was, and to replace the seals for the adjusting hardware. 23 With the new needle and seat installed, new rubber bushings in place for the fuel-transfer tube, and new gaskets for the adjuster nut and lock screw, the rear float bowl can be reinstalled. Holley’s kit comes with new seals for the 5/16 hex bolts, too. 24 40 AmericanCarCollector.com Up front, the metering block gets its new power valve. Note the large opening in each power valve — these take the large, round seal. Holley also used a different design power valve with smaller holes, which uses a different seal. You must use the correct seal with the power valve you’re using. The new seal is in place here, and the new valve is on the right. 25 With the idle-mixture screws and their new seals installed, the power valve and main jets fitted, and the proper gasket in place, the metering block can go back on the carb body. The seal is held in place with several pins on the block. If you counted your turns for the idle-mixture screw settings, this is a good time to set them both back to those spots.

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26 The accelerator pump works via a rubber check valve — the new kit comes with a replacement, and the original just pulls out of the way. I’ve already stuck the new one in place, but you can see how the old one has discolored over time. 27 After the check valve, the original spring and the new acceleratorpump diaphragm are next, held in place with four screws. 28 29 All that’s left now is to reinstall the front fuel bowl and its new gasket, as well as the electric-choke assembly — and verify correct operation of the throttle blades, both open and shut. After that, the carb is complete and ready for reinstallation on the 289. With the carb installed and checked for leaks, the final step is to dial the idle tune. After cranking over the engine and getting it to operating temp, connect a vacuum gauge to full-manifold vacuum. With the engine idling, turn one screw in (tightening) until the engine starts to stumble, and then back it off slowly. The needle on the vacuum gauge should climb. When the gauge stops climbing, turn an additional quarter turn. Doing the same thing to the other side should get you a clean, crisp idle. With that, your Holley should be fresh and ready for the road again.A September–October 2019 41

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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 1996 Corvette Grand Sport, sold at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach for $35,750. Was the price high or under-market? Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Grand Sport Values? Re: the Chevrolet Grand Sport that sold at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach (ACC July– August 2019, p. 79): A little high? Huh. Stick to your fave euros, guys; this car was way, WAY under market. Maybe it’s your reviewer. — Rob, via email ACC Auction Editor Chad Tyson responds: Thanks for the comment, Rob. I’m assuming you’re referencing the Corvette Grand Sport coupe sold for $35,750 by Barrett-Jackson at their West Palm Beach sale in April 2019 as Lot 361. And the “a little high?” was in reference to auction analyst John Hoshstrasser’s sentence, “The final sales price looks a little high, but the buyer paid up for the very low miles and excellent condition.” With the help of Senior Data Editor Chad Taylor, we pulled the sales number of ‘96 Grand Sports for each of the past four years (2016 through 2019 so far). We found 15 coupes that sold over that period. In a straight list, from most to least expensive, the GS in question ranked as the fifth most expensive. Of those 15, we ran four of them in either ACC or our sister publication, Sports Car Market. Great condition is pretty standard (each one we reviewed was 2+ or 1- condition), and variation from stock is often minimal — these were special Corvettes, after all. The only real, valuable distinction one can have among the ’96 Grand Sport coupes is the red leather or the much-more-common black 42 AmericanCarCollector.com leather interior. None that we covered had the red seats. To your point, directly. Let’s look at two of my favorite numbers for generalizing trends in the market: median and average. The median price (exact middle of the list ranked most to least pricey) for recent years is $28,738. This is the middle of the market as bracketed by the $55k high and $22k low for our given car and date range. The average GS coupe price over that time? $33,282. The car in question exceeded both, putting it over market in my estimation — especially considering how high the floor is for this particular model compared with its Corvette brethren. The most expensive car from our time frame came in at $55k, and that happened twice. Mecum sold a GS in Indy 2017, which we reported on, with 531 miles and a twin convertible selling immediately before it for $66k. The other $55k GS coupe sold in the past four years was at Barrett-Jackson’s 2018 Las Vegas sale. (It also was part of sequential convertible-then-coupe sales, although that convertible sold for $44k.) The $55k Barrett car also had 5,202 miles, which is nearly 3.5 times the mileage of the West Palm Beach Grand Sport. While there seems to be a big premium for sub-four-digit mileage, there’s little evidence that over-1k to under-6k miles makes a marked difference. Five-digit mileage is likely a different story, but not something we’re dealing with here. Considering all that, I’ll stick with our original opinion on the sale. A

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Buy, Sell or Hold? READERS’ FORUM Late-Model Corvettes: 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 2020 C8 Corvette Image courtesy of Chevrolet This month’s Readers’ Forum question: In July 2019, GM announced its all-new mid-engine Corvette for 2020. The Internet has been buzzing ever since — from the $60k base price through the GPS-equipped leveling system. Word of this new Corvette’s arrival has already changed the performance-car world. What does this mean for other, older Corvette prices? The C7 is a fantastic car — its performance is the best of what’s possible out of a front-engine, rear-drive sports car. But with the C8 now on the way, should buyers be thinking about selling these cars? Or will the C8’s debut make it a good time to buy a C6 or C7, as prices are about to fall? Maybe it’s time to hold — after all, the new layout isn’t yet proven in the eyes of consumers, and changing up the Corvette’s traditional dynamics didn’t work all that well with the C4 ZR-1. Perhaps hanging on to that last-gen Z06 isn’t a bad idea. We’d like to know what you think about the C6 and C7 in this new mid-engine climate. Should you buy, sell, or hold — and why? Readers respond: The C6 is a tremendous car. This I would rate a buy. I would hold the C7 until the C8 shows its true colors. — A.C. Buck, via email n n n My guess is that the value of the late-model cars will drop like a rock. Corvettes have never had a great resale value (they make too many of them), and with GM finally making it a mid-engine, late models will be as exciting as a soap-box derby car. — Bill Van Ess, via email n n n Commenting on late-model Corvette values, the equation is simple. There is no end (yet) in sight of ever-higher-horsepower cars being delivered to the consumer market. Anything less than the pinnacle of high horse/torque will and has depreciated like a rock. That includes the C7 ZR1 all the way to the King of the Hill C4 ZR-1. — Erik Hoheneder, via email n n n They are used cars. Good used cars, but nonetheless too new to have an immediate upside. Not much of a decision here. — Bill Warner, via email n n n 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 coupe, sold for $81,400 by RM Auctions at Fort Lauderdale, FL, in March 44 AmericanCarCollector.com There will always be a market for the C6 and 7. The C8 is going to be a backyard machinist’s nightmare, plus

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when it’s what you want, the window sticker will be over $100,000. There will be so many dealer add-ons to the window sticker, plus the C8 will be around for the next 10 years in production — the price will come down, I’m thinking! — Zon Davison, via email n n n Too soon to tell. I’m a former Corvette owner, and I think the C8 is ugly regardless of its performance. Kit car comes to mind. It looks like a cross between a Fiero, a Fiat, an R8, a 458, a Camaro and a combination of Japanese cars after a high-speed pileup. The price, performance and name is the only thing going for it. Lose the body! The last collectible ’Vette was a chrome-bumper C3. Maybe a later anniversary C3, C4, ZR-1, C5 or any limited-production C6 or C7 model — but the values aren’t there. It’s a wait-and-see moment. —Robert M., via email n n n I am 71 years old, so keeping a car as an investment is a fool’s game. I am keeping my 2013 C6 LT4 convertible for the rest of my days. Then my kids can decide what to do with it. I really do not care where prices go, as it is the first Corvette I actually feel comfortable in. At six-foot-two, I fit perfectly. I did not buy it as an investment, but for something to drive that’s bigger and more powerful than my Miata, which I only fit in with the top down. I bought it in March 2019 with 1,567 miles on the clock and now have 5,000 on my way to as many as I can get. — Norm Knesal, via email n n n I think it’s a good idea to keep the older front-engine ’Vettes. The 2009–13 Corvettes are more comfortable than the 2014s-and-up. People usually want the older models that they can’t buy anymore. I think it’s a good idea to buy the new mid-engine ’Vette, too. I have owned a 1966, a 1967, a 1968 and a 1972 as well as a 2009 Corvette. — Richard F, Staten Island, NY, via email n n n Reality check: The generic mass-produced Corvette is not a great investment. Take a look at the values of a really clean 300-hp 1964 coupe... Or a well-equipped C3 with an L48... Or just about any C4 (kinda sad, really). And this is the general problem with all modern Corvettes, and many modern exotics, too. There are so many out there, pickling one seems to me to be a real exercise in financial futility. I would much rather stuff $100k in more Berkshire Hathaway B-stocks... they are I’m a former Corvette owner, and I think the C8 is ugly regardless of its performance. Kit car comes to mind. It looks like a cross between a Fiero, a Fiat, an R8, a 458, a Camaro and a combination of Japanese cars after a high-speed pileup. returning 12% per year! I would think, if one was to be worth money in, say, 30 years, it would be the C7 ZR1. They didn’t make many, pinnacle of performance, yada yada yada... but, as noted, they said the same thing about the C4 ZR-1. That thing is STILL a used car. I guess, when it comes right down to it, it’s a crapshoot. They could be worth preserving, and at some historic level, I am sure they are, but I am of the mindset to enjoy the damned thing, then park it before it’s totally junked and worry about the ground-up resto! Nothing breaks my heart more than seeing an ad on the Web — some poor sap has some old car, paid way too much for when new, only has delivery miles, and they are asking so much over reality that it will never sell — or are realists and are just hoping someone doesn’t mind replacing rubber parts. Sigh. My magic 8-ball must be on the fritz, ’cause I can’t make sense of it... there are so many variables... Enjoy them and let the next generation lament our abuses. — Andy Bogus, San Pedro, CAA I would think, if one was to be worth money in, say, 30 years, it would be the C7 ZR1. They didn’t make many, pinnacle of performance, yada yada yada... but, as noted, they said the same thing about the C4 ZR-1. That thing is STILL a used car. 755-hp 2019 Corvette ZR1 Image courtesy of Chevrolet September–October 2019 45

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CHEAP THRILLS CHEAP THR uthor’s 1979 Mustang Turbo circa 1985 — to include the Malaise-era prerequisite vicious cartoon snake on the hood Early Turbos paved the way for the SVO and the current EcoBoost Mustang W hen the Fox-body Ford Mustang arrived for 1979, Ford had to deal with a market that favored economy more than perfor AP THRILLS The The author’s 1979 Mustang Turbo circa 1985 — to include the Malaise-era prerequisite vicious cartoon snake on the hood Early Turbos paved the way for the SVO and the current EcoBoost Mustang W hen the Fox-body Ford Mustang arrived for 1979, Ford had to deal with a market that favored economy more than performance. The OPEC oil crisis had unfolded just as the Mustang II was introduced for 1974. While that car sold well, it was lambasted for lackluster performance. The lukewarm 302-ci V8 just wasn’t endearing to those who recalled Mustangs with Ram Air 429s under the hood. A new governmental mandate called CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) was also in the mix. Ford needed to sell more highereconomy cars than gas guzzlers. To have both economy and some semblance of performance, Ford offered five engines in the new 1979 Mustang — one being a turbocharged 2.3-L 4. Mustang with boost The 2.3-L was the entry-level engine for the Mustang, but in nor- mally aspirated 88-horsepower tune. With a Garrett turbocharger in the mix, the rated horsepower nearly doubled to 140 — conveniently the same as the 302 V8. The only transmission available with it was a wide-radio 4-speed manual, while the V8 could be had with a different 4-speed and a 3-speed automatic. The 2.3-L turbo option was available in the Mustang across all trim levels. This included the performancethemed hatchback-only Cobra and Indy Pace Car packages. The turbo returned unchanged for 1980, with trim and graphics changes to the Cobra package — essentially wearing the same air dam and faux hood scoop as the one-year-only ’79 Pace Car. Ford had to perform a bunch of service work on the turbos, revolv- 46 AmericanCarCollector.com 1984 Ford Mustang Turbo GT convertible ing around drivability and maintaining a balancing act between the 2-barrel carburetor and the turbo. There was also the dreaded “turbo lag” that customers complained about, in addition to heat-soak issues with the turbo if it was shut down hot. I owned a 1979 Turbo Cobra in 1985, and in that pre-Internet- forum era, the talk around those cars was to let them idle for a few minutes to cool down and pump fresh oil into the main shaft of the turbo. We were asking for trouble by just shutting it off right after running it hard (such as stopping at a freeway rest area after driving

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for several hours). With Ford realizing that they didn’t quite have the turbo thing dialed in yet, they dropped it for the 1981 model year. By 1983, the turbocharged 2.3-L was back — this time fed by electronic fuel injection, which improved the drivability markedly. However, Ford got V8 religion midway during 1982, introducing the 175-hp 5.0-L V8 in the Mustang GT. To play to the ranks of those who were starting to embrace turbocharged engines (and to keep those CAFE numbers down), Ford introduced a Turbo GT in mid-1983. It was basically a GT with the turbo 2.3L, with slightly recalibrated suspension to allow for the lighter 4-banger up front. Unlike the 5.0 GT, it could only be had in the hatchback. It was also the most expensive fixed-roof Mustang, with an MSRP of $9,714 — $265 more than the 5.0-powered GT hatchback. 1984 was a year of continual changes for the Mustang. The Turbo GT not only was carried over initially into 1984, but was also made available as a convertible. However, the Turbo GT’s days were numbered, as Ford also revealed the Mustang SVO. With an intercooler, the SVO was initially rated at 175 hp — once again, the same as the 5.0 V8. However, the SVO and the 5.0 GT catered to opposite markets, and that’s where this story ends, with Ford dropping the Turbo GT during 1984. A snail in a sea of V8s Today, one rarely finds one of these pre-SVO turbos. Early drivability issues made resale values of 1979s and ’80s plummet, causing these cars to fall into the hands of owners who either really didn’t know how to deal with the turbo or didn’t care and ran them into the ground. As gas became more affordable from the mid-1980s through the 1990s, the unloved turbos with good bodies were more often than not built up with 5.0 V8s. If attacked by the tin worm in the Rust Belt, it was a death sentence ending in the junkyard. As such, the hardest thing about getting one today is actually finding one. Your best bet is one of the 1979 Indy Pace Car editions, as quite a few were bought as “instant collectibles” back when new — a year after the 1978 IPC Corvette all but created that term. Detailing Years produced: 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984 Number produced: 1979–83 production totals not broken down by engine type; 1984, 350 Turbo GT hatchbacks, 104 Turbo GT convertibles Original list price: $6,515 (1979 Cobra Turbo), $13,441 (1984 Turbo GT convertible) Current ACC Median Valuation: $8,763 Tune-up/major service: $250 VIN location: Top of the dashboard on the driver’s side, driver’s door jamb decal Engine # location: Driver’s side front of the engine block, just below the cylinder head Alternatives: 1984–86 Ford Mustang SVO, 1983–88 Ford Thunderbird TurboCoupe, 1984–93 Dodge Daytona Turbo fastback ACC Investment Grade: D From Turbo to EcoBoost These cars still have a three-legged-dog stigma to them, but they are better appreciated today in Mustang enthusiast circles — especially the rare Turbo GTs. Ford is now only offering the 2.3-L EcoBoost or V8s only in the S550 Mustangs — to include a new 330-hp 2.3-L High Performance Package for 2020. It may have taken four decades of stops and starts to get there, but the economy and performance edge of the two-bladed Mustang sword is finally sharply honed. A September–October 2019 47

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HORSEPOWER Jay Harden 500 MILES of GLORY Indy draws in people from all over — and the allure of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing spans distance, demographics and generations Vintage racers displayed in the Indy museum T he crowd forming for our Friday afternoon flight was growing impatient. Families with small children, the elderly, and veterans had already disappeared down the jetway, and the rest of us began pushing forward with expectation. I looked down at my phone and checked the weather in Indianapolis again as Group A began boarding. “Not looking good for Sunday,” I heard someone say. “Yeah, might be in store for the first rainout since ’97,” another quipped. I almost checked another weather site, but then I thought better of it. I was getting on the plane to Indy either way. The Indianapolis 500 was calling. Like the rest of the race-crazy fans around me, I wasn’t going to miss my shot at attending one of America’s most revered racing traditions. After the flight, it was easy to see where to go. Standing beneath the placard I was searching for curbside stood a handful of neatly dressed gray-haired men in full-on traveling-dad garb. On bottom, they were all wearing khaki shorts or pants with zip-off legs, while up top they rocked pressed-and-tucked-in race-car T-shirts or polos. They were double-checking their organized folders of printed receipts and shuttle schedules and pickup locations amongst themselves while bemoaning the shuttle driver’s tardiness. I’ve never been able to verify my location, transportation options, and local forecast as quickly and as accurately in my life. My own father was waiting for me at the hotel bar, his flight from Atlanta having arrived a few hours earlier. He had already managed to make friends with a random group of strangers from all over. The crowd consisted of a few Aussies, a couple of Tommy Bahama-clad men chewing unlit cigars, a few young couples, and several retirement-age men — all of 48 AmericanCarCollector.com Patience is a virtue. The only people moving quickly in Indy are on the track whom wore the unmistakable giddiness of the first hour of vacation, and all of whom had come here for the same reason — to be a part of the world’s oldest major automobile race. I had some catching up to do. Buffets and a yard of bricks Saturday morning was upon us several hours too early, particularly for those of us hailing from the West Coast. My dad scheduled a full hour for us to get to the lobby, eat breakfast and get in line for the bus that was to take us to the track for prerace festivities. That was about 50 minutes more than I would have scheduled, but

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about an hour less than he wanted to schedule. When we reached the buffet, I could see in his eyes that the empty coffee mugs and half-eaten bagels were like deer tracks in the snow on a cold morning hunt. We were early, but not early enough. I checked the weather again. Rain was on its way, and it looked angry. Our wagon train of charter buses dropped us off in a strip-mall parking lot directly across the street from the track entrance. The lot and adjoining yard were full of RVs and fifth-wheel campers, pop-up awnings, lawn chairs and coolers. We had about four hours to wander the grounds, explore the pits and attend the drivers’ meeting. We went ahead and posed for many of our obligatory “We were here!” photos, knowing full well that race day would be a complete zoo, but the scope of the Brickyard was difficult to capture. The place is humongous, with two and a half miles of oval asphalt stretching much farther than you might think two and a half miles should. We explored, taking our time taking it all in. We toured the pits and ate fried track food and got barked at by security before making our way to the drivers’ meeting. The sun began to beat down on us, but the clouds were high, heavy and increasing. I checked the weather again. Start your engines Race day was upon us early, but this time I was ready. The hotel was buzzing. Early-morning sunlight was streaming through the lobby windows while everyone fueled up three-wide on scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and Bloody Marys. Once on the bus, we watched the throng of bodies multiply with every block we passed. No point in checking the weather now. Our commitment looked like it was about to pay off. Once in our seats on the front stretch, Dad dialed in his radio as I cracked peanut shells, sipped cold beer and archived the moment in my mind. The starting line bristled with 33 contenders, all looking to The updated Pagoda towers above the track position their open-wheel weapons ahead of the pack and earn their place in history. For backup, I snapped pictures to shuttle off to friends and family. “Where are you?” one reply shot back. “Up on the front straight, right across from the pits,” I said. “No way,” came the response. “I’m in turn two…” Kelly Clarkson then began her performance of the national anthem as a quartet of the Air Force’s finest approached from a distance, and all 300,000 of us rose to our feet in solidarity. Then, those famous words — the ones we had all traveled so far to hear — reverberated through the grounds. “Drivers! Start. Your. Engines!” A September–October 2019 49

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ON THE ROAD Elana Scherr No Jensen Today A failed attempt to buy a car I didn’t even know I wanted The Jensen Interceptor hid an American 440 V8 under an Italian-designed hood on an English-built chassis. This engine is going in yet another Interceptor that I can’t buy, a customer of British race shop I.C.E in Silverstone, England I t’s a romance-novel cliché — the rejection that heightens desire, the hard-to-get love interest’s repeated refusals that only inflame passion. It was not a trope I expected to fall prey to while car shopping, but here I am, absolutely trembling with longing for a car I hadn’t even been searching for. All because the owner won’t sell it to me. “Oh sure,” you say, unsympathetic, picturing a yard-parked Dodge Charger whose owner plans to restore it someday and has grown weary of every wannabe flipper knocking on his door. No! This car is for sale. I called on the ad. I offered the asking price, and I was rejected. Now there is nothing I want more than a Jensen Interceptor. A what now? Alan and Richard Jensen began building cars in the 1930s. They worked as coachbuilders, and founded Jensen Motors Limited in 1934. The Jensens built bodies for various other car companies, but they wanted to design their own. Like most manufacturers, they did military work during World War II, but at the end of the war they went back to cars. Jensen designs were better than their engineering, primarily due to engine troubles with their early-’50s models, but by 1962 they’d worked out the bugs and the Jensen CV8 was a lightweight combo of aluminum and fiberglass, and one of the fastest cars on the English roads. 50 AmericanCarCollector.com Wait, what? Yes, Jensen is an English car company and this is American Car Collector, but the engine that made such a difference in the CV8 was a Chrysler 361-ci V8 (later replaced by the 383-ci engine), and if you tilt forward the long bonnet on an Interceptor you’ll see the glory of America in the engine bay — a 7.2-L Chrysler 440-ci V8. For those of us who want international travel on our commute, and whose favorite cars tend to be those with European outfits over bald-eagle engines, the Interceptor is an appealing mashup of Italian design, British handling and a solidly starred-and-striped powerplant. The Interceptor wasn’t a massive success at the time of its offer- ing — although it was well received at the 1966 London Motor Show, and the 4-wheel drive version came third in the European Car of the Year awards in 1967. Despite its Aston-Martinesque profile and high-horsepower heart, the Interceptor was handicapped by infighting within Jensen, and difficulties in manufacturing and marketing. The result is that the Interceptor is a rare car — fewer than 7,000 built — but one that never really caught the imagination of mainstream collectors. Prices on Interceptors have hovered around the $30,000 range for years. Of course, $30,000 is well outside my project-car buying power, which is why I was so excited when a random Craigslist search by my husband, Tom, turned up a 1973 Jensen Interceptor for $16,000. It was a typical Web ad. There was a photo of the car, mostly in focus, a photo of the engine, enough to see at least two-thirds of it,

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and a few blurry details of a speedometer, the trunk, and a manila envelope of paperwork labeled “73 Jensen.” The useless half-shots just made me more intrigued. Taxes? Whatever Remember, I wasn’t shopping for a Jensen. In fact, I wasn’t shop- ping for a new project at all, what with the dozen different cars and trucks already in the yard and garage. It was just that price — half what they go for — and those infuriating photos. So taunting, so tempting. What does the interior look like? No idea. You have to buy it to find out. Even though the Interceptor was cheap, it wasn’t anywhere close to perfect. The seller said it drove fine, and wasn’t rusty, but the dark blue paint had faded to a chalky gray, and the interior — when additional photos were sent — showed the plush leather buckets were as dry and cracked as the El Mirage lakebed. Sales literature of the time bragged that each interior was four cows’ worth of sacrifice. Bringing this Interceptor up to the level of the ones going for $35,000 would likely require its asking price and then some. Even so, it felt like a steal. Sometimes it isn’t about the invest- ment, but the likelihood of ever coming across another car in your price range again. In the time it had taken to scroll through the ad and watch old Interceptor commercials on YouTube, I’d fallen in love. Rejection So we tried to buy it. I gave my bank account a firm talking-to about priorities and how far away tax time is. Tom called on the ad, talked to the guy, and offered to send a deposit. No haggling, no at- This isn’t the car I tried to buy, but it’s a ’73 that went for $18k in 2012. They now generally start at twice that tempt to talk him down. And then the seller said no. Well, he didn’t say no exactly, but he said he didn’t want a deposit, because what if we didn’t come get the car? “Uh, that’s what the deposit is for,” Tom said. No, no, the guy didn’t think we would come, not all the way up from Los Angeles to Sacramento. Nothing Tom said would convince him to take our money. “I’ll think about it,” he said at the end of the call, and hung up. I’m not mad; I mean, the guy has the right to choose his buyer. He probably got enough calls that he rethought his asking price, or maybe he really did think we wouldn’t bother to travel 300 miles to buy a weird old car. I’m trying to think of it as the world protecting me from myself, but I can’t help but feel a sense of loss. What can I say? The heart wants what it wants. A September–October 2019 51

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CORVETTE PROFILE 1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 327/340 CONVERTIBLE Patina Pushback ©2019 courtesy of RM Auctions It seems the buyer paid too much — until you consider the word “patina” VIN: 30867S112717 by John L. Stein • Desirable first-year-production Sting Ray • 327-ci 340-hp L76 V8 • 4-speed manual transmission • Daytona Blue exterior • Dark blue interior • Significant age- and use-related flaws and patina • Soft top and hard top included • 62,948 miles showing ACC Analysis This car, Lot 5117, sold for $36,300, including buyer’s pre- mium, at RM Auctions’ Spring auction in Auburn, IN, on May 29 to June 1, 2019. Way back when this first-year Sting Ray convertible was just a “used car,” preservationists were rare. As early as the mid-1970s, the ethos for car collectors and flippers was to make vehicles look like new with little regard for preserving their originality. Fluff, fold, flip. Now multiply this by four decades, and the pool of unrestored, time-worn cars has grown dramatically smaller. Even so, the street value of normal age- and mileage-related character as shown on this car is debatable… at least as determined by the market. Its sale at $11,200 below ACC’s Pocket Price Guide median value figure of $47,500 shows that at least in this case, the market did not value patina well; the condition resulted in a 24% value deduction over the midpoint pricing for other ’63 convertibles. Why is this, when other segments of the market (Porsches in particular) sometimes reward “barnfind” and “patina” cars? Pretty okay exterior There is a huge difference in desirability between a truly “original” car and a similar timeworn ride that’s already been repainted, reupholstered and rebuilt sometime in the distant past. I’d pay a premium for the former, because such a car, despite its wear and tear, would retain the same paint, interior and key mechanicals that it had when it rolled out of the St. Louis plant. Unfortunately, the catalog description for this car didn’t specify anything of the sort, nor whether the 340-hp L76 engine, 4-speed gearbox and associated castings were original to the car. 52 AmericanCarCollector.com

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DETAILING Years produced: 1963 Number produced: 10,919 Original list price: $4,037 Current ACC Median Valuation: $47,500 Tune-up/major service: $500 (NOS parts, estimated) VIN location: Cross brace under glovebox Engine # location: On block in front of right cylinder head Alternatives: 1972 Chevrolet Corvette 454 LS5 convertible; 1995 Corvette ZR-1; 2011 Corvette convertible ACC Investment Grade: B Comps The only clue as to potential body damage is that mis-fitting right headlight door. As well, the paint sheen (reflectivity) varies between the left front fender, left door, left quarter panel and headlight doors… although that could be a photo trick. Regardless, there’s plenty of paint damage — stone chips and scratches — to add character. As-found frights Rust, grime and grit reign under the hood. That said, it was made operable, as evidence by new sparkplug wires, distributor cap, alternator belt, ballast resistor, radiator hose, coolant-temperature sending unit, fuel line and filter. Why no detailing? My guess is the seller was striv- ing for an “as-found” look. At least the presentation was honest; the new parts were appropriate service items and the rest was left alone. Fair enough. Things look somewhat better inside the car. The convertible was offered with its auxiliary hard top in place, and perhaps this explains why there is significantly less oxidation apparent here. But the instrument bezels, Hurst shift lever and aluminum center console show significant weathering, in particular the dented console metal and torn rubber shift gaiter, which contrasts with a new-looking cue-ball shift knob. Under the glovebox is more weirdness. The aluminum Trim and Paint tag is oddly bent and torn. The clean VIN tag is riveted atop a worked-over crossbeam. And next to the VIN tag? An unexplained piece of angle iron sloppily attached by a low-grade zinc-plated bolt. At this point, as a buyer, I’d be starting to sidestep away… or else demand some clear answers about the car’s history. All roads lead to maybe So what have we got here? On the positive side, it’s a desirable first-year Sting Ray convertible with a lusty engine, a 4-speed Muncie, both tops, and so much patina that you’d drive it anywhere. On the negative side, it’s a plentiful model year (Corvette production surpassed 20,000 for the first time in 1963), the 340-horse L76 mill was the secondmost-popular powerplant that year, nearly 84% of ’63 Corvettes had manual transmissions, and several thousand Daytona Blue examples were built. Additionally, virtually no part of the car, save the Under the glovebox is more weirdness. The aluminum Trim and Paint tag is oddly bent and torn. The clean VIN tag is riveted atop a worked-over crossbeam. And next to the VIN tag? An unexplained piece of angle iron sloppily attached by a low-grade zinc-plated bolt. At this point, as a buyer, I’d be starting to sidestep away. shift knob and perhaps some glass or bumper parts, appears perfect. This means that bringing this belowaverage example up to “average” condition would likely exceed the $11k divide between what the buyer paid and what better cars are worth. Translation: The buyer paid too much considering the condition of this car. That is, until you consider the word “patina” again. In my own collection is a car in even worse condition than this Corvette. And I keep it this way precisely because it is what it is — old, authentic, and thoroughly flawed. I like it for its genuineness and lack of pretentiousness, and don’t mind if it shocks the senses of the concours crowd. In fact, that’s part of the appeal. And so, to The Buyer Who Paid Too Much for this ’63 convertible, I say well done. We are brothers in 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 convertible Lot 1150, VIN: 30867S101636 Condition: 3 Sold at $42,350 Leake, Oklahoma City, OK, 2/24/2017 ACC# 6827786 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 convertible Lot 581, VIN: 30867S110411 Condition: 2Sold at $39,500 Branson Auction, Branson, MO, 10/20/2017 ACC# 6852386 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 convertible Lot 793, VIN: 30867S106830 Condition: 1Sold at $57,200 Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV, 10/13/2016 ACC# 6809761 alarm. A (Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.) September–October 2019 53

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1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR 2-DOOR HARD TOP Fading Fins? Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Interests may change, but the best cars will still hold their value VIN: VC57B230563 by Jeff Zurschmeide • Two-year frame-off restoration • Super Turbo-Fire 283-ci V8 • Dual 4-bbl carburetors • 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission • Matador Red and India Ivory • From the Vault Collection ACC Analysis This car, Lot 636, sold for $62,700, including buyer’s pre- mium, at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast 2019 auction, held June 26–29, 2019. The venerable Tri-Five Chevrolets are foundational vehicles in the collector-car world. There are a lot of reasons for that, but our theory is simple: People like the cars that were hot when they hit their teenage years. For the first wave of Baby Boomers, that’s the late ’50s. Millions of these Chevys looked great on American roads in that era, and by the time the Boomers were learning how to drive, they were affordable as first cars. It’s more than nostalgia, though. GM’s designers were on point in this era. Similar rides from Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac were all breathtakingly pretty. Ford and Mopar fans can say the same about their brands. It was a golden age for new engine power, new technology, and new enthusiasm for the automobile. A modern market Today, the oldest Baby Boomers are in their mid-70s and the youngest (including this writer) are in their mid-50s. To put it bluntly, we’ve got money, we’ve got time, and most of us are still well enough to enjoy a collector car. But there are fewer of us than there were 10 or 20 years ago, and that has an effect on the market. Also, many Boomers have already built or pur- chased their dream Tri-Fives and are effectively out of the market. Those demographics have been bringing down values on Condition #2 and #3 cars for years. Back about 2014, our Pocket Price Guide showed the range on a 1957 Bel Air 2-door hard top as $49,000 to $69,000, with the median about $59,000. By 54 AmericanCarCollector.com

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DETAILING Years produced: 1955–57 Number produced: About 450,000 (2-door hard tops only) Original list price: $2,399 Current ACC Median Valuation: $39,500 Tune-up/major service: $200 VIN location: Driver’s side door jamb 2018, that had dropped to a $44,000 median, and this year’s median estimate is $39,500. A 30% drop in five years in a generally rising market ought to be a wakeup call. A glance through recent auction sales shows most of these cars falling in the $30,000–$50,000 range, with a few outliers. Here’s another important thing to remember: In the first five months of 2019, we recorded 168 Tri-Five Chevrolets crossing the block. The total for 2018 was 333 cars. So there are plenty to choose from. Thirteen The hard fact is this: As people who remember any particular car in its first incarnation age out of the car-collecting business, the supply of restored or maintained cars will mostly hold steady, but the market for those cars will shrink. That will bring prices down, especially on Condition #2 and lower examples. of the last 20 Tri-Fives to be presented at auction sold. A few convertibles broke into six figures, with a high-water mark of $180,000 for a customized 1957 Bel Air convertible, and that one was a no-sale (ACC# 6902696). This car To illustrate the situation, take a look at this 1957 Bel Air hard top. The car is decked out in spectacular Matador Red with white two-tone, and a devastating red-over-black interior. Under the hood you’ll find a Super Turbo-Fire 283-cubic-inch small-block V8 with two 4-barrel carbs, mated to a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. There are a few obvious upgrades to modern standards such as the alternator, battery and intake manifold, but nothing you couldn’t show with pride. This car is well above median in quality and presentation, and with its twin-carb engine certainly rates the 30% price bump the Pocket Price Guide suggests for special equipment. So the $62,700 price tag is not only justified, it’s right in line with expectations. Similar cars have been selling for similar money all year long. Whither the Tri-Five? Predicting the future is always an opportunity to look like a fool later, but if we make a comparison to another iconic collector car that appeals to a slightly older audience, maybe the crystal ball will uncloud a bit. Prices for traditional 1932–34 Ford hot rods first created by the Greatest Generation have been dropping. It’s not uncommon to find those trading hands under $20,000 these days, though top examples from famous builders still command big money. More than 120 such cars have appeared at auction so far in 2019, so again there’s a lot of volume in the market. The same phenomenon is also happening with other models from the 1930s and ’40s. How many people are hunting for a 1940 sedan today? The hard fact is this: As people who remember any particular car in its first incarnation age out of the car-collecting business, the supply of restored or maintained cars will mostly hold steady, but the market for those cars will shrink. That will bring prices down, especially on Condition #2 and lower examples. The good news is that the Tri-Five (and the ’32 Ford) will always remain collectible, and a #1 example of any body style will always bring top money; even from those born long after the car was made. Some things, it seems, really are timeless. A (Introductory description courtesy of BarrettJackson.) September–October 2019 55 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hard top Lot 827, VIN VC57L1600838 Condition: 2 Sold at $68,200 ACC# 6891091 Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 01/12/19 Engine # location: Block stamping at pad on front passenger’s side Alternatives: 1955–56 Ford Fairlane, 1954–58 Buick Century, 1955–57 Pontiac Chieftain ACC Investment Grade: C Comps 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hard top Lot 5102, VIN A57B249017 Condition: 3+ Sold at $38,500 RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/29/19 ACC# 6902532 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible Lot 6077, VIN VC57S110909 Condition: 2+ Sold at $84,150 RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/29/19 ACC# 6902515

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FOMOCO PROFILE 1965 FORD GALAXIE 500 CAMMER Pricing a Yellow Unicorn Courtesy of Bonhams How do you value a car with an M-code VIN, a non-original motor, scant documentation and new paint and interior? VIN: 5F66M100016 by John Boyle • 427-ci SOHC M-code V8 • Dual Holley 4-barrel carburetors • 657 hp at 6,000 rpm • 4-speed manual transmission • Factory experimental car ACC Analysis This car, Lot 180, sold for $112,000, including buyer’s pre- mium, at Bonhams’ Greenwich Concours d’Elegance auction in Greenwich, CT, on June 2, 2019. While looking like any of the other 157,283 Galaxie 500 2-door hard tops built in 1965, this car is reportedly one of just a few built, and is likely the sole survivor. Why? Because it has the mighty M-code SOHC “Cammer” engine. On the cam In 1965, Ford’s “FE” big-block 427 was already well known. Introduced in 1963, it quickly dominated NASCAR circuits. However, facing MOPAR’s new 426 Hemi, Ford looked to improve the side-oiler. Their answer: adapting the big block to a high-rev- ving, two-valve, single-overhead-cam configuration. Cost and development-time considerations meant a roller chain-cam drive was favored over geared units. The six-foot-long timing chain rotated a camshaft atop each head, which featured hemispherical combustion chambers. The 90-day development effort paid off: With a single-barrel carb, the engine produced 616 hp at 7,000 rpm while producing 515 ft-lb of torque. Dual 4-barrels increased those numbers to 657 hp and 56 AmericanCarCollector.com

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Compared to the cost of building a tribute, this M-code car was deservedly well sold. ... Bonhams sold an engine at this auction for $38k; others have sold in the $50k range, meaning you could build a nice tribute for $60k–$90k. 575 ft-lb. Ford planned to homologate the engine for NASCAR use. NASCAR promptly banned it. No one knows how many Cammers were built, but estimates range from a few hundred to 2,000. Today the heads and intakes are produced by aftermarket firms. Most engines fell into the hands of top drag racers, where they found success. A VIN and a story The company tested these engines in a number of ’64–66 Galaxies, and serious consideration was given to making it an option in ’65 — indeed, the shop manual for the year lists it as an available engine. Ford announced the engine option in a 1966 news release, but no production cars were ever built. The primary documentation of this car’s special status is its VIN number. The “F” shows it was built in Dearborn — presumably in Ford’s engineering facility. The “M” fifth digit identifies the engine as a Cammer. Bonhams’ catalog presents the story in great detail: After initial testing, this Galaxie was reportedly sent to the experimental Ford shop at Watkins Glen, NY, where one of the employees, a “Mr. Henderson,” acquired it and took it home. After he drove it for a few years, it ended up in a field on the family farm. About this time, its engine was removed by Henderson’s son, who replaced it with a common 390 and used it for racing. After Mr. Henderson died in 1980, the car passed to his daughter, who kept it hidden away. When she died in 1998, another brother got the car, which led to it being restored. Bonhams said “forensic research” determined the car’s original color and interior trim. Along the way, the original data plate went missing and there is scant documentation on the car’s time at Ford or how it managed to escape the crusher — the usual fate of test cars. So what we have is a car with a non-original motor, little documentation and with new paint and interior. The car fell well short of its pre-sale estimate of $300k–$400k. The sum of its parts No other factory cammers are known to exist. The best-documented cars were a pair of 1966 mules, September–October 2019 57 which were well known in period and appeared in a few magazines. One was driven by a Ford special-vehicle exec, the other was loaned to astronaut “Gordo” Cooper. So what is this car worth? In the realm of “one-of-one” Fords, the closest ex- ample is the ’67 Shelby GT500 “Super Snake,” which sold for $2.2 million in January (ACC# 6896510). But a Galaxie, even with a rare engine, is no Shelby. Trying to compare apples to apples (so excluding various Pony cars and Corvettes) in terms of body style/ size, ’66–71 mid-size Hemi Mopars, some of which have low production numbers, are a good match. They sell in the $80k–$200k price range. Likewise, the 99 ’69 Yenko Chevelles are powerful and rare, with a median value of $250k. These prices suggest Bonhams’ estimate wasn’t necessarily out of line, but this car’s originality and documentation issues held it back. Compared to the cost of building a tribute, this M-code car was deservedly well sold. The same collection sold a nice ’66 7-Litre 428 “Q-code” Galaxie for $22,400 and an “R-code” 427/425 car for $32,480. They, or any ’65 Galaxie with a price-guide estimate of $20k–$30k, could be fitted with a period SOHC mill. Bonhams sold an engine at this auction for $38k; others have sold in the $50k range, meaning you could build a nice tribute for $60k–$90k. With its lack of known history and originality is- sues, this car was appropriately sold, and as a unique bit of Ford history, well bought. But until a better documented car comes to market, the ultimate value of a factory street Cammer will remain a mystery. A (Introductory description courtesy of Bonhams.) 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 R-code 2-dr hard top Lot 580, VIN: 6P66R11496 Condition: 2+ Not sold at $57,500 Auctions America by RM , Carlisle, PA, 4/30/2011 ACC# 177821 DETAILING Years produced: 1964–66 (test mules only) Number produced: Unknown Current ACC Median Valuation: $110,000 (this car) Tune-up/major service: $300 (estimated) VIN location: Left inner fender/data tag in driver’s door jamb Engine # location: Block located at left rear just above oil pan Alternatives: 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle 427 COPO, 1966–67 Dodge Hemi Coronet/Charger, 1966–67 Plymouth Hemi Belvedere/ Satellite ACC Investment Grade: C Comps 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 7-Litre convertible Lot ST0095.4, VIN: 6J63Q146451 Condition: 1Sold at $90,000 GAA, Greensboro, NC, 2/28/2019 ACC# 6897283 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Factory Lightweight Lot F174, VIN: 4A66R145466 Condition: 2Sold at $126,500 Mecum, Indianapolis, IN, 5/15/2018 ACC# 6869973

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MOPAR PROFILE 1969 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA MOD TOP Flower Power Courtesy of Mecum Auctions Was this rare Plymouth so special and so rare that it warranted a lunar-landing sale price? VIN: BH23P9B141277 by Dale Novak • Sold new at Goddard Motors Inc. in Jennings, MO • Rare Mod Top vinyl roof covering and interior, one of 937 produced • Previously used as a dealer demonstrator, Y13 on fender tag • 340/275-hp V8 engine • 4-barrel carburetor • Dual exhaust with chrome tips • TorqueFlite automatic transmission • A53 Formula S Package • Floral bucket seats with center console • Factory air conditioning and heat • Copy of original window sticker • From the Steven Juliano Collection ACC Analysis This car, Lot F133, sold for $440,000, including buyer’s pre- mium, at Mecum’s sale in Indianapolis, IN, on May 17, 2019. By the late 1960s, pop-culture television was full of flower power television shows such as “The Mod Squad” and “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.” Celebrities smoked cigarettes and donned slick black suits or crazy colorful psychedelic outfits. Chrysler executives, along with their ad agency (think “Mad Men”), decided to try and make hay while the sun was shining. Their answer was a series of “Mod Top” cars that would be blessed (or cursed) upon more than a few of the Dodge or Plymouth models. The tops and interiors looked like they could have been stolen right out of Jo Anne Worley’s “Laugh-In” wardrobe (look it up, you’ll see — put on sunglasses first). Some enthusiasts call them shower-curtain tops. No matter how you define it, the cars were anything but subtle and about as masculine as a dude wearing mascara. Isn’t that a typo? My immediate instinct on this car was that it sold for $44,000 — not $440,000. I assumed Mecum had made a mistake in the published results. Easy error. Simple fix. Nope, the price was right. Was it so special and so rare that it warranted a lunar-landing sale price? Mopar forums were on fire with discussions about the final sale price. One

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DETAILING Years produced: 1969, 1970 (Mod Top) Original list price: $2,813 (base) Current ACC Median Valuation: $38,500 Number produced: 937 (1969 Mod Top) Tune-up/major service: $200 VIN location: Plate on dash, driver’s side Engine # location: Machined face on front of block, partial VIN on pan rail Alternatives: 1969 Plymouth Satellite Mod Top, 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 Mod Top, 1969 Plymouth Super Bee Mod Top ACC Investment Grade: C Comps commenter said he was told there were some gold bars hidden away in the chassis. Another suggested the buyer might have spent too much time listening to Cheech and Chong albums. While our subject car is certainly interesting, and somewhat rare, it really isn’t much more than that. It’s cool in a very 1960s retro way. I get the vibe the car projects and how that part of our American culture is important to our history. Wild, free, Woodstock, Hendrix, Dylan, etc. But as a collectible car — one that sold for $440,000, mind you — I just can’t connect the bright, colorful dots. Hooking the big fish Auctions, unlike any other sales venue, can oc- casionally send a sale price through the roof. Some sellers get lucky when two determined “big fish” bidders decide to go at it, each diligently and aggressively determined not to lose — at nearly any cost. For them, it becomes more about winning than buying something. “The auction estimate of $50k–$70k was a bit aggressive, but this car had a ton of originality, plus very high option content, including factory air conditioning,” said Mecum’s John Kraman. “It simply came down to two serious collectors who wanted what might very well be the finest Mod Top in existence. This sale was certainly one of the best bidder battles in Mecum Auctions’ long history!” I also spoke with Julie Moore, who is the curator of the Mod Top registry. She was well versed in our subject car and had seen it at the Mopar Nationals in 1996. She did relay to me that the car was somewhat rare, but not terribly so. She stated that there are currently about 20 1969 Barracudas in the registry with the 340 engine (out of 100 registered). She did suggest that our subject car was likely more desirable given its originality, low miles and connection to the seller. And, get this — back in 2006, it failed to sell on eBay Motors with a high bid of $19,500. She also commented, “In my experience over the 20-plus years of curating the Mod Top Registry, the Mod Tops don’t really sell for much more than a nonMod Top car. It’s a love ’em or hate ’em car — and judging from the small buyer’s market, most hate ’em. Who wants a car with a shower-curtain top and interior?” Rare twice over As reported, this was a highly original example with original factory paint, interior and drivetrain, and with low documented miles. Add to that the scarcity of a 1969 Mod Top 340 Barracuda and the fact that it’s all-original and you get rare on top of rare. The fact that it came from the Steven Juliano Collection is icing on the cake. Cars from his collection were the pick-of-the-litter examples. The fact that he chose this car to add to his collection speaks volumes to its quality. From a condition standpoint, the car is very nice, but in an original way. That means we expect to see wear and deterioration that coincides with the age of the car. If I were in the field reporting on the car, I’d likely consider it a good #3 example given the photos presented. Time and time again, I’ve seen an all-original im- portant car sell for #1 trailer-queen money, so it’s no surprise here that the car sparked a bunch of interest on the auction block. A fish out of water Will this sale give the Mod Top market a bump? Perhaps, but if it does, it will be very short lived. To say this sale result of $440,000 was wildly over- the-top wouldn’t be a strong enough statement. For all you guys out there with a cool, groovy, shower-curtain Mod Top 340 Barracuda squirreled away in your garage, let’s hope you can find the underbidder here. Do you dig it? Far out, dude. That’s a lot of dough. Translation: Great car, but amazingly, stupendously well sold. A (Introductory description courtesy of Mecum Auctions.) September–October 2019 March–April 2019 59 1969 Plymouth Barracuda 2-door hard top Lot FR0103, VIN: BH29F9B439507 Condition: 2Sold at $20,330 GAA, Greensboro, NC, 7/28/2017 ACC# 6841884 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Mod Top 2-door hard top Lot 609, VIN: BH23F9B140342 Condition: 2+ Not sold at $22,682 Collector Car Productions, Toronto, ON, CAN, 4/6/2014 ACC# 243324 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Mod Top 2-door hard top Lot F121, VIN: BH23F9B144365 Condition: 3+ Not sold at $16,500 Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/4/2009 ACC# 1676753

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HOT ROD & CUSTOM PROFILE 1940 FORD DELUXE COUPE Pre-War Glamour Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson The buyer got a professionally prepared and maintained light custom coupe. Many buyers have paid far more and taken home much less 60 AmericanCarCollector.com VIN: 54531703 by Jeff Zurschmeide • Restored in original Showroom Green • 221-ci flathead engine • Offenhauser aluminum heads • 3-speed manual • Corduroy seat covers • From the Vault Portfolio ACC Analysis This car, Lot 721.1, sold for $46,200, including buyer’s pre- mium, at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast 2019 auction, held June 29, 2019, in Uncasville, CT. 1940 was the final year of a generation of Fords that began in 1937. The 1941 Fords were completely redesigned, with two inches more wheelbase, and were about six inches longer overall. It’s generally agreed that the restyle ruined the glamorous lines of the 1939 and 1940 Fords. The 1941 design carried on through the war to the end of the 1948 model year, making the 1940 coupe the last and best pre-war Ford of its kind. Rapid change Competition with Chevrolet was fierce in the late 1930s. Ford made significant styling and mechanical updates to its passenger-car line every year. Starting with the 1937 model year, Ford offered two versions of its flathead V8 engine. Buyers could choose a 136-ci engine with 60 horsepower and 94 foot-pounds of torque, or a larger 221-ci design with 85 horsepower and an impressive 153 ft-lb of torque. Fords of this generation started with mechanical brakes all around. Ford upgraded to Lockheed hydraulic brakes in 1939. A 3-speed transmission was standard, and beginning in 1940, the shifter moved from the floor to the steering column. This era was also significant for rapid develop- ments in styling. These were the first Fords to have an all-steel roof, the headlights were moved out to the fenders, and 1940 was the first year for sealed-beam headlights. Through the latter 1930s, Standard trim models carried the previous year’s DeLuxe styling. That was a canny marketing move to get status-conscious DeLuxe buyers to invest in a new car every year. The 1940 DeLuxe was the final and most beautiful expression of designer Eugene Gregorie’s vision. Subtle custom Our subject car came from the Vault Portfolio — a collection of top-quality restorations, customs and hot rods. The car is finished in an original color called Showroom Green, although it presents more as a blue. As is typical of Vault Portfolio cars, this Ford has been very respectfully customized. It’s easy to imagine that this is how this car would have been modified in the immediate post-war period. That means there’s no cacophony of chrome shrouding an LS-series engine when you look under the hood.

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The correct 85-horse flathead engine and column-shifted 3-speed transmission are in place. Custom engine work includes an extra carburetor and period-correct Offenhauser heads. A modern battery is the only anachronistic note in the engine bay. The sale photos did not include interior shots, but the description notes that the original corduroy upholstery has been restored. A few options are visible from a distance, including gravel-deflecting winglets on the bumper ends, a front bumper guard, fog lights and whitewall tires. All were factory options in 1940. Finally, a little rake has been added to the car by dropping the front end. Thank the hot-rod gods that no one has been so tasteless as to install modern wheels. Proper stamped steel wheels, Ford DeLuxe hubcaps, whitewalls and beauty rings complete the look. This is a car you could take to any show on Earth and receive accolades. A very good buy In the past year, 38 Ford Standard and DeLuxe coupes from 1938 to ’40 have crossed the block. Prices have ranged from $19,250 (ACC# 6899520) to $110,000 (ACC# 6894927), but what is notable is the sell-through rate. Of those 38 cars, 32 have sold at every price point between the extremes. That tells us that there’s plenty of action in the market, and that sellers are generally taking the bids they receive. This is the pattern of “get out while you can” from a market with a declining future, yet every one of those cars found a willing buyer. That proves the strength and appeal of this generation of Ford coupe, if not a rising market. Against that backdrop, the buyer of this car got a very good deal. Once a classic is updated with Mustang II front suspension, tilt steering column and a drivetrain swap, there’s usually no going back. What’s more, that kind of custom is usually attractive only to the person who built it. While this car is technically a custom, it can appeal to purists as well. With this purchase, the buyer got a slice of hot-rod history, professionally prepared and maintained. Many buyers have paid far more and taken home much less. The only surprise is that this car didn’t pull higher bids. While the sale price is right in the fat part of the bell curve, this stunning example was very well bought.A (Introductory description courtesy of Barrett- Jackson.) 1940 Ford Custom DeLuxe coupe Lot 23, VIN: 185385827 Condition: 2Sold at $43,956 ACC# 6869916 Silver Auctions, Spokane, WA, 5/16/2018 1940 Ford DeLuxe custom coupe Lot 121, VIN: 185611547 Condition: 2 Not sold at $35,100 ACC# 6874841 Silver Auctions, Spokane, WA, 7/14/2018 DETAILING Years produced: 1940 Number produced: 27,919 (DeLuxe Coupe only) Original list price: $721 Current ACC Median Valuation: $41,800 Tune-up/major service: $200 VIN location: Left side frame member near firewall Engine # location: Top of the bellhousing Alternatives: 1937–42 Chevrolet Master Coupe, 1936–42 Hudson, 1939–40 Mercury Eight ACC Investment Grade: C Comps 1939 Ford Standard coupe Lot ST0109, VIN: 186274529 Condition: 3 Sold at $29,960 GAA, Greensboro, NC, 3/01/2018 ACC# 6863586 The 1941 design carried on through the war to the end of the 1948 model year, making the 1940 coupe the last and best pre-war Ford of its kind. September–October 2019 61

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AMERICANA PROFILE 1971 CHEVROLET BEAUVILLE CUSTOM VAN Pushin’ Too Hard Maybe vans are on their way up, but I wouldn’t bet on it VIN: GE261U231481 by John L. Stein • 350-ci V8 • Automatic transmission • Modest natural patina • Custom bench seating • Matching throw pillows • Rear table • Custom curtains • Vintage window screens • Roof racks with surfboards • Removable side awning • Antique picnic supplies ACC Analysis This van, Lot 333, sold for $17,050, including buyer’s pre- mium, at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction in Uncasville, CT, on June 28, 2019. Released in late 1965, The Seeds’ song “Pushin’ Too Hard” seems just right for this 48-year-old Chevy Beauville. The ’60s and ’70s were, after all, the zenith of the van era, and among the song’s lyrics, “Well all I want is to just be free/Live my life the way I wanna 62 AmericanCarCollector.com be,” reflects perfectly the approach that young van owners (myself included) had toward life. Vans allowed you to roam wherever you wanted, sleep or camp out at will, carry friends, motorcycles and surfboards, and decorate with beanbag chairs and carpeting. And with curtains, everything that happened in a van stayed in the van! Cruisin’ in style The Chevy Van had a long run, starting with the 1964 G10 and continuing through three generations to 1995, after which the Express nameplate took over. The ’71 model sold at Barrett-Jackson is the first of the third-gen models, and as such benefits from all-new styling and construction, greater dynamic capability thanks to independent front suspension, front disc brakes, and more safety features. This basic configuration continued for an amazing 25 years. Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson

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What a body Enter the B-J Beauville featured here. As a long- wheelbase window van, it ranks reasonably high on the desirability scale for vans of this period. So does the top Beauville trim’s two-tone color combination — which works pretty well in turquoise and white — and the matching turquoise interior. The eminently rebuildable and tunable GM V8 power is also a plus, especially since this van already has a trailer hitch installed. Thin in some places and down to the primer or even bare metal in others, the paintwork is near perfect for the patina crowd. But the absence of rust — including in the rocker panels and atop the bumpers — in a nearly half-century-old van offered on the East Coast gives pause about its actual ownership history. Where did it live, and is it really as solid as it looks? Tryin’ too hard What is evident is the seller’s effort to create a “surfer look” for this lot, and the process was done on a budget. While the paintwork was carefully fettled, a dent in the sliding side door went uncorrected. Up top, one of the vintage longboards riding on budget surf racks is missing its fin. Sketchy ride, brah! And the half-dozen “period” window stickers are obviously new, i.e., not at all from the 1970s. Inside, the Surfer Joe theme continues with a dash- board hula doll on the engine cover and a Hawaiian puka-shell necklace hanging from the rear-view mirror. The second-row bench seat is staged with a fuzzy throw rug and a plaid pillow. A third, side-mounted bench seat is also visible through one rear window. Tilt-out side-door windows are a plus. Further accoutrements configured to bolster the leisure-time image include a cheapie-looking awning in a mismatched color, cheapie chairs in a mismatched color, a cheapie-looking “vintage” picnic set, more pillows and a mismatched Home Depot-looking throw rug. The price we pay As a longtime surfer, adventurer and vigorous van fan, I feel the buyer waaay overpaid for this lot, perhaps after being smitten with its fun-in-the-sun persona. My first response after seeing the $17,050 sale price? Take $10k off the top and we’ll talk. Seven thousand for a clean vintage van with some shortcom- ings and evidence of the cheap road taken seems plenty fair to me. Maybe vans are on their way up, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Chevy Beauvilles are not in the American Car Collector Pocket Price Guide, and my search of the ACC Premium Auction Database online turned up just a single ’75 Chevy delivery van — which sold for a mere $432. NADA’s info is grim as well, with high retail ranging from $2,850 for the ¾-ton long-wheelbase G20 Beauville to $3,575 for the one-ton long-wheelbase G30 Beauville. The ¼-ton long-wheelbase G10 Beauville landed in between at $2,875 high retail. Stop pretending I’m happy the buyer of this vintage van got what he or she wanted, at the price they wanted to pay. I’m also happy for the seller, because I surely don’t see how they could have failed to make money on this deal. Had this one landed in my driveway, I’d ditch the cheesy accouterments in a hurry, replace those waterlogged old longboards with newer ones, throw a couple of wetsuits, sleeping bags and a cookstove in the back, stop pretending, and take a real surf trip. At that moment, the price paid will cease to matter, because life’s for living, waves are for riding, and vans are for driving. And as Sammy Johns sang in the famous “Chevy Van” song of 1973, “…that’s all right with me.” A (Introductory description courtesy of Barrett- Jackson.) Further accoutrements configured to bolster the leisure-time image include a cheapie-looking awning in a mismatched color, cheapie chairs in a mismatched color, a cheapie-looking “vintage” picnic set, more pillows and a mismatched Home Depot-looking throw rug. DETAILING Years produced: 1971–95 Number produced: 17,339 (1971 G10) Original list price: $3,738 (G10 Beauville LWB) Current ACC Median Valuation: $8,800 Tune-up/major service: $500–$600 VIN location: Plate at base of windshield Engine # location: On block in front of right cylinder head Alternatives: 1971 Dodge Ram van, 1971 Ford E-Series Econoline, 1971 GMC Vandura ACC Investment Grade: D Comps 1965 GMC van Lot F117, VIN: G1001PE8853A Condition: 3+ Sold at $17,050 Mecum Auctions, Kansas City, MO, 12/1/2016 ACC# 6810595 1976 Dodge Tradesman van Lot 1153, VIN: B21BE6X089844 Condition: 3+ Sold at $15,950 Leake Auctions, Dallas, TX, 11/18/2016 ACC# 6810467 1965 Ford Econoline van Lot 718, VIN: E12TH629434 Condition: 3- Not sold at $17,500 B&T Specialty Auto Auctions, Reno, NV, 8/12/2012 ACC# 213481 September–October 2019 xx 63

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RACE PROFILE 1973 FORD MUSTANG TRANS AM Track Tool at a Handy Price Matt Lynch, courtesy of RM Auctions A no-hit vintage racer for less than 50 Gs? Try duplicating that deal VIN: 189871D by Patrick Smith • Highly modified 351-ci V8 built by Jack Roush • Close-ratio 4-speed with Hurst shifter • 4.11 locked rear end • Originally sold unfinished to Ed Hinchliff, who assembled the car to Kar-Kraft blueprints with the help of former Kar-Kraft chassis engineers Lee Dykstra and Mitch Marchi • Campaigned in period; accompanied by SCCA logbooks ACC Analysis This car, Lot 5078, sold for $49,500, including buyer’s premium, at RM Sotheby’s auction in Auburn, IN, held from May 29 to June 1, 2019. The golden age of Trans Am fell between the years 1968 and 1972. Some die-hards say it ended in 1970, citing the loss of Ford and Chrysler factory-sponsored teams in 1971. Whichever year you choose, seeing factory-style Pony cars battle it out wheel to wheel made it a time like no other for American race fans. After the mid 1970s, the SCCA changed the direction of their Trans Am series, emulating an IMSA GT race-car profile with a budget to match. Factory sponsorship in racing affected SCCA racing early on, with the 1969 competitors notably more professional and faster compared to their 1966 brethren. By 1977, if you wanted to watch new Mustangs and Camaros compete fender to fender, IROC racing was the way to go. A mid-pack runner Among SCCA buffs, Ed Hinchliff is well known. He hailed from Ypsilanti, MI, and entered the Trans Am series in 1968 running a Ford Mustang coupe as a privateer. Hinchliff was an engineer at Ford. That allowed him an edge — he could run experimental parts, and since it wasn’t a factory effort, Ford didn’t have to worry about costly public-relations damage. The 1968 Hinchliff/Ross Mustang ran a Tunnel Port 302, which meant unusually high revs and engines grenading on tracks across America. After the bugs were sorted out, the Mustang did well. This valuable experience allowed Ford to get the drop on Chevy for 1970, with the result being the Follmer-Jones Trans Am championship. By 1970, Hinchliff had access to Kar-Kraft, Bud Moore Engineering and racing parts from his day job as a Ford engineer. 64 AmericanCarCollector.com

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DETAILING Years produced: 1971 Number produced: Two Original list price: N/A Current ACC Median Valuation: $49,500 (this car) Tune-up/major service: $300 (estimated) VIN location: Driver’s side door A-pillar Hinchliff also ran a blue Trans Am Mustang that season. It was quite successful right up to when he sold it at the end of 1972. Then Hinchliff picked up one of two 1971 Mustang body-in-white cars from Bud Moore Engineering — this car. He finished the build just in time for the 1977 season. Hinchliff took on Corvettes and Porsches, doing the best he could. His Mustang was reliable, always finished and never crashed. There was just one roof chop to stay competitive. The SCCA ruled it illegal, so it had to be put back to original. Unfortunately, however, the car remained a mid-pack runner. The SCCA rule updates favored much lighter cars with inherent structural rigidity and high-revving engines over large V8s. East or west? There are two active schools of retro Trans Am racing: The West Coast boys are represented by Historical Trans Am (HTA), and they’re into survivor period race cars, preferably with original team colors and period equipment, if not the original hardware. They don’t run as fast, but the cars are closer to 1970s Trans Am cars. The East Coast boys usually run in the Sportscar Vintage Race Association (SVRA) and favor a vintage appearance with modern or notably upgraded drivetrain and suspension. The drivers make the car as competitive as possible. This car was bought cheap enough to go either way. Racing it in SVRA would hurt the value in the short term, but winning with modern hardware is a thrill. Putting it back to its original blue, in combination with the race log history and pallet of vintage parts, might be smart for the new owner. The vintage-race community is tightly knit, and there would be a lot of support for running it as a period-correct racer. A rare deal Before valuing this car, you have to toss everything you’ve learned about classic cars out the window. What matters with vintage racers is provenance, victories with known drivers and eligibility status for vintage racing. A crash-free body and original parts are just nice bonuses. Was this a foolish or wise buy? Well, not many of the 1970s American Trans Am race cars are around. Many were changed to IMSA GTO spec to stay competitive. Pre-1977 Trans Am race cars are scarce and expensive when they come up for sale. For example, a leftover 1970 Trans Am Boss 302 from BME finished to 1971 specs sold for $200,000 at RM Sotheby’s January 2015 venue in Phoenix (ACC# 261979). It had no period racing history, but was a real-deal body-in-white car and qualifies for vintage racing. Once you gather all the pieces — factory car, name driver and race history — value adds up fast. Most of What matters with vintage racers is provenance, victories with known drivers and eligibility status for vintage racing. A crash-free body and original parts are just nice bonuses. the 427 Corvettes that raced with Hinchliff back then are gone. A replica 1968 Penske Camaro Trans Am car sold for $71,500, but it isn’t eligible for vintage racing. Any of the winning Porsches are huge money if you can shake one loose from a collector. The Hurley Haywood Porsche IMSA GT race car (Lot 128) sold for $550,000 at RM Sotheby’s 2013 Monterey venue. Compare these figures to our subject car and it starts looking good at the price paid. A no-hit vintage race-eligible factory body-in-white car with period parts for less than 50 big ones? Try duplicating that deal. I’d say the buyer did well. Get that car ready and go racing. A (Introductory description courtesy of RM Auctions.) Engine # location: N/A Alternatives: 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Trans Am, 1970 AMC Javelin Trans Am, 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 ACC Investment Grade: B Comps 1967 Shelby Mustang Trans Am Lot 3116, VIN: 7R01K218307 Condition: 1- Not sold at $190,000 Auctions America, Burbank, CA, 8/1/2014 ACC# 244563 1966 Ford Mustang Trans Am Lot S692, VIN: 6F07K319819 Condition: 2 Sold at $132,000 Russo and Steele, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/20/2013 ACC# 214976 1977 Chevrolet Camaro IROC Lot S99, VIN: BP7720IROC14 Condition: 3+ Not sold at $37,500 Mecum Auctions, Belvidere, IL, 5/23/2007 ACC# 45402 September–October 2019 65

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TRUCK PROFILE 1970 DODGE D100 PICKUP A Chevy Alternative It’s not a C10 or even an F-100, but it looks great. Why would anyone sleep on a Dodge? VIN: D11AE0N108206 by Kevin Whipps • Dodge D100 Sweptline with wood bed floor • Magnum 360-ci V8 • Automatic transmission • Two-tone silver paint • 20-inch wheels • Air conditioning • Power steering and brakes • Four-wheel disc brakes • Independent front suspension • Stereo • Backup camera ACC Analysis This truck, Lot 347.1, sold for $27,500, including buyer’s pre- mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s Northeast 2019 auction in Uncasville, CT, on June 28, 2019. While comparable Chevys and Fords go for $30k and much higher, this truck came out as a virtual steal. The missing pickup truck You might say that Dodge just played the long game wrong. They introduced the second generation of Dodge D100s in 1965, two years before Chevy and Ford would introduce their models. In Dodge’s take on what consumers of the time wanted, that meant a very square, capable truck. But when the 1967 C10 and F-100 were introduced, the D100 all of a sudden looked antiquated in comparison. It was what a truck used to look like. That put Dodge 66 AmericanCarCollector.com on the run. In 1968, Dodge decided to make some changes, likely in response to the market. They changed the grille to look more modern and started adding some more “luxurious” features — such as carpet. New trim levels, including Adventurer, Adventurer Sport and Adventurer SE, came with more choices as well. Cleaner door-panel trim, woodgrain dashboards and even color-keyed seat belts were all available. By then, however, the competition was far more appealing. Dodge just made the move too late. Breaking the mold That brings up the obvious question: What makes these trucks desirable today? For the most part, they’re still not. A comparable C10 or F-100 will Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson

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always fetch more money, and there are a lot of those on the market to choose from. Interestingly enough, though, the sheer number of GM and Ford trucks out there is part of the reason why Dodges are popular with some buyers. D100s are cheap. Unrestored models are out there for under $5,000 all day long. And when they’re completed, the resulting truck can be had for under $30k, which can still generate a profit for the builder. At that price, it’s appealing for the buyer, too. On top of that, Dodge trucks are just different. Anyone can go to their local car show and see a halfdozen C10s. At that same show, a Dodge stands out from the crowd. Plus, through today’s lens, the D-series is not a bad-looking truck. The truck is very clearly boxy, and that look is amplified (for the better) when it’s modified. In this case, that’s part of the appeal. Because it’s a Dodge, and because it’s modified, and because it has a great engine, it’s a good buy. The new owner can pull up to that same local car show next time and get a ton of looks and the obvious question: “But what is it?” Standing out can be a good thing We don’t know what the original builder’s intent was, but it’s safe to hazard a few guesses. As a custom-truck builder, the motivation may have been simple: Make it cool. But if it was for resale, then modifying the truck past stock would give it a higher profile. Thing is, it’s not heavily modified in comparison with other custom trucks. It doesn’t lay the frame on the ground, nor does it have airbags. The interior is clean and upgraded, but it’s not gaudy. The paint is simple. It’s a nicely restored truck with a few mods — some that could be easily removed if desired. The other tricks, such as the independent front suspension, are an upgrade made for better handling and, arguably, safety. That’s probably the kicker with this particular truck. Its modifications give it an edge compared to the competition, but the fact that it’s not so modified that it could appear in a movie with “Fast” or “Furious” in the title means that it’s still manageable for the average consumer. The down low Bottom line: Is this a good deal? Fans of these trucks tend to want the earlier years, pre-1960. Those can bring in some fairly decent numbers, some of which are climbing into the $50k–$70k range. But this particular generation of trucks just isn’t that hot. Most of them stick around the $20,000 mark at sale time and don’t go much higher. So on the one hand, the seller here made out pretty well, although one has to consider how much was spent on modifications. But on the other hand, the buyer got an awful lot of truck for $30k. And when compared to the values of C10s and F-100s done to the same level, it was a really good deal. A (Introductory description courtesy of Barrett- Jackson.) 1968 Dodge D100 pickup Lot 1161, VIN: 1161853738 Condition: 3+ Sold at $17,600 1972 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Super Pickup Lot 432, VIN: CCE142B142489 Condition: 3 Sold at $36,300 ACC# 6891042 DETAILING Years produced: 1965–71 Number produced: 15,978 (1970, 114-inch wheelbase) Original list price: $2,690 (base) Current ACC Median Valuation: $21,450 Tune-up / major service: $200 (estimated) VIN location: Tag on driver’s side door jamb Engine # location: Driver’s side of the block, underneath the cylinder head Alternatives: 1967–72 Ford F-series, 1967–72 Chevrolet C-series, 1969–75 International D-series ACC Investment Grade: C Comps Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/12/2019 Leake, Dallas, TX, 04/21/2017 ACC# 6835268 1970 Ford F-100 pickup Lot S629, VIN: F10YRH14960 Condition: 2 Sold at $30,800 Russo and Steele, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/18/2017 ACC# 6816968 September–October 2019 67

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MARKET OVERVIEW Are Broncos Still the Hottest Utility in the Market? Prices are still climbing, but the trail is leveling off That was the first $100k auction sale of a Bronco tracked by the ACC Premium Auction Database. It was just the first. Since that sale, buyers have spent six figures acquiring these utilities 16 different times. That’s all-in with buyer’s premium. Heads up: This isn’t to pinpoint which Broncos are the most valuable, but rather to show just how much this model has blown up in the market and to see if there are any signs of lessening acceleration or outright cooling off. From 2016 to 2017, the median Bronco price 1966 Ford Bronco roadster, Mecum Monterey 2018 — Restored back to stock, and sold at $110,000 by Chad Tyson figures or more and failing to sell). It’s like when man ran under a four-minute mile. Nobody did it until Roger I Bannister in 1954 — hitting 3:59.4. (I’m talking officially, at least, although I’m sure tigers, wolves, etc. might have spurred folks to high speeds over long distances, but nobody was around with a stopwatch.) Since, there have been at least 1,569 athletes who have broken that barrier according to Track and Field News and their Sub-4 Alphabetic Register. When the dam breaks, there’s no telling where things will end up, but we can see where they’re headed. Ford Broncos have led the charge for vintage utility/SUVs up the value scale for the past couple of years. We’ve tracked hundreds of them over the years — including 319 sold-at-auction, first-gen Broncos from start of 2016 through June 2019. Back at Mecum’s 2016 Indianapolis sale, a buyer paid $110,000 for a 1971 wagon customized within an inch of its existence. I’m talking about a 2015 5.0-L Coyote V8, Dana 31s up front and out back, custom this, custom that, giant tires on oversized wheels in cut wheelwells. Exactly the kind of thing to blow the top off a simmering sector. BEST BUYS 1968 Shelby GT500 fastback, $108,000—Twin Cities Auctions, MN, p. 112 68 AmericanCarCollector.com 1969 Ford Torino GT 2-dr hard top, $30,800—Leake, OK, p. 100 1953 Buick Skylark convertible, $77,000—Barrett-Jackson, CT, p. 74 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback, $161,280—Bonhams, CT, p. 124 1987 Ford Mustang ASC McLaren convertible, $11,000— Leake, OK, p. 100 t’s a familiar setup in the collector-car world: One sale of a vehicle at auction sparks a run-up on a particular model over the ensuing months and years. I recall the first $100k Volkswagen Transporter at auction. Barrett-Jackson sold it at their 2010 Las Vegas sale for an even $110k. Since September 2010, we’ve tracked 61 Transporters selling for over $100k (with 22 of them bid to six increased by 13%. For 2017 to 2018, it was 22%. But from 2018 to 2019, the increase dropped to 7%. So, still moving up, but at a slower pace. The average prices of first-gen Broncos followed a similar pattern: up, way up, then up again (2%, 31%, 32%, respectively). There’s likely a good reason for the slowing pace — the market might be developing a ceiling. The first half of 2019 featured the top five highest- selling Broncos at auction — ever — including the top-dog 1969 custom Bronco that Barrett-Jackson sold in Uncasville, CT, in June for $203.5k. Yeah, $200k for a Bronco. It’s not an extreme outlier, either, as Mecum also sold a 1971 customized Bronco for $198k and an Icon Bronco for $192,500 at their April Houston sale. The next two come in around $145k, both sold by Barrett-Jackson at this year’s Scottsdale auction. Sure, the aggregate fails to consider specific details, but we’re talking about a mass-produced utility vehicle. Stock is going to be stock, with condition being the major variable outside of optional equipment, and the aftermarket impact will be confined mostly to common parts swaps and body mods (cut fenders, roll pans, etc.). I’m also less concerned about individual model-year values. Sure, the earlier ones will be worth a bit more, but the list of $100k Broncos features a model from nearly every year of production (1976 and 1977 were the only years left out). Broncos are firmly established atop the vintage- SUV market, both in terms of price and quantity. They’ll plateau and decline eventually, but unless there is larger economic pressure (such as a recession or war), I don’t see this party ending anytime soon. A

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MARKET OVERVIEW TOP 10 SALES IN THIS ISSUE $1,980,000—Mecum Auctions, IN, p. 92 1 2 hard top, $440,000—Mecum Auctions, IN, p. 91 Transit System show-car 2-dr hard top, $341,000—Mecum Auctions, IN, p. 92 3 4 show-car 2-dr hard top, $264,000—Mecum Auctions, IN, p. 93 System show-car 2-dr hard top, $236,500—Mecum Auctions, IN, p. 93 Bonhams, CT, p. 124 5 6 7 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback, $126,500— Barrett-Jackson, CT, p. 80 $112,000—Bonhams, CT, p. 123 8 9 10 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger concept car 2-dr hard top, $110,000— Mecum Auctions, IN, p. 92 70 AmericanCarCollector.com 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 2-dr hard top, 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback, $161,280— 1971 Plymouth Road Runner Rapid Transit 1970 Plymouth Duster Rapid Transit System 1970 Plymouth Hemi Road Runner Rapid 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Mod Top 2-dr 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 roadster, $2,420,000— Mecum Auctions, IN, p. 89 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda convertible, BUY IT NOW WHAT TO PURCHASE IN TODAY’S MARKET — AND WHY 1987–88 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe • 5-speed cars put out 190 hp and topped out at 143 mph • A luxury version of the Mustang SVO • Motor Trend’s 1987 Car of the Year The Turbo coupe actually came out as a 1983-model-year car, but in 1987 received streamlined, exclusive bodywork that brings the whole package up — making it one of the better-looking ’80s cars. Flush headlights and quarter windows smoothed out the exterior, and the grille’s elimination (replaced by functional hood scoops leading to the intercooler) perked up the front end. Turbocharged 4-cylinders are the rage today for manufacturers hunting for better fuel economy and enough power. They didn’t start just 10 years ago, however. Ford played around with turbocharging 4-cylinders starting in the early 1980s and improved as they went along. The first Turbo coupe in 1983 put out 142 ponies. The last two sales tracked by the ACC Premium Auction Database were both sold at $7,700; one by Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale this year and the other by Worldwide at their 2018 Texas Classic auction. The auction sale prior to those? GAA in their March 2017 auction sold one for $28,483. Our reporters there didn’t cover it, but catalog copy said it had only 400 miles, came with complete documentation, and was a oneowner car from a bigger collection they were selling at that time. The sale preceding that record holder was for $5,500 at Mecum’s 2017 Kissimmee sale. When you find one, it’ll probably be for $5k–$10k — unless it’s got a reason not to be, such as über-low mileage, or it’s a complete basket case. Absolutely spring for the manual over automatic, as the slushbox was detuned by some 40 horsepower for the sake of the transmission’s longevity. — Chad Tyson $100m $150m $200m $250m $300m $350m $400m $50m $0 January 2018 2019 0% February 2018 2019 +14% March 2018 2019 -9% April 2018 2019 -8% -12% May 2018 2019 -29% June 2018 2019 SIX-MONTH YEAR-TO-YEAR COMPARISON $343.5m Combined Overall Auction Totals $341.8m Condition Ratings ACC’s 1–6 scale for describing vehicles in Market Reports 1 2 $126.5m $117.8m $110.7m $106.6m $124.7m $99.2m $91m $110m $61.7m $86.4m 3 4 5 6 Perfect: National show standard Excellent: Club show-worthy, some small flaws Average: Daily driver in decent condition Meh: Still a driver, with some visible flaws Questionable: A problem-plagued beast that somehow manages to run Lost cause: Salvageable for parts

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BARRETT-JACKSON • UNCASVILLE, CT An iconic 1953 Buick Skylark ragtop traded hands for a $77k bargain price Northeast 2019 Barrett-Jackson Uncasville, CT June 26–29, 2019 Auctioneers: Mast Auctioneers; Joseph Mast, lead auctioneer Automotive lots sold/ offered: 548/548 Sales rate: 100% Sales total: $23,249,480 High sale: 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 coupe sold for charity at $2,700,000; non-charity American high sale: 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Yenko/SC Stage II convertible, sold at $258,500 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices Restored in 2012 to near-concours standard — 1953 Buick Skylark convertible, sold at $77,000 Report and photos by Adam Blumenthal Market opinions in italics • High-sale $2.7m Corvette is most expensive sale ever at Barrett-Jackson’s Northeast sale • Second straight year of 100% sell-through rate • 282 of 548 (51.46%) lots were model year 1976 or newer M ohegan Sun in scenic southeastern Connecticut once again played host to Barrett-Jackson’s Northeast auction, its fourth at the popular casino and resort. The setup seems to be working, as it was nearly identical to last year’s layout. A section of the spacious Expo Center displayed dazzling collector cars, all for sale, while sponsors and lifestyle exhibitors oc- cupied the remaining floor space — everything from performance parts and electric grills to mattresses and jewelry. Heck, you could even buy a boat. Outside, most of the cars up for sale were housed in a large tent or multi-level parking garage, each within plain sight of the other and a quick stroll away. The diversity of the docket was impressive, everything from American Classics and resto-mods to American muscle and 1980s and 1990s performance vehicles. Among the individual highlights: An iconic 1953 Buick Skylark convertible, restored seven years ago and finished in fantastic Matador Red, traded hands for a $77k bargain price. One lot from the David Maxwell Collection was a stunning, multi-award-winning, black 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda custom 2-door hard top sold for $165k. A teal-over-black 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra SVT, with only 54k miles, sold for $26,950. 72 AmericanCarCollector.com Top overall sale honors went to a black 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, the final C7 built, which sold for $2.7 million. All proceeds benefited the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization that builds mortgage-free homes for the most catastrophically injured service members and helps pay off the mortgages for families of first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty. Once the last light switch flipped off Saturday night, 548 mostly no-reserve cars had gone to new owners for $23.2 million, a 9% decline from last year’s $25.7m. Part of the decline was because there were 124 fewer cars on the docket this year. However, the average price per car increased 11%, to $42,426. While it’s no surprise the industry is in the midst of a softer market, collectors are still willing to pay more for quality. In four years, Barrett-Jackson has established its Northeast sale as a go-to destination for New England collector-car lovers in June. TV coverage on Motor Trend helps drive the interest and traffic, but the auction house has successfully packaged entertainment, amenities and quality consignments into a winning formula that attracts auctiongoers of all ages. The warm summer weather certainly doesn’t hurt, either. A QUICK TAKE

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BARRETT-JACKSON • UNCASVILLE, CT CLASSIC #406-1940 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD Imperial limousine. VIN: 3320801. Black/black vinyl & brown cloth. 346-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Survivor paint faded from age, shows imperfections in places. GM Super Ray fog lights. Clear glass. Dual encased fender-mounted spares. Roof discolored. Rearmost passenger’s side window is delaminating. Veteran Motor Car Club of America sticker on rear window. Newer whitewalls with red-painted wheels. Stated to retain its original interior, which features a radio, divider window, inlaid hardwood trim, two clocks and an intercom system. Black vinyl front seats slightly creased. Rear seats upholstered in brown material look unused. Dirty dash padding. Claimed to be a CCCA First Premier winner and a Preservation Class winner at the St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance. Cond: 3+. windows and steering, AM radio. Twin-Turbine Dynaflow transmission. Restoration receipts accompany car. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $77,000. Launched in 1953 to celebrate Buick’s 50th anniversary. Skylarks brought big money several years ago, approaching the $200k mark. Values have since receded to the low-$100k neighborhood, which makes this final bid a bargain. Very well bought. SOLD AT $27,500. A limo claimed to be the same year and model as the one used in “The Godfather.” Perhaps a few token bullet holes would’ve made this even more appealing to bidders, but it wasn’t to be. Still, it had good bones and looked pretty darn good in its current state. Final bid was a little strong, but buyer made an offer the seller couldn’t refuse (sorry, I couldn’t resist, and besides, it was a no-reserve car). A fair transaction. GM #653-1953 BUICK SKYLARK convertible. VIN: 16740046. Matador Red/white vinyl/burgundy & white leather. Odo: 86,708 miles. 322-ci V8, 2-bbl, 2-sp. auto. Stated to be a two-owner Skylark. Restored in 2012 to nearconcours standard. Excellent repaint in original Matador Red pops; nothing observed worth noting. Hood slightly off. Brightwork mostly very good, though window trim is blemished. White power top almost a perfect fit save for slight bunching. Factory custom rear quarter panels. Continental kit. Shiny Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels within newer whitewalls. Dirty undercarriage was a surprise. Impeccable interior spoiled by a small dirt spot on driver’s seatback. Clean dash. Power 74 AmericanCarCollector.com #360-1957 BUICK CENTURY Riviera coupe. VIN: 6D5004712. Green/gray leatherette. Odo: 42,718 miles. 364-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. auto. Rebuilt Nailhead engine and tranny. Restored at a cost approaching $32k, but is losing its luster. Paint has settled into a decent patina, but it no longer shines and is wavy in areas. Yellow/light green pinstriping intact. Mostly tired chrome. Glass dirty, rear window is blotchy. Shaved door handles with remote door and trunk actuators. Rubber coming undone in passenger’s side wiper. A hole atop right rear fender once housed something (an antenna?). New dual exhaust. Fifteen-inch Provider-branded right front tire, the other three are no-names. Ultraleather (it’s not real leather) interior is fresher than exterior. New seats show no wear. Modern digital stereo, rear speaker. Engine bay not seen, but catalog pic shows detailed maintenance. Cond: 3+. #340.1-1964 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr hard top. VIN: 41847J149256. Roman Red/black vinyl. 283-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. “Mostly unrestored” per the catalog description, but it sure doesn’t look that way. Two-year-old repaint in current Roman Red looks terrific. Lots of tiny nicks on hood. Variable chrome. Rear bumper heavily scratched. Very good gaps, glass. Shiny five-spoke alloy wheels. Dual exhaust. Interior claimed to retain its original vinyl upholstery, but its as-new appearance tells a different story. Detailed underhood if image on the B-J website is most recent (can’t access as car stayed locked). Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $27,500. This one had some of the right ingredients such as a good year and condition, but was let down by the small-block 283 and 3-sp. Generally speaking, this was a very sharp driver that’s ready to put on the miles and turn some heads in the process. Last sold at B-J’s Scottsdale sale this past January for $19,250 (ACC# 6892014), and before that, at SG Auction’s sale last October, where it traded hands for $16,200 (ACC# 6883577). The consignor made out handsomely today, sending it to a new owner at a market-correct price. #648.1-1964 BUICK RIVIERA 2-dr hard top. VIN: 7K1212209. Sunburst Yellow/white leather. Odo: 62,463 miles. 425-ci Nailhead V8, 2x4-bbl, 3-sp. auto. Presents as a recent restoration. No observed rust anywhere. Two small flakes in very well-applied paint. Mostly shiny chrome throughout. Front bumper has scratches, nicks. Haziness on chrome trim surrounding passenger’s side windows. Excellent glass, gaps. Unmarred wire wheels claimed to be original. Vercelli tires. Dual exhaust. Eminently presentable interior with super walnut trim. Buick tach atop dash an SOLD AT $16,500. It would’ve benefited from a good cleaning, as it appeared as if it hadn’t been diligently looked after. As such, the seller paid the price and buyer hit a home run. The odds are good he can whip this into shape for not a whole lot and realize a profit later on. Well bought. Last appeared at Mecum’s Denver sale in July 2017, where it sold for $27,500 (ACC# 6842060). BEST BUY

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BARRETT-JACKSON • UNCASVILLE, CT add-on. Upholstery is like-new, no wear. Rear bucket seats. Tissue holder and a/c. Clean trunk. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $44,000. One of the most impressive American luxury cars of the era. There have been few recent examples that have sold at the strong price paid here, so our subject car is in a rarefied group. This Riviera was stellar, although Sunburst Yellow may not be to everyone’s liking. Very well sold likely based on condition alone. #611-1968 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO pickup. VIN: 136808Z115998. Marina Blue/black leather. Odo: 83,883 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. auto. Florida car at some point in its life. No mention of a restoration, but work was undoubtedly done to elevate its appearance. Blemish-free paint looks great on this body style. SS hood with black racing stripes. Small dent on front bumper. Chrome, panels, glass all very good. Bed coated in black, in as-new condition. Crack in left rear taillight. Five-spoke SS wheels with modern Goodrich Radial T/As. Dual exhaust. Modern Corvette leather seats (“Corvette” stitching on seatbacks). Bunching on top of dash. Upgraded radio with what appears to be custom, unbranded speakers in back. Cleaning equipment in rear-seat footwell, perhaps to remind bidders of the meticulous care this El Camino has received. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $55,000. I love auctions that feature a lot of Camaros from the ’60s because I never grow tired of their sleek and captivating design. They’re knockouts, and in my humble opinion, rank among the finest designs of any make of that era, American and foreign. This one’s fresh restoration gets an A+ not only because of its aesthetic magic, but also because it retained a spirit of originality and character. Sales price hit the market’s sweet spot, but I still think the 350ci engine held it back a bit. Fairly bought and sold. #349-1969 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top. VIN: 242379A116266. Green/black vinyl/green vinyl. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp auto. Equipped with an upgraded engine producing 366 hp. With power brakes and a/c. Nice paint, no major quibbles. Yellow and white pinstriping holding up well. “Judge” badging added in front of front fenders and on top of rear spoiler, which shows slight scuffing. Hood-mounted tach. Clear windshield. Rear window has scratches. Very good brightwork, body panels. Newer Goodrich Radial T/As. Stunning interior. Seats may be replacements, as they don’t show any wear. Catalog pic shows well-sorted engine compartment. Odo not accessible. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $19,250. A rare occurrence in my experience to find a rust-free El Camino showered with such affection. It wouldn’t take much to turn it into a genuine showpiece. Sold under the money, so maybe the new owner will do just that. Well bought. #724-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS coupe. VIN: 124379N550396. Burgundy/black vinyl/ black vinyl. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Mileage unknown, as car was locked tight. A no-expensespared rotisserie restoration done to the nines. Stunning burgundy paint. Glass, chrome, gaps all excellent. Black racing stripes. Color-matching rear spoiler unscuffed. Looked clean as a whistle inside. Console with gauge package. Factory a/c. Power steering and disc brakes. Comes with repro window sticker. A beautiful specimen. Cond: 1. 76 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $30,250. Sold just a tad shy of the $31k median value in the ACC Pocket Price Guide, which was in the vicinity of other recent transactions. It could’ve realized more, but bidders likely frowned upon the auto tranny. Fairly bought and sold. #364-1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 2-dr hard top. VIN: 136379B339452. Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. auto. Upgraded with a 454-ci, 450-hp engine GM introduced in 1970. Frame-off restoration done to a very high standard. No observed flaws in paint, only that body’s a little dirty. No issues with black racing stripes along sides. Respectable chrome, but it doesn’t reflect the quality of the other work that was done. Glass, panel fit good. American Racing wheels shod with repro Goodrich Radial T/As. Vinyl interior looks all new. Sunpro tach attached to steering column. AM/FM radio. Pic of engine bay on B-J website shows a clean presentation. Power steering and brakes. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $32,450. Muscle-car aficionados would’ve been drawn to the big-block upgrade. The only factors that might’ve curbed their enthusiasm were the yellow and, most definitely, the automatic tranny. Even so, this quicker Chevelle hammered sold way below the $43k median value (and that’s for a 396-ci engine), according to the ACC price guide, so I’d say the new owner made out very well today. Well bought. #419.1-1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 396 2-dr hard top. VIN: 136379G341592. Black/ black vinyl. Odo: 27,280 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. auto. Said to be the recipient of a frame-on restoration in 2012, and reportedly $5k spent in parts and 40-plus labor hours invested in past two years. Paint has withered a bit; no abrasions, just not as sharp as it likely once was. Custom silver stripes on hood and trunk intact. Decent chrome. Good gaps. Good glass, though several pieces show impermanent smudges. With 18-inch Foose rims and new Toyo tires. Interior condition looks very good. Clear gauge cluster. Auction listing depicts clean engine bay. TH400 transmission. Four-wheel disc-brake conversion with cross-drilled and slotted rotors and new brake lines. When it was “fully serviced” (per the catalog) was not provided. Cond: 2+.

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BARRETT-JACKSON • UNCASVILLE, CT SOLD AT $44,000. A non-matching-numbers SS 396, which I take to mean that the engine is not original to the car. Median value for the real-deal coupe is $43k. So factoring in a transplanted engine and the sacrilege of the 3-speed auto tranny, I’d say this fetched a strong winning bid. Condition and the few mechanical upgrades trumped the shortfalls. Slightly well sold. #639-1970 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS S W-31 Holiday 2-dr hard top. VIN: 336870M175170. Matador Red/black vinyl. Odo: 67,556 miles. Rocket 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Frame-off restoration performed three years ago turns this W-31 into a looker. Deep Matador Red paint really pops. Twin scoops atop a fiberglass hood. W-31 badges at front fenders behind wheelwell. Chrome trim along driver’s window dented. Bumpers show nicks, scratches. Red rear spoiler large enough to accommodate a skateboard maneuver. Wheels gleam. Optional dual exhaust, suspension and handling package. Looks like a brand-new interior, reupholstered with originality in mind. Interior options include dual-gate shifter and sport wheel. Engine bay not seen, but looks clean and in stock form in catalog pics. Optioned with W-25 code low-restriction air cleaner, heavy-duty four-core radiator, auto tranny and positraction. Cond: 2+. nothing major amiss. Seats as-new. Tilt steering column with wood-rimmed wheel. Underhood not seen, but catalog pic shows a well-sorted bay. Cond: 2+. 140 horses. This Trans Am was in great condition, requiring not a whole lot to make it mint. The new owner got a great deal, well south of the $18,500 median value in the price guide. Well bought. SOLD AT $19,800. Big money for this fine Monte Carlo, nudging into SS territory. Proof that these are getting some recognition from the collector-car community. Well worth the money paid for condition alone. Fairly bought and sold. SOLD AT $41,800. The Holiday was Oldsmobile’s affordable, mass-production model. There wasn’t much to fault on this W-31. It’s been a while since these sold at this price level, but it wasn’t unheard of 10 years ago. Let’s call this well sold today, but the buyer got a nice, solid car. #341-1971 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2-dr hard top. VIN: 138571K173475. Black/tan cloth. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Numbers matching. Comes across as a recent restoration that’s holding up very well. Catalog description notes a lowered suspension, and it looks low to the ground. High-quality paint, but not concours. Discoloration, smearing on right front fender. Small nicks on trunk. Tiny circular crack in driver’s outside mirror. Panels probably better than factory. Dual exhaust. Ridler five-spoke alloy wheels gleam. Seventeen-inch Nankang tires up front, Nexens in back. Stunning interior, with 78 AmericanCarCollector.com #144-1980 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. VIN: 2W87WAN125934. White/blue cloth. Odo: 92,775 km. 301-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. auto. Canadian car. Equipped with new brakes, Hooker Super Competition headers and Flowmaster Super 44 mufflers. Odo not accessible, mileage provided on take-one card. Highly original Trans Am wears its original paint, which gets a thumbs-up for holding up well after nearly 40 years. No issues with Screaming Chicken in blue/ light-blue/gold color scheme. Scratches on front bumper. Front air dam has cracks. Streak on windshield, otherwise good glass. T-tops with tinted glass. Black rear window louvers dirty but unscuffed. Used BFGoodrich Radial T/As. Original interior is in remarkably fantastic condition, although blue cloth won’t be to everyone’s liking. Excellent dash, all gauges there and legible. Looks like an aftermarket radio below the stock one. Driver’s side T-top resting in the back seat. Original build sheet on driver’s window. Cond: 2. #136-1987 BUICK GRAND NATIONAL coupe. VIN: 1G4GJ1171HP443642. Black/black & gray cloth. Odo: 90,422 miles. 3.8L turbocharged V6, 4-sp. auto. Blacked-out grille. No major flaws with paint that’s held up well. Grand National badges on front fenders, left rear deck. Driver’s door off, also creaks when I open it. Weatherstripping at base of driver’s window coming undone. Sunroof. Flake on right rear passenger’s window. Streaks at left rear fender. Nicks on rear deck. Scuffing along trunk seam. Dual exhaust. Goodrich Comp T/As wrapped around GNX wheels, but it’s not a GNX. Seats are in incredibly good shape; nothing of concern to call out. Driver’s seat belt frayed. Dash padding shows damage. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $19,800. Last year of the Grand National. In my opinion, one of the pluses these have going for them is the absence of exterior chrome, which gives them a menacing appearance. Recent examples have retrieved stronger winning bids at auction than our subject car. Factor in the $25,500 median value in the ACC price guide, and this car dramatically underperformed. Bidders must’ve been in a collective trance, while the alert buyer drove away all the merrier. Well bought. CORVETTE SOLD AT $11,770. Yes, it looked fast, and the now-gaudy-to-some Screaming Chicken perhaps added to the allure, but in reality this thing punched out a paltry (or should it be “poultry”) #344.1-1974 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 1Z67T4S409775. Silver Mist/black vinyl/black leather. miles. 454-ci 270-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Options include power steering, brakes and windows, clock, a/c, AM/FM radio, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, luggage rack and Rally wheels. 454 badge on hood. Bubbling in paint at both doors. Nicks, blister on driver’s door; handle nicked, too. “Astro Ventilation” script on passenger’s door. Soft top fits well, but plastic window shows what could be a delaminating line running across it. Rusting on rear lug

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BARRETT-JACKSON • UNCASVILLE, CT gage-rack base unit. Wheels rash-free. New Goodyear Eagle GT II tires. Interior looks great from outside looking in. Docs include owner’s manual, warranty pamphlet and others. Cond: 2. ning bid. Unless the mechanicals were shaky, the problem areas were mainly cosmetic. The new owner didn’t get lucky, but I think a stroke of good fortune struck him at the right moment, gifting to him the possibility of fixing things up and realizing a profit down the road. SOLD AT $16,500. Astro Ventilation was a way of circulating fresh air in the cabin, and eliminated the need for a side vent window. Car looked like it had been restored, but the auction company made no mention of it. It had a few needs, so it wasn’t going to win any major awards, but it’d get the neighbors talking. Winning bid was a little light given its condition, so kudos to the buyer. FOMOCO #143-1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. VIN: P6FH207577. Red/white vinyl/black & white vinyl. Odo: 65,157 miles. 292-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Engine rebuilt and installed in 2005, but auction catalog doesn’t mention if it’s the original unit. Said to have fewer than 10k miles on it since then. New rear springs. A can’t-miss T-bird from afar, it’s only when you get closer that it reveals its imperfections: blisters, minor flaking just above grille, flakes at left headlamp, and lots of abrasions on front bumper. Bumperettes have been replated. Chrome surrounding headlights heavily mottled. Pitting on hood. Large crack at cowl on passenger side. Rear bumper scuffed. Hard red case housing spare full of nicks. Orange peel on trunk. Fender skirts unmarred. Continental kit. New Coker whitewalls. “Tuxedo” interior dirty, gives off a drab vibe compared to sharper exterior. Cond: 3+. #324.2-1962 MERCURY MONTEREY 2-dr hard top. VIN: 2Z53X516584. Teaberry/gray vinyl, brown cloth. Odo: 92,969 miles. 352-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. auto. Mileage is per the car card. Claimed to be an unrestored example, except it was repainted in unique Teaberry 15 years ago (original color is unknown). B-J noted that Teaberry was a color option available from ’61 to ’63. In the dim lighting of the parking garage, the paint looks and feels smooth—no evidence of dents—and has only a few blemishes: tiny flakes on hood, waviness on right side. Average chrome trim. Mottled passenger’s side chrome window frame. Good bumpers, glass. Weatherstripping intact. A “mostly original” interior per car card. Seats show hardly any wear; hard to believe they’re original. Dash nice, no major complaints. Pioneer speakers at rear. Clean engine bay per catalog pic. West Coast car. Cond: 2-. fects. Paint is evidently flawless. TLC to wheels, bumpers, although rocker panels are dirty. Good glass, gaps. Clear lamps. Rides on Mastercraft tires wrapped around 15-inch American Racing five-spoke wheels. Immaculate interior on par with exterior. One issue, and I’m nitpicking, is that the headliner is bunching in places. Docs include restoration and parts receipts from August 2009 to February 2014. Owner’s manual, original Ford Registered Owner Identification Card, South Carolina vehicle registration, and Ford Owner Satisfaction Survey Card also included. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $60,500. A terrific restoration that stayed true to this 2+2’s original look. Sold well above the price-guide median value of $40k, but go find another in this condition. Now the ageold dilemma: Store it or drive it? You only live once, that’s my answer. Fairly bought and sold, with a slight nod to the seller. SOLD AT $8,800. Can anyone tell me what Teaberry resembles as an exterior color on a Mercury Monterey? It reminds me of the shade of an orange popsicle, but I didn’t know it before encountering it on this Monterey. I guess there’s a first time for everything. And to be honest, it totally worked on this car; I really liked it, but the gray-and-brown upholstery unfortunately didn’t do it any favors. I’ve always liked the Monterey, and this one was no exception. It’s a solid straight-up big thing that’ll bring miles of enjoyable, worry-free motoring. That it wasn’t a convertible, and, dare I say it, its polarizing Teaberry hue likely held it back, but I still think it deserved more. Well bought. SOLD AT $18,150. This one was far from perfect, but not that far gone to top out at this win- 80 AmericanCarCollector.com #365-1965 FORD MUSTANG 2+2 fastback. VIN: 5F09C388664. Medium blue/light blue vinyl. Odo: 48,028 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, 4-sp. Restored within the past 10 years, and from the looks of it, must’ve rarely been on the road since. It’s a gorgeous Mustang, nearly free of any de- #689-1969 FORD MUSTANG Boss 429 fastback. VIN: 9F02Z159781. Royal Maroon/black vinyl. 429-ci V8, twin Webers, 4-sp. A highly modified engine, built and balanced by Oregon-based Ross Racing and Restoration. Original shock towers and front aprons replaced with upgraded hardware. RJS safety harnesses with SFI tags, Haneline gauges, four-point roll bar. Rod & Custom front suspension. Suspension has a Panhard bar and Traction Master traction bars. Front disc brakes, rack-andpinion steering. As to the cosmetics, aside from a few scratches on driver’s door and scuffing on passenger’s rocker panel, the car’s like new. Comes with Marti Report and two shipping invoices. From the David Maxwell Collection. No reserve. Cond: 1. 8 TOP 10

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BARRETT-JACKSON • UNCASVILLE, CT ONE TO WATCH Cars With Values on the Move $35,000 $30,000 $25,000 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $0 2015 2016 2017 2018 “G 1983–84 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds Coupe et hold of some lightning… and turn it loose.” The 180 hp of the 1983 and ’84 Hurst/ Olds may keep it from being lightning-quick, but Hurst made it totally tubular with the addition of their Lightning Rods Shifter. Meant to replicate the look of the triple-arm shifters used in race cars, the modification let the driver shift manually into first, second and high gear — each gear having its own shift lever. It was a unique look in a 1980s Olds, but it made sure there was no mistaking the Hurst/Olds for the sedate Cutlass in its lineage. The H/O belongs to GM’s G-body family. The same platform was used for Buick’s Regal, Grand National and GNX — the leaders in ’80s collectible cars. The main difference between the two is drivetrain. Buick went with a turbo V6 while Olds stuck with the tried-and-true American V8. At 307 ci, it was no monster, but it was familiar, and the Hurst shifter added the necessary touch of cool. If a car is to rival Buick’s supremacy, it’s the H/O. The market for the Hurst/Olds has been unpredictable. Most examples have been selling for $20k to $25k, with outliers around $33k on the top end and $16k on the low side. If you pay attention, there is still a good chance of picking up a Hurst/Olds for a belowmarket price. Get ahold of that lightning today, let it loose tomorrow and earn a buck or two in the process.A — Chad Taylor • Highs: Gnarly ’80s styling, Hurst Lightning Rods Shifter, low(ish) production total • Lows: Mediocre performance, never going to be a Grand National 82 AmericanCarCollector.com82 AmericanCarCollector.com • Outlook: With its relation to other G-body stars and a rad shifter, the H/O has some next-gen updside Detailing Years built: 1983–84 Number produced: 6,501 Number sold at auction in the past 12 months: 7 Average price of those cars: $20,507 Number listed in the ACC Premium Auction Database: 33 Current ACC Median Valuation: $20,900 SOLD AT $58,300. The stellar condition of this Mach 1 was somehow lost on the assembled crowd. It did cross the block on Saturday, the last day of the three-day auction. Had the casino wreaked havoc on bidders’ wallets by then? I doubt it, but they undoubtedly winced at the auto transmission. That held it back, but new owner still got a great deal, nearly $10k below the price guide median value. Well bought. #725-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 302 fastback. VIN: 0F02G135984. Grabber Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 54,893 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Mileage is per car card. Exceptional restoration completed 11 years ago, and has reportedly been kept in a climate-controlled garage since. Stated to be a correct but rebuilt 302 with a date-codecorrect Ford DOZE service block, which has un- 2019 MEDIAN SOLD PRICE BY YEAR $31,860 $28,600 $20,900 $20,350 $20,900 SOLD AT $126,500. A stock Boss 429 was fitted with a 4-bbl and produced 375 hp, but no telling what this car’s power was with all the engine mods. It’s been a Mecum regular, not selling at its Indy sale in May 2018 at a high bid of $170k (ACC# 6873675); another no-sale in Houston a month prior at $220k (ACC# 6871564); again a no-sale in Kissimmee in January 2018 at $210k (ACC# 6860378); and sold in Las Vegas in November 2017 at $220k (ACC# 6854585). Today, the seller took a bath, losing $93.5k at sale in less than two years. There’s no indication in the ACC Premium Auction Database records of this car or in B-J’s catalog description when these mods were made, so it’s an open question whether it’s a softer market or this 429’s altered nature that accounted for the plunge in value. In any case, I’d say well bought. #723-1970 FORD MUSTANG Mach 1 fastback. VIN: 0T05R112897. Yellow/white vinyl. Odo: 51,031 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A beautifully restored example with 51,031 original miles, per car card. Nearly faultless—biggest nit to point out is the rubber weatherstripping around passenger’s door coming loose. Equipped with Cobra Jet Ram Air V8. Paint, chrome and glass project a clean appearance. All lamps excellent. Pristine interior. Comes with an Elite Marti Report, which indicates it is one-of-one with all of its options. Stunning. Cond: 1-.

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BARRETT-JACKSON • UNCASVILLE, CT dergone modifications. Rebuilt 4-speed as well, with new clutch. Suspension restored, now has optional 3.91 gears. Added hood tach has been converted to modern electronics. Dealer-installed sport slats. Shiny Magnum 500 wheels shod with Goodrich Radial T/As. Highly restored interior is pristine. New dash with LED light conversion. New carpeting and door panels. Docs include Marti Report, Eminger factory invoice, original build sheet and owner’s manual. Cond: 1. unless it was just replaced, has managed to stay dirt-free. Clean dash with clear instruments. Tidy engine compartment, assuming the catalog pic is up to date. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $53,900. A strong and honest presentation that had oodles of eyeball. It’d be a great weekend driver to places seen and unseen, but no reason not to enjoy it during the workweek as well. Translation: a terrific daily driver. Worth every penny, but both buyer and seller should’ve walked away satisfied. AMERICANA SOLD AT $69,300. This very attractive 302 was claimed to be driven 1,500 miles since the restoration was completed. Seems like a lot to me considering the tiniest of misfortunes that could’ve reversed the painstaking work that went into it. Kudos to the consignor for using it at all! Sold right in the heart of the market, but still a surprising result seeing as it didn’t fetch more. Maybe it’s a lesson that the buoyant reception sellers expect when they make certain modifications doesn’t always pan out. Well bought today. MOPAR #376-1970 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER convertible. VIN: RM27N0G234347. Rally Red/ white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 79,812 miles. 383-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Numbers matching. Had to be a recent restoration on this eye-soothing Road Runner because there’s nothing glaring that stands out. A respectable refinish in original Rally Red paint. Stylized yellow-and-black pinstriping along body flanks is continuous. Decent chrome. Very good glass, panels. Unscuffed rear spoiler. New soft top is down, can’t inspect. Wears newish Goodrich Radial T/As. Clean undercarriage. Beautiful white vinyl interior that, #335-1962 STUDEBAKER GRAN TURISMO HAWK coupe. VIN: 62V18466. White/black & white vinyl. Odo: 81,378 miles. 259-ci V8, 2-bbl, 4-sp. A few nicks, blisters on hood. Nicks on driver’s door. Mediocre chrome and stainless. Scuff marks, pitting on rear bumper. Shiny glass. Good panel fit. Rubber seals showing age, but all there. Surface streak on rear window, Studebaker Drivers Club sticker affixed there, too. American Racing Torq Thrust D wheels carry BFGoodrich Silvertown Redline tires. Dual exhaust. Sweet interior features custom Pearl White and black vinyl upholstery accented with red piping. Super woodgrain dash trim. Kraco radio, a/c, power steering. Engine bay not accessible, but catalog pics show it’s clean and note an upgraded aluminum radiator. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $8,250. The Champ was born at a time when Studebaker was teetering on the brink of financial ruin. To save money, the company fabricated a cab from the front sheet metal of its Lark sedan, while the Champ’s chassis employed a design over a decade old. This was a reasonable result given this truck’s condition. Last seen at auction at last year’s Saratoga Auto Auction in September, where it sold for $7,700 (ACC# 6882836). #2-1989 JEEP WRANGLER SUV. VIN: 2J4FY19E5KJ117436. Red/tan vinyl/gray vinyl. Odo: 56,620 miles. 2.5-L fuel-injected I4, 5-sp. A highly original Wrangler. Ho-hum paint probably from sun exposure. Flakes, white specks, light scratches on front fender. Good lamps. Panel fit is good. Replacement Bestop soft top fits very well, plastic windows hazy and blemished. Wheels show rust. Used Goodyear Wrangler radials. Spare is attached to back of car and is pitted. Musty inside, looks bone-stock. Plastic dual cupholder accessory situated between front seats. Clear gauges. No radio. Cond: 3. Clean inside with minimal instrumentation. “Recently tuned up and serviced.” TX car. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $19,250. This was a very good-looking Hawk in good colors. It was equipped with the 259-ci engine and not the more-powerful 289. Still, that didn’t seem to quell bidders’ interest, as it sold slightly north of the current market. Well sold, but the buyer should have no regrets. #17-1964 STUDEBAKER CHAMP pickup. VIN: E5139461. Green/green & white vinyl. Odo: 65,101 miles. 170-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Driver-quality paint on this light-duty truck. Flaking and scratches throughout. Bubbles in paint at passenger’s door. Bed floor, wheelarches rusting. Passenger’s side wheelarch dented. Rims pitted. Chrome bed rails dull and marked up. Good glass. Hubcaps are original. New rear bumper. SOLD AT $6,050. A used Jeep, but you don’t expect a 30-year-old example to be anything more. No bells and whistles, just a take-me-as-Iam YJ Wrangler cursed with the unfortunate rectangular headlights. That alone knocked it down a few pegs. Its condition kept it there. A fair deal for buyer and seller at credit-card money. A September–October 2019 83

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MECUM AUCTIONS • INDIANAPOLIS, IN The 32nd Annual Spring Classic A low-mile, mostly original, groovy-lookin’ Mod Top easily surpassed the estate’s $50k reserve to become one of the most talked-about cars Mecum Auctions Indianapolis, IN May 14–19, 2019 Auctioneers: Mark Delzell, Jim Landis, Matt Moravec, Jeff Knox, Russ Coughlin, Heath Spectre, Bernie Wagoner Automotive lots sold/ offered: 1,127/1,724 Sales rate: 65% Sales total: $63,141,705 High sale: 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C roadster, sold at $2,860,000 Buyer’s premium: 10%, minimum $500, included in sold prices Over-the-top unexpected price for a dealer-demo Mod Top — 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Mod Top 2-door hard top, sold at $440,000 Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson Market opinions in italics • Second-highest total ever at the Spring Classic • Six cars sold for over $1m each • Average per car of $56,026 is best ever at Mecum’s Indianapolis sale T he 32nd edition of Mecum’s Spring Classic showed impressive staying power after impressive, continuous growth from previous years. Total car sales declined 4% from last year’s record high of $65.5m, but that’s with 200 fewer cars selling and a seven-point drop in sell-through rate. Now with a decade on the grounds of the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Mecum pretty much has the layout down pat for making everything flow for six days of auctions. With fewer cars, those six days were a lot more manageable, as burnout by consignors and staff starts to have an effect by Saturday. The big news here — before, during and after the Spring Classic — was the sale of the Steven Juliano Collection. While smaller in number than most of the other collections offered here, at only 10 cars, the collection made up for it in quality — and sales. Not only was the top-selling car all week from his collection, but three of the five top sales were the Cobras that sold from the collection. Topping everything for sales in Indy this year was the Juliano 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C. Notable just as the last Cobra sold “new” by the owner of the dealership in 1982, Juliano’s 84 AmericanCarCollector.com stunning all-original-parts restoration ensured that it was going to ring the bell here, and at $2.86 million, it certainly did. While having few cars, Juliano’s collection of automobilia, comprising of more than 2,500 lots, was large enough in scope to be an event within an event. Actually, several events. His three Plymouth Rapid Transit System show cars were presented among the automobilia for a display that Mopar fans will not soon forget. Yet it was the car that few observers thought would do well that topped even those rare show-car survivors — a 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S with the rare Mod Top option. This low-mile, mostly original, groovy-lookin’ ride easily surpassed the estate’s $50k reserve, to become one of the most talked-about cars here after it sold for $440,000. Not only did Mecum have their usual Road Art segment, but they started a new online bidding platform with the smaller-value items. With the automobilia added into totals, Mecum’s press releases were touting the Spring Classic as a $70.4 million event — and one that folks will be talking about for years to come. A QUICK TAKE

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MECUM AUCTIONS • INDIANAPOLIS, IN GM #T50-1965 CHEVROLET CORVAIR Corsa coupe. VIN: 107375W226660. Silver Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 89,408 miles. 164-ci H6, 4x1-bbl, 4-sp. Body has plenty of filler in it, especially at the common rust-out point at base of windshield, which is poorly shaped and lumpy (I guess the body shop’s belt sander was broken). More lumpy filler at top of windshield posts. Over this, a halfway decent base-clear repaint was applied. Sanding scratches on masked-off stainless trim. Door gaps acceptable, but engine lid and trunk gaps off. New perimeter seals around engine compartment. Inside engine bay, it’s fairly clean and generally stock. New fiberglass pad on bottom of hood. Economy-grade battery and new radial spare tire. Reproduction seats, door panels and carpeting generally well fitted. Modern, retro-look electronic radio and sound system in dash. Cond: 3. belts, reconditioned dash board and steering column; otherwise, its all-reproduction interior soft trim looks professionally installed. Concoursquality detailing underhood, down to correct spring-terminal battery cables on a reproduction battery. Undercarriage is not just clean, it’s gleaming. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $140,000. Right after restoration, it was judged to 998 out of 1,000 points at the most recent Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals—in addition to being awarded Best Buick and Judges Choice Platinum awards there. This is interesting enough for being one of 147 GS Stage 1 drop-tops, but it was originally an export car, shipped to England, then repatriated in 2005. Bidding opened at $100k, going at $10k steps until it hung here at $140k—right at the bottom of the pre-sale estimate. However, the consignor likely thinks an exceptional car should get an exceptional price. SOLD AT $17,600. I took one look at this and “$5k driver-grade, patched-up, rusty Corvair” is all that registered with me. Apparently that didn’t register with the bidders, who were probably looking in the trunk up front for the engine. Sold at no reserve from one of the large collections that was offered here—and sold exceptionally well. #F190.1-1970 BUICK SKYLARK GS Stage 1 convertible. VIN: 446670H102206. White/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 24 miles. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Options include ps, front disc pb, Rally ridecontrol package, power windows, power top, power seats, tilt steering column and AM/FM radio, with rear speaker. Road Wheels shod with reproduction bias-ply Redline tires. Two-year frame-off restoration completed in 2018. Superb bare-body repaint and replating of all chrome. Modern reproduction windshield. Original seat #F191-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 454 convertible. VIN: 136670B216680. White/black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 21,572 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optional a/c, power top, power steering, power front disc brakes, Cowl Induction hood and center console. Professional rotisserie restoration completed in recent years. Rather nice base/clear repaint, inclusive of stripes as part of clearcoat. New windshield already delaminating along bottom and sides. Four halogen headlights. All chrome either replated or reproduction. Refurbished stainless trim. New door and window seals, so doors take a little effort to overcome the sponginess of the seals. Repainted dashboard sprayed over pitting at base of windshield. Well-fitted reproduction seats, carpeting and door panels. Aftermarket kick panels with built-in speakers, to support the electronic radio in dashboard. Clean and generally stock underhood. Cond: 2. tag, fitted with the Blazer Chalet camper package. Other options include 3.73 diffs, tilt steering, 3,500-watt alternator, a/c, 31-gallon gas tank and Rally wheels. Believed to be actual miles. Base/clear repaint on the Blazer body only. Heavier fading of original decals. Dealer sticker on back of the camper from Jim Kraut Chevrolet of Butte, MT, plus period “Big Sky Montana” rear mud flaps. Decent door fit on cab, but camper door fit is rickety. Recent engine repaint. Additional 12-volt battery added as part of camper package. Transfer-case shift knob and dashboard trim sun-faded. Camper vinyl seats and wall liners look to have been re-covered a few years ago. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $19,250. Introduced in April 1976, the Chalet was considered a factory option. It was available in four trim levels, from a nearly bare interior to fully loaded like this one (the final step in trim adds sleeping bunks over the driver’s compartment). As it uses the stock bolt holes for the removable rear section of the Blazer, you could unbolt the Chalet; but you’ll only have the two front seats, no cover for the rear compartment, and no tailgate, as Chalets were sold fully installed. Within a month of selling here, it was being schlepped online by a dealer for an additional $10k on top of what they paid. While I thought that it could do a little better than what it did across the block at Indy, they may end up shaving off at least $5k to find a new retail owner. CORVETTE SOLD AT $80,300. Generally good work on an LS5 that’s seen its share of use before being restored. Yet it’s just shy of being worth any more than the bid on stage. Stated that it’s going to take $80k to get it bought, and it appeared at this sold price in the post-sale sheet. #T40-1977 CHEVROLET BLAZER K5 Cheyenne Chalet SUV. VIN: CKR187F131204. Brown metallic & tan/tan vinyl, plaid cloth. Odo: 52,379 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Per SPID 86 AmericanCarCollector.com #T171-1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE roadster. VIN: VE55S001480. Corvette Copper/white vinyl/dark beige vinyl. Odo: 8,853 miles. 265-ci 195-hp V8, 4-bbl, auto. Better-quality restoration completed in recent years. Good body prep and paint, although top flipper has a significant amount of light scratching and a few nicks from top frame landing on it. Typical C1 door-fit issues—gaps look okay when looking straight at them, but door protrudes from the body by at least a quarter of an inch. Recently detailed engine bay, with a good engine repaint. New plating on air cleaner, valve covers, distributor canister and coil shield. Correct original exhaust log manifolds, new ground straps. Expertly re

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MECUM AUCTIONS • INDIANAPOLIS, IN stored interior with reproduction materials. Clean, show-quality detailing on chassis, to include replicated inspection marks. Yet bare-metal hardware has light flash rust. Cond: 2. played with the car—despite having a rather nice custom display board made up for it (using a C6 logo). Aside from being a low-mile SplitWindow, there’s not that much more to be excited about on it. Not much for options and fitted with a rather common powertrain for a ’63— and in one of the least-popular colors today. I got the feeling that past the real-money opening bid of $50k, there was little real interest in it. NOT SOLD AT $82,000. Stated that this is one of the 15 1955s painted Corvette Copper in the Corvette’s second-lowest year of production. However, nothing was shown to prove decisively that the car was painted this color from new. As such, the $100k–$120k pre-sale guesstimate would be more correct if it could be proven to be the original color. As-is, the final bid is closer to reality for it. #F180-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE SplitWindow coupe. VIN: 30837S117619. Saddle Tan/Saddle leather. Odo: 29,437 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Stated that indicated miles are actual and that the car is essentially original. Also stated that there has been some paintwork done. Top of rear deck has some light orange peel. Upper and lower body splice broadcasting in various places. All chrome also presents very well, even with a few light pits and some minor dulling in places. Door fit slightly low. Engine compartment detailed a few years back and while not as sparkling, still looks good. Good original interior, apart from a later-day T-pad center armrest. Some seam lifting and general wrinkling from heavily compressed seat padding on driver’s seat. Washed-off original undercarriage, with light surface rust on bare metal and new OE mufflers on rusty pipes. Cond: 2-. #F114-1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. VIN: 194375S112309. Rally Red/black vinyl. Odo: 20,328 miles. 327-ci 350-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Original window sticker shows it was sold new by Brackin Chevrolet of Lidgerwood, ND, equipped with optional telescopic steering column, transistorized ignition, ps, 3.70 Posi diff., AM/FM radio and knockoff wheels. Paint has some light orange peel in places and some light blistering from lifting on fender tops, but overall presents well. Body seam cracks forming at top of windshield frame. Light body-joint broadcasting. Good door fit. Light fraying of some stitching, carpet fading in rear compartment, and carpet pulling loose from center console trim plate, but otherwise great original interior. Older engine repaint and component detailing still reasonably good. Cond: 3+. and emblems, plus non-stock V8 badges on front fenders. Dealer-installed rear bumper, sold by Carpenter and Son Inc. of Pontotoc, MS. Crudely fashioned inner cab step trim. New seat upholstery with generic pleats. Non-stock carpet added, in addition to LED lighting below dashboard. Exhaust system modified to dump down and into custom-made duals, without the stock wrist-burner cross-over pipe in the front. Looks like a rattle can of gloss black blew up under the truck rather than it being painted. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $110,000. The easy joke here is that it was only driven on sunny days with nice weather—without wind and snow—when new in NoDak. Yet there is a certain grain of truth to that, as there are some real automotive gems socked away on the arid north-central plains. Despite the stated low miles, I’m more surprised that there hasn’t been any attempt at judging this in an NCRS event or Bloomington Gold. Perhaps that’s the next steward’s job, but despite a full-market-and-change bid, the baton didn’t get passed. FOMOCO NOT SOLD AT $100,000. Stated that it retained all of the original documentation from when it was sold new by A.D. Anderson Chevrolet of Baltimore, MD, but no copies of it were dis- 88 AmericanCarCollector.com #T39-1964 FORD F-100 pickup. VIN: F10CK520924. Pagoda Green & white/black vinyl. Odo: 52,082 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Rather good trim-off repaint. New dark-finish wood in cargo-box floor with aftermarket polished stainless retaining strips. Color-matched bed liner on interior sides of the box. Reproduction mirrors SOLD AT $18,150. 1964 was the last year of both the solid front axle on half-tons and of the use of Y-block V8s for trucks. However, some would argue that the Twin I-Beam front suspension and FE-block V8s were hardly improvements. I tend to prefer the look of the 1964s over the 1965s and 1966s, being indifferent on the suspension (rides better versus simpler and more robust), but preferring the FE engines over the heavy blow-by Y-blocks, with that damn goofy cross-over exhaust pipe. Yet there is one thing that there’s no doubt about—this no-reserve pickup sold very well. Not just being on the high end of Mecum’s pre-sale guesstimate, but doing nearly double of where I felt it should sell. Well, that’s auctions for you. #F123-1965 SHELBY GT350 fastback. VIN: SFM5S069. Wimbledon White/black vinyl. Odo: 42,405 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Well-known history in SAAC registry, including SCCA Southwest Region wins in period. Authentically restored approximately a decade ago. Great repaint. Right front corner of hood is markedly more rounded than the left side and subsequently doesn’t sit flush with front fascia. Betterthan-average bumper replating. Tri-bar pony emblem in grille is too far towards the center for stock—it’s almost in line with the outboard edge of the stripe. Near concours-quality engine bay detailing. Glovebox door signed by Mr. Shelby and has an SCCA dash plaque from an event at Augusta International Speedway on March 1, 1964. Well-fitted reproduction seats, carpet, dash-pad and door panels. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $450,000. Why the car has a plaque from an event that occurred a year before the car was built is beyond me. Yet it did well in that region

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MECUM AUCTIONS • INDIANAPOLIS, IN meet the reserve. Considering how well the others did, they shouldn’t be too far off to make a deal here. a year later. Last seen at RM’s Monterey auction in 2007, then being declared a no-sale at $290k (ACC# 1570551). All of which gives me the impression that the consignor, outside of SAAC circles (or even in SCCA circles), is likely only keen on letting it go if it’ll break the bank. Market-correct bid this time, so back home it goes. #F140-1965 SHELBY COBRA Dragonsnake roadster. VIN: CSX2427. Yellow/black vinyl/ black leather. Odo: 7,543 miles. 289-ci V8, 4x2bbl, 4-sp. Bought new from Adams County Motors of Gettysburg, PA, by brothers Don and Mike Reimer of Gettysburg specifically for drag racing at regional tracks. Restored by Steven Juliano 2007–09, attaining a Division 1 Premiere Award at SAAC-34 in August 2009, with the highest judged score in SAAC history up to that point. No discernible signs of use inside or outside since then. Only non-authentic item on whole car is a Cobra Owners Club of America decal on windshield. All other components are either original to the car, period-correct used and refurbished components, or NOS. Even dealer’s tag was restored and put back on trunk lid as part of restoration. If anything, the period graphics on the body are almost too nice for mid-1960s materials. Cond: 1. #F136-1966 SHELBY COBRA 427 roadster. VIN: CSX3173. Silver Mink/ black leather. Odo: 8,325 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4bbl, 4-sp. Fully documented from when it left Shelby American to be sold by Archway Motors Inc. of Baltimore, MD, for $6,398. Stunningly restored by Steven Juliano in 2010, using all NOS or original parts. Bare-body repaint back to the correct Silver Mink after multiple colorchange repaints. Tires are period-made Goodyear Blue Streaks. Period High Performance Motors license plate frame on the front YOM 1967 Washington, D.C., plate. Original dealer tag put back on trunk lid, with a few light pits. Rest of plating stunningly well redone. Light surface rust on NOS exhaust pipes. Seats have a light, pleasing wrinkling in leather from limited use. Fire extinguisher mounted aft of shifter is even an NOS accessory FoMoCo unit. Cond: 1-. 1 quality. Original Tasca Ford service decal masked off on driver’s side shock tower. Clean and stock undercarriage, without repop inspection markings. Well-fitted reproduction interior soft trim. Slight wear and soiling starting to set in seat pleats. Original seat belts with yellowed tags. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $1,400,000. One of five original factory Dragonsnake Cobras built by Shelby American, this car was special-ordered in this color to match the 1964 T-bird that the brothers used as their tow car. They did quite well with this car, competing in A/Modified and AA/Modified Production racing, making it to the Indianapolis Nationals in 1965. After one of the brothers decided to go back to college, their father sold the car off, and it remained well known in Shelby circles ever since. Of the four Shelby Cobras that the late Steve Juliano’s estate offered here, it was the only one that did not SOLD AT $2,420,000. Juliano was so fixated on putting NOS or original parts on his Cobras that he’d likely fill the tires with 1966 smoggy L.A. air if he could’ve. Since completed, it’s only been seen once outside of his collection: SAAC37 at Watkins Glen in 2012. Its very presence created quite a commotion within Cobra circles. To quote SAAC Cobra Registrar Ned Scudder, it is “so good, most concours judges don’t even understand it.” Those of us who do truly understand the terms “restored” versus “original” versus “authentic” versus “concours quality” do “get” this Cobra, and don’t find it surprising that it brought what it did, becoming the secondhighest sale here. #F181-1968 SHELBY GT500 fastback. VIN: 8T02S14338001381. Candy Apple Red/black vinyl. Odo: 61,614 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Marti Report displayed with the car confirms it was restored in recent years to match its original configuration. Options include ps, front disc pb, Sport Deck rear seat, Tilt-Away steering column and push-button AM radio. Fitted with Shelby 10-spoke alloys with dull finish on reproduction tires. Better-than-original, bare-body repaint, with authentic red primer underbody. Door and panel gaps are more attuned to original build SOLD AT $88,000. 1968 GT500s have been taking it on the chin for values as of late. Not to be confused with GT500 KRs, but they have been hearing something of a sucking sound also. With the 428 Police Interceptor-powered GT500s, they’re now starting to teeter on the $100k line. If this seems like it was lightly bid, Exhibit A is an equally nice blue 4-speed fastback that sold (as in hammer fell and title transferred) a few weeks later at Twin Cities Auctions for $108k (ACC# 6905951). As such, this red slushbox wasn’t bid too far under the current market, making it a pretty good deal. Food for thought: You might be able to pay less for an easier-tolocate 1968 GT500 than a modern 2020 GT500—let alone adding in dealership ADM (Additional Dealer Markup) games. #F184-1969 FORD MUSTANG GT coupe. VIN: 9F01R125768. Black Jade/black vinyl. Odo: 85,875 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Per the supplied Deluxe Marti Report, built as an internal corporate engineering test car. Equipped with front bench seat (a $32.44 option), visibility group, ps, front disc pb, full tinted glass, AM/FM stereo and deluxe seat belts. Concours-quality, bare-body restoration done a few years ago, still is in fabulous condition. Superb workmanship on matte-black hood. Body tag reattached to door with reproduction rivets after repaint. Reproduction part-number tags on all glass. Engine bay detailed to do well in MCA concours judging. Retains all smog hardware. Reproduction Autolite battery. Expertly installed reproduction interior soft trim, showing no appreciable wear. Clean undercarriage, correctly redone with no flash rust. Cond: 1-. NOT SOLD AT $55,000. As it was a company test car, one wonders if there was some real-world testing done on Saturday nights up and down Woodward Avenue. Black September–October 2019 89 TOP 10

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MECUM AUCTIONS • INDIANAPOLIS, IN MARKET MOMENT 1973 Ford F-100 Pickup Jade is the perfect color for running stealth— day or night. At night, it melts into the darkness; during the day, it’s so bland and ugly that everybody ignores it. Even if it wasn’t a test car, it’s darn rare as a GT hard top with a Super Cobra Jet (one of 138), plus 4-speed (one of 86), and the only one built with a black front bench seat. Then again, who really wants that combination—then or now? It’s probably why it was sent over as a test car, as a possible parts-bin cleanout. It’s also part and parcel of why it only got bid to a level this low. Courtesy of Mecum Auctions SOLD at $41,250 Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis, IN, May 17, 2019, Lot F111 VIN: F10HKS27097 G not? To highlight just how large the dis- crepancy is, a search for sold 1970s Ford pickups in the ACC Premium Auction Database shows our subject F-100 tied for the top spot with a 1976 model that was offered in 2014, and both of them sold for $41,250. That same search for Chevy trucks gives me 89 examples that sold for more than $41k. What gives? This top-selling Ford F-100 is no half-hearted project thrown together in three weeks. It’s been through a frame-off restoration and built up with many go-fast parts — most notably a 460 V8 bored 0.030-over with flat-top pistons, a hot roller cam, headers and a three-inch exhaust system. Will it get up and move? Hell yes. To match the badass drivetrain, this pickup now wears a menacing black paint job with oversized wheels, custom bench seat, updated stereo and much more. All the work done looks good — someone spent some serious money here. Why similarly or sometimes lesser-built GM trucks bring more money remains a mystery, but it will likely keep being a trend. Maybe it is the sheer number of trucks GM produced, a preference for their styling or part of a fad for any pickup with a Bowtie on it. No matter the reasoning, the longer these crazy prices last, the better chance Ford truck owners have of getting in on the action. The ol’ Ford trucks might never reach the $90k of the top-selling Chevys, but more of them selling in this $40k to $50k area wouldn’t be much of a surprise. This F-100 is proof that there are FoMoCo fans 90 AmericanCarCollector.com AmericanCarCollector.com willing to pay up for a street pickup. A — Chad Taylor SOLD AT $85,250. While they did a pretty good job at it, if it was restored to the “as delivered to the original dealer” configuration and condition, the seats and carpeting would have plastic sheeting over them. Still, this was a very nice restoration on a rarely seen car that most muscle-car fans don’t much give a damn about. Usually, they sell for a little less than the Torino equivalent—and much less than the Mustang equivalent. Mecum must have found the three or four M trucks from the ’70s have been achieving big prices at auction for years now. Fords just haven’t had the same meteoric rise in values. Why #F183-1970 MERCURY COUGAR Eliminator 2-dr hard top. VIN: 0F91Q528269. Competition Blue/white & black vinyl. Odo: 39,213 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Marti Report shows it was sold new by Germain Ford-Mercury of Columbus, OH, with optional ps, power windows, center console, tilt steering wheel, Décor group and AM/8-track tape player. Concours-quality restoration completed in recent years. In replicating the “as delivered to the dealer” condition, the chin spoiler is still packed in the trunk. Superb body prep and paintwork. Excellent door fit and panel gaps. Correct OEM sheen to chrome. Reproduction part-number tags on all glass. Concours-quality detailing on the motor, to include all smog gear, inspection markings in ink and reproduction Autolite battery. Well-fitted reproduction seats, door panels, dashpad and headliner. Cond: 1-.

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MECUM AUCTIONS • INDIANAPOLIS, IN Ford performance enthusiasts who both appreciate and could afford it. Well sold. #F8.1-1974 FORD MUSTANG II Mach 1 fastback. VIN: 4F05Z399373. White/white vinyl. Odo: 40,899 km. 2.8-L V6, 2-bbl, auto. U.S. specification, sold new in the Milwaukee, WI, sales region, but has a metric speedo. Factoryoptional a/c. Average repaint done a few years ago. Masking around matte-black areas nothing to write home about, either. Doors gaps are all over the place. Japanese parking decal on passenger’s door glass. Presentable original brightwork. “D” is loose on the front fascia Ford letters. Aside from battery, coil and an old engine repaint in black, it’s all stock under hood. Motor is rather dull due to corrosion on exposed metal, but it’s washed off. Good original interior—carpet may be a recent replacement. Newer gloss-black undercarriage paint throughout. Cond: 3. fit for replacement top. New seat and door panel reproduction vinyl, in addition to new carpeting and dashpad. Discolored and sun-faded vacuumplated dashboard trim, getting progressively worse towards driver’s side. Dull center-console trim. Tidy and generally stock underhood, but with off-the-shelf clamps, hoses, belts and battery. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $35,750. This was both the first year of the R/T package for the Coronet and the last year of the “boxcar” B-body. As such, the ’67 Coronet R/T drop top is a bit rarer than most folks think—especially real-deal ones like this. Combined with good original colors and factoryinstalled a/c (full tinted glass is one of the things that helps confirm that, as Chrysler didn’t sell an a/c-equipped car in the 1960s without it), it helps explain this seemingly strong selling price. SOLD AT $11,000. My best theory is that it sold to a U.S. military armed forces member assigned to Japan. And quit bashing Mustang IIs. Even if they were based on the Pinto platform, they kept the Mustang as a viable platform. Shrunk back down to the smaller size of the original (rather than becoming a more bloated, piggy 1974 Gran Torino variant), they provided a more fuel-miserly car exactly when Ford needed one (part of why this was the third-best-selling Mustang ever, behind 1965 and 1966), and have since become a mainstay for street-rod front suspensions. This one selling well at no reserve does show that they are finally getting some respect, even if this wasn’t the most stellar example. MOPAR #T17-1967 DODGE CORONET R/T convertible. VIN: WS2L77117361. Bright red/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 26,620 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Original color and trim combo, per original body tag. Factory-optional a/c, ps, pb, power top and AM radio. Modern 15-inch reproduction Magnum 500 wheels shod with Radial T/As. Good trim-off repaint, and generally well masked in door jambs. Doors sag slightly, so slightly lifting them to latch them works best. Still, door gaps are pretty good. Replated bumpers, light pitting on vent window frames. Okay hard top. VIN: BH2 3P9B141277. Sunfire Yellow/ yellow floral print vinyl/yellow vinyl & floralprint inserts. Odo: 29,704 miles. 340-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Copy of the Monroney sticker from when it was sold new by Goddard Motors of Jennings, MO. Dealer demo car heavily loaded with not just yellow floral Mod Top and yellow floral seat inserts, but also Rallye Cluster group, light group, pb, ps, a/c, full tinted glass, remote-control driver’s side mirror, center console and AM/ FM radio. Light topical respray done very well with no visible masking lines. Good door and panel fit. Some light scuffing on window trim, with good original chrome. Dealer tag still on trunk-lid trim panel. Original Mod Top and Airtemp decals in rear quarter windows in good condition. Interior vinyl quite good. Several layers of undercoating added over the years. Cond: 2. 3 #F133-1969 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA Formula S Mod Top 2-dr SOLD AT $440,000. Up until now, it was one of those “Oh, that’s interesting” options, akin to September–October 2019 91 TOP 10

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MECUM AUCTIONS • INDIANAPOLIS, IN having a dog with three legs. As part of the Steve Juliano estate, it had a $50k reserve. However, this may have the widest bidding spread of a car at auction in quite some time, as it opened at $10k. That reserve was met in no time, and the next thing we knew, it was over $100k. And kept going…and going…and going…and going… in mostly $10k steps, but never more than $15k, until it was hammered sold. Nobody saw that coming, although my sources indicate that the buyer is a member of one of the wealthiest families in the upper Midwest who really wanted it. As such, don’t expect this to be repeated on any of the other 900-plus Mod Top Barracudas that were built. (See profile, p. 58.) #F139-1969 DODGE DART Swinger concept car 2-dr hard top. VIN: LM23P9B188075. Maroon Candy/black vinyl. Odo: 28,099 miles. 340-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Fabricated by Alexander Brothers of Detroit for Dodge. Modifications include a roof chop, recessed rear valance with integral spoiler, custom taillights, shaved door handles then using door poppers in recessed grab alcoves alongside the door seam (à la C6 and C7 Corvette), fabricating a custom grille with dual centered fog lamps (à la 1967 Shelby GT350/500), rectangular Cibie headlights (à la anything cool out of Europe), and a fake injector scoop on top of hood (à la JC Whitney). Restored approximately a decade ago for the late Steven Juliano. Superb paint and bodywork, with a little gold in the pearl if the light strikes it right. Stock restoration under the hood, with original, yellowed washer bottle. 10 Bone-stock, well-restored interior. Clean undercarriage with some paint detailing. Cond: 2-. application. Reconditioned brightwork with some light dings on door-top trim since the redo. Concours-quality engine-bay detailing with a reproduction Mopar battery that had to be on the tender for most of the week (a modern battery was waiting in the wings in the trunk). Clean, authentically detailed undercarriage. All-reproduction interior soft trim, with expert seat work, yet light carpet wrinkling near console. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $110,000. Of the two Dart/Duster show cars from the Juliano Estate. I preferred the original execution of this one better, as the chopped roof and slightly deeper rake of the windshield belie its smaller size. It almost comes off more as a modified 1967 Coronet than a Dart. However, this one is starting to not age as gracefully, thanks to being an older restoration. This almost didn’t sell, as it barely made the $100k reserve before hammering sold. The inhouse estimate was $150k–$200k, yet I’m not about to call it a good buy. It’s a reasonable buy at best. #F120-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ’CUDA convertible. VIN: BS27R0B305097. Lemon Twist/black vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 26,313 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Broadcast sheets and fender tags confirm the car was professionally restored to its original configuration. Options include Shaker hood with hold-down pins, front disc pb, center console, body sill trim, belt and deck moldings, plus radio and body graphics delete. Superb body prep and paint 2 SOLD AT $1,980,000. One of 14 Hemi ’Cuda drop-tops produced in 1970, of which nine had automatic transmissions. This is also one of three sold new in Canada, with the two known survivors being built in Lemon Twist. With the type and quantity of options this one had, I suspect it was ordered by someone who knew what they wanted as a fun day boulevard cruiser and could afford to indulge. Nearly 50 years later, you really need to be able to afford to indulge in one. Despite that, when the reserve was lifted at $1.8m, nobody wanted to cross that two-milliondollar threshold and no further bids were tendered, thusly hammering sold. #F134-1970 PLYMOUTH HEMI ROAD RUNNER Rapid Transit System show-car 2-dr hard top. VIN: RM23R0A103740. White, gold & black/black deluxe vinyl. Odo: 1,717 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Modified by Roman’s Chariot Shop in Cleveland, OH, for use in Plymouth’s 1970 Rapid Transit System show series. Period modifications include molded-in rear spoiler, enlarged body side scoops, flared rear wheelwells to fit oversized aftermarket wheels with drag tires, custom paint, custom one-piece taillight lens, shaved door handles and custom grille with Cibie rectangular headlights. While indicated miles are correct from new, it was professionally restored back to its show configuration in 2000. Superb paintwork—including reproducing custom graphics. Stock show-quality detailing under hood, only with a modern battery. Signed next to fender tag by Plymouth RTS show promoter Bob Larivee. Interior still very presentable, with excellent original vinyl. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $341,000. This car was found by Steve Juliano in Kalamazoo, 4 92 AmericanCarCollector.com TOP 10 TOP 10 TOP 10

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MECUM AUCTIONS • INDIANAPOLIS, IN MI, in 1991. Story around it was that a pro athlete from a Detroit team was given (or paid a token amount for) the car, then sent it to a speed shop to make it a dedicated drag-race car. However, he was cut from the team and essentially walked away from the car afterwards, while work was in progress. Shy of the known-tobe-destroyed Hemi ‘Cuda RTS show car, this is arguably the most desirable of the three 1970 RTS show cars—Steve also having the other one: Lot F141, the Duster. Mecum pretty much had the RTS cars’ values dialed in, as their estimate here was $250k–$400k. It opened at $100k, taking $10k steps to $260k, where reserve was met, then kept going in $10k steps until sold. All things considered, for a one-off, famous Hemi, I’d say the buyer did all right. hard top. VIN: VS29H0B142254. Sublime Pearl/ white vinyl. Odo: 34,422 miles. 340-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Originally modified by Byron Grenfel for use as one of the 1970 Rapid Transit System show cars, then extensively modified again by him for the 1971 season. Restored in late 1990s for Steve Juliano to its 1971 Rapid Transit System configuration. Mods include exhaust exits through rear bumper, brake-cooling ducts, dual fuel fillers, vents over rear window, modified hood and unique front fascia, with dual headlights. Superb repaint with replicated show-car graphics. Clean, expertly restored to stock under hood, with no modifications. Heavily undercoated, but with clean black paint on suspension and driveline. Top-of-dash tachometer and quad gauge pack mounted below dash done as part of show-car modifications. Modern reproduction seats, door panels, dashpad and carpeting, all showing no apparent wear. Cond: 1-. 5 #F141-1970 PLYMOUTH DUSTER Rapid Transit System show-car 2-dr SOLD AT $264,000. When Juliano was first made aware of the car, it was discovered abandoned in a Detroit parking facility. Once he purchased it, items found in the trunk would suggest it had a rather colorful existence after it left Chrysler (although a machete, ammunition and women’s underwear sound like the typical contents of a car from urban Detroit to me). Out of all the Rapid Transit cars from the Juliano Collection, this one with the pearl-green paint really pops the most. It not only overshot Mecum’s guesstimate at $150k–$200k, it sold for a little more than the all-original ’71 Road Runner RTS car. That was a bit surprising, but with one-off cars like these, nuances like someone favoring green pearl over orange pearl start to factor in, although a great restoration finally trumped a good original. show-car 2-dr hard top. VIN: RM23N1G100016. Orange Pearl/black vinyl. Odo: 1,295 miles. 383-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Original Chryslerissued title. Heavily modified by Chuck Miller’s Styline Custom, for use in the Rapid Transit System show-car circuit in 1971: nose extended six inches, tunnel scoops in hood, sunken trunk lid with integral spoiler flush to rear fender peaks, and vacuum-molded, Road Runner-head sidemarker lights and grille ornament (mounted crooked). Still in its original configuration from when it was part of the tour, with 1,295 actual miles. Light random cracking of (circa fall) 1970-applied paint. Lowered front suspension (or torsion bars are sagging from additional weight of modified nose). A bit on the scruffy side under the hood, but generally original. Alloriginal interior is in excellent condition. Cond: 3+. 6 #F130-1971 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER Rapid Transit System to $200k in short order, where the reserve was met. It took a bit more work to eke out three more bids to hammer it sold, coming up a bit short from the auction house’s guesstimate of $250k–$400k, but, as a one-off, it is what it is and what it sells for is the market. #T45.1-1978 DODGE RAMCHARGER Power Wagon SUV. VIN: A10BE85168969. Gold & white/tan vinyl. Odo: 19,825 miles. 318-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Recent, low-budget repaint, with plenty of orange peel and sloppy masking. Door hinges sag. Ill-fitting rear hatch, with even sloppier masking in hatch jambs. Good workmanship fitting period decals. Replated front bumper and polished grille; dull plating on back bumper. Aftermarket intake with 4-bbl carburetor and open-element air cleaner on top of otherwise stock engine wearing an older repaint. Original brown metallic paint is visible on fender aprons, cowl and bottom of hood. Moderate wear on door-panel armrests. Seats (front and back) look to have new seating surfaces on original backs and sides. Modern replacement carpet. Dashpad and padded glovebox lid don’t match. Factory AM/FM radio. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $236,500. Some have referred to this as the “chicken-head car,” although the roadrunner isn’t a member of the chicken family of birds—they’re considered a type of cuckoo in ornithology circles. Stated to have been the late Steven Juliano’s favorite item of all his cars and automobilia, it is the only one of the Rapid Transit cars essentially untouched from when it was first created. As the first of the RTS cars to cross the block, bidding opened at $100k and went up SOLD AT $31,900. More of these seem to have started surfacing in the market lately, but this one really out-punted its coverage. It doubled Mecum’s pre-sale estimate of $10k–$15k, which I actually thought was spot-on. One can’t even say bidders were wooed by glossy paint, as the orange peel in a few places almost came off as semi-gloss. Well, for those detractors out there who still think vintage SUVs are a flash in the pan, this shows there’s still plenty of fuel. Then again, a number of vintage trucks were offered right in a row on Thursday—most selling very well—so maybe Mecum got just the right buyers together at the right time. Or there was a twofor-one special on Bud Light in the food court. A FOLLOW ACC September–October 2019 93 TOP 10 TOP 10

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LEAKE • TULSA, OK Tulsa 2019 A well-restored Brittany Blue 1969 Ford Torino GT was a best buy at $30,800 Leake Tulsa, OK June 6–8, 2019 Auctioneers: Tom “Spanky” Assiter, Amy Assiter Automotive lots sold/ offered: 352/516 Sales rate: 68% Sales total: $8,096,495 High sale: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette custom Split-Window coupe, sold at $126,500 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices Fairlane Nationals 100-point car — 1969 Ford Torino GT 2-door hard top, sold at $30,800 Report and photos by Brett Hatfield Market opinions in italics • Consignors brought 39 Corvettes for buyers to choose from, ranging from 1957 to 2016 model years • Accessible buying, with 36% of sold cars selling for under $10k • Total sales jumped 28% over last year’s $6.3m total T he June 2019 Leake Auction Company sale in Tulsa was impressive for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the venue. The River Spirit Expo Center is nearly 450,000 square feet of floor space on two levels and nearly a quarter of a mile long. To see this space filled wall-to-wall with special-interest cars of all stripes is exciting, if a bit daunting. Even with this much space, parking was snug, with well over 500 lots offered. In 2018, Leake was purchased by Ritchie Bros., the world’s largest heavy- equipment auctioneers. Joining the new owners was Gary Bennett, formerly the Vice President of Consignments for Barrett-Jackson, and Muffy Bennett, Gary’s wife, also a former Barrett employee, having previously managed their Dealership Division. Bennett’s fingerprints on Leake are obvious. The stage is an elevated platform, with a raised auctioneer’s box behind it. There is video coverage from a boom-operated camera rig adjacent to the exit ramp. The bidders’ pit is flanked on three sides by bleacher-style seating. A concert-quality lighting rig hangs from the ceiling. A massive American flag hangs above it all, perfectly situated for all to see during the singing of the national anthem prior to the sale’s start each day. Sounding familiar? 94 AmericanCarCollector.com About the impressive selection, Bennett said, “I’d rather have 20 $50,000 cars or 10 $100,000 cars than one $1,000,000 car. It gives us more opportunities to cater to our customers.” Leake packed the expo center with 516 cars, trucks, motorcycles and RVs. Although there were no milliondollar lots on offer, there were show-quality restorations, beautifully built hot rods and resto-mods, nearly 40 Corvettes and numerous exotics. There were a handful of low-mile, gorgeous Buick Grand Nationals. The high seller for the show was a 1963 Corvette Split-Window resto-mod coupe, featuring a 525-hp LS engine, 5-speed, modern suspension, brakes and Vintage Air, which found a new home for $126,500. Veteran auctioneers Tom “Spanky” Assiter, his reading glasses perpetually perched upon his forehead, and wife, Amy Assiter, both also formerly with Barrett-Jackson, kicked off the sale Thursday. With more than 48% of the lots selling at no reserve, sales were brisk. “The sale exceeded all our expectations. We had the most no-reserve lots we’ve have had at any auction. Post-bid sales were strong through IronPlanet’s Marketplace-E online forum,” Bennett said. A QUICK TAKE

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LEAKE • TULSA, OK GM #7881-1958 CADILLAC ELDORADO Biarritz convertible. VIN: 58E024293. Alpine White/ white vinyl/red & white leather. Odo: 61,786 miles. 365-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Older restoration that is holding up quite well. Loaded with full host of power accessories and a/c. The interior, although original, is in a condition incongruous with the rest of the car. Steering wheel has faded to an off-white color. Seat backs show plentiful cracking from age. Paint is still glossy, albeit with some swirl present. Chrome shows minimal patina. Stainless is well polished. Turbine-style wheel covers are bright. Engine bay is clean, with correct finishes throughout. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $16,500. It’s tough to beat a 421 with a 4-speed, and that’s what likely found this car a new home. The restoration, if it could be called that, was done either hurriedly or by someone as a freshman effort. Still, mid-1960s Pontiacs have an undeniable mystique, and having a running, complete example you could enjoy while improving may have been just what the doctor ordered. #7411-1965 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS 2-dr hard top. VIN: 166375J169743. Madeira Maroon/ white vinyl. Odo: 3,225 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Single repaint in original color is older, and showing its age. Checking present on trunk lid and hood, light haze in places. Chrome still quite presentable. Engine bay clean and correct, with chalk marks on firewall. Original white interior is in good nick, with very light patina showing on door-panel trim. Tilt wheel, power steering, power brakes and a day/night mirror add a bit of luxury to this SS Impala. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $91,300. Last seen at the November 2018 Leake Dallas auction, where the high bid of $87,000 didn’t meet reserve (ACC# 6889225). Number 418 of 815 produced for the ’58 model year. This one was pretty, to be sure, but the interior seemed out of place with the restoration. Top money here was well below book value of $136k. One can’t help but wonder if a decent freshening would have helped bring a better bid. As it is, no one got hurt here. #4461-1965 PONTIAC CATALINA 2-dr hard top. VIN: 252375C131638. Capri Gold/ Parchment vinyl. Odo: 93,428 miles. 421-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. This paint job shows overspray, inclusions and poor panel gaps. Engine bay is dirty, reflecting same level of workmanship present on the outside. Heavy pitting covers the taillight bezels. There is a hole in the passenger’s side rear fender top, likely for an absent antenna. Saving grace here may be the nicely reupholstered seats, but the gauge bezels have heavy pitting throughout. Pontiac eight-lug steelies are always cool and help the appearance. Cond: 3-. wrinkling on door panels. Red replacement seat belts add a splash of color. Trunk has correct liner, spare. Plentiful documentation. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $34,000. ACC Pocket Price Guide median value for a ’66 Goat ragtop is $57,500, with a 35% add for Tri-Power, for a total of $77,625. The high bid on this example wasn’t half that. The question is, what is it worth to be able to enjoy a slick, documented, 242code GTO convertible, albeit with a replacement engine? The answer, in this case, is more than $34k. #7371-1968 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr hard top. VIN: 164478J313801. Grotto Blue/blue vinyl. Odo: 34,704 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Claimed original miles. Repaint features plentiful orange peel and inclusions. Inconsistent body panel gaps, particularly at trunk and hood. Tidy original interior has an aftermarket radio occupying the space vacated by the original. Cheap steering-wheel cover. Driver’s side of bench starting to split on seat bottom. Aftermarket gauges mounted beneath dash. Engine bay is clean, with factory a/c. Trunk is as-new. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $23,100. This one checked a lot of boxes for mid-1960s American cool-original: SS car, 327, 4-speed, buckets, very original, well optioned, even the cool manifold pressure gauge. A relative bargain considering median value is $29,500. #758-1966 PONTIAC GTO convertible. VIN: 242676K120119. Montero Red/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 99,300 miles. 400-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Attractive color combo. Shiny paint has light orange peel, towel marks. Chrome appears to have been recently refinished. Stainless is nicely polished. NOM 400-cube motor from a later Pontiac, topped by a ’66 Tri-Power setup, resides in an orderly engine compartment. White vinyl interior shows minimal wear, but some NOT SOLD AT $12,000. Low miles couldn’t offset the poor paint job and Pep Boys interior mods. Decent for a weekend cruiser, but not ready for prime time. High bid was well short of $20k median value, but there was nothing here to drive it higher. #847-1970 BUICK SKYLARK GS Stage 1 2-dr hard top. VIN: 446370H163586. Bamboo Cream/brown vinyl/brown vinyl. 455-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Paint finish is top notch, with an obvious effort made in prep and execution. Brown vinyl roof done with a similar eye toward quality. Chrome bumpers have been nicely refinished and stainless is well polished. Brown vinyl seats look fresh, but the driver’s side door panel is wrinkly. Engine bay is spotless, with all correct Stage 1 96 AmericanCarCollector.com

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LEAKE • TULSA, OK components in place. Extensive documentation from new. Condition is much as it was the last time I saw this car. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $33,500. Having made four appearances at collector-car auctions in the past 18 months, this GS was last seen at the December 2018 Mecum Kansas City sale, where it failed to find new ownership at $37k (ACC# 6888591)—the same price as its high bid in the preceding November at Leake’s Dallas sale (ACC# 6889223). Priceguide median value for a 1970 Buick GS is $26,500, but a Stage 1 books at $55k. This example, having been born a simple GS but upgraded cosmetically and mechanically to a Stage 1, drew a high bid that was closer to the lower figure. The restoration showed a significant investment but hasn’t been able to attract a high bid beyond the upper-$30k mark. #718-1970 CADILLAC DEVILLE convertible. VIN: F0260140. Sable Black/white vinyl/white leather, black & white cloth. Odo: 63,352 miles. 472-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Repaint shows ample orange peel. Chrome bumpers show minimal patina. Stainless trim could benefit from polishing. New white convertible top is striking against the black body. Interior appears to have been hastily installed and needs a good cleaning. Engine compartment is complete but could stand some detailing. There is potential here, and a bit more attention could yield a more remarkable result. Cond: 3. unit is fitted. Engine bay is correct but a bit dusty. A solid third-generation Camaro. Cond: 2-. CORVETTE SOLD AT $9,680. In 1984, Chevy made 100,412 Camaro Z/28s. Most of these mullet-mobiles were thrashed, wrecked, rotted out and ended up populating either the local trailer park or junkyard. Very few were treated with any respect at all, and as such, not many survived in anything other than deplorable condition, littered with fast-food wrappers and Marlboro Light cartons. Despite production numbers that would normally make this anything but rare, this startlingly good example was a bit of a find. With average values around $12k, this was a solid buy. #520-1987 BUICK GRAND NATIONAL coupe. VIN: 1G4GJ1172HP449546. Black/gray & black cloth. Odo: 7,287 miles. 3.8-L turbocharged V6, auto. Light swirl marks are all that detract from the shiny black finish of this Grand National. Glass, weatherstrip and trim are all as-new. Engine compartment is missing the turbo scroll housing cover. Interior shows no signs of wear, with towels placed over floor mats in front. Obvious care has been taken to keep this one as new and original as possible. Accompanied by all sales literature, documentation, window sticker, build sheet, etc. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $11,550. Last seen at the February 2019 Leake OKC sale, where it failed to find new ownership at $19,000 (ACC# 6899330). The high bid, spot-on median value, was reflective of the condition. Unfortunately, the seller didn’t let the car go at the previous auction. #120-1984 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28 coupe. VIN: 1G1AP87G6EL207668. White/Camel cloth. Odo: 78,900 miles. 305-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Plentiful orange peel marks this as original 1980s GM paint, but it is shiny and appears to have received good care. Decal stripes show none of the typical cracking due to exposure. Gold-tone Z/28 wheels are damage-free. Interior better than good, showing very little wear. Seat-belt guide on the headrest looks awful, but they all did. Recent aftermarket head NOT SOLD AT $37,000. Last seen at the November 2018 Leake Dallas sale, where it found a new home for $41,800 (ACC# 6883865). With the recent spate of low-mile Grand Nationals and GNXs setting price records, it is little wonder the owner of this one tried to capitalize. This final-year-of-production GN was nearly pristine. Price bid here is well north of guide values, but down from just last fall, which is probably why it ended up in the unsold column. #789-1960 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 00867S107391. Roman Red & Ermine White/white vinyl, Roman Red hard top/red vinyl. 283-ci 290-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Older restoration still holding up well. Paint no longer fresh, but quite decent. Trunk lid and soft-top cover don’t line up as they should. Steel gasfiller-door radius doesn’t match fender (common and easily remedied). Other panels have similar woes. Headlight bezels align with fender top trim better than most. Hard-top drip rails show some corrosion. Glass is clear, without excessive pepper. Chrome could be better, with light patina present. Engine bay correct, cleanish. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $77,000. As I have owned this same vintage and color combo Corvette for 31 years, it is easy for me to pick on this one. The restoration was decent, but older, and far from concours. This was a quality driver, one that could be enjoyed without guilt. The buyer got a steal, as this one last crossed the block in March of 2008, when it sold at the West Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson sale for $123,200 (ACC# 1640050). #813-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194677S115390. Rally Red/black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 19,901 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Very clean example. Only flaw of note is a small blemish at base of windshield on passenger’s side. Chrome is in great shape, while stainless is decent. Heavy documentation, complete owner history, tank sheet, multiple NCRS Top Flight awards: Performance Verification, three-time NCRS Duntov Mark of Excellence, three-time Bloomington Gold award. Heavily optioned with transistor ignition, 4.11 Positraction, close-ratio 4-speed, AM/FM radio, tinted glass, F41 special suspension, power brakes, side exhaust and both tops. Cond: 2+. September–October 2019 97

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LEAKE • TULSA, OK NOT SOLD AT $285,000. An Internet search revealed this car was being sold by Corvette expert and guru Roy Sinor. It would have been tough to find one in markedly better condition, or with more documented history than this example. That said, the high bid here was more than double median value, but well short of the $400k price advertised on Mr. Sinor’s website. #5521-1977 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. VIN: 1Z37L7S448459. Corvette Bright Yellow/ brown leather. Odo: 71,473 miles. 350-ci, 180hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Original paint just beginning to show signs of age, but only if caught in the right light. Typical “love kiss” on the soft nose shows spider-web cracks radiating from contact point. Engine bay is cleanish. Dark saddle leather interior shows light wear on driver’s side seat bolster. Some wear present on leather steering wheel. Dash-top speaker grille has cracked with age, exposure. Aluminum slotted KelseyHayes wheels are in good nick. Cond: 3+. are the kayak-like ergonomics of the C4s. With a generous cargo area, comfortable seats and prices that have nearly found their low ebb, the C5 represents performance with practicality. As median price-guide value is $19,500, and condition on this example well above average, the price paid was a decent value. FOMOCO SOLD AT $11,000. Having owned the L82 twin to this car, I had some sentimental feelings about it. Bright Yellow can be polarizing but works well on these Shark body curves. As one of the most collected cars in the U.S., parts for these ’Vettes are plentiful, and usually inexpensive. Earlier third-generation Corvettes have begun to climb, but it remains to be seen if the later, emissions-choked, soft-bumper Corvettes will gain traction. This example sold right on the money. #740-2004 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 1G1YY32G645115873. Black/black cloth/black leather. Odo: 10,800 miles. 5.7-L, 350-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. For factory paint, the finish here is very shiny. Some swirl marks present, as they’re difficult to hide on black. Door jambs as shiny as the rest of the car. Black leather interior shows only minor creasing on the driver’s side seat bolster. Engine bay is similarly spotless. Polished aluminum wheels are curbrash-free. Black cloth soft top rounds out the triple-black theme, showing only minor creasing from being down. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $23,100. Fifth-generation Corvettes are widely considered some of the easiest to live with. Gone 98 AmericanCarCollector.com #754-1964 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. VIN: 4Y85Z165861. Rangoon Red/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 7,569 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Highly optioned with 390, auto, power top, brakes, steering, windows and locks, Swing-Away steering column, removable tonneau cover, engine dress-up kit, Continental kit, luggage rack, dual spotlights and dual outside mirrors. Rangoon Red paint has minimal buffer swirl. Chrome and stainless both polished well. Glass shows little sign of pepper. Interior presents as-new, with full houndstooth liner in trunk/ top well. Engine bay is spotless. Sports five Kelsey-Hayes chrome wires with whitewalls. Cond: 2. SOLD AT $31,350. Last seen at the Mecum Indianapolis sale in May of this year, where it did not meet reserve at $35,000 (ACC# 6903551). This was a very nice driver in an attractive color. With ACC median value of $28k, someone went home with a sharp little Mustang at a market-beating price. Well bought. #8101-1969 FORD MUSTANG Boss 429 fastback. VIN: 9F02Z159821. Candy Apple Red/black vinyl. Odo: 71,084 miles. 429-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Bodywork shows good prep and execution, with only minor towel marks. Panel gaps are better than new. Chrome bumpers nicely refinished, stainless trim well polished. Magnum 500 wheels present as-new. No visible wear on black vinyl interior; even has stock AM radio in place. Claimed numbers-matching engine detailed with factory labels and markings. Loads of paperwork included: Kar Kraft quality checklists, letter from Ford, two shipping invoices, broadcast sheets and Deluxe Marti Report. Cond: 2+. only two small touch-ups on the leading edge of the hood. Panel gaps are uniform. Chrome bumpers have been replated. Stainless is well polished. Glass clear and without chips or pepper. Engine bay is clean, with dress-up kit. Pony interior shows no signs of wear. Dash houses an aftermarket stereo sized to fit the original’s spot, with speakers in formed kick panels. Convertible top appears recent, without fading. Cond: 2-. NOT SOLD AT $34,000. I don’t think I have ever seen another Thunderbird as heavily optioned as this one was. With median value at $26,500, the high bid offered here was above the fray, but so was this car. The restoration had to cost multiples of the best bid. With the condition, options, and documentation, the seller had little choice but to hold out for more. #831-1965 FORD MUSTANG convertible. VIN: 5F08C293008. Caspian Blue/black vinyl/ black vinyl. Odo: 9,979 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Shiny Caspian Blue paint is attractive, with NOT SOLD AT $170,000. This Boss ’9 has shown up in four auctions in the past two years, most recently at the January 2019 Mecum Kissimmee sale, where it failed to trade hands at $200k (ACC# 6891015). Claimed to be a numbers-matching engine, but previously noted as a

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LEAKE • TULSA, OK replacement block. This was a high-quality restoration accompanied by ample documentation. It may never reach median book value of $242k, but should be able to get closer than this. #7511-1969 FORD TORINO GT 2-dr hard top. VIN: 9K44S157139. Brittany Blue/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 2,173 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Frame-off restoration done to a very high standard. Brittany Blue paint is nearly flawless. Chrome and stainless both gleam. The 428 Cobra Jet-filled engine bay is mint and correct. Interior presents as-new. Scored as 100-point car in the Gold Concours Division at the Fairlane Nationals. Cond: 1-. the past few years, but no amount of popularity could overcome the inconsistencies present here. The seller should have taken the high bid, as correcting these issues would likely offset any additional gain. #4571-1976 FORD F-100 pickup. VIN: F10HNB53761. Indio Tan/tan vinyl, brown cloth. Odo: 39,163 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Original paint has orange peel and could be shinier, but seems on par for 43-year-old, single-stage pickup paint. Bed looks to have been repainted, features aftermarket bed rails. Engine bay is neat, correct. Bench seat appears as nearly new, possibly re-covered in original fabric. Original carpets are a deep pile, in good condition. Steering wheel has age cracks at cross bar. Equipped with power steering, brakes and a/c. Wheels come from a newer-vintage Ford truck. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $11,000. 1987 marked the first year for the Mustang ASC/McLaren, after the demise of the Mercury Capri variant in 1986. Ford would send specially prepped Mustang coupes to American Sunroof Company for conversion to a 2-seat roadster. The conversions gave the ’Stang a custom interior, body moldings, front air dam, rear spoiler and wheels. Production was limited to 1,806 units over the 1987–90 run. This was a great way to distinguish yourself from the runof-the-mill Mustang GT ragtop. The example seen here was a killer deal for a true limited production car, selling for low-end Mustang GT money. SOLD AT $30,800. Last seen at the February 2019 Leake OKC sale, where it failed to find new ownership at $29,500 (ACC# 6899600). This was a stunning restoration, easily worth several times the high bid. When I spoke with Muffy Bennett, New Sector Development Director for Ritchie Bros./Leake, we were both shocked it went so cheaply. Someone stole this. Very well bought, indeed. #4881-1974 FORD BRONCO utility. VIN: U15GLT89094. Candy Apple Red/white steel hard top/white vinyl. Odo: 86,176 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Shiny Candy Apple Red with white hard top is an attractive combo from a few steps away, but closer inspection reveals driverquality paint in need of buffing. Driver’s door will not close fully, and protrudes at the bottom three-quarters of an inch. The matching-numbers drivetrain resides in a cleanish engine bay. Chrome on mirrors and bumpers is hazy, and the passenger’s side mirror is loose. Cond: 3. #5411-1994 FORD MUSTANG SVT Cobra Indy Pace Car convertible. VIN: 1FALP45D9RF158574. Rio Red/tan canvas/tan leather. Odo: 15,326 miles. 5.0-L fuel-injected V8, 5-sp. Number 522 of 1,000 produced, this example has covered only 15,326 miles from new. Glossy red paint has had obvious care, shows minimal swirl. Driver’s seat shows light creasing. Carpets are clean. No fading present. Aftermarket stereo fitted. Engine compartment shows as-new. Wheels are free from damage. One very clean Cobra. Cond: 2+. NOT SOLD AT $21,000. This was a very wellmaintained truck. Given their intended use, it is unusual to find utility vehicles like this in this condition. It may have been transportation for someone who wanted a pickup, but never used the bed. This seemed like a solid bid for a clean truck in a regrettable color. #1281-1987 FORD MUSTANG ASC McLaren convertible. VIN: 1FABP40E3 HF248295. Scarlet Red/black vinyl/light gray & dark gray leather. Odo: 26,027 miles. 5.0-L fuelinjected V8, auto. Number 390 of 1,806 produced. Shiny red paint looks good from a distance, but up close you can see fading around the soft-top ring on rear deck. Paint fraught with swirl marks and touch-ups. Factory antenna replaced with a flexible rubber model. Two-tone gray perforated leather shows some wear. Engine bay could do with a bit of detailing. Not bad, but has seen a little use. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $17,000. The top bid here fell well short of median book value for a car that was nearly mint. The seller had little reasonable choice but to hold out for a better bid next time. #7401-2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD Anniversary Edition convertible. VIN: 1FAHP60A15Y105770. Torch Red/black canvas/black leather. Odo: 49,995 miles. 3.9-L fuel-injected V8, auto. Paint has plenty of towel marks throughout. Appears to have had a less-than-stellar repaint done on the rear bumper. Headlight lenses are beginning to fog. Black canvas top shows some NOT SOLD AT $30,000. These first-generation Broncos have been white-hot in the market for 100 AmericanCarCollector.com BEST BUY BEST BUY

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LEAKE • TULSA, OK fading. Passenger’s side rear tire is flat. Black leather interior shows creases on seat bolsters, but no excessive wear. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $10,450. Ford’s 11th generation revamp of the Thunderbird featured love-it-or-hate-it styling from the drawing board of Jack Telnack. Based on the DEW platform also used for the Lincoln LS, Jaguar S-type and Jaguar XF, the final iteration of the T-bird was produced from 2002 to 2005, with just over 68,000 copies built. It had the dubious distinction of being included in Car and Driver’s 2009 list of “The 10 Most Embarrassing Award Winners in Automotive History.” MOPAR #7791-1969 DODGE CHARGER R/T SE 2-dr hard top. VIN: XS29L9B178343. White/black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 2,771 miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Nut-and-bolt restoration features glossy white paint done to a decent standard, with exception of a trio of tiny inclusions at base of driver’s side A-pillar. Engine compartment tidy and correct, with factory a/c in place. Chrome and stainless both shiny, polished. It appears someone with mud on their shoes moved the car, as there is a significant quantity of dirt in driver’s footwell. One button on the driver’s seat appears to have been ripped off during ingress/egress. Balance of the interior looks to have been recently restored. Cond: 3+. show-quality, but likely as good as or better than new. Engine bay is spotless and correct. Undercarriage is well detailed. Interior is as spartan as when new, but without wear of any kind. This one looks newly minted. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $63,000. A rare R/T SE, this was nicely equipped with a/c, leather and the legendary 440 Magnum. With price-guide median value for a 440 R/T SE hovering right around the $71k mark, the buyer was wise to hold out for more. AMERICANA #4471-1946 WILLYS CJ-2A utility. VIN: 36416. Lochinvar Green/gray vinyl. Odo: 209 miles. 134-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. This second-production-year Willys has been restored to a high standard, with some minor liberties in personal taste taken. The standard speedo is fitted, but ancillary gauges with chrome bezels have replaced the plain-Jane originals. Paint is not NOT SOLD AT $8,500. Bearing a strong resemblance to the military Willys MB, the CJ-2A was Willys-Overland’s attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the wartime workhorse. Minor changes to the grille and headlights distinguish the civilian version from the military, but the 4-cylinder Go Devil powerplant was the same. High bid on this was well below median, for an example far beyond middle-of-the-pack in condition. The seller was wise to hold out for more. A September–October 2019 101

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS • ST. PAUL, MN Top-selling 1968 Shelby GT500 also ranks as a best buy Back to the 50’s Twin Cities Auctions St. Paul, MN June 22, 2019 Auctioneers: Gary Dehler, Kurt Warner Automotive lots sold/ offered: 74/119 Sales rate: 62% Sales total: $1,532,758 High sale: 1968 Shelby GT500 fastback, sold at $108,000 Buyer’s premium: 8%, $400 minimum, included in sold prices It’s not often that one can call the top-selling car at an auction well bought — 1968 Shelby GT500 fastback, sold at $108,000 Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson Market opinions in italics • Increase in total sales over last year by 4% on 53 fewer lots • Buyers could choose from 37 Chevrolets or 29 Fords, making up 55% of the lots • Highest sell-through rate (62%) since 2015 (64%) T win Cities Auctions showed this year that one should never get too comfortable with the location and manner in which an auction house conducts an event. Just when they had their only auction of the year dialed in at the Back to the 50’s vintage-car event at the Minnesota State Fairground, the roof of the building they’ve always used (the historic Cattle Building) had collapsed from snow load in February, and was still being repaired in June during the show. As such, Twin Cities Auctions had to relocate down the street to the Catholic High Schoolsponsored Miracle of Birth building. Auction company principal Ron Christenson and his crew staged it as primarily the auction arena, with a few of the headline cars parked on one end. The rest of the cars were parked in the adjacent sheep and poultry buildings, and a few added towards the end of the auction were in the corridors of the Warner Coliseum (which was staged for an equestrian event a few days later). With more buildings to park cars and less square footage in those buildings, Twin Cities scaled back the auction to one day (Saturday) and initially limited consignments to 100 cars. Yet by the time the last one crossed the block, it was the 119th car. 102 AmericanCarCollector.com Despite the difficulties, and even with fewer cars crossing the block, the auction actually increased gross sales by over $63k. The sell-through rate increased by 8%, and the cars on average sold for more this year — showing an overall increase in the quality of consignments more than the market moving up. Leading those sales was a 1968 Shelby GT500 fastback, its $108,000 price exactly doubled last year’s top sale, no doubt helping with this year’s sales increase. With Ron Christenson and a lot of his staff being Blue Oval fans, it’s little surprise that this event brings in a lot of Ford products. This year, there was at least one example from all four brands that were sold in the U.S. There were also multiple examples of GM performance cars and Mopar muscle, mixed in with a variety of pickups and a few of the Independents — even from the pre-war era. In theory, Twin Cities should be able to get back into their previous digs in the Cattle Building next year under a new roof. However, Christenson stated that he and the staff liked the way this worked out, so I think that this might become the venue. However, we’ll have to wait and see if I have 20/20 foresight for 2020.A QUICK TAKE

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS • ST. PAUL, MN CLASSIC #62-1933 CHEVROLET CB pickup. VIN: 1CB0646874. Red & black/black vinyl. Odo: 32 miles. Had a 2010 frame-off restoration, with new cab wood framing. Fitted with a 1932 Chevy Deluxe car hood (as truck hoods used the same louvered hoods from 1931 to ’33). Aftermarket duck hood ornament, with light-to-moderate pitting. Modern chrome aftermarket locking gas cap. Dual sidemount spare tires. Generally good paint application. Foam pipe insulators around rolled-over box ends. Refinished box wood with black-painted skid strips. Generally tidy engine bay—even if block has some surface rust. Blackpainted chassis, with some flash rust on baremetal components. Seat well reupholstered, even if it’s not quite stock. Aftermarket horn button clamped to steering column. Cond: 3+. years ago, still looks quite nice. All chrome replated and all stainless, plus alloy trim, refurbished or replaced as needed. Engine recently repainted and generally dressed up, looking stock. Engine-pad VIN obscured by irrelevant numbers and letters. Well-fitted reproduction interior soft trim, showing only minimal wear. Custom-made, vinyl, center armrest with cupholders. Cond: 3+. now yellow and heavily scratched one. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $6,804. A mechanical bonehead will ruin a perfectly good Corvair in short order. “You don’t need those metal cover things over the bottom of the engine—they’re just a pain in the ass.” Ahem, yes you need them—it’s the engine’s heat-regulation system. Give this a couple of seasons of running around to cruise nights and that body filler will be cracking all over the place. On top of that, this is one of the few latemodel Corvair drop-tops that I’ve ever seen with the standard 3-speed transmission paired with the standard 95-hp engine—even most 95s got the optional 4-speed. Well sold, as being offered at no reserve should’ve been enough of a warning. SOLD AT $15,660. While the guy who restored this took a bit of editorial license with the hood, the 1932 grille is actually correct, as Chevy tended to use the previous car grille on light-duty trucks in the early 1930s. A ’33 Chevy pickup is one of those vehicles that time has consumed most all of, so one that surfaces restored to some level is quite a find. Now being sold by the widow of the restorer (who owned it for four decades); bidding opened at $7k, with the reserve being met at $13,500. It took two more bids to get it bought as a truck that may not be perfectly stock but is one that’ll be hard to duplicate. All parties involved did well here. GM #110-1964 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr hard top. VIN: 41847J186917. Ermine White/aqua vinyl & nylon. Odo: 88,099 miles. 283-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Retains original warranty card and booklet, showing that it was sold new by Whiting Motors of Livingston, MT, on January 20, 1964. Retrofitted in recent years with modern a/c, dualmaster-cylinder power brakes, electronic ignition, high-volume water pump, retro-look AM/FM/ cassette deck stereo and aftermarket dual exhaust. High-quality trim-off repaint done a few 104 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $24,840. It wouldn’t take a whole lot to go back to bone stock on this Impala, but with the quality of the work done on it and considering that what was done makes it more drivable in the 21st century, why change it? Bidding here started at $15k, from three different bidders. As such, it had no problem hitting the $23k reserve, and garnered a few more bids beyond that to sell. If these chubby-cheek-looking ’64s are your thing, you can certainly do worse, and would’ve only done better if it was originally a 327- or 409-powered car. #75-1965 CHEVROLET CORVAIR Monza convertible. VIN: 105675W271914. Red/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 16,439 miles. 164-ci H6, 2x1-bbl, 3-sp. Average-to-passable trim-masked, color-change repaint—on the outside. Poor masking around engine bay, with plenty of overspray on hood hinges and prop, with a masking line that arcs up from between hood hinges to top of drip rail—readily exposing original Crocus Yellow paint. Hood set back down while the paint was wet, with two splotches from the landing pads in the paint. Runs out passably well but is missing the lower heat shields. Trunk lid markedly bowed upwards. Body filler in rear quarters, and magnets don’t stick to the base of windshield. Older interior kit adequately fitted. Top might be original, as it needs a good cleaning and new plastic backlight to replace the #111-1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO RS coupe. VIN: 124377L144018. Bolero Red/black vinyl/ black vinyl. Odo: 1,904 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Claimed to be a “California car” in the lot description, with a blue plate displayed but no copies of registrations. Original window sticker and Protect-O-Plate show it was sold new by Freed Chevrolet of Hastings, MN, with ps, pb, center console, interior décor group, bumper guards, wheel covers, tinted windshield, lamp group, push-button AM radio and Powerglide. The last item has now been swapped out with a “Sagana” 4-speed stick shift (we can’t make this up). A 1966 300-hp Corvette 327 displaces the original 210-hp, base-level 327 this car was built with. At least they put in multi-leaf rear springs (even with traction bars). Rather good repaint, claiming to retain the original top and interior. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $33,502. “California car” my ass. It may have been built at the Van Nuys assembly plant, but it spent more time on a rail car heading to Minnesota than it ever did in the Golden State. This sounds more like the shtick one of the local higher-end dealers used to play up here, where he’d hang a set of California license plates on any car he put through an auction (I know that for a fact because a dealer I knew bought one of these cars from him—on a Wisconsin title—and refused to give back the California plates after repeated requests). Then again, they kept a lot of the documentation to show there

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS • ST. PAUL, MN was a lot about this car that was changed over the years. Didn’t sell on the block, but posted as sold in the results after the show. #69-1968 CHEVROLET CAMARO convertible. VIN: 124678N424450. Red/black vinyl/ black vinyl. Odo: 36,092 miles. 327-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Stated that the miles are actual, and, apart from a repaint, the majority of the car is original. Optional power steering and top, center console, and AM/FM radio. Okay trim-off repaint. Overspray on undercarriage. Some evidence of light body-filler use in rear quarter panels. Mostly original brightwork, with occasional light scuffs and minimal pitting. Decent door fit, but hood sits slightly high at cowl. Engine repainted, but not masked-off well. Heavily distressed aircleaner decal. Sloppy additional wiring. Repro hoses and clamps. Newer name-brand radials with base-level wheel covers. Good original interior. Seats wrinkling from compressed padding. Stated that it has the original top, but was never raised for inspection. Cond: 3. nal paint but still quite dingy. Decent original interior, but does have notable fading on steering wheel and seat inserts, while upper door panels and kick panels have discolored markedly. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $13,500. It’s not too often that you run into a base-level Firebird, with the OHV 6— let alone with the 3-speed stick—and a center console to boot. While the consignor went into a lot of detail on the early years of the car, one gets the impression that from about the mid1970s, it spent about 99.5% of its existence lying dormant in a garage. Seemingly unsold at $17,500 on the block, but reported sold just postsale. NOT SOLD AT $23,500. Stated that the car was “cocooned” in the Memphis, TN, area for 22 years before being extracted and refurbished. Considering some of the half-hearted workmanship and that they also stated that it has power brakes—but it really doesn’t—I suspect that this was done up to make pretty for a quick flip rather than putting any real love into it. With the entry-level V8 for 1968 under the hood and a Powerglide automatic behind it, it certainly isn’t worth the $30k reserve, yet the final bid is just a touch light. $25k seems to be right for a not-bad car—but not as great as claimed. #88-1968 PONTIAC FIREBIRD convertible. VIN: 223678U611319. Dark green metallic/light green vinyl/light green vinyl. Odo: 95,175 miles. 230-ci I6, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Optional a/c, center console, AM radio and ps. One-owner car; owner states that miles are actual since new. Aside from maintenance items (such as tires and halogen headlights), the hubcaps, a power antenna and cruise control are the only non-stock items. Original paint presentable for the most part—despite overall light chipping, lifting on top of fenders and a deep gouge on right front fender, immediately below emblems. Original bumper chrome isn’t too bad at all. Stock engine with good origi- 106 AmericanCarCollector.com #68-1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS 396 convertible. VIN: 1366791304306. Red/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 37,057 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Body tag is missing. Indeed, not much was put back on top of the cowl after it was brush-painted black. Alternator covers the stamping pad, so unable to verify if the motor is original to the car or some grain truck. Dressed in headers with distressed white coating, MSD HEI ignition, plus Edelbrock high-rise intake manifold, carb, and open-element air cleaner. Prop rod needed to hold the hood up—despite having hood springs. Pretty decent base/clear paint job, with occasional light orange peel and repop SS stripes over it. New replacement windshield, lightly scuffed original stainless trim. Mostly repop emblems and chrome. Carpet has heavier fade and wear, especially on transmission hump. Aftermarket wood-rim steering wheel and period AM/FM/8-track. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $26,000. An Oshawa, Ontariobuilt car (as indicated by the 1 for the plant code in the middle of the VIN); if I were the buyer, I’d make it a point to get the GM of Canada build report of the car. Then again, you might be in for a not-so-pleasant surprise if it shows that this

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS • ST. PAUL, MN was really built as a Malibu. Maybe the consignor did, and that’s why it’s heading out the door. The consignor “wants closer to $30,000,” but without justification for those SS 396 emblems throughout the car (most were mintyfresh), this was sufficiently bid. #70-1980 PONTIAC TRANS AM coupe. VIN: 2W87WAL145301. Starlight Black/Carmine Red velour. Odo: 13,668 miles. 301-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Retains all documentation from when sold new by Tom’s Pontiac and Honda of Rochester, MN. Factory options include a/c, full tinted glass, cruise control, block heater, velour trim group, AM/FM radio and WS6 Snowflake alloy wheels. Mileage from new and generally original. Original paint presents well, aside from some staining on passenger’s side of hood. They also went nuts pinstriping on day two. Also added body-side moldings, mud flaps and rust proofing. Exceptionally well-preserved interior, which even still has a hint of new-car smell wafting inside. Light cleanup detailing underhood. Stock mufflers jettisoned for a pair of blue glasspacks clamped in place onto surface-rusted, original pipes. Cond: 2-. ing scratches on hood and trunk lid. Windshield delaminating near VIN tag. Doors rattle a bit when shut, but only when glass is rolled down. Cleaned and detailed engine bay, just shy of show-ready. Undercarriage hasn’t been touched in 32 years (but it seems just like yesterday), with some dealer-applied undercoating slopped onto exhaust. Surface-rusted main rear sway bar. Minimal seat-bolster and floor-mat wear on allstock interior. Plastics don’t even show yellowing from age. Runs out well with no apparent issues. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $18,900. The original owner had it for 10 years as his summer-only toy, selling with 11k miles to a chap who static-parked it for the next two decades before the consignor here bought it and put 2,600 miles on it over nine summers. One can make the cheap-shot argument that it was only driven on nice days in Minnesota, but you wouldn’t be too far from the truth. It is a pretty decent 1980 Trans Am. Problem is, it’s still an emaciated 1980 Trans Am, which makes even the base Olds 403s from the previous year look like rocket ships. On the block, it got one more bid after it hit the $17k reserve. If you’ve been itching to put that Bay City Rollers cassette into just the right vehicle, you could do worse. #99-1987 BUICK GNX coupe. VIN: 1G4GJ1170HP444510. Black/black & gray cloth. Odo: 1,961 miles. 3.8-L turbocharged V6, auto. Dashboard tag number 052. Mileage actual and all original—aside from fluids and the battery (a bargain-basement unit). Typical 1980s GM lightorange-peel paint, but with some heavier polish- SOLD AT $94,500. Last seen here last year, then a no-sale at $88k (ACC# 6874769). If anything changed, we went from 0.2 miles to rolling from 0.8 to 0.9 miles on the odometer. At least this is one car that both Publisher Martin and I agree on—they do absolutely nothing for us. Even if ASC sorted them out, there’s nothing as un-reassuring as buying a car that was built by people who were about to lose their jobs and knew it. This year, it opened at $50k and moved strongly up to $85k, where it hit the wall. As it rolled off the block and the next car was coming in, the consignor lowered his reserve and the last bidder agreed to take it for that, so call this correctly sold—for one that’s in the 1k-mile range. CORVETTE #83-1972 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. VIN: 1Z37W2S507774. Mille Miglia Red/black leather. Odo: 38,404 miles. 454-ci 270-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Options include a/c, tilt/tele steering column, power windows and custom interior. Dealer-accessory luggage rack. Stated that indicated miles believed to be actual, yet it had a recent “frame-on” restoration. Better-than-factory paint application. Clearance cuts in front wheelwell lips. New replacement windshield, with a few light dings in stainless framing. A couple of alignment miscues on T-top panel stainless edging. Near show-quality engine bay detailing, aside from use of screw-type hose clamps on heater hoses. Expertly installed reproduction seats and carpeting. Dashpad, A-pillar trim and center console all redyed. Mostly black rattlecanned chassis, with newer aftermarket, chambered exhaust system. Cond: 2-. September–October 2019 107

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS • ST. PAUL, MN much more than an L82 with M21 (the only powertrain option that it was offered with) that had the FE7 Gymkhana suspension and heavy-duty power brakes. Stated as it rolled off the block that it was going to take $55k to buy it today. We’re still several years away from that being the new reality—regardless of rare options and low miles. Nice car, just not $55k worth of nice car. SOLD AT $43,200. 1972 was the last year for the pop-out rear window on the T-top coupe; which, depending upon your point of view, is either a bonus (if you like full air flow through the cockpit) or a bummer (if you don’t like leaks). Bidding here opened at a very strong $35k, getting to the $40k reserve three bids later and selling. Even for a chrome-bumper big-block with reported lower miles, the final price here just doesn’t add up. Even if it had a notebook full of NCRS Top Flight awards, this was still a bit rich. Very well sold. #78-1975 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 1Z67T5S434857. Bright blue metallic/ white vinyl/black leather. Odo: 7,242 miles. 350-ci 205-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Special-ordered new by consignor from Viking Chevrolet in Fridley, MN, retaining original window sticker and invoice. Options include M21 4-speed, Z07 OffRoad Handling package, a/c, both tops, ps, pb, pw, rear window defogger, tilt/tele steering column, Custom interior and AM/FM stereo. Stated that indicated miles are actual from new. Recently professionally repainted in two-stage base/clear—done vastly better than any factory paint job. All chrome original and excellent. Light scuffing on windshield trim. Seating surface glossiness from use and some light wrinkling from compacted padding is extent of interior wear. Stock and tidy underhood. Some chassis components have a bit of light primer overspray on them. Cond: 2-. #84-1992 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 1G1YY33P5N5119834. Bright Aqua Metallic/white vinyl/white leather. Odo: 70,311 miles. 5.7-L 300-hp fuel-injected V8, auto. Optional electronic climate control, selective ride control, Delco/Bose sound system and power sport seats. Very well-cared-for original paint, with about three touched-up light rock chips near front emblem. Slight UV fade on luggage rack and rear spoiler. Headlight door gaps vary, main door gaps good. Moderate door-sill carpeting wear. Some areas of wear on driver’s seat bolster touched up before seats were redyed. Crack in passenger’s side rear compartment plastic lining. Used-car undercarriage, with original exhaust system’s resonators starting to blow out on bottoms. Hood clamshell stayed firmly latched for whole of auction’s inspection and sale. Cond: 3+. leather. Odo: 61,035 miles. 317-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Originally Colonial Blue with a two-tone blue leather interior, per body tag that’s popriveted over the better-quality color-change repaint. New generic door seals sloppily glued into place. All brightwork either replated or professionally refurbished. Well-fitted Stayfast top. Expertly reupholstered door panels. Engine is clean and was at least initially well detailed. However, the devil’s in the details: too-light engine-paint coating now has light surface rust, and modern crimp connectors are used in several places on newer wiring harness. Very clean undercarriage, with red body paint and black chassis. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $49,000. One of 144 1975 C3s with the Z07 Off-Road Handling package. When it was first advertised online that the car was going to be here, more folks called the auction company asking what the Z07 package was than inquiring about the low miles. If they had done their homework, they’d have known that it’s not 108 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $9,720. My sister, who has a travel photography blog, was out photographing cars at Back to the 50’s, and I told her that her assignment for the day was to photograph this car and have it show in images as the correct Bright Aqua Metallic. This paint is an auction reporter’s bane, as when photographed it always turns blue under any sort of artificial light, and isn’t even cooperative in natural sunlight. She spent about half an hour before getting fairly close—but still not quite on the button. A delightful and very early-1990s color, but not one easily reproduced. A pretty decent driver, and appropriately bid considering the miles and that it’s essentially a fun, sunny-day driver with some light reconditioning. Fair deal all around. FOMOCO #85-1953 LINCOLN CAPRI convertible. VIN: 53WA28956H. Royal Red/black cloth/black & red SOLD AT $36,720. 1952’s all-new 317-ci Yblock V8 carried over into 1953, gaining 45 horsepower by using a 4-barrel carburetor in lieu of the previous year’s 2-barrel. Hardly the stuff of high performance today, but back then these were “road race” Lincolns (so named for their class-winning exploits in La Carrera Panamericana Mexican Road Race of this era). It was also the car for which Tom McCahill put down some filthy lucre that he earned from his columns in Mechanix Illustrated to secure it as his personal ride. He’d probably review this example as, “Shines like a newly minted penny on the outside, but they must’ve put a Scotsman on doing up under the hood.” The reserve was met when bidding hit $34k, then it petered out and was hammered sold. Better sold than bought, but not by a wide margin. #116-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. VIN: D7FH146633. Starmist Blue/navy blue cloth, white hard top/white & gray vinyl. Odo: 51,779 miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Factory options include both types of tops (although the original black vinyl soft top is now blue cloth), ps, pb, plus Town & Country radio. Purchased by consignor from original owner’s daughter in 1991. Since then, it received a professional trimoff repaint, had undercoating removed, replaced interior soft trim with reproduction pieces—plus the engine, carburetor, transmission, differential, brakes and ps pump have all been rebuilt. Paint on the hard top may be original. Reproduction

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS • ST. PAUL, MN whitewall tires starting to yellow, as is some of the repop interior vinyl. Okay door fit, even if it protrudes slightly higher than the body. Clean but not stunning engine bay and undercarriage. Front suspension sits a bit low. Cond: 2-. Skyliner hard-top convertibles also got the Galaxie name, depending upon when a given car was built and at which plant it was made. The consignor must have had the cost of the restoration from years back still in his head not to accept this very reasonable final bid. NOT SOLD AT $35,500. To my mind, this is a rather fetching color combination, especially with the dark blue cloth soft top, but also since it doesn’t have those Kelsey-Hayes 1961–63 Sports Roadster wire wheels that appear all too often on these two-place T-birds. The full wheel covers for 1957 look rather nice on these, and aren’t a PITA to keep clean, inflated and balanced. Full bid here, but the consignor didn’t realize it. #118-1959 FORD GALAXIE 500 2-dr hard top. VIN: H9HS173148. White/white & gold vinyl, gray nylon. Odo: 71,998 miles. 352-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored over a decade ago, now aging out to look more like a good original. The trim-off repaint still looks quite good. Light overspray on chassis and suspension. Replated bumpers and several major pieces of chrome— but not all of them. Light pitting on C-pillar base trim. Reconditioned stainless trim. New door seals, but missing all stop bumpers, so doors rattle a bit when latched. Expertly installed reproduction seats, door panels, carpet, headliner and dashpad. Older repaint of valve covers and air cleaner, with repop decals. Even older engine block repaint. Minimal effort taken to detail or for authenticity underhood beyond that. Cond: 3+. #120-1959 EDSEL CORSAIR convertible. VIN: W9RU730624. Star Blue Metallic/black vinyl/black & silver vinyl. Odo: 58,280 miles. 361-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Original window sticker from when it was sold new by Oberg-Ryan Lincoln-Mercury of Duluth, MN. Options include Level-Temp heater and defroster, back-up lights, station-seeking AM radio, safety package and tinted windshield. Stated that indicated miles are correct. Repainted a few years ago in base/clear and done quite well. Original paint under the hood on cowl. Masking around door seals could’ve been better. Old bumper replate, with remaining chrome being original and slightly muted. Original carpeting has moderate wear and fading. Wrinkled dashpad corners. Repainted engine, but not really detailed beyond that. Mostly rattle-can black chassis, with overspray on exhaust system. Newer radial tires. Cond: 3+. although masking around body tag is iffy. Good door fit, but rear hatch and tailgate have some alignment issues. Mostly replated chrome and refurbished stainless trim. New plastic inserts for pedestrian gun-sight emblems. More alignment issues with lower rear quarter panel “Reynolds Wrap” trim to its rear molding. Rear alloy trim rather dull and in need of polishing. Fitted with stainless-steel fender skirts. Good engine paint, in FoMoCo Blue. Stock reupholstery work on seats. Reproduction door panels and dashpad. Bland, used-car undercarriage. Cond: 3+. NOT SOLD AT $20,000. The Ford wagon hierarchy for 1960 still had both 2-door Ranch Wagons and these 4-door Country Sedans in the lower-to-midrange Fairlane trim. The 4-door Country Squire, with its acres of wood-grained vinyl decals, was considered a high-trim Galaxie. Any of these are far and few between today, as your best chance of finding one is in an oldtimey junkyard. However, this one has been popping up with some regularity. It was last seen selling at Mecum’s suburban Chicago auction in October 2017, then fetching $20,350 (ACC# 6851798). Bid lower than that here, there was no way it was selling; stated as it rolled out of the building that it takes $22k to get it bought today. NOT SOLD AT $19,500. The Galaxie name was introduced to the Fairlane 500 lineup over the course of the 1959 model year. The biggest difference was the Galaxie’s use of the Thunderbird-style blind C-pillar roof on fixed-roof body styles (the top-shelf Country Squire staying part of the Fairlane 500 series). Sunliner ragtops and 110 AmericanCarCollector.com NOT SOLD AT $21,000. While it seems obvious that Lincoln-Mercury dealers also got Edsel franchises, Ford had always intended the Edsel to be sold by dealers who didn’t necessarily have ties to FoMoCo. As such, Edsels were also sold by dealers who handled Pontiacs, GMCs, Studebakers, International trucks, various brands of farm tractors and implements, plus myriad imports. Being from the “Minnesota Riviera,” I suspect that this was a more affluent citizen’s summer cruise-around toy. If it was a four-season car from up there, it would’ve rusted out from salt used on hilly streets before JFK was assassinated. Consignor quoted a dealer-based price guide with pie-in-the-sky figures ranging from $52k to $60k, which is pushing it pretty hard for a concours-quality, Condition 1 car. This isn’t that. #105-1960 FORD COUNTRY SEDAN 6-passenger wagon. VIN: 0E64X210994. White/aqua vinyl. Odo: 99,950 miles. 352-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Generally good repaint, done a few years ago, #65-1965 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. VIN: 5Y85Z166441. White/white vinyl/blue vinyl. Odo: 22,469 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optional Swing-Away steering column, power seats and power windows. Repainted not that long ago, and reasonably well with generally decent masking—if you ignore overspray on undercarriage. Well-fitted replacement top, and top mechanism works very well. Good door fit. Older bumper replating, plus some trim reconditioning, but most alloy trim is rather dull. Modern replacement windshield. Original interior, which is presentable but has its share of issues. Seam lifting to some extent on all seating positions. Lightly pitted brightwork. Older engine repaint done well enough at the time, but is now dingy. Paint flaking off air cleaner. Call it function-over-form component maintenance. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $15,000. The 1965 T-bird featured the initial use of sequential turn signals on a Ford product. That’s just one of a multitude of complex features on these drop-tops, with the most complex being that top-actuation assembly

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS • ST. PAUL, MN so nobody should complain here—although I feel it was a touch better sold than bought. for which it shares the vast majority of parts with the 1961–67 Lincoln Continental convertibles. This one went up and down with no problem at all (helped by the fact that the consignor deals in these cars, is well versed in how the tops function, and can fix ’em). He was firm and fast on his $17k reserve, so this was a $2k chasm that wasn’t getting jumped from either direction, but that chasm is the proper money for the car with all other issues factored into it. #115-1967 FORD RANCHERO pickup. VIN: 7K48H142348. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 55,992 miles. 390-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional a/c, ps, pb and AM radio. Modern production Cragar SS wheels on radial tires. Originally Medium Gold Metallic, with a better-quality trim-off, colorchange repaint. Reproduction body trim, but it’s for a Fairlane 500 (aside from correct Ranchero scripts on side of cargo box and “longhorn” emblems on C-pillars and tailgate). Wiper arms appear to be powder coated. New fender bolts used underhood. Engine authentically repainted and detailed. However, that’s not recent, as bare-metal fasteners and brake master cylinder have flash rust. Well-fitted all-reproduction interior soft trim starting to show some minimal wear and light dust from sitting. Older flat- and matte-black coatings on undercarriage. Cond: 2-. #56-1968 FORD MUSTANG coupe. VIN: 8R01C163584. Dark green metallic/white vinyl/ Parchment vinyl. Odo: 47,973 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Consignor claims miles are actual, but can’t back it up. Older color-change repaint from the original Tahoe Turquoise, but has paint-lifting issues due to some rust blistering along base of C-pillar trim. Light frost pitting on most chrome. Original wheel covers in trunk, while a set of take-off, fake wire covers are over rusty wheels. Redyed roof. Interior changed a while back from original Ivy Gold—long enough back that it’s now markedly yellowing. Aftermarket wood-rim steering wheel and DIN-mount sound system below dash—with stock AM radio still in place. Recent engine bay fluff-and-buff, with a good repaint and repop decals on motor but Walmart-level hardware and ancillaries. Dingy undercarriage with chambered dual exhaust system. Cond: 3+. tem. Good repro seats and carpeting. Passenger’s side visor was signed by the ol’ chicken farmer himself. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $108,000. When you put the catalog for the auction you bought the car from on the dashboard, it’s extremely low-hanging fruit to figure out that it was bought at Mecum’s 2015 Spring Classic at Indy for $145,800 (ACC# 6798047). We also have seen it at the 2018 Spring Classic, then not selling against a $115k high bid (ACC# 6874401). Hate to say never, but it’s highly unlikely that it’ll sell for less if maintained in this condition. It’s not often that one can call the top-selling car at an auction well bought, but I just did. NOT SOLD AT $17,500. Let’s see…drivergrade, plain Mustang, in the least-popular body style, painted a non-stock color with colorchanged interior, lowest-horsepower 289 (losing five ponies in 1968 with smog gear), automatic, and no Marti Report (like $45 is going to bust the budget, yet that would show how much this had been changed). And they didn’t take a $17,500 offer. More like there wasn’t $17,500 to offer on this $12,500 car. SOLD AT $24,300. For 1966, the Ranchero made the jump to the mid-size platform, staying there until it was discontinued in 1979. In my opinion, the ’67s like this one were the best looking of the two years of the square-box body, and with the federally mandated safety changes (especially dual-master-cylinder brakes and collapsible steering column), this is also the year to have for a cruiser. And have no doubt about it, this one is a cruiser, not a show boat—especially with the Fairlane 500 trim and scripts on it. The reserve was lifted once the bidding dried up, 112 AmericanCarCollector.com #98-1968 SHELBY GT500 fastback. VIN: 8T02S129533. Acapulco Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 73,404 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Shelby’s suffix to the Ford VIN is 00541. Marti Report displayed with car confirms that it was optioned with ps, front disc pb, wheelwell moldings, Tilt-Away steering column, Sport Deck rear seat, interior décor group, extra cooling package and AM radio. Now fitted with 10-spoke Shelby alloys on repro Blue Streak tires. Older, concise restoration, with some recent touch-up. Rather good base/clear repaint, inclusive of center stripes. Recent fluff-and-buff underhood, but is all correct right down to hoses going into smog pump and a repop battery. Heavier rust on repainted gas tank than springs and exhaust sys- #113-1973 FORD MUSTANG convertible. VIN: 3F03F230528. Blue Glow Metallic/white vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 69,964 miles. 302-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional ps, pb, Sports Mirrors and full tinted glass. Per the Marti Report, it was originally leased to Ford’s Twin Cities District Office as a company car. Additional documentation states it was supplied to use for filming introductory scenes in Minneapolis for the third season of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Drivergrade restoration done approximately two decades ago is still presentable. Slightly betterthan-average base/clear repaint. Hints of body filler in base of rear wheelwells and bottoms of doors—accented quite well by the argent rocker-panel paint. Mix of okay original and good repop brightwork. Newer top. Most dash vents are broken. Dingy engine bay. Cond: 3. NOT SOLD AT $16,500. In B-roll video that supported the claim of being used in the intro for the TV series, Mary (wearing a Vikings number 10 Fran Tarkenton jersey) is given a sponge to wash the car, then she asks how to wash a car, as she had never done that before. If not for the TV connection, this would just be another $7,500 BEST BUY

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TWIN CITIES AUCTIONS • ST. PAUL, MN cruise-night special. However, locals to the Twin Cities tend to go mental over fleeting moments of stardom, and that is epitomized in the highest degree by the worship of this long-running 1970s TV series loosely based in Minneapolis, but rarely filmed here. Just like the Green Bay Packers fan-shrine Packard that I reported on at the W. Yoder auction a month earlier in Wautoma, WI, if you can’t get more than what’s bid right here in the heart of the strongest fan base, you darn well won’t do any better anywhere else. It really should’ve sold. #117-1988 FORD MUSTANG ASC McLaren convertible. VIN: 1FABP40E2JF204214. Red/ black cloth/two-tone gray leather. Odo: 6,162 miles. 5.0-L fuel-injected V8, auto. Dash plaque number 943 (out of 1,015 made for 1988). ASC McLaren-generated window sticker shows it was sold new by Pelican Ford of Sarasota, FL, and optioned with the automatic transmission, power door locks, a/c, cruise control and built-in radar detector. Good ASC-applied paint, although it now has some moderate polishing scratches in places. ASC tag in driver’s door jamb is getting a bit rough. Excellent original interior; only issue is staining from cleaning compounds on dashpad. Generally clean and minimally detailed underhood. Used-car undercarriage. Older replacement tires. Cond: 2-. glass and interior trim, then shipped back to River Rouge to have the trim completed. It wasn’t until 1984 that Ford was set up to make the convertibles in-house. Last seen selling for $14,840 at Mecum’s Spring 2012 Kansas City auction (ACC# 202944). Since then, Fox-body Mustangs of all stripes have been gaining in value, especially these ASC McLarens, which have generally been misunderstood for decades. While it may seem well sold, I feel it was a market-correct sale—especially since it’s a good detailing away from being a show car. MOPAR #130-1962 CHRYSLER 300 2-dr hard top. VIN: 8223203283. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 30,028 miles. 413-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Fitted with modern chrome wire wheels, which now have light surface rust on spokes and are shod with older radials. Only options are the 413 V8, power steering and AM radio. Repainted a few years ago, and is generally presentable. Spot-welded VIN tag lifted as part of the repaint, then reattached with two different screws. Bottom of windshield starting to delaminate. Hood slightly bowed. Decent older engine repaint, with repop valve cover decals. Seats reupholstered recently, done rather well. Also has replacement carpet and dashpad. Redyed door panels. Somewhat robust exhaust note. Parking brake started hanging up when staged to go across the line, but was fixed by the time it crossed the block. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $14,040. Not to be confused with the “letter cars,” the no-letter-suffix 300 (actually, it was the “Super Sport 300”) was first introduced for 1962, riding the coattails of the 1955–61 C-300 through 300G. It replaced the Windsor in the Chrysler lineup as a less-expensive, performance-themed, mid-range Chrysler. It was also available as a 4-door hard top, as the letter cars were always 2-doors. If the consignor was going to go the wire-wheel route, they should’ve done the repop 1950s Chrysler/Imperial wires instead of what looks like a set of swapmeet specials. The cost-cutting measures done on the whole car stepped over the rarity factor, although the $9k reserve was easily surpassed. Well enough sold. #127-1973 PLYMOUTH ’CUDA 2-dr hard top. VIN: BS23H3B176193. Silver Frost Metallic/ black vinyl. Odo: 40,374 miles. 340-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Per fender tag, equipped with side stripes, front disc pb, body-colored dual racing mirrors, rocker-sill moldings and AM radio. Twostage repaint done a few years ago and presents well. Door-top trim is overall lightly dented, if not rippled. Replated bumpers. Most emblems are in like-new condition but have plenty of polish and wax residue around them. Seats have light wrinkling from use but are otherwise in great shape. Heavier fading of pistol-grip shift knob than the printed wood on dashboard. Heavier soiling on steering wheel. Stock-appearing engine, with a good repaint a few years back but now getting soiled. Non-OEM service parts like the hoses, clamps and ignition wiring. Primer overspray on chassis. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $21,600. For those who say these ASC McLarens are nothing more than cut coupes, all 1983 Mustang convertibles were also made into drop tops from coupes shipped to ASC without “ Fox-body Mustangs of all stripes have been gaining in value, especially these ASC McLarens, which have generally been misunderstood for decades. 1988 Ford Mustang ASC McLaren convertible ” SOLD AT $32,400. By 1973, this was the highest-performance ’Cuda that you could get. While the 340 was a good engine, it certainly wasn’t a big block or Hemi that was available just two years earlier. With performance taking a nose dive, so did sales, although 1973 rebounded slightly, from 1972’s 16,142 to 19,281, but the OPEC oil crisis delivered the knock-out punch for the final year of 1974 with a meager 11,734 sales. The final years of production will always live and be priced in the shadows of 1970s and ’71 models—even like-for-like ’Cuda 340s—so this sale is market-correct, if not a touch rich. A September–October 2019 113

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report American Highlights at Three Auctions CLASSICS #198-1916 PIERCE-ARROW MODEL 48 tourer. VIN: 14656. Eng. # B43105. Cream/ black cloth/black leather. RHD. Odo: 8,652 miles. Full restoration by previous owner in early 2000s. Holding up well, with no typical paint cracking, just a few small chips and scratches. Body and door fit better than usually seen on a restored Brass Era car. Top outer and inner cloth appear very well. Interior has seats showing just a nice bit of use, with impressive dash, steering wheel and other details. Front tires older with some cracking and different brand than Goodrich rears. Two new spares on rims are same type as the front tires. Engine clean and appears well restored. Cond: 2+. One owner with all its original paperwork and claimed original 14k miles — 1993 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 40th Anniversary coupe, sold for $35,200 at Mecum Portland RM Auctions Auburn, IN — May 29–June 1, 2019 Auctioneers: Brent Earlywine, Mike Shackelton Automotive lots sold/offered: 185/281 Sales rate: 66% Sales total: $4,689,515 High sale: 1930 Cord L-29 phaeton, sold at $157,300 Buyer’s premium: 10%, included in sold prices Report and photos by Daren Kloes Bonhams Greenwich, CT — June 2, 2019 Auctioneer: Malcolm Barber Automotive lots sold/offered: 71/99 Sales rate: 72% Sales total: $4,356,464 114 AmericanCarCollector.com High American sale: 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback, sold at $161,280 Buyer’s premium: 12% on first $250,000; 10% thereafter, included in sold prices Report and photos by Jeff Trepel, Mark Moskowitz and Larry Trepel Mecum Auctions Portland, OR — June 21–22, 2019 Auctioneers: Mark Delzell, Jimmy Landis Automotive lots sold/offered: 252/416 Sales rate: 61% Sales total: $6,625,740 High American sale: 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 fastback, sold at $275,000 Buyer’s premium: 10%, minimum $500, included in sold prices Report and photos by Jim Pickering and Chad Taylor NOT SOLD AT $130,000. This impressive Pierce-Arrow must have come close to meeting its reserve, with a low estimate of $150k. Much effort and investment made not long ago for restoration, so the high bid seems relatively modest, perhaps reflecting a narrowing market for Brass Era cars. An incredible car to own for this kind of money, but caring for and driving such a car takes commitment and may be challenging. Let’s hope values stay high enough to keep these cars cared for and marketable. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #6028-1929 PACKARD EIGHT convertible. VIN: 176407. Yellow/tan cloth/green leather. Odo: 85,111 miles. Old restoration now showing lots of nicks and scratches. Interesting color choice. Seats were no doubt re-covered during restoration, but now show an “original”-looking patina. Chrome trim lightly pitted. Engine compartment dirty and dusty. Fitted with Deluxe Equipment package, which included sidemount, chrome plating on the cowl band and cowl lamps, and trunk rack. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $26,400. Prior to the Depression in 1929, Packard was riding high. The company was creating innovative, powerful and beautiful cars and was one of the first companies to master luxury marketing. It didn’t simply release a new model when the calendar year changed; rather, it

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ROUNDUP GLOBAL America’s premier automakers, then $30k seems like a bargain. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. introduced a new “series” when upgrades were warranted, a philosophy that supported the brand’s exclusivity. This Series Six model represented the beginning of the look that would define Packard’s signature design for the next decade or so. This example had great bones, but everything needs attention. Seemed cheap enough, but even a well-restored example would have trouble cracking $75k–$80k today. RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19. #139-1935 PIERCE-ARROW TWELVE Model 1245 sedan. VIN: 3120071. Black/tan cloth. Odo: 72,492 miles. Presented as largely original. Complete and intact, in running condition. Body panels in very good condition, virtually dent-free. Paint dull, mostly consistent, with light blue undercoat coming through as tiny spotting. Running-board coverings coming off in pieces, board metal underneath intact but rusted. Mascot has a broken bow. One headlight and one running light have cracked lenses. Grille straight but rusted, bumpers appear rechromed at one time. Interior appears mostly original. Front-seat fabric slightly different and newer looking than rear seat. Door wood, dash and floors in presentable condition. Two gauges have broken glass lenses, and the clock has much corrosion on its face, unlike the other gauges. State inspection sticker dated 1995. Cond: 4+. #6030-1936 PACKARD ONE-TWENTY convertible. VIN: 9991025. Brown & cream/tan cloth/tan leather. Odo: 2,595 miles. 282-ci I8, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Restored some time ago to a good but not great level. Likely a decent car to start with, as some of the chrome trim pieces and gauges look original and in good condition. Weak paint shows a lack of depth, overspray on seals and uneven pinstriping. Weatherstrip around rumble seat is dry and cracked. Equipped with dual sidemount spares, rumble seat, and includes clock, radio, heater and luggage rack. Offered from the Route 66 Packard Museum Collection. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $33,000. Down-market Packards such as this example were a double-edged sword for the company. On one hand, moving into mass production helped keep the company alive following the Great Depression when other luxury brands like Stutz and Franklin had priced themselves out of the market (and subsequently out of existence). On the other hand, loyal Packard buyers began to lose faith in the exclusivity the brand once represented. These are still excellent road cars with innovative features, but in this market it takes exceptional restorations or coach-built models to command a respectable price. RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19. #6114-1941 CADILLAC SERIES 60 SPECIAL sedan. VIN: 6341235. Green/gray & green cloth. Odo: 53,056 miles. Offered by the estate of Robert S. Dulin, who purchased it in the late 1980s and had it professionally restored at a cost exceeding $100k. Still, the paint was slightly dull, chrome lightly pitted and what should be cloisonné emblems have been painted. Deluxe fullwheel hubcaps. Said to have been recently serviced. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $37,400. These mid-1930s junior Packards offer posh style and near-perfect proportions. On top of that, they are good road cars that approach modern highway speeds, making them terrific club tour cars. Today, a nice 20-year-old Acura Integra Type R has appreciated to a level similar to today’s example, but their value curves are crossing in opposite directions. Sadly, price appreciation is not likely the Packard’s fate, and this modest result is a barometer of the future. RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19. SOLD AT $30,800. Regal, stately Pierce-Arrow in sound but tired condition. Examples such as this—over 80 years old—always present a challenge: Is it mostly original, or was it restored 40 or 50 years ago? If original, I’d leave it mostly as-is and make it a preservation-class standout. In either case, pre-war sedans are mostly stagnant in value. This one sold in average market range, but if you want to look at it as obtaining an historic, preserved V12 sedan from one of #6037-1938 PACKARD EIGHT convertible. VIN: 11993217. Orange/tan canvas/brown vinyl. Odo: 350 miles. Another aged restoration from the Route 66 Packard Museum. Flashy color, but paint shows several nick and chips throughout. Incorrect upholstery and carpet materials. Cloudy rear-view mirror and original interior bits that show tarnish. Equipped with dual sidemounted and covered spares, and includes clock, radio and heater. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $25,300. The ’41 60S has beautiful proportions with a most elegant feel. It is a Full Classic as designated by the CCCA and represents one of the least-expensive tickets to the Club. These cars have a modern feel and are a joy to drive. Despite lots of money showered upon this example, some details were left slightly unsatisfying. Sadly, sold at a market price, but should be worth more. RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19. GM #169-1949 CADILLAC DEVILLE 2-dr hard top. VIN: 496289515. Eng. # 496289515. Dark blue metallic/light blue/blue & gray cloth & leather. Odo: 26,474 miles. 331-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Elegant Cadillac presented with vague restoration history, but likely done in the mid-tolate 1990s, as it was a 1998 AACA National First Prize winner. If so, the quality of the restoration is impressive and it has endured very well. Paint and chrome no longer concours quality, but both are in remarkably good condition, with minor September–October 2019 115

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP blemishes here and there and slight microscratching (which is what happens to cars). Inside, the dash and its hardware are almost perfect, and headliner is excellent. Leather portions of seats are somewhat soiled—hopefully a deep cleaning can improve that. Very clean underhood, but not detailed. Cond: 2. NOT SOLD AT $25,000. The owner and his friend were debating removing the header plugs from this monster for its trip across the block, which would have undoubtedly made for a deafening few minutes inside Portland’s Expo Center. It takes a special buyer to buy a ’55 Gasser—especially a wagon—but for that guy, this thing had all the right stuff and a great overall look. Bid price wasn’t close enough for the seller, which isn’t much of a surprise given what it probably cost to assemble all of these parts. The market for something like this gets much thinner with an asking price closer to $30k. May be worth more than what was bid, but not a bunch more. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. NOT SOLD AT $68,000. The 1949 Cadillac was a landmark car because of the debut (along with Oldsmobile) of the revolutionary high-compression, OHV V8 engine, and the advent of the first pillarless hard top (again, along with Buick and Oldsmobile), to which Cadillac gave the name Coupe de Ville. Only slightly faded since its restoration over 20 years ago, and obviously the recipient of long-term loving care. This car was an excellent example, but I could not find any sales of non-convertible 1949 Cadillacs that would support the Bonhams pre-sale estimate of $80k– $100k. The high bid of $68,000 was realistic and should have been considered Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #F129.1-1955 CHEVROLET 210 Handyman utility. VIN: A550081619. Primer black/black vinyl. Odo: 9 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Black primer finish over imperfect body. Panel gaps decent, chrome and trim fitted is in good shape. Sitting on a straight axle and leaf springs up front for a gasser-style look, engine is set back three inches from the factory location. Tunnel ram induction, TH400 auto with 3500-rpm stall and 3.25:1 gears with Grizzly locker. Teninch-wide magnesium rear wheels with fat 31/18.5/15 Mickey Thompson rubber. No back seat. Engine looks like a period piece with vintage cast-aluminum M/T valve covers, 4160-series Holleys and painted velocity stacks. Nice, coated fenderwell headers. Disc brakes. Cond: 3-. #6102-1957 BUICK SPECIAL wagon. VIN: 4D1086021. Gray & mauve/blue cloth. Odo: 78,227 miles. 364-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Driver-quality example, with poor-quality two-tone paint, chrome pitted and scratched. Blue interior is newer, but looks incorrect with greenish gray and mauve exterior colors. Features include tissue dispenser, clock and Sonomatic radio. Whitewall tires on Buick wire wheels. Cond: 3-. peel above. Interior appears original and remains excellent. New Haartz convertible top. Most power accessories standard—after all, it’s a Cadillac. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $33,550. In 1962, American optimism ran high, and Cadillac continued its decades-long string of models that remained “The Standard of the World,” at least as far as American iron was concerned. While this high style may have been the choice for Frank, Sammy and Marilyn, memories are short and the market has lost some of the nostalgia that propped these cars up in recent years. This was a good example, but demand for early-’60s land yachts is sadly dwindling. RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19. #S181-1966 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr hard top. VIN: 164376L105677. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 65,331 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Decent repaint shows well, but with some light polish scratches throughout, orange peel, and some evidence of recent buffing. Front and rear bumpers worn but still straight, remaining bright trim in good overall condition, including the often dented and dinged trunk-lid trim piece. Side trim probably reproduction; alignment at door slightly off to front fender. Original big-block car, but not fitted with a/c, AM/FM or the SS package. Chassis wears a heavy undercoating that looks newer than 1966. Engine compartment wears a glossy repaint, including the 396. Interior clean and stock, but with added-on headrests to bench seat and universal triple gauges under dash. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $21,450. Among 1950s wagons, it doesn’t get much better than Buicks—especially the flagship ’57 Caballero. Unfortunately, this was a lesser Special model, and the amateurish execution of this car’s work makes it a better candidate for a correct re-restoration than a ready-to-go show car. Purchased as such, and will require a big investment to make right. RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19. #6103-1962 CADILLAC SERIES 62 convertible. VIN: 62F139489. Blue/blue cloth. Odo: 86,472 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. New paint, but not of tremendously high quality, as it’s showing some dirt under the finish and orange NOT SOLD AT $22,000. GM built a lot of Impalas in 1966—654,900 of all bodies, but that doesn’t include the SS models or the Bel Air, Biscayne or Caprice. Total them all up and you get about 1.3m cars, and that’s 1966 alone. A lot of those cars were like this one—no real creature comforts to speak of aside from the baselevel Impala equipment, but fitted with one of the larger available engines. B-body GM cars are big, but they’re also stylish and relatively easy to come by, which I think makes them a great starter-level collector car—especially for a family with kids. This one was bid correctly for what was there, including the wheels and the bigblock option. Should have sold. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. 116 AmericanCarCollector.com

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP MARKET MOMENT 1971 Chevrolet Nova #173-1967 PONTIAC GTO convertible. VIN: 242677P101050. Cameo Ivory/white canvas/red Morrokide. Odo: 15,640 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older paint well applied and still looks good. Gray trunk interior paint oversprayed on hinges. Large chrome pieces are decent, but some small pieces are hazy with micro-scratching. Thin chrome strip on front edge of left rear side window pitted and rusty. Recent white convertible top has a few minor scuffs but no harm; rear window clear and unwrinkled. Red Morrokide seats are a welcome change from the usual black and in fine shape. Red laced cover on steering-wheel rim probably hiding some cracks. Very clean underhood with correct-blue engine block; brake booster looks new. Cond: 2-. Theodore W. Pieper ©2019, courtesy of RM Auctions SOLD at $12,000 RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, May 29–June 1, 2019, Lot 5023 VIN: 114271W252964 looking at here. Someone built this black car in the 1970s, back when a high stance on Cragars was the ticket for a hot street machine. The slapper bars, 12-bolt, 4-speed, Pro-Trac-style tires, double-pumper Holley, M/T valve covers, tube headers, single-plane intake and lack of vacuum advance all point to one purpose: speed. It’s all dated stuff, but it’s right for a certain era — and a certain builder, too: the unattached young type. Back in, say, 1977, none of these parts would have been cheap. But regardless of the dedica- S tion and cost involved, it appears that the fun stopped all at once. The interior? Clean, stock, not worn out from years of cheap daily duties. Underhood? About what you’d expect, with nothing newer than days three or four. Tires? Ancient. Electronic ignition? Nope. If I had to guess, soon after this car was bought and built, priorities changed. This first baby then got parked — and pickled. Eventually Dad’s car came here to Auburn, where it sold for $12k. Conjecture, all of it. But regardless of how this Nova got here, it was the spitting image of how a lot of them were in the 1970s. High-school parking lots were full of cars like this one, and most of them didn’t survive intact in such a time-warp way. As a flashback to a certain place and time, when 4-speeds and Cragars ruled the streets, I think this was a steal — some builders are paying good money today to re-create what this car has in spades. Well bought. I hope the seller doesn’t sit 118 AmericanCarCollector.com AmericanCarCollector.com pringsteen says glory days will pass you by. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Not if you keep your old hot rod. That’s what I feel like I’m SOLD AT $47,600. Convertibles represented less than 12% of 1967 GTO production, so this is a more uncommon muscle car than one might suppose. The 4-speed and red interior make it even more desirable. A mostly well-done older restoration, but someone did not sweat details. Each of the deficiencies is easily remedied, but as a whole they likely suppressed the bids. A nosale on the floor at $38,000, but later reported sold post-block. Ultimate sales price slightly below price-guide values, and a fair value for the buyer. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. around thinking about it. But he probably will. A — Jim Pickering #F166-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO coupe. VIN: 124379N562644. Red & black/black vinyl/ black vinyl. Odo: 75,707 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 5-sp. Driver-level repaint looks good overall, but shows some orange peel, specifically close to the vinyl top. Gaps are just okay, with a wider-thanstock spot behind driver’s door. Appears to still have its original quarter panels. Nice vinyl top doesn’t look that old, chrome trim and bumpers show their age but are good for a driver. Original 327 engine rebuilt and fitted with aluminum heads, headers, Edelbrock AFB carb, HEI ignition, March serpentine-style belt system and aftermarket a/c. Other upgrades include a TKO 5-speed conversion, rack-and-pinion steering, and four-wheel disc brakes from Right Stuff. Dash-mounted tach, stock-looking interior in good shape. Cond: 3+.

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ROUNDUP GLOBAL different exhaust manifolds, and the factory Ram Air system, which could be opened and closed from the driver’s seat via a cable. I don’t blame the seller for holding out here, as this bid was well below the $76k median price as reported in the SCM/ACC Pocket Price Guide. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. SOLD AT $35,200. Disc brakes, an overdrive transmission and a/c made this red Camaro a much more usable driver than a total stocker would have been, which is likely what pushed the price to this level—of course, the red-andblack paint on that classic, sought-after ’69 body didn’t hurt, either. This was obviously owned by someone who loved it and loved to drive it, as most of what was done here was geared toward usability over visibility. The money here was about right for a red Camaro with a good selection of aftermarket parts, and this result should be repeatable next time, too. Fairly bought and sold. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. #S66-1969 PONTIAC GTO Judge 2-dr hard top. VIN: 242379R141741. Carousel Red/black vinyl. Odo: 48,151 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Smooth correct-color paintwork smells relatively new. Nice panel gaps, excellent decal application all around. Good chrome and trim, correct Polyglas tires on Rally II wheels. Fitted with Ram Air III package, power disc brakes, power steering, hood tach and more. Completely stock under hood with the proper fittings and finishes, if slightly over-restored. Interior clean and correct. Comes with PHS documentation proving its Judge status. Cond: 1-. #S89-1970 CHEVROLET CAMARO custom coupe. VIN: 124870L504966. Metallic gray/ black leather. 6.2-L supercharged V8, 6-sp. Topnotch metallic paint application over crisp, consistent body with good panel gaps. Fantastic chrome and trim, light tint to glass. Fitted with a TCI suspension tubular frame, RideTech coilovers, 14-inch Wilwood disc brakes, Rushforth wheels with Michelin Pilot tires, a supercharged LS3 coupled to a TR6060 6-speed manual transmission, 9-inch Ford rear with 3.73 gears and 35-spline axles, 3-inch exhaust, TMI custom interior and Vintage Air a/c. Digital dash. Spotless interior done to a high level. Cond: 1-. including lower sections of front fenders, floor, cab seam behind engine and rocker panels. Silverado package includes woodgrain interior trim and extra exterior side trim pieces, all in good shape. Add-on grille guard, newer Line-X sprayin bedliner. Front of bed is bent toward cab in the center—probably from hauling motorcycles. Underhood mostly stock, save for black valve covers, a replacement Q-jet, rusty headers, chrome trans dipstick and a yellow bungee keeping heater hoses pulled away from the exhaust system. Driver’s front tire almost flat. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $79,200. Last seen at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January 2018, where it sold for $71,500 (ACC# 6862003). Resto-mods are growing in popularity again, as evidenced by heavy price increases in Scottsdale and elsewhere at the start of 2019. I won’t suggest that building something like this is a great way to make money, because it isn’t, especially once you consider what each of the individual components cost when you start adding all the parts up. But well-done current customs like this one have a real following right now, and for an end-user who is looking to actually go out and drive a car hard—and have something that will turn heads at a car show—something like this Camaro can have a lot more appeal than a new Corvette fresh from GM for around the same money. Very well done, both on the build and on the sale. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. NOT SOLD AT $62,000. The paint smell had me wondering just how fresh this restoration was, but it didn’t really matter if the paint was a week old or 10 years old—either way, this was a really nicely done Judge. The Ram Air, III package pushed power from the base-level 350hp rating up to 366 hp via D-port cylinder heads, #S196-1976 CHEVROLET K10 pickup. VIN: CKU1461114170. Green/tan vinyl. Odo: 26,080 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Okay repaint shows a bunch of orange peel throughout and was completed with the glass still installed—some tape lines are still just barely visible on windshield and backglass rubber trim. Body is straight and solid in the typically rusty areas, September–October 2019 119 NOT SOLD AT $7,000. Dents, dings and orange peel didn’t keep interested parties away from this rig during the auction preview, but those issues were likely to blame for this lackluster bid across the block. The 1973–87 truck market is still developing, but I’m willing to bet the seller was looking for closer to double this number— which wouldn’t have made much sense considering the issues noted. As such, reasonably bid, if just a bit light. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. #S197-1977 CHEVROLET C10 pickup. VIN: CCL147Z199418. Sky blue/black vinyl. Odo: 35,087 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Is either a Cheyenne model with Silverado trim or a Silverado that’s missing its original woodgrain dash cluster. Decent, smooth paint. Reproduction front and rear bumpers in good overall condition. Correct ’77-only yellow-painted side trim and rear tailgate band. Has optional bed light. Bed fitted with tonneau cover frame (but no cover) and large propane tank for propane conversion, painted body color. Aftermarket tube grille. Seat is black, rest of interior is blue. Cond: 2-.

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP NOT SOLD AT $10,000. Propane conversions were popular with these trucks in this era, although it has to make fill-ups a serious hassle compared to a gas counterpart—not to mention the smell. But hey, no dangerous sidesaddle tanks to worry about here, right? Worth more than what was bid, but I think the propane conversion probably held back some enthusiasm on the part of the bidders. That said, it wouldn’t be hard to put this back to regular gas—and doing so would probably pay for itself with a larger bid the next time around. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. #F75-1986 PONTIAC FIERO GT coupe. VIN: 1G2PG9794GP27491. White/gray cloth. 511-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A clean, stock-looking Fiero from the outside. Underhood, however, it’s a different story, as the factory V6 has been dumped in favor of a big-block Chevrolet V8 and TH425 transaxle. Nice, original-looking paint with decent panel gaps; interior looks stock and original save for a few add-on gauges to monitor the monster sitting behind the driver. Engine fitted with fabricated “Pontiac” valve covers, aluminum heads, an exhaust-routed oil-vapor system, headers, MSD ignition, a huge cam and an HPseries Holley 4-bbl with no choke and removable air bleeds. Stated to be non-DEQ compliant. You don’t say. Cond: 2-. #F217-1987 PONTIAC FIERO SE coupe. VIN: 1G2PF1199HP202536. Medium red metallic/gray microfiber. Odo: 43,500 miles. 2.8-L fuel-injected V6, 5-sp. Paint in decent condition aside from scratchy finish on engine cover, scrape under left headlight and rock chip on center of nose. Factory alloys without scarring and wearing Goodyear Eagles, with plenty of tread. Black trim around windows and on mirrors slightly faded and scratched. Both engine compartment and front trunk area impeccably clean. Interior appears showroom-fresh despite mileage. Seats not ripped or stained and plastic pieces without cracks. Sold with owner’s manual and clean CARFAX. Cond: 3. Blue Flame valve cover and triple carbs. Some expected aging in a few areas of engine bay. Comes with three different aftermarket hard tops. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $7,150. A mostly fresh example of the often-hated Fiero. Despite the sub-par ’80s build quality and 40,000 miles, it’s managed to survive, thanks to caring owners. Unfortunately, there are not many redeeming qualities to make up for the Fiero’s lack of power and propensity to catch on fire. If you have to buy one, this example seemed like a decent choice. Just make sure to keep an eye on that oil-pressure gauge. At $7k, I’d give a slight nod to the seller. It is still a Fiero, after all. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. NOT SOLD AT $11,000. What do you do with a big-block-powered Fiero that you can’t register because it won’t pass emissions? Burnouts, I guess. I’d be tempted to yank out the big block, sell it, and then drop an LS in its place. Do that, add some cats, and head on down to the testing station to get your tags. Build your own C8 Corvette! The seller wasn’t willing to let this go at $11k, and I can’t say I would have done it, either. But the market for this kind of stuff is pretty thin. A 6.0-L out of a wrecked Silverado will run about $1,200, and with another $2k in mounts, details, and an ECU to run it, you’ll have a V8 Fiero that will surprise Porsches in the twisties and probably net closer to $20k at sale time. Seems like the right move to me. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. 120 AmericanCarCollector.com CORVETTE #171-1953 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: E53F001075. Eng. # LAY494788. White/black cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 91,865 miles. 235-ci 150-hp I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Older full restoration, done in the mid-1990s by consignor, who has owned it for 34 years. In most respects the excellent 23-year-old restoration has held up well, and the car shows care with some use. But paint finish has major cracking throughout most of the body. Chrome pieces in fine condition, with a small dent in one piece. Interior appears good; seats, dash in mostly very good condition. Cloth top also in good shape. Underneath, frame restoration shows very little road grime and is tidy. Engine compartment mostly good, with gleaming NOT SOLD AT $140,000. A rare piece of Corvette history, with only 300 made and about 200 surviving. All were finished in white with red interiors and 2-speed automatic transmissions. Winner of an NCRS Top Flight award, but that was in 1996 and time has taken its toll on the paint finish. This certainly affected the bidding, as it will take some significant work to tear it down and restore the finish properly. May bring a bit more next time, but high bid probably not far from correct value, as a slightly softening market has seen some no-sales with bids above and below $200k. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #6127-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 40867S120172. Red/black vinyl/ black vinyl. Odo: 90,672 miles. 327-ci 300-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Well-done amateur restoration of a 327/300, 4-speed-equipped ’Vette. The owner, who wisely sat with the car and engaged onlookers, claims the numbers match. A few nicks in the paint, light pitting to some chrome, and the stainless trim looks a bit dull. Features knockoffs, clock and radio. Cond: 3. SOLD AT $48,400. A relatively low-spec C2, but what’s not to like about a red Corvette 4-speed ragtop? The owner, who restored it himself, was selling to fund a big-block project he had socked away. Quick and nimble vs. straight-line gnarly—two completely different driving experiences of equal merit. One of each, please. This example was a quality driver sold on the light side. RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19.

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP #188-1964 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coupe. VIN: 40837S107999. Riverside Red/white vinyl. Odo: 87,954 miles. 327-ci 375-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Very nicely restored in recent years by consignor to original period race setup. A previous owner had converted it to a street-spec car long ago. Fresh looking, with excellent paint, panel fit, interior and engine compartment, which houses a replacement 327 Fuelie. Has race numbers, roll bar, original-style wheels without covers and mostly unmodified interior. Rare, original 36-gallon Big Tank, stated to be factory ordered on only 38 cars. Striking overall, street drivable and mechanically fit. Cond: 2+. finally be seeing increases in line with Fox Mustangs, Grand Nationals and the like. After all, this was king of the hill in the ’90s, and it’s aged well. The ZR-1 may not have had much of an exotic look over the standard C4, but it did get a substantial performance boost thanks to the DOHC 32V LT5, which loved to rev and totally changed the character of a Corvette. Low-miles cars are numerous today, but this is the price you’ll have to pay to get one. Well bought and sold. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. NOT SOLD AT $240,000. Exciting, rare, SCCA early-period race Corvette. Lack of extensive records, trophies and removal of original motor by first owner may have hurt provenance a bit, but car received NCRS American Heritage award in 2018 and has much photographic history. Reportedly driven at one time by Cale Yarborough, then by Art Tattinger. Consignor clearly put much care and investment into restoration. A no-sale at Mecum Harrisburg 2016 with high bid of $225k (ACC# 6812557), and no-sale again at Mecum Kissimmee in 2017 with high bid of $250k (ACC# 6822928). With another no-sale and high bid in the same range, owner may have to decide to lower expectations, or just hold onto it for awhile. In my view, it’s worth more, but the market may have spoken enough times here. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #S150-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible. VIN: 194677S112404. Lynndale Blue/ black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 1,708 miles. 427ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. Nicely done glossy paint, but is glossier than would have been stock in the door jambs and around the cowl under the hood. Good chrome and trim, nicer-than-original panel gaps. Engine said to be correct. Fitted with M21 4-speed, 3.70 Posi, power steering, power disc brakes, telescopic column, hard top, AM/FM radio and headrest seats. NCRS shipping data report noted, but no NCRS or Bloomington Gold awards. Claimed to have been built without any aftermarket parts. Cond: 1-. 122 AmericanCarCollector.com SOLD AT $99,000. It really pays to be careful when buying Corvettes at auction—specifically big-block, mid-year Corvettes, as there are a lot of knowledgeable builders out there who know how to build “original” 427 cars out of smallblock donors. Now, that’s not to say that this car had that history, but nowhere was it claimed to be original, either, which would make me think hard about bidding without independent verification. This was a nice car, and I think the price bid took the provenance question into account, as the money was light for a factory 435 roadster. If the proper paperwork exists or the numbers prove this to be a real-deal car, this was a screaming deal. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. #S16-1993 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR-1 40th Anniversary coupe. VIN: 1G1YZ23J2P5800054. Ruby Red/Ruby Red leather. Odo: 14,000 miles. 5.7-L 405-hp fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. Factory paint shows factory orange peel throughout, as well as polish scratching from years of dust-offs. Original glass, trim, etc. all in good shape for their age. Original tires are likely in need of replacement before any real mileage can be added. Stock LT5 engine compartment with all GM parts. A one-owner car with all its original paperwork and claimed original mileage. Clean, original red interior shows no wear. Comes with two tops. Cond: 2+. FOMOCO #6071-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible. VIN: E7FH318310. Thunderbird Bronze/ white hard top/bronze vinyl. Odo: 99,304 miles. 312-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. E-code example with 270-hp, dual-quad, 312-ci engine. Well restored several years ago but now showing age. Automatic transmission, power steering, Town & Country radio, and Dial-O-Matic power seat. Both tops including ’57-only “porthole” hard top. Advertised with “factory wire wheels,” but more likely reproduction K-H wheels that weren’t offered until ’62 and never with red centers. Poor door fit, but overall the best of the three ’57s offered at the sale. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $44,000. 1955–57 T-birds peaked in the 1980s, and this ‘Bird would have sold for more then, even without adjusting for the time value of money. Back then, the rare color of this example alone would have given it a 25% lift. The dual carbs, at least another 25%. Today, those details seemed almost meaningless, as it sold for just $2,200 more than the next closest, common, single-carb example in about the same condition. Current owners are begging for a remake of “American Graffiti” to breathe some life back into the market for these old ’Birds. A market-correct result, but no way it could be restored to this level at the price paid. RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19. SOLD AT $35,200. I’ve been waiting for the ZR-1 to start climbing in value along with other ’90s-era specialty cars, and I think we might #S55-1959 FORD THUNDERBIRD 2-dr hard top. VIN: H9YH110119. White/white & red leather. Odo: 27,558 miles. 352-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Consistent panel gaps and nice paint throughout, but trunk lid is a lighter shade of white than both quarter panels. Some wear to

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ROUNDUP GLOBAL chrome, specifically around the windshield and side glass. Side glass surrounds show light pitting. Original-looking engine compartment hosts a claimed rebuilt original 352 and automatic transmission. Aluminum Torq Thrust II wheels are the only exterior deviation from stock. Interior looks original as well and is in good overall condition. Said to have new wheel cylinders and new heater core. Cond: 3+. 483 badges on the air cleaner and fenders. Valve-cover decals announce same. Some paint loss in engine compartment. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $38,080. This car was billed as originally being a basic high-performance Galaxie with speed-robbing options deleted and high-performance options added. It carried Ford’s top engine, a 406, and was used as a tow car. Subsequently, a rare, “experimental” 483-ci engine is said to have been sourced from Ford’s Grand National program. These were far more rare than the Ford SOHCs, several of which powered Fords in the sale. If all is true, and I suspect it is, this Ford was very well bought. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. SOLD AT $19,250. The heater core and wheelcylinder replacement noted here were big pluses, as both can be problematic with any old American car—but it also suggests this car spent a good amount of time sitting in the not-so-distant past, which maybe isn’t such a great thing. But it did have a rebuilt drivetrain and had a good overall look, so there really isn’t much to complain about here. These bigger T-birds never had the following that the originals did, but this one did well here thanks to its clean appearance and lack of any apparent needs. Well sold. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. #176-1962 FORD GALAXIE 2-dr sedan. VIN: 2D51G163083. Corinthian White/blue cloth. Odo: 38,048 miles. 483-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. White (yellowed?) paint has inclusions in various areas, with chips and gouges along driver’s side. Some scratches on trunk, several pits on the roof, and excess paint with runs on the left front fender. Front bumper appears to have been rechromed. Body panels are straight. Delamination of windshield. Wheels have valve stems on their backside, a competition feature. Interior is simple; apparently all sound deadening has been removed. Dashboard appears in excellent shape, as do seat covers. Door panels and trim show significant wear on right and left. Large, black Ford #178-1963 FORD GALAXIE 2-dr sedan. VIN: 3G51R193476. Viking Blue/blue vinyl & cloth. Odo: 26,476 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Intriguing car from the featured Ford collection, a rare and purportedly original 427 R-code in a sleeper 2-door sedan body. Strong look of originality throughout, with only 26k miles on odometer. Paintwork has faded original finish that’s hard to re-create. Body in good shape, with some expected dings and one medium-size dent in rear fender. Catalog describes hood, which has slightly different color than the body, as repaired and repainted long ago after damage from “exploding clutch experience.” Interior looks largely original, with seats showing fabric wear but no splits or tears. Door panels seem newer to my eye. Engine compartment has a few pieces that appear refinished, such as fan shroud, but largely looks original and fairly clean. Cond: 3-. #180-1965 FORD GALAXIE 500 2-dr hard top. VIN: 5F66M100016. Springtime Yellow/black vinyl. Odo: 33,185 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Said to have originally been built as a test bed and fitted with Ford’s famed and rare SOHC 427. That engine was harvested and replaced by another SOHC during restoration. Lots of inclusions in paint surface. Extensive orange peel of the hood, trunk and elsewhere. Seat surfaces and side panels are excellent. Some cracks in steering wheel. Dashboard face and trim appear aged but minimally damaged. Rips in console carpet. Minimal pitting of window cranks. Euro-style Pyrex headlight coves. Heater is only comfort option in this bench-seat, crank-window, blackwall-shod coupe. Cond: 3+. 9 SOLD AT $112,000. Lots of buzz and a $300k– $400k estimate accompanied this car. The SOHC was a fabulously powerful engine that Ford unsuccessfully tried to homologate for NASCAR as a response to the powerful Chrysler Hemis. It subsequently enhanced the reputations of many Ford drag racers. If indeed the car was built by this earlier iteration of Ford SVO, then this was a valuable piece, extremely well bought and likely to garner a much higher valuation at a musclecar-centric auction. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. (See profile, p. 56.) NOT SOLD AT $30,000. Challenging sometimes to know if a car is predominantly original or just a worn older restoration. If the former, then far more valuable than the latter. Bonhams noted that there was no documentation verifying the low mileage, but longtime original ownership and condition supported the mileage and originality. Several bids were announced from the podium, but in the end the car went back home unsold, despite being offered at no reserve (spelled out twice in the catalog). Perplexing indeed, and lack of serious interest possibly reflected some doubts among Ford Galaxie experts. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #181-1966 FORD GALAXIE 500 2-dr hard top. VIN: 6P66R114996. Springtime Yellow & Corinthian White/black vinyl. Odo: 23,280 miles. 427-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Very rare 427 dual quad (per the “R” in the VIN), 4-speed, part of the “Private Ford Collection.” Decent paint in original color combination, with mild orange peel in places. Car locked throughout auction, but from pressing my nose against the window it looks like a new car inside except for significant warpage to the armrests, likely from heat/cold cycles in storage. Factory AM/FM radio still present. Very clean engine compartment appears mostly authentic, with modern battery and some modern wiring. Some sloppy metalwork at top of firewall, possibly per factory as it is in a location usually hidden from view. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $32,480. Last year for the R-code 427 Galaxie, which denoted dual 4-barrel carbs. Must be a September–October 2019 123 TOP 10

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP monster to drive with no power steering or brakes. Production and mileage documented, but no ownership or restoration history or Marti Report presented. The Ford muscle cars from this collection generally underperformed at this auction (or perhaps the auction underperformed for the cars). The Bonhams estimate ($75k–$100k) was aggressive, and even with the buyer’s premium, this rare Galaxie couldn’t achieve half of the low estimate. I would have expected it to hammer at perhaps $45k–$55k. Additional documentation might have been helpful. A fantastic deal for the lucky buyer. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #182-1966 FORD GALAXIE 7-Litre 2-dr hard top. VIN: 6N61Q116341. Corinthian White/black vinyl. 427-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Originally a 7-Litre Q-code (428 4V), with, allegedly, an engine replacement by the selling dealer following a catastrophic failure of the 428 early in its life. Replacement was a W-code 427 4V, which it carries today. Original Cruise-O-Matic replaced with top-loader 4-speed at same time. Acceptable repaint with mild orange peel. Car locked for duration of auction and odometer not readable through window; mileage not stated in catalog. Front bumper hazy, rear bumper dull and pitted, balance of chrome trim better. Interior not bad, but more wear to seats and dash than other ’66 Galaxie here, Lot 181. Armrests warped just like Lot 181. Engine compartment very clean with modern battery. Cond: 3+. have been too much for some potential bidders. There will always be questions, and you’ll need to carry a signed affidavit to fully explain its history. As such, the value is hard to determine. Actual sales price of less than a third of the low estimate represents a good value for the buyer, but he likely will need that affidavit when he becomes the seller. With power steering and brakes remaining from the original 428 installation, at least he does not have to be a bodybuilder to drive it. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #6118-1968 FORD BRONCO utility. VIN: U15NLC84878. Light blue/white hard top/white cloth. Odo: 19 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Excellent professional body-off restoration with nice paint in original color. Sports a 289-ci V8 engine with mild cam. Somewhat loosely fitted seat covers. Shaved gas door. Includes Marti Report. Cond: 2-. untouched. Ford-built 1968s do not have the same cachet or value of the Shelby-built 1967 ones. I believe this was fairly and perhaps slightly well bought. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. SOLD AT $37,400. These models have been the darling of the auction circuit for the past few years, but may be losing some steam. This was a quality example that saw a higher result at the same auction last year, when it sold for $42,900 (ACC# 6879148). RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19. SOLD AT $22,400. Decent driver-quality 7-Litre (and yes, at that time Ford spelled liter with an “re”), rare in its own right in original 428 automatic configuration. Long, convoluted story of how car arrived at its current configuration may 124 AmericanCarCollector.com #183-1968 SHELBY GT350 fastback. VIN: 8T02J18843802802. Lime Green Metallic/black vinyl. Odo: 53,604 miles. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. One of a pair of consecutively built Shelby Mustangs. Much of car is covered by a grainy rough finish. Over left front headlights there are several deep scratches that do not go fully through the paint. Panels are straight. Bumper chrome is excellent. Several dents in older windshield trim. Driver’s side window glass scratched. Some pitting of side markers. Curb rash on right front wheel. Paint loss in engine compartment. Wiring appears proper. Seat covers look good. Much finish loss on steering wheel. Left armrest heavily worn and ripped. Some pitting of interior trim. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $68,320. The catalog introduction states this car was beautifully restored. The mechanic who accompanied the car said original red oxide primer and a single-stage paint were used. Some original items were left Z141588. Grabber Blue/white vinyl. Odo: 14 miles. 429-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. #KK2481. Complete restoration 10 years ago, with only 14 miles showing on reset odometer since. Superb, concours-worthy condition overall. Body almost flawless, trunk lid and fender fit at rockers slightly off. Paintwork done very well, beautiful with authentic-looking quality, and much better than the Shelby Mustangs also offered from same collection. One paint chip under rear window will need attention. Interior quality also superb, with no wrinkling in seats or headliner that is so common. Dash, gauges and carpets all as-new. Engine carefully done, condition reflects no use since restoration. Underbody condition as good and unused as the rest of the car. Cond: 1-. 7 #185-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 429 fastback. VIN: 0F02- SOLD AT $161,280. Beautiful and careful restoration, but history of this excellent Boss 429 might have worked a little bit against it, as it was disassembled and in limbo with previous owner for quite awhile. Marti Report confirms basic authenticity, though. Perfectly preserved since restoration, Bronze Award winner at Boss Nationals. Offered at no reserve; I call it a losing gamble for the consignor, and a winning price for the buyer. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #F172-1970 FORD MUSTANG Mach 1 fastback. VIN: 0F05M183313. Black/black vinyl. BEST BUY TOP 10

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GLOBAL ROUNDUP Odo: 53,390 miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Minor polish scratching to very smooth black paint only visible under certain lighting conditions. Fantastic panel alignment and gaps, reproduction chrome pieces all show well. Side and rear glass tinted, interior shows well with clean, correct seat covers, carpet, headliner, and dash. Engine compartment spotless, with components painted before assembly. A proper, well-done nut-and-bolt restoration on a desirable model with good options. Yakima, WA, car from new. Comes with restoration photo book and original paperwork. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $51,700. The 1969 and 1970 fastbacks have a following among the Mustang faithful, and this black-on-black Mach 1 was in fantastic overall shape and had the right documentation to bring a solid number. This price was well above average for your basic 351-powered ’70 Mach 1, but the money was right considering all the details that had been tended to. Still, I’m willing to bet the resto work cost more than what was realized here. As such, well bought even above what you might have expected for a ’70. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. MOPAR #S134-1963 PLYMOUTH SAVOY Max Wedge 2-dr sedan. VIN: 3131141818. Blue/ blue vinyl. Odo: 10,149 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4bbl, 3-sp. Stage 1 car, designed by Plymouth for drag-race competition only. Said to be one of 84 fitted with a 3-speed manual transmission. Documented with Galen Govier paperwork. Good blue paint with some polishing marks, nice chrome and trim. Engine compartment well detailed and looking correct, with cross-ram dual AFB 4-bbls. 3.91 Sure Grip rear, lake-pipe exhaust dumps and radio delete. Vintage American Racing mag wheels. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $60,500. Built when winning on Sunday actually translated into sales the rest of the week—even if the winning car was some high-test monster and most of the sales were slant-6 grocery getters. Mopars from 126 AmericanCarCollector.com this era are saddled with faces only a mother could love, but they were the brand to beat on the track, and doing so became increasingly challenging throughout the early part of the 1960s thanks to cars like this one. Designed for Super Stock glory, only a few Max Wedge cars were built, and documented examples tend to be worth plenty to the match-race faithful. That said, this one had been shopped around a bit, last sold for $40,700 at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale event in January (ACC# 6892894). Very well bought then, still well bought now. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19. AMERICANA #114-1947 PACKARD CUSTOM SUPER CLIPPER sedan. VIN: 21226676. Black/tan fabric. miles. 356-ci I8, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Older paint with chips around the front of the hood, right door ding, extensive right rear fender craquelure and blemish left rear fender. Grille shows oxidation and looks as if it needs complete refinishing. Front bumper chrome has mild pitting. Screw missing on left front blinker. Extensive pitting of left headlight surround. Delamination of several windows. Cracked right front window. Significant pitting and rust of window trim. Carpet shows age and wear. Some pitting of dashboard chrome and interior trim. Engine block has been repainted. Gas stains on carburetor. Cond: 3. but largely presentable from 10 or more feet. The value here is as an inexpensive gateway into CCCA events, and for that reason, it is considered well bought, with perhaps a bit of upside. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #6076-1955 HUDSON METROPOLITAN Series II coupe. VIN: E15985. Canyon Red & white/tan cloth. Odo: 9,326 miles. 73-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Despite some slightly wavy panels, this was among the better Metropolitan restorations I have seen. Excellent paint, good door fit, rechromed or replaced trim throughout, and a detailed engine compartment. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT $26,400. “Fascinating” doesn’t begin to describe Metropolitan automobile history: Pinin Farina design, a British-built U.S. import, unibody construction, simplistic design, badged by Hudson, Nash, AMC, and as a standalone model, and targeted primarily to women. The Metro by itself gives enough fodder to feed an entire semester’s worth of college marketingclass curriculum. Despite these innovative elements, nothing trumps the “cuteness” factor that drives the market for these diminutive rides. This was among the better examples available and deservedly achieved a price toward top of the market. RM Auctions, Auburn, IN, 05/19. SOLD AT $9,520. Presented as a great driver and an award-winning HPOF (Historic Preservation of Original Features) car. Lots of blemishes, #170-1955 PACKARD CARIBBEAN convertible. VIN: 55881254. White Jade, Fire Opal & Onyx/Vermillion & white leather. Odo: 23,344 miles. 352-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. An apparently original, unrestored car, which is supported by its condition. Worn and chapped paint. Most chrome hazy and patinated but not rusty. Some deteriorated gaskets. Vent windows starting to delaminate, but windshield is excellent and likely has been replaced. All-important convertible top not seen and not shown in catalog or online. Interior leather worn, with significant cracking on front seat, but is intact and not torn. Dashpad is excellent (presumably replaced at some point) but needs cleaning. Interior hardware mostly quite good. Engine compartment not seen but presumably is consistent with rest of car (i.e. worn but serviceable). Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $29,120. The Caribbean was Packard’s “halo” dreamboat for 1953–56. Only 500 1955 Caribbeans were built.

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ROUNDUP GLOBAL As presented, this really did appear to be a basically original car with some discreet projects (windshield, dashpad) done over the years. Values of big American cruisers of the ’50s have generally been on the decline for at least a couple of years, and the Caribbean is no exception. Still, if you like this model and patinated original cars, this was a solid value and leaves room for buyer to perform the inevitable mechanical projects which will arise. Fairly bought and sold. Bonhams, Greenwich, CT, 06/19. #S128-1978 JEEP CJ-7 Golden Eagle SUV. VIN: J8F93AH027651. Alpine White/tan vinyl/tan cloth. Odo: 16,301 miles. 304-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Clean restoration of a Levi’s Edition Golden Eagle with all the proper decals and colors. Claimed $89,000 spent in restoration work, including nice, smooth white paint with no issues other than a funky tape line around original VIN plate on dash. Interior clean and correct, later Jeepbranded stereo head unit fitted. Top fits well and looks OE. Original wheels powder coated instead of painted. Nicely done engine compartment looks completely stock. Cond: 2+. PUT YOURSELF IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT WITH ACC PREMIUM! NOT SOLD AT $27,000. There was a lot to like here, but there was never any way this was going to recoup its claimed restoration bill. That said, Golden Eagles aren’t all that common, and neither are Levi’s interiors today, so this drew a fair amount of attention at the auction. But despite that attention, Jeeps have had a hard time climbing onto the vintage-SUV price craze set by first-gen Broncos, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Too bad, as this Jeep deserved more than was bid here. Mecum Auctions, Portland, OR, 06/19.A www.americancarcollector.com/premium The Insider’s Authority on Collector Car Values Auction results on over 297,000 vehicles compiled over 30 years Graphs, price trends, photos and more Special pricing for ACC subscribers September–October 2019 127

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THE PARTS HUNTER Pat Smith The Good, the Bad and the Steal Research saves you money when buying parts #362654041137 1967–72 Big-Block Chevy Exhaust Manifolds w/Smog. 2 photos. Item condition: Used. eBay Motors. Geneva, IL. May 30, 2019. “This is a nice used set of big-block exhaust manifolds for cars with smog. These fit 1967–72 GM Chevrolet cars. Part numbers: 3916178/3909879. I just picked these up at a swapmeet last weekend. They have some surface rust, but other than that they are very nice.” Sold at $199. You can get repros of these for $385 each, so this set was a steal if the pieces aren’t cracked. Smog manifolds were part of GM’s A.I.R. system, which included an air pump, steel lines from the manifold to the pump, and a burp valve. Only California cars got these in 1967, and later on 49state cars got them as well. Since the date codes are a year apart, they’re likely going to be sealed up and used on a driver, or maybe one will be traded for a correct matching-date-code manifold. Price paid was great as long as you know what you’re getting into. #283453357491 Pontiac GTO Sparkomatic transmission floor shifter. 8 photos. Item condition: Used. eBay Motors. Walnut Bottom, PA. April 19, 2019. “This was an estate find; it was stored in garage and had rodent damage to instructions/packaging. Some staining and oxidation in places. Some warping to surrounding plate. Looks to have never been installed. Not sure if complete, but looks to be close if not.” Sold at $44.97. Our older readers will recall an era when Sparkomatic made speed parts instead of car radios. The Pocono Mountains-based firm started out making manual-transmission shifters in 1962, adding automatic shifters, traction bars and a range of electronic goodies like tachs, wire looms and radio speakers. Sparkomatic moved aggressively into car stereos starting in 1971 and let the auto-speed-parts business lapse. Sparkomatic vanished during a buyout of Altec Lansing in the 1990s. Just look at the bottom of the shifter lever. Sparkomatic quality matched the first-time hot-rodder with small budget. Premium price paid for a budget speed part. #333173728153 1972–73 Dodge D100 D200 grille. 12 photos. Item condition: Used. eBay Motors. Sussex, WI. May 4, 2019. “1972–73 Dodge pick up D100, D200 grille with headlight bezels. It has some dings and dents as seen in pictures. Could use some polishing, but still has a good shine. The grille bars are straight, no cracks. Getting very hard to find these grilles. Overall good driver quality.” Sold at $160. Early-’70s Mopar trucks are popular, but getting replacement body parts can be a challenge. No one is reproducing the early Adventurer grilles, so finding a good one takes time. Dodge changed these parts every couple of years, and fortunately, they don’t cost an arm and a leg. Price paid is decent for a driver and will do until a primo piece comes up. Lots of vintage pickups are driven with patina, so condition isn’t a big issue here. This should be easy to sell down the road. 128 AmericanCarCollector.com #264322718412 1965-1970 Mustang rear fold-down seat. 8 photos. Item condition: Used. eBay Motors. Worcester, MA. May 24, 2019. “Here is an original Ford fold-down rear seat. Fits 1965 through 1970 but is period-correct for a 1965–66 Mustang. Poor chrome with some pitting and a few dings. Panels themselves are clean and rust-free. This was removed from a ’65 or ’66. Being a ’65 fold-down, it only has one side-latch catch, as all ’65–’66s have only one side latch.” Sold at $355. The folding-rear-seat option for early Mustangs was ultra cool and offered only on the fastback models. Later on, they called it the Sports Deck rear seat. It was a useful feature since the trunks on these cars were miniscule to start with. It has since become an integral part of the fastback/hatchback Mustang experience and has historical importance. Reproductions of the folding rear seats are available for the 1967–70 versions with twin latches but are an eye-watering $1,200, plus shipping. Then you have to add upholstery and carpeting. This was a very good deal for a fastback missing a rear seat. A

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JUNKYARD TREASURES Phil Skinner Vintage Mopar Heaven Moore’s Auto Salvage has one of the largest selections of pre-war Dodge automobiles and parts around If you love pre-war Dodges, head for South Dakota I n 1988, the father-and-son team of Francis and Russell Moore established Moore’s Auto Salvage. Today, the business, which is run by Russell along with his wife, Alice, and son Marc, has a loyal customer base from around the world. The business is situated on 20 acres just north of Rapid City, SD, and about 90% of the vehicles in stock are Chryslers, Dodges, DeSotos, Plymouths and Imperials. Marc Moore says they have about 1,350 vehicles. In addition to the strictly parts cars on hand, I saw nearly 150 complete vehicles that were available for purchase — many of these brands other than Mopar favorites. Without qualification, Moore’s Auto Salvage has one of the largest inventories of pre-World War II-era Dodges, with many examples dating back over 100 years. “My grandfather Detailing What: Moore’s Auto Salvage Where: 1761 Country Rd, Rapid City, SD 57701 Phone: 605-348-4926 E-mail: parts.mas@ midconetwork.com When: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Web: www.mooresautosalvage.com loved Dodge cars from the 1920s,” Marc Moore said, “That’s why we have so many here. That’s what Grandpa liked. I like them too. That’s why my summer car is a 1924 Dodge touring car.” While most of Moore’s business is conducted either on the Internet or over the phone, customers are welcome to travel to Rapid City and pay a visit. A 130 AmericanCarCollector.com Trucks are a big part of Moore’s Auto Salvage, from early 1950s “Pilot House” models to these mid-1970s pickups with Club Cab capacity Keeping with a family tradition, third-generation Marc Moore proudly drives this 1924 Dodge touring car around Rapid City during the warmer summer months

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This collection of rechromed bumpers includes various makes from the 1960s and 1970s, all gleaming brightly, and most wrapped securely and priced quite reasonably Among some of the non-Mopar complete vehicles available at Moore’s Auto Salvage is this 1962 Chevrolet Corvair 95 van, ready to go to a new home A few station wagons are on the grounds of Moore’s Auto Salvage, such as this 1958 Plymouth Custom Suburban September–October 2019 131

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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. 50 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 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special sedan 1958 Chevrolet Impala 348 Tri-Power 2-dr hard top S/N 136370F100042. Cranberry Red/black. 88,111 miles. V8, automatic. Only known existing Pilot prototype Chevelle coupe as of 12/31/2018. Engineering test car at Milford, MI. Prototype parts not utilized in restoration included in sale. Delivered to Ver Hoven Chevrolet in Detroit, MI, after testing. Fully documented ownership history spanning nearly 40 years. View entire history of #42 online. Highly desirable SS 396 configuration. $255,000. Pilot Car Registry. Contact Logan, Ph: 620.200.6607, email: pilotcarregistry@gmail.com. Website: pilotcarregistry. com/396-ss-assembly-prototype.html. (KS) 1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible S/N 546035313. Ruskin Blue & Alpine White/82,100 miles. V8, 3-spd automatic. An exceptionally well cared for and always completely rust-free example of this mostly all-original Fleetwood Sixty Special with 331/250-hp V8. Finished in Ruskin Blue, the 1955 equivalent of its original factory beautiful Viking Blue, over Alpine White roof (color code S3) with a gorgeous condition matching two-tone all new navy blue with Silver Blue inserts soft Sierra leather interior, dealerinstalled a/c, ps, pw and power seat. $32,500 OBO. West Coast Classics LLC. Contact Larry, Ph: 310.779.0526, email: wcclassics@ aol.com. Website: www.WestCoastClassics. com. (CA) 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Fuelie 2-dr hard top S/N E58J133561. Cay Coral & Honey Beige/tri-tone. 55,638 miles. V8, automatic. Absolutely exceptional, great daily driving and completely rust-free. Frame-off restoration with every nut and bolt replaced. Very few miles added since being restored. Bigblock 348 V8 Sport Coupe with desirable TriPower Rochester setup and automatic transmission in a beautiful two-tone Cay Coral over Honey Beige color. Absolutely beautiful all-new matching tri-tone textured fabric and vinyl upholstery interior with Impala competition-inspired steering wheel and color-keyed interior. $57,500 OBO. West Coast Classics LLC. Contact Larry, Ph: 424.376.5151, email: wcclassics@aol.com. Website: www.WestCoastClassics.com. (CA) 1958 Chevrolet Impala 2-dr hard top S/N 6L67S6Q244182. Firethorn Metallic/ Dark Firethorn Leather. 952 miles. V8, 4-spd automatic. An absolutely stunning, exceptional and completely rust-free example of this last-year Eldorado convertible with parade boot and all original factory specifications including original 500-ci V8 engine. An undocumented, but as stated and confirmed by its previous original ownership and quite obvious condition, 952 (yes, nine-hundred fifty-two) original miles! $42,500. West Coast Classics, LLC. Contact Larry, Ph: 424.376.5151, email: wcclassics@aol.com. Website: www.WestCoastClassics.com. (CA) 2011 Cadillac CTS-V coupe S/N VC57K115455. Black/red & black. V8, 3-spd manual. Frame-off restoration of rare 283-ci/283-hp Fuelie (one of approximately 1,530), column-shift close-ratio 3-speed, power steering, full wheel covers with spinners, dual exhaust, heater and AM/FM. Excellent paint and chrome, mechanically sorted and drives great. Outstanding restoration of KC-built high-performance classic. $94,000. Contact Kerry, Ph: 281.630.6718, email: kbonner51@gmail.com. (TX) 132 AmericanCarCollector.com S/N F58N2117154. Alpine White/Tri-Tone. 39,533 miles. V8, 2-spd automatic. Real legitimate 348 Impala with three deuces on it. It has all the correct numbers and details. Originally bought in North Carolina with original mileage. Ray Evernham Enterprises went completely through the front end of the car. Have a vintage new a/c unit that can be installed. $60,000. Ray Evernham Enterprises Marketplace. Contact Chet, Ph: 7048587496, email: reemarketplace@gmail. com. Website: www.rayevernhamenterprisesmarketplace.com. (NC) S/N XS29L8B251522. Black/black. V8, automatic. Restored and completely rust-free original factory R/T Charger with a datecorrect big-block Magnum 440-ci, modified with high-performance upgrades in 2016 and making over 500 hp (engine casting #2536430), rebuilt 727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission, dual exhaust and handling package with custom upgrades. The original factory 727 automatic transmission was rebuilt and now has an added Gear Vendor overdrive. $79,500 OBO. West Coast Classics LLC. Contact Larry, Ph: 424.376.5151, email: info@westcoastclassics.com. Website: www.WestCoastClassics.com. (CA) 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda custom 2-dr hard top 1966 Buick Skylark convertible car since day one. Purchased from DeVoe Cadillac in Naples, FL. Richard Solomon, Artists Representative. Contact Richard, Ph: 917.841.1333, email: richardsolomonnyc@ gmail.com. (NY) MOPAR Saddle Mist/Light Fawn. 126,000 miles. V8, automatic. Excellent condition, original interior, drivetrain and arrow-straight sheetmetal. One repaint 20 years ago, still shows like new. PS, pb and power top. Looks and drives beautifully! $35,000. Contact Martin, Ph: 401.742.1360, email: Martscar4@aol. com. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 prototype coupe S/N 7511781. Green/green. 0 miles. Inline 8, manual. An absolutely exceptional example of this extraordinarily rare Full Classic 124-inch dual-cowl phaeton with original coachwork by Locke & Company of New York. Original 261-ci 88-hp 8-cylinder engine and 4-speed non-synchromesh transmission. Hydraulic brakes and beautifully presented in a stunning two-tone green paint with all body panels obviously removed, stripped and media blasted prior to being restored. Beautiful chrome, light lenses and grille, and a gorgeous matching green leather interior. West Coast Classics LLC. Contact Simon, Ph: 310.779.0526, email: wcclassics@aol. com. Website: www.WestCoastClassics. com. (CA) 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 custom 2-dr hard top 1931 Chrysler CD 2nd Series dual-cowl phaeton S/N 1G6DV1EP1B0119289. Red Obsession/Obsidian Black. 28,900 miles. V8, automatic. Powered by a 556-hp, 6.2-liter V8, paired to a 6-speed autobox with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Two-owner car with low miles on the odometer. All Vs came with the Corvette 6.2-liter engine that pulled a 4.1-seconds 0–60 time. I purchased an extended GM Protection Plan Major Guard Coverage Warranty, which expires on 7/13/2019. A1 condition, close-to-flawless exterior and interior. I would rate it as a 1- car. Complete service history is available for this S/N BH23C1B166076. Plum Crazy/black. 67 miles. V8, 6-spd manual. Gorgeously restored and completely rust-free resto-mod/ tribute with a date-correct and rebuilt & modified 440/500-plus-hp V8 engine matched to a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission with Pistol-Grip shifter and center console in stunning Plum Crazy with matte-black side-body billboards. $105,000 OBO. West Coast Classics, LLC. Contact Larry, Ph: 424.376.5151, email: wcclassics@aol.com. Website: www. WestCoastClassics.com. (CA)A

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It’s so easy! We’ve made uploading your Showcase Gallery listings online easier. As an added bonus, we now feature multiple images for our web listings. www.AmericanCarCollector.com/classifieds/place-ad ADVERTISERS INDEX Barrett-Jackson...................................................99 Blue Bars ..........................................................133 Branson Collector Car Auction ............................23 Bring A Trailer ....................................................79 Camaro Central ..................................................75 CarCapsule USA ..................................................77 CarTech, Inc ......................................................125 Charlotte AutoFair ............................................111 Chevs of the 40’s .................................................89 Classic Auto Mall ...............................................139 Corvette America .............................................. 4-5 Custom Autosound Mfg., Inc .............................127 Electric Garage Auctions - Canada .....................33 Electric Garage Inc. .............................................32 Evapo-Rust..........................................................37 Factory Five Racing.............................................29 Greensboro Auto Auction....................................73 Grundy Insurance ...............................................21 Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. ..........................69 JC Taylor ...........................................................103 JJ Best Banc & Co .............................................117 JJ Rods ................................................................95 Larry’s Thunderbird and Mustang Parts ..............2 Leake Auction Company .......................................3 Lucas Oil Products, Inc. .....................................109 Lucky Collector Car Auctions ...............................19 Lutty’s Chevy Warehouse ..................................129 McCollister’s Auto Transport .............................140 Michael Irvine Studios ........................................83 National Corvette Museum ...............................101 National Corvette Restorers Society ..................131 National Parts Depot ..........................................27 Obsolete & Classic Auto Parts, Inc. .....................31 Original Parts Group ..........................................39 P.J.’s Auto World ................................................71 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions .......................17 Passport Transport .............................................67 Performance Racing Oils ..................................106 Petersen Collector Car Auction ...........................92 POR-15 ...............................................................25 Restoration Supply Company ...........................101 RM Sotheby’s ......................................................13 Ronald McDonald House ..................................107 Russo and Steele LLC ....................................... 6-7 SEMA ................................................................121 Silver Collector Car Auctions .............................105 Spring Grove Auction Company..........................43 Steve’s Auto Restorations Inc..............................45 Streetside Classics ...............................................11 Summit Racing Equipment .................................85 Tom Mack Classics ..............................................15 West Coast Classics, LLC ....................................129 Zip Products, Inc. ................................................47 zMAX ...................................................................49 September–October 2019 133

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY Advertising/Marketing Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877-219-2605 Ext. 218, or email advert@americancarcollector.com Motorwerks Marketing. 480-2281881. Founded on a passion for the special interest, classic and collector automotive marketplace, Motorwerks is a full-service marketing and creative agency. With a focus on crafting a high impact, highly effective, budget- and timesensitive message, Motorwerks brings a level of industry expertise that is tailor made to meet your brand’s objectives. We only service clients in the Specialty Automotive arena and like you, our team are first and foremost true automotive enthusiasts. Ask us what we can do for you! Info@ MotorwerksMarketing.com www. MotorwerksMarketing.com (AZ) Auction Companies Barrett-Jackson Auction. 480421-6694. 480-421-6697. For over four decades, the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company has been recognized throughout the world for offering only the finest selection of quality collector vehicles, outstanding professional service and an unrivaled sales success. From classic and one-of-a-kind cars to exotics and muscle cars, BarrettJackson attracts only the best. Our auctions have captured the true essence of a passionate obsession with cars that extends to collectors and enthusiasts throughout the world. A television audience of millions watches unique and select vehicles while attendees enjoy a lifestyle experience featuring fine art, fashion and gourmet cuisine. In every way, the legend is unsurpassed. N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. info@barrett-jackson.com. www.barrett-jackson.com. (AZ) Bonhams is the largest auction house to hold scheduled sales of classic and vintage motorcars, 134 AmericanCarCollector.com motorcycles and car memorabilia, with auctions held globally in conjunction with internationally renowned motoring events. Bonhams holds the world-record price for any motorcar sold at auction, as well as for many premier marques. San Francisco: 415-391-4000 New York: 212-644-9001 Los Angeles: 323-850-7500 London: +44 20 7447-7447 Paris: +33 1 42 61 10 10 www.bonhams.com/motors 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) Gooding & Company. 310-8991960. 310.899.0930. Gooding & Company offers its international clientele the rarest, award-winning examples of collector vehicles at the most prestigious auction venues. Our team of well-qualified experts will advise you on current market values. Gooding & Company presents the official auction of the famed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August, the record-setting Scottsdale Auction in January and a world-class auction at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation in Florida in March. www.goodingco.com. (CA) 594-4418. Presented by the Owls Head Transportation Museum, the New England Auto Auction™ is the nation’s largest and longestrunning event in its class that operates solely to preserve the legacy of transportation’s earliest pioneers. Over more than four decades, NEAA™ has continuously raised the bar by connecting discerning enthusiasts and collectors with rare and sought-after automobiles. Web: www.owlshead.org Email: auction@ohtm.org New England Auto Auction. 207- Premier Auction Group. 844-5WE-SELL. The auction professionals that have been taking care of you for the last two decades have partnered together to create a team that is dedicated to providing the utmost customer service and auction experience. We applied our 83 years of auction experience to build a platform ensuring that every aspect of our company exceeds your expectations. Join us for the Gulf Coast Classic March 17 & 18, in Punta Gorda, FL. 844-5WE-SELL / 844-593-7355 www.premierauctiongroup.com info@premierauctiongroup.com RM Sotheby’s, Inc. 800-2114371. RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest collector car auction house for investment-quality automobiles. With 35 years’ experience, RM Sotheby’s vertically integrated range of services, from restoration to private-treaty sales and auctions, coupled with an expert team of car specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. www.RMSothebys.com. (CAN) Leake Auctions. 800-722-9942. Leake Auction Company was established in 1972 as one of the first car auctions in the country. More than 40 years later, Leake has sold over 34,000 cars and currently operates auctions in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas. Recently they have been featured on several episodes of three different reality TV series — “Fast N Loud” on Discovery, “Dallas Car Sharks” on Velocity and “The Car Chasers” on CNBC Prime. www.leakecar.com. (OK) 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 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 Petersen Auction Group of Oregon. 541-689-6824. Hosting car auctions in Oregon since 1962. We have three annual Auctions: February—Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, OR; July— Douglas County Fairgrounds, Roseburg, OR; September— Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, OR. On the I-5 corridor. We offer knowledgeable, fast, friendly “hassle-free” transactions. Oregon’s #1 Collector Car Auction. www.petersencollectorcars.com (OR) Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles. 602-252-2697. Specializing in the finest American muscle, hot rods and custom automobiles and European sports; Russo and Steele hosts three record-breaking auctions per year; Newport Beach in June; Monterey, CA, every August; and Scottsdale, AZ, every January. As one of the premier auction events in the United States, Russo and Steele has developed a reputation for its superior customer service and for having the most experienced and informed experts in the industry. Fax: 602.252.6260. 7722 East Gray Road, Suite C Scottsdale, AZ 85260. info@russoandsteele.com, www.russoandsteele.com. (AZ)

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service of your rare, sports, exotic, luxury, collector or classic car needs. www.WestCoastClassics. com info@WestCoastClassics. com (CA) Classic Car Transport W. Yoder Auction. 920-787-5549. W. Yoder Auction holds the only semi-annual collector car auction in the state of Wisconsin open to the public where anyone can buy and anyone can sell! But we don’t stop there. We specialize in collections and sell it all! Contact us today. info@wyoderauction. com. Learn more about us at wyoderauction.com and like us on Facebook. Worldwide Auctioneers. 866273-6394. Established by John Kruse and Rod C. Egan, The Worldwide Group—Auctioneers, Appraisers and Brokers—is one of the world’s premier auction houses, specializing in the procurement and sale of the world’s finest automobiles and vintage watercraft. www. worldwide-auctioneers.com. (IN) Buy/Sell/General Mustang America. 844-249-5135. Mustang America is a new company initially specializing in first generation (1965–1973) Mustang parts, interiors and accessories. Launched by Corvette America, Mustang America provides the same level of world-class customer service, product quality and fast delivery. We look forward to serving the vintage Mustang enthusiast. www.MustangAmerica.com (PA) Park Place LTD. 425-562-1000. Founded in 1987 in Bellevue, WA, our dealership is locally owned and independently operated. The fouracre Park Place Center features an Aston Martin sales and service center, a Lotus dealership, and we have one of the largest selections of collector & exotic cars available in the Northwest. We consign, buy and sell all types of vehicles. We also have an in-house service center and high-end Auto Salon. www.ParkPlaceLtd.com (WA) Intercity Lines Inc. 800-221-3936. Gripping the wheel of your dream car and starting the engine for the first time is a high point for any enthusiast. We are the premier enclosed auto transport company that will ensure your car arrives safely for that experience. For over 35 years our standards for excellence have clients returning time and time again. Trust the Best. Trust Intercity Lines. www.Intercitylines.com. Reliable Carriers Inc. 800-5216393. 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 Collection Management McCollister’s Auto Transport. 800-748-3160. 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. Copley Motorcars. 781-444-4646. Specializing in unique and hard-to-find classics and sports cars. We only sell cars we love ourselves, and deal in a limited number of models. Before delivery to you, all of our classics, including Defenders, are fully inspected and serviced by one of two expert shops. We are located in Needham, MA. copleycars@gmail.com, www.copleymotorcars.com (MA) RCC Motors. 800-520-7087. Located in Irvine, CA, we specialize in classic, exotics, customs and motorsports. We have a staff of experts with long careers in the automotive field and offer sales, service, consignment and storage. Please contact us today. www.rccmotors.com (CA) 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 Blackhawk Collection, Inc. 925 736-3444. One of the world’s foremost companies specializing in buying and selling classic cars for clients around the globe for over 45 years. Over the years, many of the greatest cars in the world have passed through the doors of the Blackhawk Collection. Visit our website at www.blackhawkcollection.com West Coast Classics. 424376-5151. West Coast Classics are internationally renowned California Classic Car Dealers who specialize in buying and selling of rare and classic European and American classic cars. Southern California location at 1205 Bow Avenue in Torrance. We ship throughout the world and will provide you with unparalleled 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. RideCache. 512-751-8450. A professional, ad-free software tool and service that helps you manage your collection, digitally preserve your valuable documentation and securely share with those that need access. Manage your collection with our DIY tools or use our RideCache Build service and let our professional team build your account. Learn more at http://ridecache.com/ACC RideCache – Organize, Manage, Preserve your Collection. FOLLOW ACC September–October 2019 135

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RESOURCE DIRECTORY Corvette Parts & Restoration Paragon Corvette Reproductions. 800-882-4688. At Paragon, you’ll receive the finest quality of 1953–96 Corvette parts and experience in the industry. Our catalogs and website are filled with hundreds of helpful schematics, photos and tech-tips. Our Vintage Department has a treasure chest of NOS and used parts. Look up our Stick With Us Discount Program and our firstonline-order savings. Call us or visit www.paragoncorvette.com to order today. (MI) The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. 831-620-8879. A prominent component of Monterey Car Week, The Quail is a world-renowned motorsports event featuring one of the world’s finest and rarest collections of vintage automobiles and motorcycles. The Quail maintains its intimacy and exclusivity by limiting admission through lottery ticket allocations. Admission is inclusive of six gourmet culinary pavilions, caviar, oysters, fine wines, specialty cocktails, champagne, and more. Web: signatureevents. peninsula.com. (CA) 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) Events—Concours, Car Shows 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) 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) American Collectors Insurance. 1-866-887-8354. The nation’s leading provider of specialty insurance for collectors. We offer affordable, agreed-value coverage for all years, makes, and models of collector vehicles. Since 1976, we have provided superior service and broad, flexible coverage. Experience our quick quoting and application process, as well as our “Real Person” Guarantee every time you call. Email: Info@ AmericanCollectors.com www.AmericanCollectors.com (NJ) Lajollaconcours.com. Earning the reputation as one of the finest internationally renowned classic automobile showcases in the United States, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance continues to attract discerning car enthusiasts from around the globe. Experience World Class Cars and World Class Experience on April 17–19, 2020. Register and purchase tickets at lajollaconcours.com, or call 619.233.5008, for more information. (CA) Leasing-Finance 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 Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877-219-2605 Ext. 218, or email advert@americancarcollector.com J.J. BEST BANC & CO. provides financing on classic cars ranging from 1900 to today. Visit our website at www.jjbest.com or call 1-800-USA-1965 and get a loan approval in as little as five minutes! Grundy Insurance. 888-6478639. James A. Grundy invented Agreed Value Insurance in 1947; no one knows more about insuring collector cars than Grundy! With no mileage limitations, zero deductible*, low rates, and high liability limits, our coverages are specifically designed for collector car owners. Grundy can also insure your daily drivers, pickup trucks, trailers, motorhomes and more — all on one policy and all at their Agreed Value. www.grundy.com (PA) 136 AmericanCarCollector.com Premier Financial Services. 877973-7700. Since 1997, renowned customer service and honest leasing practices have made Premier the nation’s leading lessor of luxury and performance motorcars. We are small enough to ensure your business gets the attention it deserves, and large enough to finance any new, used, or vintage car over $50,000. Contact Premier at 877-973-7700 or info@pfsllc. com. www.premierfinancialservices.com (CT) LeMay Family Collection Foundation. LeMay Family Collection Foundation at Marymount Events Center near Tacoma, WA, hosts an epic backdrop for your next event. Home to 500 fabulous collector cars, worldclass art exhibits, and assorted ephemera, consider your next event here. Weddings, swapmeets, conventions, auctions. The facility can likely exceed your expectations. Visit during the 37th annual open house along with 13,000 other enthusiasts. 253272-2336 www.lemaymarymount.org. (WA) 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) FOLLOW ACC

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Parts—General Custom Autosound Manufacturing. 800-888-8637. Since 1977 providing audio solutions for classic cars, trucks and street rods. Covering over 400 applications, our radios and speakers fit the original locations without modifications. Keep the classic look of your vehicle while enjoying state-of-the-art audio. Check out all of our products at www.customautosoundmfg.com. (CA) broadest line of high-quality parts for the best prices. We have painstakingly reproduced over 1,000 different parts for our 1955–1966 Ford Thunderbird, 1965–1973 Ford Mustang and 1954–1957 Ford Passenger Car product lines and are never satisfied with less than the best workmanship. Learn more now at www.larrystbird.com or call us at 800-854-0393. including custom builds. Our specialty is high-end, show-quality body and paint work. We work with many reputable shops around the country that send us their projects for bodywork and paint. We also offer classic car collection management, storage, consulting and classic car valuations. www.classicgaragellc.com (ID) classic car means to you and we will treat your restoration or repair with the quality care and respect it deserves, getting the job done right the first time. We believe that a restoration should last a lifetime and beyond, so we strive to provide our clients with quality restoration services that will last for generations. www.hahnautorestoration.com National Parts Depot. 800-8747595. We stock huge inventories of concours-correct restoration parts for: Evans Waterless Coolant is the solution to running too hot. With a boiling point of 375°F, our revolutionary liquid formulation is a superior alternative to water-based coolants. Evans eliminates water vapor, hotspots and boil-over, resulting in a less pressurized, more efficient cooling system and preventing corrosion, electrolysis and pump cavitation. Evans also protects down to -40°F and lasts the lifetime of the engine. See how it works at www.evanscoolant.com (CT) Evapo-Rust® 888-329-9877. Evapo-Rust® rust remover is safe on skin and all materials except rust! It’s also biodegradable and earth-friendly. Water soluble and pH-neutral, Evapo-Rust® is nontoxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable, and contains no acids, bases or solvents. Evapo-Rust® is simply the safest rust remover. www.evapo-rust.com info@evapo-rust.com (AR) 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 Corvette America. 800-458-3475. The No. 1 manufacturer and supplier of interiors, parts and wheels for all generations of Corvettes. Our Pennsylvania manufacturing facility produces the finest quality Corvette interiors and our distribution center is stocked with thousands of additional Corvetterelated products. Corvette America is a member of the RPUI family of companies. Visit www.CorvetteAmerica.com (PA) Original Parts Group Inc. 800243-8355. At Original Parts Group, we are proud to be the largest USA supplier of in-stock restoration parts for your classic GM A, B, C, E and G-body vehicle, including newly released Cadillac CTS, ATS, STS, Escalade, EXT and XLR. 100% privately owned to serve you better, since 1982. We are devoted to quality parts and customer service. Visit OPGI.com today or call today to order your free parts catalog. (CA) Restoration—General Classic Garage Automobile Restoration. 208-755-3334. Classic Garage is a full service, classic car shop offering full-restoration and partial-restoration work, 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) Hahn Auto Restoration. 724-4524329. We take pride in offering concours-level collector car restoration, recommissioning, custom builds and repair services. With our experienced staff and cuttingedge technology, we can restore your car back to its original beauty and help it perform better than when it was first driven off the lot! We understand how much your 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 Pollock Auto Restoration. 610323-7108. Experienced with BrassEra, Pre-War, Post-War American and European Classic Cars since 1955. Pollock Auto Restoration performs virtually all restoration services in-house. Our metalworking and woodworking equipment allows our skilled staff to re-create any type of coachwork, which we refinish in our state-of-the-art paint spray booth. We have a large upholstery department stocking many years worth of materials. All chassis and engine repairs are performed by trained and talented technicians and craftspeople. info@pollockauto. com www.pollockauto.com (PA) RM Auto Restoration. 519-3524575. RM Auto Restoration is North America’s leading classic car restoration facility. Whether it’s a complete “body-off” restoration, a partial restoration, or a cosmetic upgrade, our dedicated team of restoration perfectionists provides an unwavering commitment to deliver flawless work, and to the highest cosmetic presentation, every time. www. CAR COLLECTOR Larry’s Thunderbird and Mustang Parts. From our first beginnings in 1969, Larry’s has always strived to provide the AMERICAN rmautorestoration.com A ™ AmericanCarCollector.com/subscribe September–October 2019 137 SUBSCRIBE TO ACC 877.219.2605 Ext. 1 Keith Martin’s

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Automobilia on eBay and Be SURFING AROUND Carl Bomstead CARL’S THOUGHT: David Gilmour, guitarist, singer and songwriter for Pink Floyd, sold his guitar co Christie’s auction on June 20 for $21.5m, with the proceeds going to ClientEarth. Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, bought the famed 1969 black Fender Stratocaster known as “The Black Strat” for $4m and paid an additional $175,000 for the carrying case. It was the guitar that Gilmour used when recording “Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wall.” He used the guitar, a replacement for one that was stolen, from 1970 until 1983. It set a new record for a guitar sold at auction. Here are a few more sales that were also music to my ears: RM SOTHEBY’S LOT 2074—CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP DOUBLESIDED PORCELAIN NEON SIGN WITH CLOCK. SOLD AT: $24,150. Date sold: 5/29/2019. This desirable double-sided Chevrolet sign was manufactured by Walker and Co. and included a Telechrome clock at the top on both sides. It was in acceptable condition with a few minor chips and touch-up. Price paid was up there, but this is the new normal for quality dealership signage. MORFORD AUCTIONS LOT 95— GOLDEN SHELL FIVE-GALLON MOTOROIL CAN. SOLD AT: $2,478. Date sold: 6/22/2019. This large, colorful embossed five-gallon can was in exceptional condition considering its age and was complete with the original cap. It dates to the ’20s, as the Shell Company of California became simply the Shell Company in about 1928. There is also a yellow version, but it’s equally scarce, so good luck finding the mate to this wonderful example. RM SOTHEBY’S LOT 402 CROSS-BOSS INTAKE W AUTOLITE INLINE CAR RETOR. SOLD AT: $4,6 Date sold: 5/29/2019. Th aluminum Cross-Boss inta developed for the Ford M tang 302 for the 1970 SCC Trans-Am Championship. many as 35 were produce for the Ford-backed team and another 300 or so were sold to privateer racers. The 4-barrel Autolite carburetor was inline and was available at 875 cfm or 1,400 cfm. Another sold on Bring a Trailer in January for $7,200, so this just may have been a heck of a bargain. 138 AmericanCarCollector.com EBAY #202653908775—2018 DODGE DEMON NYC PRESS KIT #1050. Number of bids: 1. SOLD AT: $1,000. Date sold: 4/17/2019. This elaborate press kit was from the 2018 Dodge Demon unveiling at New York City. They were numbered and included a lot of performance information. An enterprising automotive journalist chose to unload his. Cool price if you have the exciting Dodge Demon in the garage. VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS LOT 127TB—FORD FLATHEAD V8 WITH ARDUN HEADS. SOLD AT: $55,000. Date sold: 6/15/2019. The Ford flathead had been rebuilt and included an extensive list of parts, not the least of which was a pair of earlyproduction Ardun OHV conversion heads. The cast-aluminum hemispherical heads were developed by Zora Arkus-Duntov and his brother and were designed to improve airflow. They were initially a bit flawed but have been improved over the years. The early-production heads are extremely desirable, as indicated by the price paid here. MORFORD AUCTIONS LOT 64—DIAMOND TIRES TIN FLANGE SIGN. SOLD AT: $6,490. Date sold: 6/22/2019. This early double-sided lithographed tin flange sign was an unusual variation with their distinctive logo with the man and the umbrella. It was in decent condition with only minor soiling and the colors were bright and bold. Sold for a bunch, but tire signs are hot property. RM SOTHEBY’S LOT 1372—C FIBERGLASS CORVETTE GOCART. SOLD AT: $575. Date sold: 5/29/2019. This fiberglass Corvette child’s car did not have an engine and there was a crack in the fiberglass on door. The crack could easily be repaired and a Briggs and Stratton lawn mower engine installed. For not a whole lot of money, your kid could have the wickedest whip in the neighborhood. A