Branson Collector Car Auction Results – Spring 2010
Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
The Branson Collector Car Auction, Spring 2010 was held April 16-17 at the Branson Convention Center in Missouri.
Jim and Kathy Cox have been putting on the Branson Auctions twice a year for something like 20 years after succeeding Mark Trimble – who still brings some pretty nice cars to the sale.
After moving around Branson from venue-to-venue they settled two years ago at the new Branson Convention Center, a state-of-the-art facility adjoining the Branson Landing commercial development. With a Hilton hotel as part of the facility, a big indoor display area, plenty of nearby parking lot and a choice of retail and eating establishments in the Landing it is an ideal site and has proven to be consistently successful.
Branson’s appeal (aside from the many “attractions” of Branson itself and the surrounding Ozarks) is the expectation of finding unusual, new-to-market cars. This year that was an even bigger factor as several collections worth of pre-Classic cars crossed the block, adding the experience of finding many cars that are just not seen much of anywhere outside the major AACA meets like Hershey.
Final auction results will be posted when made available.
Lot # 214 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe Coupe; S/N 12104079; Maroon/Black velour; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $11,250 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $12,150 – 3-speed, heater, dual outside mirrors, windshield sun visor (in the trunk and not installed), dual exhausts, wide trim rings, narrow whitewalls, 15 inch radial tires. Sound repaint, good chrome. Good original interior. Clean, dry unrestored chassis. An attractive and unusual driver. It's refreshing to see a (relatively undistinguished) car like this sympathetically treated, preserved and attractively presented. The seller got a reasonable price for the amount of work expended and the buyer got a fun, funky ride that will be appreciated by spectators. You don't have to spend a lot to enjoy collecting cars. Lot # 226 1958 Dodge Coronet 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N LD231670; Red, White/Red vinyl, Black cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $25,000 – 325/252hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, pushbutton radio, heater, Lancer style wheel covers, whitewalls. Cosmetically restored with decent paint and chrome and good interior. Chassis cleaned up and painted assembled. A very nice and rather unusual driver. Very Fifties and not often seen but it is hard to imagine getting more for it than the reported high bid. Lot # 233 1976 Fiat 124 Spider; S/N 124CSI0108114; Gold/Red vinyl; Black vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $5,500 – Wire wheel covers, AM-FM, luggage rack. Cheap old repaint over minimal prep, otherwise original and tired. Rattle can underhood treatment. Reportedly recently freshened with brakes, carpet and top, but that isn't enough to make it attractive. This is an underappreciated sports car. Deservingly underappreciated. Lot # 236 1917 Overland Model 90 Touring; S/N 90T40843; Light Olive, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $11,340 – Stewart 'V-Ray' spotlight-mirror, wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, no carpets or floor mats. Sound but dull old paint with some shrinkage. Loose fitting top. Sound interior. An amateur but sound old restoration that needs only some attention and TLC to be usable, if not showable. This Overland was a real handful getting up onto the block, its leather cone clutch displaying absolutely no tendency to slip at all. Rare and unusual, the price is right for its condition and the work it needs to be put into functional and condition that can be used with some pride and confidence. Lot # 239 1917 Paige Six-51 Centerdoor Sedan; S/N 69053; Engine # 7D69053; Blue, Black/Brown cloth; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $15,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $16,740 – Cream wire wheels, two-pane opening vee windshield, jump seats, footrest, pullup rear quarter windows, copper radiator with GIo-light radiator cap gauge, brass headlight rims. Essentially unrestored aside from some quick, unattractive old paintwork and some minor repairs to the interior trim. A remarkable and imposing old survivor that is surprisingly sound. The front posts in the 7-window style body remove to create a 'four-door hardtop' style for fair weather use, then button up snugly when the weather's bad. A remarkable survivor that has serious potential as a show car and to attract positive attention to its highly unusual coachwork. It will not be cheap to restore, but neither does it present any serious hurdles. Its unusual and distinctive configuration make it a good value at this price as long as the buyer's willing and able to undertake a thoughtful restoration. Lot # 240 1947 Ford Standard Convertible; S/N 799A1475450; Light Yellow/Beige cloth, Brown leatherette, White vinyl t; Unrestored original, 4- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,250 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $14,310 – Heater, radio, trim rings, whitewalls, power top, alternator. Poor old repaint, peeling here and there and poorly masked everywhere. Sound upholstery. Dry, dirty original chassis. Needs everything but looks like a good place to start for someone who is willing to do bodywork. No Reserve. It will take a lot of work to make this Ford presentable, a prospect that offers little possibility of being financially rewarding but carries its own emotional compensation for accomplishment and preservation. Any more than this would be expensive. Lot # 249 1962 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 20867S108696; Engine # F036RF 2018561; Fawn Beige/Fawn Beige; White hardtop; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $47,520 – Later 327/360hp engine and 4-speed, Wonderbar radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewall radials. Original except for the engine and a peeling repaint, Set cushions torn. Worn trim and body seals. Sound and usable, but not proudly. Miles believed to be 103,581. It was unclear whether this Vette started life with a fuel injected engine under the hood or whether it acquired it somewhere along the way. Under the circumstances it is fully valued at the price. Lot # 257 1929 Ford Model A Deluxe Phaeton; S/N A1423526; Engine # A1423526; Tobacco Brown, Brown accent, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 4+ condition; Post-block sale at $14,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $15,120 – Orange wire wheels, whitewalls, dual cloth covered sidemounts with mirrors, wind wings, trunk, quail radiator cap. Pretty tired old restoration, chipped, faded and musty. Needs pretty much everything, despite being sound and dry. Cataloged implying it had leather upholstery, but it looked like leatherette to me. This is a valuable and rare body style that a Model A collector will find rewarding to restore again if only because it will stand out at AACA and Ford events. It is a reasonable value at this price. Lot # 261 1926 Oakland 6-54 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 7099154; Blue, Black/Grey cloth; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $13,500 – Wood spoke wheels, whitewalls, roll down windshield, rear mounted spare. Fair old repaint showing plenty of orange peel. Sound interior. Chassis cleaned up and repainted but not thoroughly restored. A usable but mediocre old cosmetic restoration. The seller rated this car 'a strong #3 or a weak #2', an evaluation that should be ratcheted down one full notch to reflect its mediocre presentation. Rarely seen, however, and now assuming more importance following the demise of Pontiac, it could have been sold without regret at the reported high bid. Lot # 266 1926 Pontiac 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1391627; Two tone Grey/Beige cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $8,000 – Mostly original, sound and dry. Needs a complete interior and who knows what mechanically but is a manageable project. Built during Pontiac's first year as a GM nameplate there's a certain value in its timing, but little if any more than the reported high bid in its condition. Lot # 278 1928 Buick 28-47S 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1971319; Engine # 2034184; Aqua, Black fenders/Brown cloth; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $14,040 – Roll down windshield, Lincoln ('The Tourist's Favorite') accessory fold-out front door window shades, rollup rear and quarter window shades, varnished wood spoke wheels, whitewalls. Dull, polished thorough paint, sound upholstery, rusty chrome, dirty engine and chassis. Sound body. Largely unrestored and very cool. Described as owned by a Buick dealer since new and not titled until 2009, with just 36,928 miles from new. This is a Preservation Class contender that needs little more than some careful cosmetic preservation and mechanical attention to be used an enjoyed. It is impressively appointed and a good value, even with its closed coachwork, at this price. Lot # 288 1979 MG B Convertible; S/N GHN5UL497596G; Orange/Black vinyl; Black leatherette top; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $11,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $12,420 – Jensen cassette stereo, Mountney woodrim steering wheel, SU carbs, luggage rack. Shiny, fresh thorough cosmetic restoration with standout paint, good interior and chrome on a late MGB with rubber bumpers and alloy wheels. Sharp and fresh underhood. A sparkly, fresh driver restoration. The restorer lost sight of the concept of 'like new' when applying the paint and went over the top in a manner that is not particularly attractive. The seller should be grateful to get this much for it. Lot # 298 1987 Porsche 924 Coupe; S/N WP0AA0928HN455828; Red/White vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $5,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $5,400 – Automatic, JVC cassette stereo, A/C, sunroof, dark tinted windows. Quick, fresh repaint poorly masked and detailed. Chassis quickly sprayed. Rear window heavily and crudely siliconed along its top edge. Unattractive auction car. An unattractively and superficially treated example of a model that few find innately attractive, It brought all the money.Lot # 303 1941 Plymouth Special Deluxe 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N RCP12461561; Blue/Grey cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $7,500 – Pushbutton radio, heater, whitewalls, trim rings. Mediocre repaint, new interior panels with sound original upholstery under new clear plastic covers. Sloppy steering. Fair new chrome. Chassis cleaned up and repainted. Not reassuring, but unusual. The most surprising attribute of this 1941 Plymouth is that is survived the new car hiatus during World War II. Its two-door sedan body is mundane. Its driveline is uninspired and pedestrian (that is, about as fast as a pedestrian.) It could have been sold with enthusiasm if there had been money anywhere close to the reported high bid. Lot # 309 1920 Buick K-45 Touring; S/N 548362; Dark Green, Black fenders/Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $10,800 – Yellow wood spoke wheels, whitewalls, left running board luggage fence, S&M spotlight, rear mounted spare. Original except for an old, cracking repaint and quick reupholstery. Top is torn and tattered. A sound basis for a complete restoration. I bet there's a market in China for early Buicks (where the marque is prestigious and very successful) like this. This is the price of a Model T in comparable condition with similar bodywork, and this is a better, more powerful, larger car. It needs (and deserves) a restoration although at this price it's not going to earn its restorer any money. Lot # 315 1984 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider; S/N ZARBA5414E1018451; Red/Tan vinyl; Tan cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $6,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $6,480 – Pioneer CD stereo. Good new repaint, upholstery and top. Chip guarded sills. Clean original underhood and chassis. An attractively freshened driver, done to auction car standards. Bought here in the Fall of 2007 for $5,900 with comprehensive cosmetic attention since. This is a sound value at the price. Lot # 505 1957 MG A Roadster; S/N HDK4326941; Red/Black leather; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $30,240 – Silver wire wheels, driver's head fairing. Polishing scuffed paint, road dust and grime on chassis, some weak or scratched chrome but will be a driver to be proud of. Reportedly restored by a specialist shop and displayed by them since 2002 as an example of their work with some specialist show wins 5-6 years ago. It is no longer fresh, however. The odometer shows 19,190 miles, which may well be the mileage accumulated since restoration and is consistent with its appearance. The price it brought here is appropriate to the caliber of the restoration and it present, somewhat used, presentation. Lot # 512 1924 Ford Model T Roadster Tow Truck; S/N 14074 685; Black/Black leatherette; Black leatherette top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $22,680 – Wooden bed, Weaver Auto Crane with hand crank and shortened boom, varnished wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, brushed aluminum winged radiator cap with Ford script Moto Meter. Excellent paint, wood and upholstery let down only by some missing button covers on the seat back. Cute, and a reasonable value at this price. Lot # 531 1928 Ford Model A 'AR' Roadster Pickup; S/N A122510; Red, Black fenders/Brown Leatherette; Beige cloth top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $31,320 – Varnished oak bed floor and sideboards, single sidemount with cloth cover, windwings. Freshly restored to better than new with excellent paint, chrome, top, glass and upholstery. 'AR' is an arcane bit of Model A terminology which means 'After Redesign'. This is an exceptionally nicely restored and presented example with show quality cosmetics and it brought a superior price consistent with its quality and sparkly presentation, a full $10,000 more than RM got for a green one in Ft. Lauderdale just two weeks ago that was not as fresh but perhaps a bit more practical. Lot # 539 1932 LaSalle 345-B Town Coupe; S/N 1102606; Black/Green Cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $21,600 – Dual sidemounts with mirrors, Cream wire wheels, blackwall tires, bustle-style integrated trunk and folding luggage rack, Trippe lights. Tired but basically sound old car with blistered, peeling paint and chrome and a sound but unattractive color interior. Good interior wood. Aged chassis that isn't a lot better for being squirted with chassis black. Attractive and balanced body design and proportions. A fine example of Harley Earl's early LaSalle styling owing much to his appreciation for Hispano-Suiza design, the body on this Town Coupe is particularly attractive and will be a real showpiece when restored. The price, for a car of this quality and attractive design, is a good value. Lot # 548 1924 Cadillac V-63 Phaeton; S/N 63C2778; Red, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $37,000 – Dual rear spares, luggage trunk, varnished wood spoke wheels, wind wings, pedestal spotlight (big enough to have done service on a WWI torpedo boat destroyer), unusual chrome bar radiator grille. Tired paint, chrome and upholstery. A usable but unimpressive tour car. This is more car than the amount offered for it, even in this condition. Lot # 549 1926 Kissel 6-55 Brougham; Engine # 5512466; Dark Red, Maroon fenders/Brown, Beige cloth; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $45,360 – Wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, rear-mounted spare, leatherette covered roof and luggage trunk. Freshly restored and a 2008 AACA National First Prize winner. Good paint, excellent chrome and interior. Sharp, fresh and very attractive, the buyer got a showpiece for less than the investment in its restoration. Lot # 550 1967 Morgan Plus 4 Roadster; S/N 6138; Cream/Black leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $28,080 – Chrome wire wheels, blackwall radial tires, banjo-spoke steering wheel. Very good paint, chrome and interior. Chassis is dirty and unrestored. A very attractive driver. This car brought $27,500 at RM's Arizona auction in January. Two sales in three months within $580 (2.1%) is about as close to defining the market's perception of the value of an attractive Morgan driver as it's possible to get. Lot # 551 1929 Kissel White Eagle 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 951755; Tan, Black fenders, Brown accent/Tan Cloth; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $19,440 – Wood spoke wheels, wide whitewalls, luggage trunk, dual rear spares, windwings, wooden steering wheel, hydraulic brakes, Tropic Aire heater, clock, ash tray, electric cigar lighter with ash catcher. Good older paint, chrome and interior and still presentable. This Kissel is generously appointed with a number of accessories consistent with its stature as one of America's declining number of independent luxury car manufacturers in 1929. The buyer got more car – even with the closed body – than the money spent and should be very satisfied with the value in this acquisition as well as enjoying it on the tours and other CCCA events for which it is eligible. Lot # 557 1936 Ford Model 68 Deluxe Convertible Coupe; S/N 181960506; Sand Beige/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $36,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $39,420 – Radio, clock, banjo spoke steering wheel, single wiper, grille guard, enclosed rear spare, rumble seat, skirts. Decent older paint chrome and upholstery. Interior woodgrain is peeling and needs to be redone but wasn't very convincing to begin with. Tidy but aged chassis shows age and use. A usable driver that will respond promptly to some cosmetic attention. Offered here in the 2009 fall sale where it failed to sell at a reported high bid of $37,000, it found a home today at a price that will let its new owner correct its cosmetic shortcomings and still be in the money. Lot # 560 1905 Kiblinger Highwheeler; S/N 1290; Black/Black leather; Black leather top; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $23,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $24,840 – RHD. Red chassis, 2-cylinder opposed air cooled engine. Shiny brass but otherwise aged and used. Dull paint, oily. Open rear bed. Assembled in 1952 with new upholstery and tires for the first time after being shipped knocked down to Oregon and sitting in its crate for nearly a half century. The essence of a survivor, its discovery in its original shipping crate must have been something. This is reasonable money for a high wheeler and a sound value in a Brighton-eligible vehicle. Lot # 561 1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 333277; Dark Blue/Brown leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $375,000 – RHD. Chrome wheel discs, opening vee windshield, basket weave seat back upholstery, figured chrome side trim, Marchal head and fog lights. Restored (effectively reconstructed) by Pininfarina for Michael Scott in the UK in the mid-60's and recently refreshed. Not show ready but very good paint, interior and fresh chrome. Owned in the 70's by Eric Clapton and described by him as the most fun he'd ever had 'off stage and out of bed.' Later displayed at the Pininfarina museum. Thoroughly documented. Attractive teardrop fender, 4-seat, tapered rear deck coachwork, lavishly appointed, one of six built by Batista 'Pinin' Farina for dealer Bocca with similar bodies. This is an exceptionally important and very attractive car with a colorful history, not least because Pininfarina regarded the car so highly he did the coachwork restoration for nothing. The auction later presented a $500,000 offer which was declined by the consignor. Lot # 569 1900 Black Highwheeler; S/N B189; Black/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $36,720 – Righthand tiller steering, Dietz kerosene lights, South Dakota registration medallion number 738 on dashboard, leather mudguards. An old restoration in presentable and usable condition, history documented since 1937. Leather mudguards are original. One of just a handful built by Black and its successors and in need of nothing but some mechanical attention before being used. Complete with top and lights, which is unusual for a Highwheeler of this age. This is a modest price for a car of this age and the early start time which it would have in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Well bought. Lot # 574 1935 DeSoto Airflow 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 9603510; Metallic Burgundy/Tan cloth, Brown leatherette; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $31,320 – Skirts, whitewalls, Orange steel spoke wheels. Fair repaint in an odd color, good upholstery and interior trim. Failing chrome, dirty chassis. A well used old restoration than needs some expensive attention. No Reserve. This price is as good as this car's erratic and inconsistent condition warrants. Its superficial cosmetics do nothing to enhance the expectation of mechanical quality even though the consignor says it 'runs and drives anywhere, VERY reliable.' Airflows were an important advance in engineering and aerodynamic design but were offered to a public indifferent to anything but predictable reliability in the depths of the Great Depression. DeSoto built only 6,843 of the revised 1935 models, their survival rate is low. They have a well-deserved following among collectors who appreciate engineering and design, but that is a small segment and therefore they bring modest prices like this. Lot # 576 1925 Ford Model T Coupe; S/N 11476363; Black/Brown cloth; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $21,600 – Windshield visor, Ruckstell 2-speed axle, blackwall tires. Excellent paint and upholstery. Better than new. This is a very nice car, as would be expected for a restoration claimed to have cost $40,000. It's a coupe. That explains the price. Lot # 579 1907 Cadillac Model K Roadster; S/N 8354; Maroon, Black fenders/Black leather; Black leather top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $28,080 – RHD. Rushmore acetylene headlights; Dietz kerosene sidelights, no taillight, American Lamp Works acetylene generator, Jones speedometer. Plaque on radiator identifies 'Mayor Hiram Edgerton.' A sound and thorough old restoration now with a well-earned patina. Some paint cracks on the body wood and coachline repairs that haven't stood up but overall an honorable old thing. Cadillac phased out its single cylinder models after 1908 making this one of the last of the Cadillac singles that established the marque's reputation for quality and durability. The restoration is good, as is its preservation, and it should prove to be a rewarding car that needs little more than regular mechanical and cosmetic attention. The buyer got full value for the money. Lot # 582 1908 Maxwell Model Q Roadster; S/N 4742; Beige, Brown fenders/Black leather; Black leatherette top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $26,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $28,620 – RHD. Whitewalls, Westchester acetylene headlights and Kerosene cowl lights, E&J kerosene taillight, 1915 California registration medallion on floorboard. A sound but aged restoration that is usable but not very impressive. Worn, cracked old upholstery looks original. Paint is sound, brass is fairly shiny. The muddy colors do nothing for this car's presence which otherwise is well restored and maintained. Maxwell was one of America's best-selling cars in 1908, a good value for drivers of the day as this purchase also is a sound value today. Lot # 589 1923 Ford Model T Opera Coupe, Body by Coupe De Luxe, St. Louis; S/N 6813336; Black/Blue leather; Older restoration, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $11,000 – Grey disc wheels, Ruckstell 2-speed rear axle, bud vases, roof light, missing rear mounted spare, pullup side windows. An older restoration of mediocre quality but on unusual custom coachwork that deserves to have its issues addressed sympathetically. This is, along with the Paige which sold here yesterday, a highly unusual and inventive piece of coachwork design. Attributed to a company called Coupe De Luxe Body Company in St. Louis, its interior is a delight. It deserves a better restoration than it got, which may have reflected on the buyers willingness to bid $20,000 or more for it.Lot # 603 1986 Ferrari 328 GTS , Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFXA20A4G0061637; Red/Tan leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $39,960 – Alpine remote CD stereo, Black Widow radar scrambler, A/C. Odometer reset from 13,250 miles in 1991. Good paint. Driver's seat cushion and bolsters scuffed as expected for the mileage. A fair car bought for a fair price.
The Branson Collector Car Auction, Spring 2010 was held April 16-17 at the Branson Convention Center in Missouri.
Marvelous coverage! Neat selection of rarely seen pre-wars.
The 1941 Plymouth coupe that could have been sold with “enthusiasm” IF?? MONEY HAD BEEN ANYWHERE CLOSE TO REPORTED HIGH BID??? WTH? does that mean??? I know the Auctioneer had a 9k reserve, however agreed to call us to see if the high bid would be aceppted if below reserve, as its 2k to ship home, $7,500 would indeed have been accepted IF BRANSON had kept the agreement to call us! surely at 7,500 and 9,000 reserve with 2 k tow home cost if not sold, they dropped the ball! yet still billed as if they did as agreed they cost me 2 k and themselvs too, plus I had to call and call to finally learn status days later ! and only days after auction was their phone answerd by a “new employee”
Did someone miss his nap? Lots of ambiguous negative comments like “needs everything despite being dry and solid”. Looking at the photos and prices, I’d say there were some good deals. Reading the descriptions, I’d stay home.
Looks like the seller has no idea what a “chandelier bid” is and that $7500 bid must have certainly been one! No one can fault the auction company here!
After reading your comments why would anyone do business with a company that seems to trash talk there customers cars? Cars are what they are bidders bid on the cars as they are presented it seems silly to me that you find it necessary to engage in such negative comments not all cars can or should be restored to mega standards but every one saved from the crusher even if poorly done is a good thing let the bidders make there own judgments
What happened to the #589 opera coupe?
I don’t know, other than that it disappeared back into the car collecting aether. It’s never showed up at a subsequent auction that I’ve covered, at least on this VIN. I have no record of another ’23 T Opera Coupe, either, on any VIN.
Branson might be able to help you track it down. Call them at 800 335 3063.
sad story on this car is that my father restored it in CA after much hunting has he had a car like this in College. He wanted to donate it to a museum after he restored it. This he did to the Memoryville USA museum in Rolla MO in 2009. They told him about big plans for the car as it was to be in the lobby of their new building. Soon after receiving the car they went bankrupt and actioned off all the cars. Since father is now 96 and still working under old fords it would at least be nice to know what happened to the “odd-ball” Ford.
Thanks for your information and I will follow up.
Gary Ross