Mecum Auctions held its second annual Monterey sale on August 13-14, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on the Del Monte Golf Course in California.
Even without the Cobra Daytona Coupe that brought a headline price of $7,685,000 here last year Mecum’s expanded 2-day schedule and 428 cars (and a few boats) offered exceeded last year’s total sale by almost 10% and achieved a sell-though of 48.6%, up 4.2 points from a year ago.
Here are the numbers:
[table id=20 /]
Mecum Auctions has moved handily into the Monterey schedule, providing a place for consignors with more modest cars to bring their cars, and buyers a place to bring their more modest aspirations. An average transaction of $75,000 is by most standards pretty impressive [Mecum recorded an average of just $41,948 in its $42 million Indianapolis auction in May] but at Monterey it is the lowest of the five auctions. That is right where Mecum seems to want to be, occupying a position on the Peninsula which the others have vacated and providing a venue for their established clientele as well as meeting a new group of clients.
A lot of these cars wouldn’t make the cut at the other auctions (you have only to read the descriptions to discern that fact) but a lot of them would and have histories at other auctions with names like RM, Barrett-Jackson, Bonhams and Gooding. Mecum is not ignoring the peak of the market as the Ferrari 250 GT Tour de France coupe and ’67 Corvette L89 illustrate. They also are willing – even eager – to explore new things and have enjoyed success in recent sales with high visibility, expensive, motorboats. There were several here in Monterey of which one, the gorgeous Hacker with Liberty V-12 power, is mentioned in this report. This diversity contributes to the auction’s atmosphere and increases the gravity of its presence on the Monterey Peninsula.
So does selling $15.6 million in two days.
Lot # F111 1957 Brazier Pikes Peak Hillclimb Special; S/N None; Purple/Black leatherette; Competition restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $15,000 -- 283 Chevy, I/O gearbox, nerf bars, transverse leaf front suspension, coil-over rear, steel wheels, fine system. Roughly restored appropriate to its history. Built by Malcolm Brazier in 1957, raced at Pike's Peak and claimed to have finished 10th in 1960 driven by Hank Bresser, but doesn't appear in Stanley DeGeer's 'The Pikes Peak Race' book. Later owned and driven by Vern Root and a regular on the mountain. A remarkably ingenious vehicle with frame rails from DeHaviland Beaver wing struts, Plymouth front axle, Franklin steering. Not elegant, but effective. With only a modest Pikes Peak history and fairly crude construction and presentation this bid is pretty much all the consignor could hope for. If there was money at the bid it would have been prudent to take it. Lot # F116 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC55B131295; Aqua, White/Aqua, White; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $55,650 -- 265/162hp, Powerglide, continental kit, tissue dispenser, wheel covers, skirts, hockey stick sill moldings, bumper wings, overriders, whitewalls, cassette stereo, oil filter. Excellent full restoration without being overdone. Perfect for shows but not too nice to put some miles on it. The two barrel V-8, while authentic and appropriate, detracts from collectors' perception of value of this exceptionally well restored and presented '55 Bel Air. That's unfortunate for the conscientious and sympathetic owner, but a very good deal for the new owner. The difference between the 162hp two-barrel and 180hp four-barrel Power Pack is insignificant, especially in today's use, where 100hp would be more than sufficient to cruise comfortably, if not expeditiously. This is a good buy. Lot # S018 1962 Roth Re-creation Mysterion Roadster; S/N None; Lime Gold/Silver metalflake vinyl, Grey Yeti fur; Customized restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $79,500 -- The original Mysterion, its frame rent asunder by the forces of two 406 Fords (or even the two 390s reportedly really installed), long ago was consigned to scrap. This meticulous re-creation was built by Dave Shuten in 2006. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Show car construction but no longer fresh. Sold by RM at the Petersen Museum sale of Ralph Whitworth's collection last year for $99,000. It was one of the show's stars there, but rather disappeared among the rows of cars in the Hyatt's lawn today and it is a tribute to its appeal and significance that it brought this much on the second pass. Lot # S033 1954 Chrysler Imperial Custom 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N C542814221; Dark Green/Light Green cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $14,000 -- 331 Hemi V-8, 4-barrel, ported and polished heads, dual exhausts, power windows, AM radio. Excellent body and chrome but orange peel paint. Sound interior, but work went no further than that. An inexpensive driver, but with surprising performance that will startle many Muscle Car owners. Cool car. The seller probably had nearly this much in the engine work, let alone the crappy paint job (Earl Sheib, 'Any car any color'?) but it could have been let go for the bid with little regret except for poor decisions. Lot # S041 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 8360664; Black; black cloth/Black leather w red piping; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000 -- Automatic, radio, skirts. Very nice cosmetic restoration with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Could have been sold for the reported high bid, unless something was lurking in its history that wasn't clear from its presentation. Lot # S061 1971 TVR Gran Turismo GT Coupe; S/N 1845T; White, Blue stripe/Black vinyl, cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $19,080 -- 289/225hp, automatic, old cassette stereo, alloy wheels, folding sunroof. Poor old repaint, aged interior. Ugly rough ground aluminum side window frames. Generally disreputable and scary. Forgive me if I forgive this TVR its many shortcomings and concentrate on its performance and handling. This much money will buy many more recent sports cars, but few which offer the exhilaration of driving this pocket rocket with its vintage characteristics of rude, raw, elementary performance. It's one step up from 'rat', but is charming, like 'Ratatouille' offering enhanced flavors and engaging its owner in experiencing its nuances. It's a rare performance value at the price, a fraction of the cost of a GT350 but with all the performance and more ... for a driver quick enough to catch the handling of its diminutive wheelbase. The torque converter in the automatic transmission driveline only adds to its challenge ... and character. Lot # S089 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible; S/N 58E017904; Desert Bronze/Copper leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $117,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $124,550 -- 365/335hp, automatic, Sabre wheels, A/C, Autronic eye, parade boot. One of 815 built and repainted in its original rare color. Restored to show standards but no longer fresh. Offered at Branson Fall in 2009 where it no-saled at $95,000. Well bought at this price today in the condition in which it is presented, and an attractive color combination that makes it even more desirable. Lot # S090 1936 Ford Deluxe 2-Dr. Sedan Stainless Steel; S/N 183330622; Polished Stainless Steel/Brown cloth; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $550,000 -- Sombrero hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, banjo spoke steering wheel, enclosed rear spare, Columbia 2-speed axle. Highly polished and flawless. Chassis done to concours standard. A show-stopping exercise, one of six built, in a demonstration for Ford and Allegheny Ludlum Steel. Early Ford V-8, AACA National First Prize winning restoration in 2009. Fresh, sharp and ... awesome. If this isn't enough, what is? It's nothing special in design, only in material, execution and restoration. Still, if you love V-8 Fords, it's hard not to love this one. Lot # S094 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Convertible; S/N M352107882; White, Red/Red, Black leather, cloth inserts; Black top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $137,800 -- 383/345hp, automatic, wire wheels, dual antennas, P/S, P/B, radio, heater, swivel front seats. One of 984 Custom Royal Lancer convertibles built. Comprehensively restored to like new condition. No longer fresh but still breathtaking without a flashlight or close and fussy inspection. Cataloged with a 383/375hp engine which no reference records as available for 1959. Very Fifties. Very Mopar, Very rare and superbly restored and presented. This is a huge price, though, no matter what it is and the buyer better be very, very confident of its rarity and condition to justify the premium of $30,000, if not more, that it brought. Lot # S098 1954 Chrisman Bros. and Duncan Bonneville Coupe; S/N NF557602; Metallic Brown/Tan vinyl; Recent restoration, 1 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $485,000 -- Rear-mounted 331 Chrysler Hemi, Moon discs, drum rear brakes, chromed transverse leaf spring front suspension. Essentially completely built Bonneville speed record car, now restored to show car condition with excellent paint and abundant (non-original) chrome. '30 Model A coupe body chopped and altered. Run at various times in various classes depending upon the engines. This is the 1955 Class D 331 Chrysler Imperial Hemi, fuel injection configuration which ran 196 mph. Later sold to George Barris and modified for use in television including the Dobie Gillis show. 2001 Pebble Beach feature car and class third place winner. Excellent restoration with sharp cosmetics. Clean and fresh. Chassis number from its prior sale. Sold for $660,000 at RM's auction of the Joe's Garage Collection in 2008. Presented here with less fanfare, and with similarly less enthusiasm. It is an historic salt flats record car, restored to beyond perfect condition. Lot # S099 1960 Chrysler 300F Convertible; S/N 8403151830; Toreador Red; black top/Tan leather; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $120,000 -- Dual quad, A/C, P/S P/B, P/seats. Fastidiously restored to a high level some years ago, and still presents very well. Can still compete and would make a great addition to the best Chrysler collection. Sold for $170,500 at RM's auction of the Wayne Davis Collection in April 2008 and no worse for the two intervening years. It's not a surprise that its owner decided to keep it at the reported high bid here. Lot # S102 1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mk 1A Roadster Custom; S/N 382001019; Black/Black leather; Customized restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $152,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $161,650 -- Polished rim, kidney bean center two-piece centerlock alloy wheels, GT40 engine (so they tell us), plexiglas cut down windshield, chrome paperclip rollbar, molded in chrome side exhausts. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and engine. Show car presentation with flawless cosmetics and impressive specifications. There isn't much Tiger Mk 1A left on this chassis. It is a fabulous show car, but definitely a show car for the custom car circuit which has presumably left its best days behind it. The workmanship is superb and would be hard to duplicate for the price paid here, but how many people care is open to question. I think it would have been a good value at $40-50,000. This price begs comprehension. There just aren't a lot of opportunities to show off in a pristine modified Sunbeam Tiger. Lot # S105 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Coupe; S/N DB62389L; Silver-Grey/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $300,000 -- Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, Pioneer CD stereo, triple Weber 45DCOE9 carbs, cherry wood rim steering wheel. First owner is supposed to be Bing Crosby but why the km speedometer? Other instruments are graduated in English units. Fair repaint, very good original interior. Clean original engine and chassis with old undercoat. A good DB6 like this is a $175,000 car. Bing Crosby doesn't double the money. Lot # S109 1958 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible; S/N LS37752; Gold/Gold, White leather; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 1 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $375,000 -- Automatic, P/S, P/B, signal seeking radio, HiWay Hifi, Sure Grip, dual rear antennas, spinner wheel covers, wide whitewalls. Retrofit with one of the surviving recalled Bendix fuel injection systems and given a show car restoration. Superb paint, chrome and interior. Looks like it has never been driven, or even run for that matter. Gorgeous. Reported sold at Dave Rupp's Ft. Lauderdale auction in January 2009 for $475,000, $513,000 with commission. It's going to be hard to find that money again, as this appearance indicates. It is, all kidding aside, one of the great Mopars of the Fifties, with a credible history and stunning presentation. It wouldn't be a bad buy at the reported high bid today. Lot # S111.1 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 09721; Engine # 09721; Red/Tan leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,250,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $1,325,000 -- Chrome spoke Borranis, P/W. 25,360 miles. Good older repaint and interior, otherwise original and very clean. Bought for an impressive price not related to anything Mecum had to say about it, which wasn't much. This is all the money for a $900,000 GTB/4, even with the low miles. Lot # S112 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N VE55S001494; Red/White; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $106,000 -- 3-speed, 4-barrel, electric wipers. Claimed to be all original except for an old repaint and upholstery. Top is original and unrestored as are the side curtains. Rough and aged but very intriguing. One of 19 built with a 3-speed. Offered by Russo and Steele in Monterey in 2007 and still in remarkably good, largely original condition. The '55 Corvettes are a unique combination of the original roadster bodies and the new small block V-8. Most have Powerglide so this car's 3-speed marks it as something very different and significant. It's nothing if not a sound buy at this price which is little different from what Powerglide '55s bring. The originality is a bonus. Well bought. Lot # S115 1964 Ford Thunderbolt 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 4F41K230530; Black/Gold vinyl, cloth; Competition restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $225,000 -- Automatic, Rotunda 90 degree tach on dash. Good repaint and interior, otherwise superficially restored for museum display. There is no shortage of Thunderbolt Fords, only a shortage of interest in them by collectors. Lot # S115.1 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster; S/N CSX 3209; Blue/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $850,000 -- 427 Tunnel port built by the long term owner, Karl 'Fritz' Shiffmayer, in the 70's, dual quads, aluminum cross-flow radiator, black side exhausts, braced chrome paperclip rollbar, grille and trunk guards, Halibrand centerlock wheels, radio. One owner from new, 34,687 actual miles. Good older repaint but otherwise a well maintained original car. This car illustrates a conundrum. It's not 'original' but has only one owner from new albeit with a succession of performance enhancements. Is it 'Live or Memorex'? The buyers concluded it's Memorex and weren't ready to meet the consignor's expectations. It's impossible to argue with their conclusions. This is a sweet Cobra, but hardly the Holy Grail of Cobra 427s. Lot # S117 1969 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 11835; Engine # 11835GT; Red/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $95,000 -- P/W, Pioneer cassette stereo, chrome spoke Borrani wine wheels, 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX tires, P/S, cold A/C. A remarkably mediocre used car. Superficial old repaint, scratched chrome, sound but aged and used old interior with pitted chrome trim. Chassis and underbody painted over old paint and sealer. A remarkably unattractive car that earned a deserved shunning from the Monterey bidders. It was offered here by Russo and Steele in 2008 and fell short at a reported $90,000 bid. The same was true at Kruse Boca Raton in 2009 at a bid of $85,000 and Worldwide Auburn in 2009 at a more realistic $66,000. Considering its potential for frightening surprises $65,000 would not be a generous offer for this car. Lot # S117.1 2005 Ferrari 575 Superamerica; S/N ZFFGT61A350142819; Red/Black leather, Red Daytona stripes; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $230,000 -- Like new. Assembly # 60191. F1 transmission, red calipers, GTC package, carbon fiber interior package, SF shields, CD changer, Daytona seats, rear wall leather, Tubi exhaust, US delivery. 2,500 miles. An expensive used car, but if there was money in the pavilion it should have been grabbed with gratitude. Lot # S120 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster; S/N CSX3102; Red/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $650,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $689,000 -- 427 side oiler, limited slip, 36-gallon tank, black centerlock alloy wheels, flat black side exhausts, black paperclip rollbar, brake cooling ducts on rear fenders, quick fill gas cap, 26.5x8.0-15 front, 10.5 rear Goodyear Sports Car Special tires. Crashed, rebuilt, rebodied, dragged, covering only 17,349 miles along the way. Good repaint but otherwise sound, aged and used. That said, it needs nothing. This is an ample but appropriate price for a Cobra with such a checkered history and tired condition. It's had so many changes, modifications and repairs that it's hard to think of it as 'original' although it may be a more honest car than many restored 427 Cobras. Lot # S123 1959 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Berlinetta, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 1321; Red, Yellow stripe and sills/Tan leather; Estimate $3,400,000 - $3,400,000; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $3,400,000 -- Chrome spoke Borranis, oil filler access in engine cover, single sail panel vent, open headlights. Third overall and first in class at LeMans 1959, first overall at Nürburgring 1000km 1959. Excellent recent repaint and older interior. Date coded Borrani chrome spoke wire wheels. Chassis and engine compartment redone but not restored. Choice. Arguably the best racing history of any car at Monterey this year and exceptionally presented and preserved, this TdF would have been a sound value at the reported high bid had there been any money evident in the Hyatt's Pavilion. By all reports there wasn't and more's the pity. It was potentially one of the weekend's stars. Lot # S125 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Roadster; S/N 194677S109097; Engine # T0113IT; Black, Blue stinger/Black leatherette; Estimate $1,250,000 - $1,250,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,250,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $1,325,000 -- 427/600hp, M-22 4-speed, F41 suspension, Positraction, J56 brakes, Protect-o-Plate, side exhausts, alloy wheels, blue line tires, radio and heater delete, hardtop only. Tony DeLorenzo's 1967-68 SCCA race car, second to Dick Smith's Cobra 427 in the 1967 Runoffs. Numbers-matching throughout, Bloomington Gold and NCRS Top Flight after an earlier restoration. Twice restored since 2002, once to as-raced condition for the 2003 Monterey Historics where it was driven by DeLorenzo and again in 2006 to its current as-delivered street configuration. Beyond perfect in all respects, one of 14 '67 L88s believed to survive. Offered by RM in Arizona in 2007 where it no-saled at a reported bid of $1,550,000 and a $1.75-2.0 million estimate. By that standard this is a real value, which it is, for the most desirable of all production Corvettes. Restored like new, its racing history is diminished by its showroom presentation, as is its usability in the historic racing events where it would be a star in its DeLorenzo livery. It's a quandary ... but vinyl numbers and a rollbar are easy fixes. Lot # S130 1922 Hacker Gentleman’s Race Boat 29 Foot; S/N CF6921UD; Mahogany 'Apache II'/Black; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $320,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $339,200 -- A spectacular restoration with power from a Liberty aircraft V-12 with 400hp and 1,350 lb-ft torque with a custom 1:2 overdrive gearbox. Custom trailer included. Built by John Hacker for Norman DeVaux and a race winner on Lake Tahoe in 1926 and 1927. Sitting behind this fire and fume belching 1650 cubic inch behemoth can only be a life-changing experience. Doing it at speed on the water will impart nothing less than visions of mortality. An outstanding experience and an outstanding motorboat with performance, looks and history. Lot # S131 1931 Miller V-16 Race Car; S/N None; Light Grey/Black leather; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $600,000 -- AAA registration # 45, program #27. Left hand drive, 2 seat, chromed frame and suspension, 4-wheel brakes. Entered by William S. White at Indy in 1931 driven by Shorty Cantlon with Miller V-16 power. Later shortened and re-powered with fours with a best Indy finish of fourth in 1935 driven by Floyd Roberts with riding mechanic Carl Parenti owned by Earl Haskell. Eventually rescued by Bob McConnell and reunited with (most of) an original Miller V-16 and (probably) the original body by Chuck Davis. Completed in 1993 and displayed and demonstrated anywhere it counts, it is still in show quality condition, better than even Harry Miller would make it. Reported sold by RM here in Monterey in 2009 for $600,000. A choice piece of history and a story of dedicated collectors' work to re-assemble a unique moment in American racing history. It's worth every dollar of the reported high bid here, but hardly a dollar more. The view under its hood is nothing if not breathtaking, an Indy weapon of awesome potential. Lot # S132 1960 Chrysler 300F Special 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 8403110398; Black/Tan 'living leather'; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $275,000 -- One of six built with 400 hp motor and four-speed manual. All original, in long term storage until being completely mechanically checked. Documented ownership from its racing days to the present. Driven by Gregg Ziegler ('Daytona super star'?) to set a NASCAR flying mile record on the Daytona Beach sand in 1960 at 144.927mph. Probably original 11,292 miles. Offered at Russo and Steele in Scottsdale earlier this year with eight fewer miles on the odometer (enough for a single pass on the Daytona Beach sand). A particularly exciting piece of Mopar history and one that should see this much if not more to find a new home. With relatively ordinary 300Fs (with convertible bodies) bringing within a hundred grand of this price the history, performance and originality of this 'Special' is worth the bump. Lot # S136 1934 Lagonda 16/80 S Type Special Six Tourer, Body by Vanden Plas; S/N S11041; Engine # S357S2; Black/Black vinyl; Faded cloth top; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $95,000 -- RHD. Lucas headlights and single driving light, fender mirrors, rear-mounted spare, painted wire wheels. Cracked, chipped old repaint that was never very good to begin with. Quick old interior. Carb linkage lying on the back floor. Has potential. Solid body and all there in all important respects. Type SWS 17. Bought in 1968 by Augie Pabst (presumably of the Meister Brauser Scarabs and other legendary sports racers) and documented since. This is an intriguing British Tourer, less imposing that its M45 siblings but more than the 1100cc Rapiers, with an even more intriguing U.S. history with one of the stalwarts of Sixties racing, Augie Pabst. That doesn't, however, make it worth any more than the amount reportedly bid for it here in its present raggedy condition. It could have been sold without regret for the reported bid. Lot # S137 1973 Shadow DN2 Can-Am; S/N DN2-1T; Black 'UOP'/Aluminum; Competition restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $200,000 -- 494 Chevy, twin Schweitzer turbos, Bendix fuel injection. Raced by Jackie Oliver and Vic Elford for Shadow in the Can-Am. Historic raced while owned by Peter Kaus (Rosso et Bianco) by George Follmer. Clean, reassuring historic race ready with very attractive cosmetics. Shows a little age and use but with very good maintenance and preparation. It's hard to be absolutely certain, but the history of this car seems to match the one sold by Bonhams from the Peter Kaus collection at Quail Lodge in 2006 for $200,000 hammer, $221,500 with commission. It appears to have been given badly needed racing prep since then and is today in very reassuring condition. An awe inspiring example of the culmination of the Can-Am series and understandably shy of the seller's expectations. Lot # S138 1980 Shadow DN11 Formula 1; S/N DN11-01; Black 'Villiger'/Aluminum; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $185,000 -- Sharp, orderly, sanitary historic race-prepared condition. Very fresh. Unfortunately, its history is only of two dnfs, at Brazil and Argentina in 1980 driven by David Kennedy (apparently the answer to an F1 trivia question.) Uncompetitive then, but probably a bit more exhilarating to drive today, a ground effects F1 car that will be pretty exciting to drive in vintage F1 events. The reported high bid is, however, everything and more that the consignor can expect it to bring, even as nicely presented and sanitary as it is. Lot # S142 1952 Kurtis Kraft 4000 Indy Car; S/N 349; Engine # 132; Red, White 'Springfield Welding'/Dark Brown leather; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $400,000 -- 270 Offy, I/O box, 4-wheel disc brakes, lever shocks, transverse leaf front suspension, torsion bar rear, magnesium centerlock alloy wheels. Excellent older restoration with little use. Chrome exhaust barely blued. 1952 Triple-A championship winning car driven by Chuck Stevenson and wrenched by Clay Smith, 2nd at Indy in 1953 driven by Art Cross, restored and shown at Pebble Beach in 2001. Essentially unused since 2001 and pristine. Historic Indy cars are starting to come out of the woodwork. For the most part they don't sell, but expectations are being set and this is part of the process. It's hard to imagine money at the reported bid, but it's a measure of the seller's and the auction company's expectations that will be reflected in later consignments. Lot # S157 1948 Fiat Special Botticella; S/N 7188; Silver-Grey/Red leatherette; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $40,000 -- RHD. Jaeger tach, Sacma gauges, cycle fenders that don't match the paint, Marchal driving lights on stalks plus lights inside the grille and turn signals, dual Plexi aeroscreens, 4-spoke woodrim steering wheel, chrome wire wheels, 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Looks real to me. Towed onto the field and hood doesn't open, as much as I poked and prodded under the cowl and around the grille. Purportedly has a Cisitalia chassis tag somewhere and was offered in 1992 or so by the old Auto Toy Store in Ft. Lauderdale. No one, it's safe to say, at Mecum's Monterey auction had any idea what this was, including me. It might be a Mille Miglia eligible Cisitalia botticella. Then again, it might be a bunch of parts assembled many years ago in some Italian barn. It's one of those things that makes attending auctions an adventure. Oh, for Raymond Milo, who would have been able to quote chapter and verse on it. Whatever it is it didn't have enough traction to find a buyer. Lot # S167 1957 Cadillac Coupe deVille 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 5762060360; Black/Black leather, cloth inserts; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $23,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $24,910 -- P/W, P/S, P/B, 6-way P/Seat, Autronic eye. A cosmetic restoration of a decent car. Some original chrome and rubber could be attended to or left as-is if the owner just wants to drive and enjoy it. Handsome, regal and classic Fifties Cadillac, this car can be used as is. Which is a good thing because the first step toward restoration is a step onto a slippery slope of expense. It brought a price here that is fair to both the buyer and the seller. Lot # S176 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BS23R1B429180; Blue/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $375,000 -- 426/425hp Hemi, 4-speed, Dana 60 Sure Grip axle, shaker hood, Super Track Pak, Rallye dash, P/B, black steel wheels with hubcaps, blackwall tires. 23,746 miles. The last Hemi 'Cuda known to have been built. Largely original with a competent repaint and thorough detailing to nearly new condition, now a bit aged and fading. Galen Govier documented. Offered at Mecum's Belvidere auction in 2007 where it no-saled at $700,000 its subsequent history is a record of the Hemi 'Cuda's demise, going down to $525,000, $425,000, $430,000, $400,000, $400,000 and now $375,000 without finding a single buyer in seven auctions. The poster car for overblown expectations chasing the market down. There's nothing wrong with it, but 'shopworn' hardly is adequate to describe its history or explain its stigma. Lot # S178 1931 Ford Model A Roadster; S/N A4608399; Mocha, black fenders/Brown leatherette; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $18,000 -- Black wire wheels, Sparton horn, rear-mounted spare, rumble seat, side curtains, Black wire wheels, blackwall tires. A decent older restoration that's been well maintained and possibly freshened up some. To the entry level do-it-yourselfer, not a bad car for what it is. Not gussied up and making no pretentions of concours restoration, this is a usable old restored Model A. It needs nothing except a caring home and wouldn't be a bad buy at a thousand or two more than this. Lot # S199 1950 Mercury 0CM Coupe; S/N 50LA27165M; Royal Bronze Maroon Metallic/Tan, Brown cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $24,250 -- Overdrive, radio, skirts, big hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls. Very high quality cosmetics with excellent paint and decent chrome. Cosmetically restored and handsomely presented with sharp cosmetics in unusual but attractive colors. A sharp cruiser and a sure favorite at cruise nights. Among a sea of Black and Dark Blue '50 Mercs this Royal Bronze Maroon car will stand out. Tastefully restored without custom touches, it's a rare survivor of the marque which illustrates the seductive design which made it the customizers' favorite. It deserved more money than the reported high bid, a choice piece of FoMoCo history even if it isn't fully restored.
