Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Mecum in the Middle (Middle America, That Is, i.e., Des Moines, Iowa, July 15-16, 2011)
First, let’s be clear: there aren’t many “sports cars” in the Mecum Des Moines auction, but this is Middle America (about 300 miles east northeast of the geographic center of the coterminous United States, in fact) where pickup trucks and muscle cars predominate.
This sale is typical of many similar smaller regional auctions with a small number of headline cars and many more reasonably priced cars coming from regional individuals, dealers and shops. It’s the start of a process that sometimes ends at Monterey, Scottsdale, Auburn or Indianapolis. Sales like Des Moines are important – essential, really – parts of the collector car hobby and market.
In this case the sale did well, selling 289 of the 437 cars offered, 66.1%, and ending the two-day sale with $5,515,715 in total transactions, an average of $19,086 and a median of $15,370. The organization was impressive, with Mecum’s full auction arena set up, the TV cameras in place and staff on hand even though the sale was only two days’ duration. There was no corner-cutting going on. The venue, the Iowa State Fair’s “Varied Industries” arena, was clean, recent and air conditioned.
The steak at Jesse’s Embers restaurant (3301 Ingersoll Avenue) was excellent. The cars were pretty good too, especially the pickup trucks. Mecum Des Moines 2011 – Auction Report (See Reference – Auctions Explained, A Note on Conditions and Character). Lot # F118 1928 Buick Master 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 2080597; Green, Black/Grey cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $10,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $10,865 -- Rollup quarter and rear window shades, windshield visor, rollup quarter windows, no heater but controls for one on dashboard, single rear spare, wood spoke wheels, whitewall tires, smoker's kit, robe rail, footrest. Quick old repaint on an otherwise solid original car. Usable original interior with some pulled seam stitching but no tears or significant moth damage. Interior wood door garnishes are sound and will refinish easily. A promising project car. No Reserve. One of several cars brought to Des Moines this week from Colorado's high desert, a sound and usable old car that will be a straightforward restoration project. The price makes sense for both sides. Lot # F198.1 1967 Buick Skylark Convertible; S/N 44677Z105172; Midnight Blue/Brown velour; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $9,200 plus commission of 5.43%; Final Price $9,700 -- 2-barrel V8, automatic, P/S, P/B, Magnum wheels, narrow whitewalls, skirts, radio. Poor repaint, good chrome, fair upholstery, dirty original engine, chassis and underbody. Sound, straight body. A decent car that has potential and a reasonable weekend driver. There is a balance between too much restoration and not enough. This Buick falls on the not enough side, but the new owner has plenty of ways to improve it with modest effort and reasonable expense. The velour interior is exceptionally Sixties and remarkably ugly. Lot # S090 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 5660023592; Light Blue/Blue vinyl, Grey cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $21,200 -- Automatic, Autronic Eye, pushbutton radio, P/W, A/C, wheel covers, whitewalls, remote outside mirror, skirts, power antenna, P/S, P/B. oil filter. Orange peely repaint, good interior with original trim panels. Pitted window post chrome, rear fender turn and bumper. Good front bumper and grille. Badly cracked steering wheel rim. Door jambs and posts not repainted. Overspray on door gaskets. Engine thoroughly and correctly done but chassis neglected. This is more money than car. Much more money than car. Lot # F109 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup; S/N 3JPD14776; Red/Dark Red leatherette; Truck restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $17,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $18,285 -- 5-window cab, turn signals, pushbutton radio, dummy spotlights, windshield visor, hubcaps, black steel wheels, oak bed floor, stainless bed strips, chrome bumpers, chrome grille, headlight eyelashes, heater. Mediocre truck restoration with dusty paint, overspray on frame, good interior, working radio, good chrome. This disappointing Chevy was reported bid to $18,000 Indy in May and fortunate to attract this much in Des Moines. The new owner got no bargain even this price. Lot # F151 1950 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup; S/N 21HPG11896; Bright Red, Beige coachlines/Grey leatherette; Truck restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $27,000 -- Chrome bumpers and grille, fog lights, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls, 5-window cab, heater, no radio, oak bed floor, stainless bed strips, 3-speed. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Frame painted assembled and now dusty, with some body paint overspray. Painted coachlines. Sound body. 54,224 miles. Looks better than it is, but looks real good. This is a nice truck. It must have been a lot better at Indy in 2008 when it sold for $35,310 but it is a better truck than the $20,140 it was bid to at Indy in May of this year. At this bid it could have been sold with little regret except for an excess of enthusiasm three years ago. Lot # F157 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N F58B173852; Engine # T1115H; Black/Silver vinyl, Black cloth; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $23,750 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $25,175 -- 348/250hp, Turboglide, P/B, P/S, chrome reversed wheels, baby Moons, whitewalls, dummy spotlights, skirts, dual rear antennas, radio. Filled rear quarters with blisters on left side. Blistered went window posts, otherwise good chrome. Rust below rear window. Grimy underhood. A competent old restoration now showing age and use and coming apart. Some remedial body work, a bit of attention to the chrome and a lot of solvents (mostly of the elbow grease kind) will do wonders for this Impala. The price reflects what it is, what it needs and what it could be. Lot # S097 1962 Chevrolet Biscayne 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 21111A108973; Black/Red vinyl, cloth; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $43,000 -- 409/409hp, dual quads, 4-speed, heater, no radio, column-mounted tach, black wheels, hubcaps, redline 7.75-14 tires, chrome air cleaner and value covers, not even a dimming mirror. Good paint, interior, chrome and aluminum trim. Chassis thickly painted over everything with gloss black. Redone as it came from the factory with skinny tires. Not as good as it night have been but plenty good enough for cruise night. Nowhere in this Biscayne's presentation was there anything even remotely representing it as an original 409/409. Nicely presented and nearly in showroom condition, it would be a charming weekend cruiser with all the right stuff for a Sixties' street racer but without history it's generously bid at this result. Rubes were distinctly lacking in Des Moines. Lot # F135 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible; S/N 124677L149917; Engine # V0321ME; Red/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $26,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $27,825 -- 327/210hp 2-barrel, Powerglide, Rally wheels with trim rings, new Radial T/A tires, no P/S or P/B. Good new paint and carpets, engine cleaned up and repainted along with some of the engine compartment. Otherwise a clean original car with a tear on the driver's seat cushion. Uninspiring but surprising that it has survived given its mediocrity. At Mecum's Indy sale two months ago this "un-loaded" Camaro sold on Tuesday for just $13,780. The seller here polished and dusted it while pointing out it had original paint on the cowl and door jambs (not usually a sign of a thoughtfully restored, even cosmetically, car.) Its result is a home run, not just in terms of its acquisition price but also intrinsically. This is a boring car, only a little less boring than one with a stovebolt six, and this is a trend-setting price. Lot # F155 1978 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 1Q87L8L507557; Silver-Grey/Dark Red vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 5.00%; Final Price $10,500 -- 350/175hp, 4-speed, cassette stereo, 5-spoke steel wheels, P/S, P/B. Good repaint, soiled steering wheel, good interior. Taped hood stripes. Clean engine and chassis. Attractively redone and maintained showing some age and use. This smog-strangled Z/28 was reported bid to $10,500 at Mecum's Indy sale two months ago. The seller got real here and snapped up real money. It's hard to get excited about a 175hp Z/28, even if it is "net" horsepower, especially when the Camaro itself is big and heavy. This should be a satisfied seller. Lot # S079 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Convertible; S/N 136670B127283; Black, White stripes/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $67,500 -- 396/350hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, AM-FM, working cowl induction hood, Rally 2 wheels, Firestone Wide Oval F70-14 tires, bench front seat. Good paint, chrome and interior. An older restoration to showroom condition and very pretty. It's not surprising this L34-powered Chevelle SS didn't sell. It's worth $30,000 more (if it's real.) Lot # S118 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Convertible; S/N 138676K174614; Engine # 6K174614 T0321EDH; Red/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $67,000 -- 396/360hp, 4-speed, buckets and console with clock, engine gauges, pushbutton radio, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line Firestone tires, P/B. Documented with Protect-o-Plate. 78,497 miles from new. No P/S. Excellent new paint, chrome and interior. Chassis done like new as is the engine compartment. Some interior details like the inside door handles and window cranks overlooked but they are easily fixed at minor expense. Otherwise a thoroughly done Chevelle. Not particularly rare, but particularly choice, this L34 Chevelle was bid to $58,500 at Mecum's Indy sale two months ago. Its documentation is good, and its equipment is above reproach, as is the presentation. It could have been bid higher here, but the seller risks it becoming shopworn in search of just the right place and time. $70,000 or so would be enough. Lot # S144 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 138176F123035; Engine # T0223ED 6F123035; Black; Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $29,680 -- 396/325hp, power front disc brakes added, 4-speed, buckets and console, underdash tach, console clock, gauges, five spoke wheel covers, redline tires, cassette stereo. Restored like new. This was a very sharp car with desirable options and the front disc brakes don't detract from its value. The new owner got a choice weekend cruiser for a reasonable price even without a Protect-o-Plate or build sheet. Lot # S100 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 1Z67K2S516013; Mylar Blue/Blue vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $23,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $24,645 -- 350/200hp, 4-speed, AM-FM, Rally wheels, Goodyear Wide Tread GT F70-15 tires, P/S, P/B, AM-FM, two tops. Good repaint, interior and chrome. Chassis repainted over old undercoat. Good fits, even gaps. Reported sold at Barrett-Jackson in January for $44,000, this is about the right car for the money it brought here in Des Moines. Lot # S107 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N 30867S120724; Engine # 10622RE; White/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $54,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $57,770 -- 327/340hp, 4-speed, cassette stereo, side exhausts, alloy centerlock wheels, Radial T/A blackwall tires, P/B, P/S, A/C added. A thorough older restoration with some age and miles. Funky engine block stamping. This is the right money for a 327/340hp '63 Corvette in this condition, but maybe a little generous in light of the odd block stamping. It is, in any event, a choice older restoration that's been well maintained and has the advantage to a driver of the added A/C. Call it fair. Lot # S123 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Roadster; S/N 30867S118771; Engine # 3118771FO529RF; Black/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $63,600 -- 327/360hp fuel injection, 4-speed, alloy centerlock wheels, 6.70x15 BFG Silvertown blackwalls, P/S, P/B. AM-FM. Fair old repaint. Worn but sound upholstery. Good top and fair chrome. Oily engine with some road scum. Clean chassis but grimy in the bottom of the engine compartment. Scuffed and scratched console trim. This once was a well restored, showroom condition Corvette but now it's aged and used like a two-year old used car. There's quite a history on this boat, from B-J Scottsdale in '06 for $78.300 through B-J Palm Beach '06 for $91,800 to Mecum Indy in 2008 for $89,250. Its result here appropriately handicaps its great specifications with its well-used condition and is nothing if not a sound value for the new owner. The scum, grime and scratches can be remedied with time, attention, elbow grease and a few supplies. The underlying car is, simply, choice and can be Ninety Large again with some attention. It is bought smartly. Lot # F126 1969 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396 ; S/N 136809K371304; Monaco Orange; Black vinyl roof/Black velour; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $14,750 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $15,635 -- 396/325hp, 4-speed, bucket seats, no console, P/S, P/B, Rally wheels, trim rings, Radial T/A tires, cassette stereo, bed cover. Cosmetically restored with good paint, chrome and interior. Good bright trim except dented windshield post molding. Grimy engine, underbody and chassis. Stated to be a real SS 396. Reported bid to $17,500 at Mecum's Indy sale two months ago, it is impossible to argue with the value of this vehicle at this price. The presentation faults will be remedied with some attention ... or it can be driven without concern. Either way its is a good value. Lot # F158 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 41447L145014; Brick Red/White vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $34,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $36,305 -- 409/340hp, automatic, buckets and console, AM-FM, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. Good paint, chrome and interior. Chassis and underbody done like view. Straight body. Not quite like new, but close, this '62 Impala's 409 is, well, heavy. It'll dig off the line like a Ditch Witch, but soon runs out of breath, performance that is appropriately reflected in its mediocre price.
Lot # S116 1970 Chevrolet Nova 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 114270W177371; Willow Green, Black roof/Olive vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $15,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $16,430 -- 350/250hp, 2-barrel, automatic, P/S, A/C, no P/B, Jensen cassette stereo, Weld 5-spoke alloy wheels, blackwall tires. Good new clear coat repaint, good interior and chrome. Chassis and underbody repainted. Engine quickly cleaned up. Ungainly tire choice wide at rear and skinny up front. The cosmetic restorer who did this Nova thought the tires would disguise the wimpy motor under the hood. No way. There's nothing to back up its anemic performance and even in this condition the buyer got nothing to brag about except the paint and chrome. A dull car, overpriced even for this modest result. Lot # S104 1968 Dodge Charger Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N XS29J8B233583; Metallic Dark Blue/Pearl White vinyl; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $65,000 -- 426/425hp Hemi, 4-speed, underdash gauges, big Autogage tach on column, buckets and console, 8" and 10" wide 15" Magnum 500 wheels with Radial T/A tires Represented as an original Hemi/4-speed car now with a date coded '68 Hemi engine and new Carter AFB carbs, headers and 3" exhaust. Good paint, chrome and interior, clean chassis and orderly engine compartment. Thoroughly done to attractive, workmanlike standards. An attractive car, but this is all the money that it should have brought and could have been sold with only minimal regrets. Lot # S143 1966 Dodge Coronet Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N WH23H6729406; Dark Red/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $37,500 -- 426/425hp Hemi, automatic, underdash Sun tach, pushbutton radio, body color wheels, blue line 775-14 tires Sure-Grip. Decent paint, chrome and interior. Chassis aged and dusty. Documented with window sticker and Protect-o-Plate. This is an attractive old car that appears to have been this way for many years. It's a real Coronet Hemi, and it's worth more than the bid it brought here in Des Moines. Lot # S134 1925 Dodge Brothers Depot Hack; S/N D938807; Maroon, Black fenders/Maroon leather; Rebodied or re-created, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $18,020 -- Single sidemount, two row seating, four doors, Ingraham clock on steering column, Boyce Motometer. Good recent repaint, upholstery and wood body. Tired older wood spoke wheel varnish and steering wheel. Grungy, leaky engine. A disappointing, superficial driver. Reported sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2010 for $27,500, this is not much more than a special, and not a very attractive one at that. The price it brought here is appropriate to its condition and presentation. If the seller paid $10,000 more for it ... so be it. Lot # F132 1994 Ferrari 348 Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFF4G43A1R0098131; Yellow/Black leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $40,280 -- Alpine CD stereo, SF shields, black calipers. 30,000 mile service complete at some unknown date. Good paint and interior. Rear tires need to be replaced. Odometer now shows 45,464 miles. The odometer reading suggests another engine-out service is due soon, if not overdue, making this a $55,000 car. That's too much. Lot # S146.1 1932 Ford 5-Window coupe street rod; S/N 18144629; Black/Black vinyl; Customized restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $41,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $43,990 -- Downs fiberglass 3" chopped body, steel fenders, hood and grille shell, LS1 Chevy V-8, Tremec 6-speed, A/C, Curry 9" 3.90 axle, Wilwood front disc brakes, 15x4 steel wheels, Autometer gauges, Bluetooth CD stereo. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Clean, sharp and fresh. Non-conforming VIN. Yes, this is a made-up street rod, comprised of recent bits and pieces, some of them fiberglass. That doesn't lessen its appeal, let alone its air conditioned practicality. And at least it's a stick shift. It was reported sold at Mecum Indy in May for $49,820 and is even a better value today, attested by the succession of folks who looked it over closely and even squeezed inside, even Dana Mecum. It will never be overlooked and at this price that's value. Lot # F174 1950 Ford F-1 Pickup; S/N 98RC342080; Metallic Dark Green/Brown; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $19,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $20,140 -- Oak bed floor, stainless bed strips, fender top turn signals, Rhino lined running boards, dual outside mirrors, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, chrome bumpers and grille. Very good older restoration to like new condition with quality paint, chrome and interior. Chassis, engine and underbody are dusty and road grimy. A quality truck restoration that will respond to some attention. Not surprisingly there were some exceptional pickups in Des Moines and this F-1 led the class in value. Lot # F152 1950 Ford F-1 Pickup; S/N 98RC443226; Grey/Taupe cloth; Truck restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $23,750 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $25,175 -- Chrome bumpers and grille, Red wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, wide whitewalls, black running boards, step plates, oak bed floor and side boards, Maroon fender pinstripes, dual taillights, turn signals, working pushbutton radio, heater. Filled front fenders, fisheyes in left front fender paint. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Frame painted assembled and without being thoroughly cleaned up. Better than a driver but not as good as it could have been. A headline vehicle in Des Moines, this F-1's positioning brought it more money than its restoration and presentation warranted. It's not excessively expensive, but it’s all the money it deserved. Lot # S145 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner; S/N G8KW124012; Turquoise, White/Turquoise, White; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $31,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $32,860 -- 332/265hp, automatic, pushbutton radio, skirts, spinner wheel covers, fender mirrors, P/S, no P/B, grille guard. Decent paint, chrome and interior. Grungy chassis and quickly detailed engine. A typical Skyliner which brought as much as is could. Lot # S093 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Convertible; S/N B9CC147411; Light Blue/Metallic Blue, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $31,800 -- 332/225hp, automatic, cassette stereo, P/S, no P/B, chrome skirts and fender shields, wheelcovers, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, continental kit. Superficially redone with a good looking but superficial repaint, good interior and chrome. Engine quickly dressed up. Chassis quickly cleaned and hit with some paint. A pretty driver done skin deep. There are no good surprises lurking in this mundane 2-barrel Sunliner. Its price is no less than it should have been. Lot # F164 1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL Convertible; S/N 4G69Z131569; Vintage Burgundy/White; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $22,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $23,585 -- 390/300hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, factory AM-FM, buckets and console, dash-mounted clock, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, dual outside mirrors. Decent repaint but done assembled and not enough attention paid to edges. Sound original interior with cracked armrests. Clean original engine. Mostly original, sound and appealing. Not very attractively presented but with a lot of potential, this 4-speed Galaxie 500XL Sunliner is good value for money. It hasn't been messed up, its interior needs attention, but at the price it is at least as much car as the dollars it brought. Watch for it to get spiffed up and show up again soon in better shape for $10-15,000 more. How many 4-speed 390 Galaxie 500XL convertible are there, anyway? Lot # F128 1972 Ford Maverick 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 2K91L202506; White/Blue vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $5,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $5,300 -- 250/98hp, automatic, P/S, A/C, chrome valve cover, pushbutton radio, hubcaps, narrow whitewalls. Repainted with erratic masking and overspray on rubber seals. Otherwise an amazing original survivor. Some dented bright trim. Good paint, interior and glass. Front bumper rechromed. May have been hit in right front. Largely cherry and frighteningly mundane, a charming if boring way to be distinctive at a Ford gathering. Dull cars like this rarely survive, particularly this original and well preserved. Its tedious dullness is amazing; its survival is frightening. Lot # S044 1930 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup; S/N A3303125; Cream/Red vinyl; Black top; Customized restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $15,750 -- Red suspension and wire wheels, whitewalls, Model A engine, 2-barrel carb on aluminum intake, juice brakes, windwings, turn signals, wood bed floor, Deuce radiator shell. Sound paint, chrome and interior. A serviceable street rod in the highboy fenderless style. This was a better vehicle than the bid it brought. Lot # S160 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback; S/N 9F02Z193518; Royal Maroon/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $225,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $238,500 -- KK#1759. 4-speed, Magnum wheels, Polyglas GT tires, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, 3.91 Traction-Lok, rear window slats. Good paint and interior. Wiper scratched windshield, dull bumper chrome. Like new underhood. Paint is poorly wet sanded near some trim. Documented with Marti Report and comes with its owner's manual. Offered at Mecum Indy in 2010 where it was reported bid to $230,000 and in 2011 at a bid of $225,000, this is real money for a real car and a great engine. Lot # S156 1968 Ford Mustang GT500KR Fake Convertible; S/N 8R03T114674; Candy Apple Red/Black; Black cloth top; Facsimile restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $62,500 -- Automatic, Currie 3.50 axle, A/C, P/S, P/B, 10-spoke alloy wheels, cassette steno. Beautifully done fake with gorgeous paint, chrome, top and interior. Sharp, clean show quality presentation. The consignor was so proud of this car and Carroll Shelby's signature on the dash, but it's nothing but a fake based on a six-cylinder Mustang. It's beautiful, but it's nothing and it would not have been anything but a chump at the reported high bid. Lot # F140 1956 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P6FH260082; Colonial White; White hardtop/Black, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $37,100 -- 312/225hp, automatic, two tops, porthole hardtop, Town & Country radio, wire wheelcovers, whitewalls, P/S, P/B. Cosmetically restored, then driven. Paint discoloration on left front fender, dent on top of right rear fender. Good chrome. A presentable driver. This is just a car, and this is generous money for what it is, particularly in today's environment which doesn't feature two-seat T-Birds. A good time to buy? Perhaps. Lot # F146 1965 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N 5Y85Z165284; Red/Red vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $40,280 -- 390/300hp, automatic, roadster tonneau cover, remote spotlight, luggage rack, continental kit, chrome wire wheels, skirts, chrome engine dressup, cassette stereo. Dirty underbody. Pitted console chrome, grimy chassis. Decent older paint, chrome and interior. Presentable and drivable 10 year old cosmetic restoration that has held up well. This is more than enough money for this T-Bird, but reflects today's collectors' preference for 4-seat 'Birds over their 2-seat predecessors. It would have been a good value at $30,000 even in today's market and is generously priced in this transaction.
Lot # S086 1970 Ford Torino GT 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0H35M160311; White/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $24,380 -- 351/300hp, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, cassette stereo, sport wheels, trim rings, Tiger Paw tires, P/S, P/B. Good paint, chrome, interior and dashboard. Uneven door fit. Chassis repainted assembled. Clean, orderly and nearly like new underhood. A clean and highly presentable Torino. Rarely seen and underappreciated in today's fascination for big block Muscle Cars this small block Torino is something of a value even if appropriately priced in the perceptions of current collectors. It has needs, but it also has appeal and will show its stuff on cruise night. It would have been a better value at $17,000, but is a lot of car for the money. Lot # F137 1971 Ford Torino GT 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 1A35C126134; Red/Black vinyl, Grey cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $24,000 -- 429/370, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, AM-FM. One family owned, 54,380 miles. Good recent repaint, some chrome on freshly rebuilt engine and otherwise a sharp, clean, mostly original car. People pay ten times this much for a Boss 429 Mustang. Why? The reported bid here is appropriate in current collectors' judgment, but a great value for money. The consignor of this Torino is apparently waiting for value judgments to equalize or he/she would have taken this bid in a heartbeat. Lot # F119 1931 Graham 115 Special 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1203189; Red primer, Black fenders/Brown cloth; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $11,750 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $12,455 -- Harrison heater, sun visors, rear quarter and back window rollup shades, rollup quarter windows, dual sidemount, turn signals, opening windshield, stainless spoke wire wheels, whitewalls, luggage rack, overdrive 3-speed, freewheeling. Solid, sound mostly original car with aged but sound and usable original interior. A potentially rewarding project. No Reserve. Another of the Colorado High Desert cars brought to Des Moines, this Graham is an easy project that will respond to steady attention to bring it to its full potential. It is worth what the Des Moines bidders concluded, with little value appreciation in its future but plenty of hours of psychically rewarding cleaning, tuning and showing. Lot # S077 1979 Lincoln Continental Town Coupe; S/N 9Y81S748659; Cream/Beige leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $5,250 plus commission of 5.71%; Final Price $5,550 -- Alloy wheels, narrow whitewalls, factory CB radio. Good older repaint, worn and creased original interior. Engine compartment has been cleaned up, painted and detailed but not apart. Odometer shows 53,936 believable miles. This may just show that any car is collectible. Lot # F101 1950 Mercury 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 50DA61487M; Metallic Red/Red, Black velour; Customized restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $22,260 -- 3-speed, sun visor, dual remote spotlights, skirts. Attractive repaint, erratic body panel fits, good major chrome but poor, peeling emblems and handles. Decent new upholstery. Dash and gauges untouched. Seriously ugly and rattle canned underhood with stock flathead. A superficial cruiser best viewed at right and definitely with the hood closed. Really despicable. The seller should be overjoyed at this price. Lot # S141 1935 Packard 120 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 8962881; Metallic Grey/Grey broadcloth; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $26,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $28,090 -- Hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, luggage rack. Blotchy paint, tape coachlines, sound but stretched upholstery, good chrome, straight body, pitted hood side chrome trim, dirty chassis. Sound but aged and used. There is little to commend this Packard. A One-Twenty, its only claim to fame is its part in keeping Packard in business in the Depression. Its coachwork is prosaic. Its condition is appropriate to its mediocrity. It has no charm or merit. It is overpriced. Lot # F117 1948 Packard Eight 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 2262943658; Black/Beige cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $6,250 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $6,750 -- 3-speed overdrive, heater, no radio, hubcaps, trim ring, whitewall, skirts. Blistered old repaint. Upholstery looks like it has been done. Steering wheel rim falling apart. Chrome is excellent for its age. Needs pretty much everything but is all there and solid. The postwar Packard Clippers foreshadowed the marque's coming demise, and none better than this slug. Big, heavy, lumpy and under-powered it deserves no more than it brought here. Lot # F160 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook Convertible; S/N P24243853; Burgundy/Black vinyl, Grey cloth; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $24,380 -- Overdrive, chrome wire wheels, wide whitewalls, power top, pushbutton radio, fog lights, Phillips cast headers, dual exhaust. Quick cosmetic restoration with good paint and chrome but repaired original interior that left some things undone. Pitted trim chrome details both in and out. Chassis and underbody repainted assembled and over old undercoat Less than it appears to be. This is an unusual car, but its presentation is so short of any reasonable standard that this price begs comprehension. A ratty car bought for decent car money. Lot # S112 1972 Plymouth Road Runner GTX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23U2G179679; Metallic Olive, Gold accent/Green vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $39,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $41,870 -- 440/280hp, 4-speed, pistol grip shifter, buckets and console, sport wheels with trim rings, G60-15 Polyglas GT tries, 3.54 Sure-Grip . Restored like new and showing a little age and use, but not much. It was 1972 and emission controls ruled the land. The torque-monster 440 was strangled to just 280 (net) horsepower and while its performance was still electrifying its appeal in the wake of 390hp (gross) ratings paled. That's the preamble to this '72 Road Runner GTX's perception by collectors. A lavish and correct older restoration, it brought all the money it could have, a pale reflection of just a few years before. Lot # S106.1 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Replica Convertible; S/N 223679N117692; White, Blue stripes/Blue vinyl; Facsimile restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $52,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $55,650 -- P/W, pushbutton radio, Hurst T-handle shifter, tilt steering column, Rally 2 wheels with turn ring, Tiger Paw GTS tires, wing, Endura nose, chin spoiler, Ram Air hood. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Chassis and underbody redone nearly like new. A very attractive fake. This is big money for a fake, but more than it brought at Mecum's Indy sale just two months ago, $55,650. Lot # F136 1970 Pontiac GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242370P194563; Engine # 282278 YC; Metallic Blue/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $15,900 -- 455/370hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, bucket seats, no console, AM-FM, P/W, remote outside minor, hood tach, aftermarket alloy wheels, white letter tires P/S, P/B, A/C, Edelbrock intake and carburetor. Smells of coolant. Mediocre repaint with Judge vinyl trim. Generally superficially done, used hard and away wet. Brought a weak price appropriate to its condition. Also, the YC engine code indicates it was originally an automatic, or in another car with an automatic transmission. The new owner will find some reward for reworking the car, but can never undo the engine mis-match. Lot # S136 1969 Pontiac GTO Convertible; S/N 242679B172765; Engine # YD; Burgundy/Parchment vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $28,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $30,210 -- 400/290hp YD block with 4-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, Rally II wheels with trim rings, red line F70-15 tires, hideaway headlights, hood tach, woodrim steering wheel, pushbutton radio, underdash engine gauges, buckets and console. Restored nearly like new. Minor paint fisheyes and crack at trunk corner. This GTO needs nothing ... except its original engine. It was reported bid to $35,000 at Indy two months ago and was acquired reasonably enough here in Des Moines. 99% of the people who admire it will not recognize the replacement block and half of the ones who recognize it won't care. Satisfying that last 1/2 of 1% is expensive and this is otherwise an enjoyable, good-looking GTO convertible. Lot # S164 1969 Pontiac LeMans Convertible; S/N 237679B146785; Engine # C372525 XS; Ice Blue/Dark Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $15,500 -- 350/265hp, 2-barrel, automatic, P/S, P/B, Rally II wheels, Radial T/A tires, pushbutton radio, buckets and console, wing. Quick repaint, wiper scratched windshield, good interior. Endura nose. Dusty engine. Old undercoat on chassis. A presentable driver that will quickly reward some attention. This is an unattractive car with a boring drivetrain. It could have been sold without regret well before reaching the reported high bid. Lot # S099 1965 Pontiac LeMans GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 237375Z128054; Engine # 403361 YS; Black/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $47,000 -- 389/335hp, 4-speed. P/S, no P/B, pushbutton radio, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line Firestone Super Sport tires, buckets and console. Good cosmetics, clean and fresh. Good panel fits. Not perfect but very, very nice. This GTO brought $49,680 at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2006. The bid it brought here in Des Moines is nevertheless appropriate in 2011. The consignor and auctioneer may have been looking to squeeze out just that last little bit to come close to breaking even, but if so they lost out completely. At $47,000 the seller would have netted over $44,000 and $5,680 or so is little enough to drop on owning and enjoying such a nice GTO for five years. A missed opportunity. Lot # F165 1963 Pontiac Tempest Convertible; S/N 163P91385; Dark Red/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $13,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $14,045 -- 194 four, Powerglide, P/S, power top, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio. Good original interior. Fresh, bright chrome. Cleaned up underhood and chassis but not restored. Straight, solid body. Very unusual. Fresh repaint and new 5-spoke alloy wheels. This Tempest sold for $11,925 at Mecum's big Kissimmee, Florida auction in January and has had some needed cosmetic attention since. It also lost its authentic period Realistic FM adapter, a mistake in my opinion. The seller realized a modest profit, or at least broke even. The buyer got a neat and unusual car with half a Pontiac V-8 under the hood and the famed flexible driveshaft to the independent rear suspension. It was original thinking at the time, an example of GM's vast creativity but also the General's inability to realize the potential of some of its more imaginative engineers and product planners. I like it, especially for this price. Lot # F190 1973 Triumph Spitfire Convertible; S/N FM66728U; Yellow/Black cloth; Black leatherette top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $4,100 plus commission of 7.32%; Final Price $4,400 -- Removable faceplate CD stereo, underdash engine gauges, steel wheels, trim rings, blackwall tires. Good paint, chrome and upholstery. Top fits very loosely. 2" gouge on right rear fender. Clean, repainted chassis. An attractive driver. Very reasonably bought and more car than the money the new owner paid for it. Lot # F200 1973 Volkswagen Super Beetle Convertible; S/N 1532993874; Yellow/Black; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $10,750 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $11,395 -- AM-FM-Cassette. Excellent paint and bodywork but much pitted, rusty trim chrome. Good glass, top and upholstery. The can of brake fluid on the floor doesn't impart a feeling of confidence, however. The consignor claimed $16,000 was spent on the restoration and the bodywork, paint, glass, top and interior looked like it. The details, however, suggested it was rushed to completion and left many things undone, never a comforting concept in an auction car. At this price the new owner can finish the job right and still have a profit. Lot # F106 1970 Volkswagen Type 2 Station Wagon; S/N 2202245608; Burgundy, White roof/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $5,000 -- Crappy repaint with blisters and rust bubbles under windshield. Torn, sunburned original interior. Factory A/C partially installed. Walk thru front seats. Needs a lot. This is a Friday number but the reported no-sale is Saturday's result on #S199. It was reported sold at Auburn Fall in 2004 for $5,295 and deserved to be shunned in its present scrofulous condition. It shows no pride or even self-respect on the part of the consignor, is sadly neglected and should have been let go for any money at all in hopes of finding a new home where it might be appreciated. This is not a rare, or even desirable, model. In this condition it is headed for junk.
[Source: Rick Carey]
You didn’t mention Lot 572, the 1977 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet. Hemmings Motor News had an article on these in its April 2009 issue, see http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2009/04/01/hmn_feature15.html Mecum’s page for it is here: http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=IA0711-112533
Though not as glamorous as a classic muscle car or sports car, and looking like a fairly ordinary pickup camper combo, these are still quite rare vehicles, and the value of them will go up as more disappear due to rust and neglect.
Values on these are still a bit hard to gauge, as dealer/sellers who buy them tend to knock the prices around a bit. As near as I can tell, a southern California dealer bought a 1976 version of these, serial #0058 at the Dec ’07 Raliegh Classic auction for $17 grand, but ultimately let it go at the Barrett-Jackson ’09 Scottsdale auction for $9,350, see http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=283&ln=37&pop=0&it=1
The Chalet at this Mecum auction (misidentified as serial #1382; it’s actually #1385) apparently sold for $14,250 according to another website having perhaps unauthorized results, but the auction winner is a dealer/seller who now has it on eBay for a significantly higher price.