Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, September 22-24, 2011
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Las Vegas is the home of glitz and glitter, a place where Barrett-Jackson’s collector car event fits like it was made to order.
The three-day event from Thursday through Saturday was assiduously timed to give bidders and spectators ample time to experience the auction excitement, spend hours wandering the aisles of Mandalay Bay’s cavernous convention center looking at the cars, and still end in the early evening in plenty of time to take in an egregiously over-priced meal or drop a few dollars in the slots or at the tables.
All the cars are now inside (air conditioned and out of the 100 degree days’ sunshine) and arrayed with plenty of room around them. An entire display hall is devoted to sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, B-J related charities and previews of upcoming B-J Scottsdale 2012 cars. The auction arena is easily accessible from the preview through the lineup tunnel and the layout leaves ample space in Mandalay Bay’s parking lots for GM, Porsche and Ford to display cars and give test drives and for Ford’s drifting performances.
One of the many things Barrett-Jackson does better than anyone is sell cars for charity. Darrell Gwynn’s wheelchairs for kids foundation is one of the stalwarts, this year collecting $200,000 from the sale of the ‘Barrett-Cuda’ custom built just for Gwynn’s foundation. The Armed Forces Foundation – which raises money to support the families of wounded veterans – is another and B-J pulled out all the stops for it, selling the ’64 Ford Fairlane created by Barrett-Jackson and Sherwin-Williams to introduce the Planet Color Barrett-Jackson Collector Color Series paints a few years ago. They distributed American flags throughout the auction arena, walked the Fairlane onto the block behind a USMC color guard and set off a storm of euphoria in a bidding contest between two phone bidders eventually won by reliable Ron Pratte at $700,000.
The character of Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas is unique, as are the many customized cars it offers. Out of 578 total lots, 228 – cars, trucks and a farm tractor – were characterized by their consignors as ‘customs’. That’s 39.4% of the total consignments on the floor at Mandalay Bay, a gauge of Barrett-Jackson’s effort to consign cars that reflect the Las Vegas bidders’ desire to express their individuality in the cars they buy.
Barrett-Jackson offered 578 cars for sale, with 574 finding new owners, reflecting a 99.3% sale rate. The total sales volume was $24,261,025 and the average price per car sold was $42,267. Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas 2011 – Auction Report (See Reference – Auctions Explained, A Note on Conditions and Character). Lot # 6 1931 Pontiac 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 696048; Black/Grey cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $9,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $10,450 -- Red wire wheels, blackwall tires, vinyl covered rear-mounted spare. A sound old car that's had a mediocre repaint but good chrome and interior recently and probably needs only simple attention and work to be a highly unusual driver. A little underhood attention to clean up some grunge would be a good place to start. No Reserve. Having a collector car to tootle around town on the weekends, take the family out for ice cream or parades need not be expensive, as this Pontiac illustrates. It wouldn't have been over-priced for a few dollars more and should be a gratifying purchase for its new owner. Lot # 14.1 1972 Datsun 240Z Coupe; S/N HLS3088557; Orange/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $6,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,875 -- Slotted alloy American Racing wheels, Ohtsu blackwall tires, cassette stereo, automatic. Good clearcoat repaint but flawed on cowl. Good chrome and interior. Underbody re-undercoated. An attractive cosmetic redo and a good driver. No Reserve. This 240Z was reported sold at B-J's Orange County sale a year ago for $14,300. It would take a lot of driving to make a dent in the seller's loss, but the odometer shows only 24 more miles now than it did then. Ouch. The 240Z is an important milestone which collectors haven't caught up with yet. Lot # 14.2 1967 Volkswagen Beetle 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 117048833; Red/Saddle vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $5,750 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,325 -- CD stereo, black steel wheels, hubcaps, blackwall tires. Poorly masked fresh repaint over old paint, decent new interior, good new bumpers. A sound Beetle made up for the auction. No Reserve. This is just a Beetle in auction car superficially dressed up condition. It deserves the mediocre reception it received from the B-J bidders. Lot # 15 1996 HMD Dune Buggy; S/N ID42721COLO; Red/Red, Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $6,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,150 -- Chrome wheels, rollbar, cheap plastic bucket seats with slip on upholstery. Described as a 'complete ground-up restoration'. It that's the case the restorer went the extra mile to create the minutely and generously pitted paint finish and preserve both the road grime on the chassis and the rusty engine bits. A real beater buggy with stock VW power. Yeah, it's despicable, but it has lots of potential as a fun weekend driver. It's cheaper than an old Jeep. Lot # 23 1959 Edsel Ranger 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N C9UF742572; Mist Green, Beige roof and accent/Light Green, Beige vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $5,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,050 -- 292/200hp, 3-speed, heater, clock, Town & Country radio, wheel covers, whitewalls. Quick older repaint, otherwise original and sound but aged and used. Water spotted bumpers, pitted mirrors. No Reserve. It's what it's worth. Maybe even a little more. Lot # 27 1957 Pontiac Chieftain 4-Dr. Hardtop; S/N T757H4604; Metallic Green, Light Green roof and accent/Light Green vinyl, Green cloth; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $11,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $12,650 -- Automatic, 4-barrel carb, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, skirts, CD stereo and A/C added during restoration. Flawed and failing old paint, good interior in incorrect but attractive materials. Engine compartment is scary but chassis looks good. Cracked windshield corner. Badly painted hood ornament but good bumpers and side trim; pitted taillight housings. Great eyeball at thirty feet but doesn't hold up to even a cursory close look. No Reserve. A nice old cruiser at an affordable price and it'll be easy to load the kids in the back seat, just like it was in 1957, with that hardtop look for panache. Lot # 33 1953 John Deere Model 40 Tractor; S/N 64778; Green, Yellow wheels/Black vinyl; Truck restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $7,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,975 -- Power takeoff, hydraulic 3-point implement mount, single headlight and backup light. Freshly restored with excellent paint. A premium tractor for a premium price. Lot # 33.2 1959 Volkswagen Beetle 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 2171337; Silver/Grey vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,200 -- Hubcaps on maroon and beige wheels, roof rack, fender mirrors, mud flaps, gravel shields. Good fresh paint, chrome and interior. Underbody is dry and fairly clean but not restored or even scrubbed. Clean and orderly engine compartment. An attractive, usable cosmetic redo to auction car standards. No Reserve. This is a decent but not exceptional Beetle that the seller dressed up for the auction and brought a premium price. Lot # 35.1 1955 Ford Country Sedan Station Wagon; S/N U5LX169427; Light Green, White/Two tone Green vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $21,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,650 -- 272/162hp, overdrive 3-speed, pushbutton radio, heater, dual outside mirrors, wire wheel covers, whitewalls, P/S, two-row seating. Very nice fresh paint, chrome and interior, but the chassis is still wearing old undercoat dressed up with some paint. An intriguing and good looking driver for cruising and family day trips or a great tailgate party car. No Reserve. The unusual feature of this Country Sedan is its overdrive 3-speed which makes it a lot more appealing to some drivers. They included the bidders here who paid a healthy price for an attractive but not fully restored. Lot # 37 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124871L515410; Silver-Grey, Black stripes/Black cloth; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,600 -- 350/330hp LT1, M22 4-speed, Hurst shifter, 4.11 Positraction, P/S, no P/B, 5-spoke steel wheels, rear spoiler, tube headers. Replacement block with no numbers. Dull, scratched original paint, good original interior except for torn driver's seat cushion. Surprisingly clean and sound. No Reserve. This isn't the Z/28 of legend but it's a healthy and attractive model distinguished by its originality, if not by the replacement engine. It's a sound value at this price. Lot # 37.2 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 7T03C237399; Red/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,200 -- 289/200hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C (without a compressor belt), cassette stereo, styled wheels, blackwall tires. Multiple flawed and generously fisheyed repaint, fair chrome, good interior. Original chassis and underbody, orderly, detailed engine. A usable driver with eyeball appeal. No Reserve. A great driver at a realistic price. Lot # 41 1950 Ford Crestline 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N B0CH171455; Black, Maroon; Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl, Maroon cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $16,500 -- Turn signals, floor shift, water, dual dummy spotlights, skirts, wheel covers. Not a very high quality restoration but probably about all the car needs. Sound paint and interior. Doors close and line up well. Scuffed grille chrome looks like it was polished with 200 grit sandpaper. No Reserve. Offered at Mecum's Monterey auction a month ago where it no-saled at a reported $15,000 bid, the price here is all the car could hope to bring. Lot # 41.2 1941 Studebaker Champion Coupe; S/N 153611; Sand, Brown roof and accent/Brown leatherette, Beige cloth; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $16,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,150 -- Whitewalls, hubcaps, trim rings, grille guard, heater, no radio. A 1990's restoration with a more recent and not very good repaint over the old paint. Pitted and water spotted chrome quickly repolished. Good interior and dash. Chassis is in good shape but dusty. No Reserve. Unusual, but not particularly attractive, rare or desirable, the seller should be very happy with the price it brought. Lot # 42.1 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe; S/N 6R07A167201; Emberglo/Parchment vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $18,200 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $20,020 -- 289/225hp, automatic, styled wheels, narrow whitewalls, A/C, P/S, P/B, Rally Pac instruments, cassette stereo. Decent clear coat repaint, new interior and chrome but engine is only half-heartedly detailed and chassis and underbody aren't at all. A superficially redone auction car. No Reserve Just-a-car which brought all the money it could have hoped to bring. Lot # 46 2006 Volkswagen Jetta 4-Dr. WCTC TDi Racer; S/N 3VWRT71KZ6M838993; Dark Red/Black; Competition car, original as-raced, 3 condition; Charity Fundraiser, no buyer's premium $37,000 plus commission of ; Final Price $37,000 -- Speed World Challenge Touring Car series race car raced until 2008. Proceeds to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for pediatric cancer research. No Reserve. These cars have become a regular from Chili Pepper Racing at B-J auctions and a great way to unload last year's race car for a charity established by the car owners. Go racing for cheap, with a clear conscience. Lot # 51 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 E-Z Camper Bus; S/N 216073719; Blue/Light Yellow vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $11,000 -- New RVTech camper interior. Body was quickly painted and even more quickly masked. Underbody is original and grungy. Latch mechanism missing on engine door. Engine superficially steam cleaner detailed. An auction bus. No Reserve. Cute bus but the presentation can only be described as disappointing. The seller probably felt the same about this result after spending on accessories and dressup. Lot # 51.1 1961 MG A 1600 Coupe; S/N GHDL88189; Red/Tan leather; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,400 -- Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, heater, badge bar, fender minors, no radio. Good driver restoration. Car card says it has a 1,489cc engine. Soiled driver's seat. Doors close hard. Tacky chrome fender welt. An unusual car with good eye appeal that will be a good driver. No Reserve. The 1500 engine swap obviates much of the appeal of this MGA but it still brought a healthy price. Lot # 52.1 1951 Ford Custom Convertible; S/N B1AT140990; Sportsman Green, Black/Black vinyl, light Green cloth; Black cloth t; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,100 -- Overdrive 3-speed, pushbutton radio, clock, ash tray light, turn signals, skirts, wheel covers, wide whitewalls. A superficial cosmetic redo with good paint, fair interior, good new top and weak chrome and stainless. Chassis resprayed over old, lumpy undercoat. Engine painted and dressed up with chrome doo dahs. Stunning in its mediocrity. No Reserve. This Ford has lots of eye-appeal, but little more going for it. It will be an enjoyable driver but will bring its new owner little pride of ownership. As weak as it is, though, it is worth its price here.
Lot # 53 1935 Chevrolet Pickup Custom; S/N 21FB12; Brown/Brown vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $17,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,975 -- Wire wheels, hubcaps, whitewalls, opening windshield, 350 Chevy power, automatic, fog lights, turn signals. Original finish decoupaged with clear coat over old paint and rust, new seats, engine, tranny and 9" Ford axle. An intriguing piece and concept retaining the flavor of the barn find with details like the original bed wood and rusty (but dry) original chassis and underbody. No Reserve. This is a fun truck with unique presentation, one of several similar trucks brought to Las Vegas by the same consignor. They all were individually done and presented, but perhaps none as intriguing as this. It's idiosyncratic, but for buyers who appreciate its style it is a great buy. For the rest it's a walk-by, with a moment to contemplate its unique presentation. Lot # 53.1 1960 Nash Metropolitan Convertible; S/N E78203; Black, White/Black, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Enthusiast restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $15,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,050 -- Red steel wheels, hubcaps, whitewalls, radio, heater, exposed rear spare. Fair older repaint with water spots. Good older interior and top, dull trim chrome but good major chrome. Done chassis and engine but not very well. A cute but not impressive amateur restored driver. No Reserve. The consignor even gave this Metropolitan a name: "Oreo" on account of its black and white color scheme. The caliber of the restoration is mediocre at best, but plenty good enough for the car and how it will be used, especially at this moderate price. Lot # 59 1949 Willys Jeepster Phaeton; S/N 1S14276; Luzon Red, Black accent/Grey vinyl; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $29,700 -- Heater, vinyl covered rear spare, dual outside mirrors, grille guard, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls. Superficially cosmetically restored with flawed, fish-eyed paint, weak trim chrome, sound interior. Chassis has not been done. A marginal driver. No Reserve. This much money could buy a better Jeepster, in fact, it could buy pretty much the best Jeepster in the world, which this isn't. It was worse at Mecum's Rockford sale in 2003, but it sold for just $7,600 then. It would have been appropriately valued at $17,000 today. Lot # 59.1 1936 Dodge MC Pickup; S/N T2324514; Green, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 -- Single sidemount, steel spoke wheels with trim rings, hubcaps and wide whitewalls, driving lights, fog light, (mismatched) dual outside mirrors, varnished old bed side rails, old oak wear strips on steel bed floor. Superficially restored to look good at auction and doesn't make it. Good paint, interior and most chrome. Dirty chassis. Has potential but also lots of needs. No Reserve. There's more glitz than substance to this Dodge, presentation perfectly tuned to its Las Vegas venue where glitz is the town's trademark. It sold well for the seller, but not so well for the buyer and would make more sense at $25,000. Lot # 65.1 1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 Convertible; S/N BN2L1B230957; Red, Black/Black vinyl, Red piping; Black leatherette to; Modified restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,100 -- 289 Ford, four downdraft Webers, 4-speed, XKE rear suspension, rack & pinion steering, SW tach and speedometer, Smiths oil and water temp combination gauge, no oil pressure gauge, bullet mirrors, wide rim chrome wire wheels, 205/70VR15 blackwall tires, no bumpers. Custom front end with hood scoop, louvers, hood strap, front fender vents. Windshield posts rechromed over pits, some paint fisheyes, chassis and underbody slathered with brush-on undercoat (or gutter sealer). No Reserve. A Cobra rival, well put together and, at least from its specs list, carefully thought out. It's not going to impress the folks at a Shelby meet but it'll make its own statement at British car gatherings and provide an 'entertaining' driving experience on the way there and home, particularly at this price, a fraction of what it cost to build. It doesn't rank high in the investment category but it has a high coefficient of adrenalin. Lot # 65.2 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Roadster; S/N HBT7L11410; OE White/Black vinyl; Black leatherette tonneau; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500 -- Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, overdrive. Flawed older repaint, sound interior, wire wheels need attention, scuffed trim chrome. A driver that's been driven. No Reserve. Bought right for the caliber of its restoration and subsequent use. Healey buyers are getting more picky in recent months and this transaction fits the pattern. Lot # 66.2 1968 Pontiac GTO 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 242378R161163; Metallic Olive Green; Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,100 -- 400/350hp, automatic, Rally II wheels with trim rings, A/C, pushbutton radio, underdash temp and oil pressure gauges, woodrim steering wheel, hood tach, P/B, P/S, His'n'Hers shifter, buckets and console. Usable cosmetically restored driver with sound paint, cracked on Endura nose, good interior, scuffed chrome. Old, dirty, undercoat. Left rear window badly sander scratched. Represented as matching numbers, PHS documented. No Reserve. The A/C makes this an attractive cruiser, particularly here in the desert Southwest, and especially at this modest price. A good value in a sound GTO. Lot # 68.1 1968 American Motors AMX 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N A8M397X340355; Black, Red stripes/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,400 -- 390/315hp, now with forged pistons, solid lifters, Edelbrock Torker intake, Demon carb and heads, headers, Go-Pak, Twin-Grip axle, Magnum 500 wheels, 4-speed, P/B, P/S, AM-FM, Hurst shifter. Good looking repaint but with mediocre attention to details. Good interior and major chrome. Old, grungy undercoat. Scuffed window trim. More attention paid to the engine than to the appearance ... not necessarily a bad thing. No Reserve. It's not necessarily a bad thing if it was done right. If it wasn't it's a nightmare. The buyers paid full price for a stock AMX in comparable condition with no discount for the modifications, an optimistic valuation. Lot # 84.2 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 7T03S284960; Brittany Blue/Ice Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 -- 390/320hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, 8-track stereo, Magnum wheels, P/S, no P/B. Cosmetically restored to good driver standards. Sound paint, interior and top. Scratched trim chrome, good bumpers. Uneven hood fit. Shows some age and use. Engine spray painted in place and not well masked. No Reserve. This highly desirable driveline distinguishes this Mustang from most of its contemporaries and makes it a sound value in this condition at this price. Lot # 92 1954 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible; S/N 13238415; Salmon/Salmon, Beige vinyl; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000 -- 3-speed, pushbutton radio, skirts, wire wheel covers, wide whitewalls. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. A very nicely and thoroughly done older restoration with great eye appeal. No Reserve. It's rare to see any '54 Plymouth, let alone a convertible, at auction -- or anywhere for that matter. This car was impressively presented in unusually good condition and brought a pair result for both the buyer and the seller. Lot # 321 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 166375L213261; White/Ice Blue vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,200 -- 327/300hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, A/C, spinner wheel covers, Tiger Paws, pushbutton radio. Three owner Las Vegas car with 63,382 miles, good repaint, rechromed bumpers, new headliner, carpet and exhaust. A/C compressor cycles but fan doesn't work. Very clean original engine. Documented with Protect-o-Plate. A neat find but an inherently boring car. No Reserve. The price appropriately balances the appeal of this Impala SS's somewhat compromised originality with its "dealer stock order" configuration. Lot # 322 1973 Dodge Challenger 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JH23H3B170622; Top Banana Yellow, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700 -- 340/240hp, 4-speed, pistol grip shifter, A/C, P/B, no P/S, Rally wheels, 245/60R14 Radial T/A tires, sport hood, radio missing. Thick repaint over old paint, good interior and chrome. New undercoat on chassis. An unusual car with a presentable cosmetic restoration. No Reserve. In a market infatuated with big block Challengers and 'Cudas this '73 with its 240hp small block, 4-speed and air fails to excite much interest. The bidders, however, missed an opportunity to acquire an attractively cosmetically restored driver that will be nearly as much fun to drive around town as its more powerful, and fashionable, colleagues. The buyer should be commended for an astute eye for value. Lot # 323.1 1970 Dodge Challenger 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JH23H0B191059; Go Mango/Burnt Orange vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500 -- 340/275hp, 4-speed, pistol grip shifter, steel wheels, Radial T/A tires, hubcaps, pushbutton radio, no P/S or P/B. Restored like new seven years ago and driven since. Represented as numbers-matching with build sheet and fender tag. Well restored, with plenty of eye appeal. Good cosmetics, flush panel fits, straight gaps. No Reserve. Sold at B-J's Orange County auction in 2010 for $36,300, the seller took a hit but the buyer got a good value in an overlooked subset of Challenger performance. It's no Hemi under the hood, but the lighter weight 340 has plenty of performance, particularly around town where a Hemi is impressive but able to strut its stuff only rarely. Lot # 328.1 1948 Oliver Model 70 Tractor Custom; S/N ; Engine # 310906; Metallic Green, Silver frame/Tan vinyl; Customized restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $12,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,750 -- 24 inch drive wheels, chrome headlights. New tires. Custom paint and details. Done to consistently high standards of fit and finish. No Reserve. A custom farm tractor? And an Oliver at that? Amazing. It's worth the price it brought just to haul a trailer of kids in a parade. Lot # 332.1 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible; S/N 6L67S60158994; White, Black coachlines/White leather; White vinyl top; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800 -- Bendix fuel injection, parade boot, wheel covers, whitewalls. 5,577 miles and almost like new. Some weak trim chrome, discolored right front fender cap, lightly stretched upholstery. No Reserve Remember these? The last Detroit convertible? They were snapped up and put away just like this one was, another failure of the instant collectible myth. A $12,000 car new, the rate of return is so low after 35 years it rivals what we're making on T-bills today. This one's originality and low miles are ameliorated by some cosmetic age flaws which are both recognized in this price. Lot # 332.2 1996 Ford Taurus Race Car; S/N FRP-3500-004; Blue "Ford Credit"/Black; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $24,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,400 -- Driven by Dale Jarrett in the 1996 Winston Cup series. All original and as-raced. Runs well and seems to be complete in all important respects. No Reserve. The seller's car card noted "running in suburb condition", but probably not acceptable in most suburbs. A fine Taurus Cup racer driven by a recognized driver, in race worn condition at a very reasonable price. Lot # 335.2 1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible Custom; S/N 8H181040; Beige/Dark Blue leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Customized restoration, 3+ condition; Charity Fundraiser, no buyer's premium $100,000 plus commission of ; Final Price $100,000 -- 502 GM crate engine, 4R700 automatic, power everything, A/C, Fatman independent front suspension with disc brakes, 18 inch wire wheels, Alpine CD changer stereo. Done in 2000 and showing age and use but sound, usable and surprisingly well documented. Proceeds to the Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation. No Reserve. Sold here in 2008 for $81,400. Lot # 340 1947 Divco Milk Truck Custom; S/N 1501857; Rust/Brown vinyl; Customized restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $25,300 -- 350 Chevy, automatic, fog lights, new chrome front bumper.. Center-facing bench seats in rear. Antiqued exterior partially repainted but also partially rusty. Very imaginative and California. No Reserve. This truck, one of several similarly imaginative vehicles in the auction from the same family, got more attention than just about any vehicle here. It has an abundance of character and charm which accounts for the healthy price it brought, Milk trucks seem to be going through a phase of immense popularity.
Lot # 341 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible; S/N 616W01016; Garnet Mist/Metallic Red leather, Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $73,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $80,300 -- 394/325hp, automatic, P/W, P/seat, P/B. Restored with better paint, chrome and interior than new. No Reserve Generously priced but so wonderfully presented the bidders' enthusiasm for it is understandable. Sometimes a car is so pretty, not only inherently but how it is presented, to have it and be able to show and drive it absolutely confident in its quality and rarity is worth a 10% or even 20% premium. That seems to have been the case here and the bidders' judgment takes precedence. Lot # 344.1 1966 Chevrolet Impala 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 164376J160705; Beige/Beige vinyl, cloth; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $29,700 -- 327/275hp, Powerglide, P/S, cold factory A/C, pushbutton radio, rear seat speaker, wire wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. 34,323 miles, documented from new and all original. In nearly showroom condition. No Reserve. This pretty Impala brought $18,815 at Mecum's Des Moines auction in July, thus demonstrating the adage "You make your money when you buy, not when you sell." Lot # 344.2 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Short Bed Pickup; S/N H255K037982; Red, White roof/Black vinyl; Truck restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $31,900 -- 235 six, overdrive 3-speed, heater, turn signals, aftermarket temperature gauge, varnished oak bed floor, polished stainless bed strips, no radio, steel wheels with hubcaps, trim rings and wide whitewalls, alternator, oil filter, windshield sun visor, chrome bumpers. Painted assembled with bad orange peel on the bid sides. Good interior and major chrome but weak, pitted door handles. Wind wings delaminating. Frame and underbody given a lick and a promise not even cleaning up the paint shop crud and overspray at the back of the engine compartment. An auction truck, nicely equipped but superficially done. No Reserve. Represented as a "Complete frame-off restoration", the seller certainly couldn't have meant the chassis frame, which doesn't look like it's been separated from its body since 1955. Maybe it was the radiator frame that came off, or the spare tire carrier frame. In any event, the seller got a great return on minimal effort and scored an impressive price for a mediocre truck. Lot # 355.1 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe; S/N 124379L525578; Metallic Blue; Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $54,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $59,400 -- 396/350hp, automatic, 3.31 Positraction, P/S, P/B, A/C, Rally II wheels, trim rings, blackwall tires, pushbutton radio. Represented as numbers matching. Restored like new, excellent clear coat paint, good chrome and interior. Hidden CD changer stereo. Extremely good and very attractive, let down only by scuffed window trim brightwork. No Reserve. The next owner can have someone take care of the trim issues in a heartbeat at which point this will be a show-ready Camaro. Its auction history is extensive: sold at Atlantic City freshly restored in 2003 for $28,080, then at B-J Scottsdale in 2005 for $41,580 and here in 2009 for $60,500. It's also had two unsuccessful trips across Mecum's Indy auction block, in 2009 ($38,000) and 2011 ($45,000.) Lot # 357 1957 Chevrolet 150 Black Widow Re-Creation; S/N A57A178601; Engine # T0711EB; Black, White/Grey tinge, cloth; Facsimile restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $36,300 -- 283/283hp fuel injection (although the EB engine code is for a 283/270hp), 3-speed, AC 8,000 rpm mechanical tach under dash, side outlet exhausts. Quickly repainted with little attention to detail. Paint is still curing. A mediocre attempt to emulate a Black Widow, but still a neat car. No Reserve. This car will never be overlooked, whether on a show field or on the street, and its shortcomings will be largely overlooked just because it is so neat. Is that worth this price? It might be worth more. Lot # 358.2 1960 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Convertible; S/N 0Y85H413954; Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $25,300 -- Whitewalls, parade boot, Town & Country radio. Poor repaint, good new interior, weak chrome, particularly in the interior. Old chassis looks untouched. Engine looks clean and orderly but not restored, nor even very carefully masked when the paint was squirted. Erratic hood fit; doors fit better. No Reserve. As big as the USS Enterprise (the aircraft carrier, not the starship), this is impressive a conveyance for five or six people as the most elaborate open Duesenberg, Cadillac, Packard or Lincoln of the classic era, it will stop traffic (only infrequently by being too big to get down a narrow street) and is a terrific weekend cruiser. On dollars per pound this is hamburger money, but appropriate to this Mark's condition. Lot # 359.1 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 01511L200246; Engine # T214GB; Suntan Copper/Suntan Copper cloth, Cinnamon vinyl; Modified restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $36,300 -- Tri-Power 348, 4-speed, dog dish hubcaps, no radio, heater, P/s or P/B. Done like new even if it never was like this when new. Excellent clear coat repaint, chrome and interior. A handsome and enjoyable fake. No Reserve. Suntan Copper sounds attractive, but this is one of the more depressing colors ever applied to a Detroit automobile (and that's saying a lot.) That aside, it has been done to high standards and will be particularly enjoyable on weekend cruises, once the occupants get over the hospital hallway paint and interior. It brought appropriate money. Lot # 359.2 1970 Pontiac Trans Am 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 228870N126519; Engine # C632657 WS; Polar White, Metallic Blue stripe/Blue vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $48,400 -- 400/345hp, 4-speed, Saf-T-Track, P/S, P/B, AM-FM, Rally II wheels, 255/60R15 Radial T/A tires, Ram Air III. Good restoration to like new condition. It is a little dusty down deep but hard to fault. PHS documented and said to be 70,831 miles from new. Nice car. No Reserve. This Trans Am has great specs and got an equally great restoration. It could have brought another $10,000 without being unreasonable. Lot # 362 1962 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark II BT7 Roadster; S/N HBT7L16460; Ice Blue, OE White; OE White hardtop/Dark Blue leather, White piping; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $53,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $58,300 -- chrome wire wheals, 195/70R15 Goodyear blackwalls, hardtop only. Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome and interior. Chassis and engine compartment were like new but now show some age and dust but little if any use. No Reserve. The car is every bit as good as the price it brought. Lot # 366 1963 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 30867S100054; Silver/Red vinyl; Black top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500 -- 327/360hp fuel injection, 4-speed, WonderBar radio, reproduction centerlock alloy wheels, P/W, 4.11 Positraction. Very nicely restored with excellent cosmetics. Represented as matching numbers. Needs detailing, however. No Reserve. A very nice example for a reasonable price. It could have brought another $10-15,000 and still been a sound buy. Lot # 370.1 1971 Plymouth Barrett-Cuda 2-Dr. Hardtop Custom; S/N BH23C1B313780; Silver, Black, Red/Black leather; Customized restoration, 1 condition; Charity Fundraiser, no buyer's premium $200,000 plus commission of ; Final Price $200,000 -- 572 crate Hemi, 6-speed, A/C, Viper independent rear suspension, Foose wheels, Corvette front suspension, Mustang Cobra disc brakes. Built by Mike Langston and Dick Koch, freshly done and a very high quality Resto-Mod. Proceeds to the Darrel Gwynn Foundation. No Reserve. Another of B-J's high profile charity cars which brought a price completely irrelevant to the underlying car, although is a very good one that deserves a premium price. Lot # 371.1 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194671S120424; Mille Miglia Red/Red leather; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000 -- 454/365hp, 4-speed, AM-FM, Rally wheels with trim rings, P/S, no P/B, teak steering wheel, P/W, tilt steering column. Cosmetically restored with good cosmetics but indifferent and inconsistent attention to the engine compartment and chassis. No Reserve. Sold at B-J Palm Beach in 2010 for $48,400. It's hard to see the attraction of this car aside from rarity, but the bidders did and brought it off the block at a premium price. Lot # 371.2 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 Fastback; S/N 1F02R151027; Grabber Blue, Matte Grey hood/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500 -- 351/285hp, 4-speed, P/B, no P/S, Magnum wheels, Wide Oval tires, pushbutton radio, heater. Good paint, chrome and interior. Restored like new with a few miles on it. No Reserve. Some sources quote the '71 R-code's power at 330hp, a figure more in line with what Ford was doing, but not talking about, at the time. Someone at Vegas familiar with the Boss 351's performance noted these cars will run circles around Boss 429s and do it with excellent balance and response. For rarity and performance, then, in addition to its excellent restoration and presentation, this is a sound value. Lot # 374 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E54S003177; Polo White/Red vinyl; Beige cloth top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $64,900 -- 26,976 miles and one owner until recently. Good original paint, chrome and interior. Engine recently re-sealed. Exceptionally well preserved and needs nothing. No Reserve. A realistic alternative to a '53 at a realist's price. Lot # 376 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 20867S112915; Red, Red hardtop/Fawn Beige vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000 -- Double stamped engine block said to be 327/340hp, 4-speed, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, homemade wind wings, two tops, 3.50 Positraction. Said to be 71,956 miles from new. Good repaint, uneven trunk fit, badly scuffed chrome, intake manifold painted machinery grey. Engine compartment far from detailed, let alone restored. Underbody not done. A mediocre driver. No Reserve. Those were 71,956 hard miles, and the cosmetic attention reflects the mediocre life and replacement engine. The seller should be very happy to get this much for it. Lot # 377.2 2007 Maserati Quattroporte 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N ZAMCE39A770027732; Silver-Grey/Brown leather; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $83,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $91,300 -- Clean used car. No Reserve. This car was a no-sale at Mecum's Des Moines auction in July at a much more realistic $42,000. It's nothing if not expensive, particularly with the accident history on its Carfax. Lot # 392 1934 Plymouth PB Coupe; S/N 2301636; Maroon, Cream coachlines/Beige cloth; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,200 -- Red steel spoke wheels, whitewalls, hubcaps, trim rings, trunk, enclosed rear spare, hydraulic brakes. A quality old restoration to near new condition. Some paint scratches, door handles rechromed over pits. Good new interior and new tires. Eugene shows use and age but will detail to be attractive. Runs well. A good car with some simple needs. No Reserve. A particularly attractive and well-maintained car, rarely seen today. It's an excellent example that has led a good life since its restoration and represents excellent value for the money at this price. Lot # 392.1 1955 Pontiac Star Chief 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N P855H53099; Fire Gold, White Mist/Copper, Ivory leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $19,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $21,450 -- 2-barrel V-8, automatic, P/S, pushbutton radio, chrome skirts, wheel covers, whitewalls, windshield visor, rear fender gravel shields, lighted Chief hood ornament, traffic light viewer driver's visor. Cosmetically restored with good paint, chrome and very inviting new leather interior. Chassis and underbody still have their old undercoat. Attention to detail is lacking but the body is straight and the first impression is highly positive. No Reserve. Another of the cosmetically restored drivers that were the dominant presence in Las Vegas (after customs) that found favor with the bidders. Bought right and a sound value for both the buyer and the seller.
Lot # 402 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible; S/N 166675S181084; Engine # R176674T0228QR; Red/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,100 -- 409/350hp (badged 400hp), 4-speed, P/S, no P/B, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, buckets and console with clock, heater, no radio. Cosmetically restored with good paint, major chrome, interior and engine compartment. Undocumented engine with odd stamping. Chassis and underbody restored by casually spraying it with chassis black. Badly gouged windshield top brackets. Scuffed window sill trim. No Reserve. This is more appropriately described as a resto-mod with its undocumented and erratically stamped 409 hydraulic lifter engine. The condition doesn't inspire confidence and the seller should be very happy with this price. Lot # 403.1 2003 Indy Car; S/N GF10-001; Red, White "Target"/Black; Competition car, original as-raced, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000 -- Display car from Ganassi Racing, used for testing Toyota engines with no race history. Not running. No Reserve. Garage decor? Toyota dealership wall art? Either way it's expensive. Lot # 406 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible; S/N 136677B181537; Black/Dark Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 -- 396/350hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/front disc brakes, buckets and console with clock, Rally wheels with trim rings, cassette stereo. Very nice paint, chrome and interior. Some scuffed stainless and aluminum trim. Attractively restored and presented with replacement "date coded" 1967 engine. Not like new but close and a wonderful driver. No Reserve. With Chevys of this era it's impossible to tell what engine was under the hood when it left the factory, so attributing a value to an undocumented car is simply guesswork based on its presentation and the workmanship and attention to detail put into it. This car scores high on those points and that supports the price it brought, independent of the lump that was under the hood in 1967. Lot # 612.2 1966 Chevrolet Nova SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 118376W122231; Beige/Beige vinyl; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $24,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,950 -- 283 two-barrel, Powerglide, Rally wheels, Hoosier white letter tires, buckets and console. Clean, original 23,393 mile, three-owner boring car. No Reserve. This was one small step up from a six and it has nothing going for it beyond its two owner history and originality. Its price is something of a miracle. Lot # 621 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe; S/N 124379N699652; Light Green; Dark Green vinyl roof/Green vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 -- 350/300hp, 4-speed, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, console, steel wheels, hubcaps. Extensively documented from new including original title, PDI, Protect-o-Plate and owner's manual. Restored like new with excellent cosmetics. No Reserve. This is a sharp car with a desirable drivetrain and a restoration that is above reproach without going overboard. Collectors, however, prefer Big Blocks which makes this thoughtfully configured, well documented 350/300 an opportunity to get the '69 Camaro experience in a smooth running, lightweight package at a reasonable price. This is how the market values it, but it values it low. Lot # 633 1955 Chevrolet 210 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VB55N130160; Light Blue, Beige/Blue cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,200 -- 265 Power Pack, Powerglide, P/B, oil filter, cassette stereo, hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls. 53,491 miles from new. Mediocre older restoration with limited attention to detail and showing age and use. Sound paint, chrome and interior. Good underhood but neither correct nor fastidious. No Reserve. Being a "rare" 210 does not confer value. It was a car most people overlooked except in a family driver. The restoration's attention to detail is appropriate to the 210's "cheap" position. The price is generous, by a factor of two or even three. Lot # 633.1 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC56L012315; Sierra Gold, Adobe Beige/Copper, Beige vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $33,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $36,300 -- 265 Power Pack, Powerglide, base radio, skirts, wheel covers, whitewalls. A mediocre old restoration with subsequent miles and road grime on chassis. Good paint, chrome and interior but superficially done engine and underhood. No Reserve. Rarely seen in this body style, it will stand out at any Chevy show at a price the seller and the buyer both can find satisfying. Lot # 634 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC57A196719; Highland Green, Surf Green roof/Green vinyl, Black cloth; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000 -- 283/220hp Power Pack, Powerglide, no P/S or P/B, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio. Fresh, sharp, crisp, accurate, professional, thorough restoration to better than new condition. Fabulous paint and chrome. Beautiful, crisp, fresh engine. No Reserve. This is a great car but also a great example of the staying power in a soft market of the '57 Bel Air. That said, it is a car that anyone will be proud to own and drive. Done right, and not overdone, nor was the price. Lot # 634.1 1951 Frazer Vagabond 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N F515005722; Metallic Garden Green/Brown vinyl; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000 -- Single 2-barrel "Supersonic" flathead six, overdrive 3-speed, wheelcovers, whitewalls, no radio. Spare stored inside fixed left rear door. Rear seatback folds forward with wood battened deck that extends into trunk. Chassis restored like new some time ago but neglected since and dirty. Good new interior. Good chrome. Cracked steering wheel spoke. Impressively bad fresh repaint with orange peel along every margin. A rare and distinctive car that deserves better. No Reserve. Sold by B-J in Scottsdale in 2010 for $31,900. It's hard to imagine it was in any better condition there, it's so neglected and mistreated no one could possibly have made it any worse. It deserves better treatment than it has received from the misguided attempt at painting it. This is what it's worth, but that's not to deny its intriguing configuration. Lot # 635.2 1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 10867S108425; Engine # 1108425 10511CO; Black/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800 -- 283/230hp, 3-speed (yes, 'three'), WonderBar radio, blackwall tires. Cracking old repaint over old paint, good chrome, scuffed stainless and pitted pot metal. Old and barely touched underhood, body shop crud in the depths. Not a pretty thing, and the CO engine number suffix doesn't compute. No Reserve. Sold here two years ago for $57,200, the result here makes much more sense considering this car's mediocre presentation and deficient attention to detail. Lot # 637 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Coupe; S/N 138176F141855; Black/Red vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,200 -- 396/360hp, 4-seed, P/S, P/B, Rally wheels with trim rings, red line tires, aftermarket AM-FM, buckets and console. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Chassis quickly redone with casually applied paint. Odd-looking engine number stamping with individually stamped large characters but represented as matching numbers engine, transmission and axle with two owners from new. No Reserve. Maybe they surfaced the block and individually stamped the numbers back on? That's the generous interpretation, anyway. The bidders seemed to buy the package as correct and as-built. Risky, but understandable. Lot # 647 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JS23U0E137131; Plum Crazy Purple/Black vinyl, cloth inserts; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $64,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $70,400 -- 440/375hp, automatic, P/W, Blaupunkt CD stereo, buckets and console, A/C, woodgrain steering wheel, remote mirror, Torque Thrust wheels with cheap tires, cruise control. Auction clear coat paint, chrome and interior. Overspray under wheel wells on old undercoat. Represented as matching numbers. No Reserve. This is unusually completely equipped for a U-code 440 Challenger, a combination of comfort, appearance and convenience options that vastly enhance both its collectibility and its utility around town on a hot summer's day with high humidity trying to fog the windows. The 440/375 Challenger R/T is desirable enough, but the buyer got a particularly satisfying example -- aside from the mediocre cosmetic restoration -- for a reasonable price. Lot # 648.1 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Coupe; S/N 124379N549915; Black/White vinyl, Black houndstooth; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $68,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $74,800 -- "Correct date coded 396cid engine", labeled 396/375hp, P/S, P/B, 4-speed, console gauges, pushbutton radio, Rally II wheels, Firestone Wide Oval tires, 3.83 Positraction, working cowl induction hood. Restored to like new condition. Mirror-like Black paint and sharp chrome and stainless. Good interior with some discoloration. A very attractive car with excellent bodywork. No Reserve. A premium car which brought a premium price. Lot # 649 1938 Ford Model 81A DeLuxe Cabriolet; S/N 184573671; Maroon/Brown leather; Heather top and boot; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,200 -- Rumble seat, hubcaps, trim rings, wide double whitewalls, clock, heater, banjo spoke steering wheel. Represented as 84,491 miles from new. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Restored better than new but not over the top more than ten years ago and still fresh and clean. No Reserve. A sweet car, by any standard, and worth every dollar it This sweet Ford stood out among the B-J Las Vegas consignments by its era, the quality of its restoration and its freedom from modifications. It is worth every dollar of the price it brought. Quality cars bring quality prices pretty much wherever they're offered. Lot # 650.2 1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible; S/N 237675B135271; Engine # 067968 WS; Tiger Gold/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $84,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $92,400 -- 389/360hp, Tri-Power, 4-speed, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, Hurst wheels, redline tires, 3.55 Saf-T-Track, woodgrain steering wheel, rally gauges. PHS documented. Excellent fresh restoration to like new condition with sharp clear coat paint, excellent chrome and interior. PHS documented. A showpiece. No Reserve. Jim Wangers, appropriately, introduced this fliptop Tiger Gold GTO. It has all the hot buttons: 360hp Tri-Power, 4-speed, Hurst wheels and a beautiful restoration. It tested the top of GTO values, as it should, and could have topped $100K without losing touch with reality. Lot # 652.7 1957 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible; S/N K857H7501; Black, White accent/Red, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000 -- 340/290hp Tri-Power, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio, P/S, P/B, continental kit, rear antenna, skirts. Represented as matching numbers. Attractively restored to very good driver condition. Minor paint flaws, good chrome and interior. Dusty, aged chassis. One of the featured collection from magician Criss Angell's Mindfreak entourage. No Reserve. This was about the only sensible vehicle from the Criss Angell Mindfreak aggregation, the rest being extreme customs tailored to TV and the Las Vegas entertainers' lifestyles. It's a good car, appropriately priced without an entertainer's premium (probably because no one outside the inner circle has ever heard of "JD from Mindfreak.") Lot # 654.2 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC56A104616; Matador Red, Adobe Beige/Red, Beige vinyl; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $67,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $73,700 -- 265/205hp Power Pack, Powerglide, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, heater, wheel covers, whitewalls, sill moldings, door handle guards. Fresh, sharp, crisp, thorough, professional restoration to better than new. Gorgeous and above reproach. No Reserve. Another beautiful shoebox Chevy, freshly restored just two months ago. As good as it gets and justly brought a premium price. Lot # 655.1 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 Crew-Cab Bus; S/N 266054779; Mint Green, White/Grey vinyl; Natural cloth bed top; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $43,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $47,300 -- An amazing vehicle restored beyond perfect. Safari windshield, roof rack with ladder, whitewalls, prairie schooner bed top and separate canvas bed cover, upgraded stereo, 2100 cc engine, dual carbs, and more. Superb, show quality paint, chrome, interior, top and bed cover. No Reserve. A wonderful VW, loaded with cool and unusual features in superb condition. It is a real showpiece and will make a positive impression every time it's take out for a drive or to a show, bringing an appropriate price for its condition and presentation.
Lot # 656.1 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N VC57K131721; Light Blue/Two tone Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $51,700 -- 283/220hp Power Pack, automatic, WonderBar radio, A/C, P/S, P/B, Autronic Eye, heater, clock, skirts, dual rear antennas, spinner wheelcovers, whitewalls, windshield washer, more. A quality old restoration still with good cosmetics. Not fresh and no longer show ready but a marvelous driver or tour car. No Reserve. This is more car than the money it brought. Yes, it's a bit tired, but it's also a fine example of a '57 Bel Air convertible and the new owner should be very satisfied with the car and with the price paid for it. Lot # 657.2 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback; S/N 0T02G145327; White, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $72,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $79,200 -- 302/300hp, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, cassette stereo, Magnum wheels, Polyglas GT tires, rear window slats, wing, chin spoiler, shaker wood, P/B, no P/S. Said to be 64,523 miles. Fresh cosmetics, otherwise a neglected but highly original car with a replacement engine. Shaky but intriguing. No Reserve. The car is pretty nice, but its condition begs for more thorough and consistent attention. As a driver, however, it is wonderful: good enough to be driven with pride but not so good it can't be exercised enthusiastically (although it'd make sense to swap out those good looking bias ply Polyglas GT tires for some radials before doing so.) The replacement engine, however, makes the price generous. $52,000 would have made more sense. Lot # 658.1 1976 Cadillac Seville 4-Dr. Sedan "Elvis Presley's"; S/N 6S69R6Q456183; Silver-Grey; Burgundy vinyl roof/Burgundy vinyl; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000 -- Given to Elvis Presley's dentist, Dr. Lester Hofman, in 1975. Original and unrestored in sound, usable condition. Includes an Elvis Presley 8-track cassette. No Reserve. Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January for $35,200, but Elvises still lurk around Vegas. No comment on the price, sorry. Lot # 659.1 1940 LaSalle Series 52 Convertible; S/N 4329582; Blue/Blue leather; Beige cloth top and boot cover; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000 -- Heater, turn signals, no radio, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, grille guard. Attractive older restoration to like new condition with very good paint, chrome and interior. Doors close well, fit flush and have even gaps as do the hood and trunk. Nice car. No Reserve. This is Cadillac money for a LaSalle, but a spectacularly presented LaSalle that is so meticulously done it is impossible to argue with the bidders' decision to confer a premium price on it. Lot # 661.2 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; S/N 859K3252; Black/Coronado Red; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,200 -- 389/315hp, Tri-Power, automatic, P/S, P/B, spinner wheelcovers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, engine granges, shirts, P/W, power seat, rear antenna. Represented as matching numbers. Very sharp paint, chrome, interior and top. Frame cleaned up but not done like the rest of the car. Correct, clean and detailed engine compartment. No Reserve. Sold at RM's Ft. Lauderdale auction in March 2010 for $55,000, then at Russo and Steele in Monterey in August of this year for $56,100. These are particularly charismatic cars, distinctly different from the rest of GM's offering -- in fact, from the rest of Detroit -- that marked the resurgence of Pontiac. Buyers' decision to value this Tri-Power Bonneville consistently in mid-five figures is surprising. It could have brought substantially more without being generous, let alone expensive. Lot # 663.2 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BS23R0B207656; Citron Mist, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000 -- 426/425 hp Hemi, automatic, bench seat, pushbutton radio, remote driver's mirror, rally wheels, trim rings, wing, rear window slats, shaker hood, elastomeric nose, P/S, P/B, F60-15 Polyglas GT tires. Restored like new. No Reserve. This is a nice turnaround for the seller. It was bought at B-J Scottsdale in January for $88,000 and turned a tidy profit after a few months of fun. Still, the market for these cars is way off from the frenzy of a few years ago and they are today a better value than a comparable Shelby Mustang. Lot # 664.1 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N 194675S121053; Engine # T0621IF 5121053; Rally Red; Red hardtop/Red leather; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500 -- 396/425hp, 4-speed, P/S, alloy wheels, side exhausts, narrow whitewalls, heater, AM-FM radio, two tops. Matching engine number stamping but represented as a replacement "upgraded" engine. Sound older (1998) restoration with some subsequent miles and age. Decent older paint, chrome and interior. Not fresh, but sound and reassuringly presented. No Reserve. This is matching numbers money for this Corvette's condition. Lot # 665.5 1999 Ferrari 360 Modena Coupe; S/N ZFFYR51A8X0117544; Grigio Alloy/Dark Blue leather; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $62,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $68,200 -- Silver calipers, F1 transmission, Ferrari CD stereo. 30K service done at 28K miles ... in 2003 ... and now shows 32,017 miles. Minor nose chips and driver's seat cushion stretch otherwise very clean and nearly like new. No Reserve. At these depreciation rates 360s will soon be airport cars, driven into the ground by sports who blow off the factory's ridiculous cam belt life ratings and turn deferred maintenance into a way of life. It's a wonderful experience, now available for a price accessible to a wide audience. Lot # 668 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 Convertible; S/N 8T03S179601-02967; Red, White stripes/Saddle vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $154,182 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $169,600 -- 428/335hp, 4-speed, AM-FM, 10-spoke wheels, E70-15 Goodyear tires, glass rear window, P/S, P/B, tilt steering column. Restored like new years ago and showing age, if only limited use. Scuffed front bumper, dented left windshield post, small paint flaws. Looks like a new car that's been on the showroom floor a month or two. No Reserve. At Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2006 this Shelby brought $140,400; at RM in Ft. Lauderdale it was $186,300, but at RM Meadow Brook in 2010 it was just $104,500. It was a bargain at Meadow Brook. It isn't one here, just a sound value. Lot # 672 1940 Cadillac Series 75 Convertible Sedan; S/N 3320793; Dark Blue/Light Blue leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500 -- Overdrive, dual enclosed sidemounts, Trippe lights, rollup division, front and rear seat radio, rear seat heater, wide whitewalls. Originally owned by the US government, then the City of New York, used as a parade car, one of 45 in this series and body. CCCA National First Prize # 1356. An old restoration to old standards but still sound. Good interior wood, worn leather. No longer a show car but has real presence. No Reserve. The new owners, several friends with Southwest accents, pored over this car after buying it expressing delight at its quality, style and elegance. It clearly will have a good home and get some use appropriate to its esteemed presence. They were delighted at the price, as they should have been. Lot # 675 2009 Mosler Raptor GTR Prototype Coupe; S/N 1M94136BX9C682029; Orange Pearl/Black Alcantara; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $244,364 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $268,800 -- Brand new, completed in August 2011. Carbon/Kevlar construction, twin turbo 1,200hp LS7 GM crate engine, Getrag 6-speed transaxle. Jimmy Richardson Collection. No Reserve. Where to take advantage of its 2.5 second 0-60 mph time may now be the new owner's big problem. It would be great for a 100 mile commute on open roads (with no traffic and friendly, or conveniently absent, police) but beyond that is sort of a garage status symbol. "Look, I have a car capable of getting from one side of my exclusive gated community to the other in less time than it takes to talk about it." Why? Particularly with a lump more often seen in a Jimmy pickup providing the power. Lot # 675.1 1997 Vector M-12 Coupe; S/N 1V9MB1220V104800Z; Yellow/Black leather, Yellow accents; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $97,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $106,700 -- A Lamborghini Diablo drivetrain in a new package, only tangentially related to Jerry Wiegert. Nearly like new with only a little seat cushion leather stretch. The original build quality leaves something to be desired, but the paint is good. Jimmy Richardson Collection. No Reserve. Described as one of 14 "factory-produced" Vector M-12s, which is more the definition of a custom atelier than a factory. Vector's up-and-down history is the stuff of numerous stories, some apocryphal and some accurate. Good build quality and careful engineering are, however, not among them. This is a garage conversation piece, not an automobile. Its value depends upon how badly the buyers want to generate discussion, and this would seem to be enough, particularly when a real Diablo SV could be had for comparable money. Lot # 675.2 2005 Ferrari F430 Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFEW58A250144009; Rosso Scuderia/Cognac leather; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $121,000 -- F1 transmission, CD stereo, SF shields, power Daytona seats, yellow calipers, Challenge style wheels, climate control A/C. Chip guarded nose. Barely used at all, but a little dusty around the engine. Miles and service history not stated. Jimmy Richardson Collection. No Reserve. Rapidly becoming affordable by moderately successful entrepreneurs and professionals, let alone Wall Street bankers, the F430 is a vastly better engineered and more serviceable street Ferrari than its predecessors and can be driven daily. This is what it's worth, today. It'll be worth less tomorrow. Lot # 678 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350 Fastback; S/N 8T02J149345-01144; Red, White stripes/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000 -- 4-speed, A/C, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, sport deck rear seat, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Eagle GT P235/60R15 tires. Restored to showroom condition in 2007 and still nearly show ready but showing some age. The 4-speed conversion is said to be very old, but not original to the car. Stripes added during restoration. No Reserve. For this much money, with a swapped gearbox, shouldn't this be a GT500 or convertible GT350? Lot # 682 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle LS6 Convertible; S/N 136670B190703; Metallic Blue/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $0 plus commission of ; Final Price -- 454/450hp, automatic, P/B, heater, no P/S or radio, Cragar S/S wheels, cowl induction. Ray Allen's infamous NHRA Super Stock championship LS6 Convertible with 60 miles from new, done a quarter-mile at a time. Excellent older restoration with good paint, chrome and interior. Scuffed stainless, dusty chassis and underbody. Offered With Reserve. No result reported. This is the car that famously was bought by Ralph Whitworth at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2006 for $1,242,000, then sold by RM at the Petersen Museum in LA when Whitworth dispersed most of his collection in 2009 for $264,000. A car more famous for its auction block performance than for its estimable drag strip history. Lot # 690 1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 Roadster; S/N 152971; Silver/Dark Red vinyl; Red leatherette top; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $56,100 -- Chrome wire wheels, blackwall tires, no heater. Show car restoration with better than new clearcoat repaint, interior and brilliant chrome. Later BN2 engine and Le Mans kit added. Side shift 4-speed. Way over the top from Healey Lane. No Reserve. A beyond perfect Healey, even with the later engine, 4-speed and Le Mans kit, that brought a price appropriate to its superb presentation. The new owner can have confidence in this Healey no matter where it is taken. Lot # 690.1 1962 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark II Roadster; S/N HBT7L16902; Black, Ivory/Black; Black leatherette top; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,800 -- Chrome wire wheels, 175/80R15 blackwall tires, fender mirrors, Lucas driving lights. Over the top restoration by Healey Lane with gorgeous paint, chrome and interior. Engine compartment looks like Tiffany's window. No Reserve. It couldn't have been any better than this when it was sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2007 for $68,200 but today's result accurately reflects current BT7 values. Lot # 690.2 1998 Ferrari F355 GTS ; S/N ZFFXR42AXW0111702; Giallo Modena/Black leather; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $64,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $70,400 -- F1 transmission, Sony CD stereo, A/C, red calipers. Clean used car with 6,762 miles. No Reserve. Color makes a difference but this result reflects little if any Giallo premium. Lot # 695 1948 Diamond T 201 Pickup; S/N 2014314; Red, Black fenders, Green accent/Black leatherette; Truck restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,200 -- Single sidemount, varnished oak bed floor and side rails, chrome front bumper and grille, crank-out windshield, fog lights, White coachlines. A very nice truck restoration with good paint, chrome, interior and wood done to show truck standards Chassis restored like new and shows more age than the body. No Reserve. This Diamond T is nearly as good as, and more practical than, the over-restored example B-J memorably sold at Scottsdale in 2010 for $104,500. This result is more in line with other similarly presented Diamond Ts and represents full value for the money. This is a trucker's pickup truck. Lot # 697 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC57L155770; Engine # F401GC; Blue/Blue vinyl, Black cloth; Modified restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 -- Badged Fuel Injection but has dual quads under the hood and a GC-coded (220hp Turboglide) block. Overdrive 3-speed, pushbutton radio with a Kenwood cassette stereo hidden in a dummy tissue dispenser. A/C added. Loose steering wheel. Spinner wheelcovers, whitewall BFG Silvertown tires. Fuel injection system included. The VIN tag is attached to the driver's A-pillar with holes in the hinge post where it should have been. A reasonable older restoration that's been driven plenty (car card says 5,000 miles) since. Filled right door, thin door handles, good interior, sound paint. No Reserve. This '57 Bel Air is a distinctly mixed bag and the price it brought shows the bidders' reluctance to accept it as anything more than what it is, a usable but dismissible weekend cruiser bought for the same price as the better-presented Black Widow replica that sold earlier in this sale. The Widow was a more intriguing buy. Lot # 719 1999 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Convertible; S/N WDBFA68F6XF180299; Red/Black leather; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $17,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,250 -- Barrett-Jackson embroidered headrests and coachlines, Glass removable roof, chrome AMG wheels, CD changer stereo, wood interior accents, wind deflector. Accident reported on Carfax but not on a salvage title. Good paint, chrome and interior. Clean used car with an accident noted on its Carfax. Interior and exterior dressed up with Barrett-Jackson emblems. No Reserve. This is clever marketing for a repaired car and it paid off. There were eight 90's SL500s in this year's B-J Las Vegas sale, nearly as common as ashtrays around the slot machines. This one, despite its flawed Carfax, brought the best price. Lot # 3500 1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 114279W452495; Butternut Yellow/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $50,600 -- 396/375hp L78, 4-speed, buckets, no console, no radio, P/B, P/S, Hurst shifter, Torque-thrust wheels, Radial T/A tires, underdash engine gauges. Fresh rotisserie restoration with very good paint, chrome and interior. Represented as a matching number drivetrain and mostly original interior. Odometer shows 87,848 miles. Includes for new E70-14 red line Firestones. An exceptionally good example and particularly desirable drivetrain, trim level and color combination. Comes with unspecified paperwork and documentation. No Reserve. This was one of a few cars selected by Barrett-Jackson to be sold at a specified time, in this case 5PM on Friday, an experiment in marketing that seems to have worked to the seller's and B-J's advantage in bringing a healthy price but one that is matched by the quality of the drivetrain and the restoration. Lightweight and powerful, with relatively good chassis (for the day), this Nova SS 396 will be a delightful driver and an exceptional show car.
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[Source: Rick Carey]
I was there and agree with most of your comments. However, regarding the comparison of the “Black Widow” 57 Chev to the Turquoise one, I totally disagree. The Black widow appeared to be a very quick and haphazard auction creation with horrible wavy bodywork and painted over rust in the area ahead of the radiator while the turquoise one was a very nicely done body off resto with straight panels and decent paint. No question which one I would buy.
Hopefully we can leave this as a reasonable difference of opinion, like the argument over penalizing Massa instead of Hamilton at last weekend’s Indian GP. I was turned off by the turquoise ’57’s mixed up presentation and not convinced of its Bel Air-ness. Both it and the Widow replica were made up cars, leaving choice to the bidders. I don’t think either was a bad value at their prices.
Could you tell me the type of rims/hubcap that are on the 66 mustang? I am looking to replace one that fell off of my ’67.
That’s my bug. My exact bug. The 1967 red one.