When Mecum Auctions announced early in 2009 that they’d be joining the annual auctions crush at Monterey they put themselves in the cross-hairs of the most intense, demanding week on the annual auctions calendar.
The other Monterey auctions – RM, Gooding, Bonhams and Russo and Steele – had made Monterey their premier events, selling million dollar cars with seeming ease and racking up multi-million dollar sale totals. A list of the top sales in Monterey since 2009 shows the Monterey mindset: Cobra Daytona Coupe; Alfa 8C 2300 Monza; Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa; Mercedes 540K; Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider and this year the king of them all, Ferrari 250 GTO.
It was this intense focus on headline-making million-dollar cars that created the niche Mecum exploited. Other than at Russo and Steele anyone wanting to sell a moderately priced five-figure car had to plead for a spot on a crowded docket, a spot often secured by accepting a No Reserve consignment. Buyers in the same range had to wait through hours of high-profile cars in crowded marquees across the Peninsula and comply with stringent buyers’ qualifications.
Mecum ended that while also creating another car event on the Peninsula with free (but this year with an admission fee) access to a field of hundreds of interesting cars – in 2014 to all intents and purposes half of the total number of consignments offered at all the Monterey auctions. From $14.2 million in 2009 Mecum’s momentum built to the point it has been for the past three years consistently a $30+ million sale, topping out this year with $33,709,510 in total sales, not including motorcycles, a vehicle class which Mecum has successfully added in recent years.
The 2014 sale rate, 54.7% with 334 of 611 cars offered was 3.9 points and 7.5% better than 2013 and, significantly, Mecum had six cars sell on hammer bids of $1 million or more.
It’s exciting, has live TV coverage – the only Monterey auction to do so – and true to its positioning as ‘The Daytime Auction’, manages a daily run that ends in time for a leisurely dinner or quick trip to take in one of the other Monterey auctions taking place in the evenings. Mecum’s positioning has been astutely managed, its execution is essentially flawless and the diversity of the consignments is unmatched in Monterey.
Here is the recent history for Mecum Monterey:
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[Andrew Newton assisted in the on-site observations of the cars at Mecum Monterey and with photography. Comments are, as always, the responsibility of the Editor.]
Mecum Auctions Monterey 2014 – Auction Report
Thursday Cars
Lot # T036 1936 DeSoto Airflow 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 5091025; Grey/Grey cloth; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $16,200. – 242/100hp, 3-speed with overdrive, BF Goodrich Silvertown wide whitewalls, suicide rear doors, goddess radiator mascot, dual mirrors, rear fender skirts, wood steering wheel, locking glovebox. – Tired paint that was amateurish to begin with. Has orange peel, overspray, etc. Decent chrome and interior. Used underneath. Lumpy, wavy bodywork. Shut lines are bad. Big crack in rear quarter window. Shabby from top to bottom. – A scruffy example of a largely overlooked but significant design. It’s difficult to support the price it brought even as rare as it is in this condition.Lot # T037 1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Coupe; S/N 1G1AP87L68L168539; Storm Trooper White, , Black side striped and hood stinger/Black vinyl piped in White; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $14,040. – 350, automatic, ram air, General tires, rear spoiler, chin spoiler, P/S, P/B, Delco cassette radio. – Paint is rough on stinger/hood bulge. Very good paint and interior overall. Tidy engine bay and undercarriage. Cracking weather stripping. Small bubbles in paint on spoiler. Considering that most are beat up, tired and abused, this is a remarkably preserved car. – But even well-preserved, this is all it’s worth.Lot # T057 1988 BMW M5 Sedan; S/N WBSDC9305J2791004; Black/Tan leather; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $18,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $19,980. – 3.5, 5-speed, BBS RS wheels, Bridgestone Potenza tires, sunroof, rear spoiler, tinted glass, P/W, factory CD player, heated seats. – Pretty worn out seats. Strong paint. Certainly looks used, but much less used than the 170,676 miles showing on the odometer would suggest. Claimed to be the first North American-spec M5 sold. Owned and maintained by a BMW dealer until 2007, and therefore quite well cared for. – Driven to within an inch of its life, a well-maintained used car. Even with the consistent maintenance by the BMW dealer/owner this M5 is reaching the end of the life expectancy of many of its components and is marginal at this price.Lot # T081 1991 Lotus Esprit Jim Clark Edition Coupe; S/N SCCFC20BXMHF60194; Green, , Yellow/Tan leather; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $19,440. – 2.2, turbocharger and intercooler, 5-speed, heavy duty sway bars, adjustable coilovers, Dunlop tires, removable roof, rear wing, P/W, Alpine CD player, locking glovebox. – Pilot Prototype for the Jim Clark Indy 500 Victory Edition. First of 20 cars. Good overall paint and interior, but painter’s tape under the removable roof is a bit unsettling. Condition generally reflects the 37,038 miles on the odometer, and for an Esprit it’s quite good. – For this car’s history and condition this price is modest and should prove to be satisfying for the new owner.Lot # T089 1976 BMW 2002 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 2743908; Red/Black vinyl with black cloth inserts; Modified restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $12,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $12,960. – 1600 engine, single Weber carb, K&N filter, 4-speed, factory alloy wheels, Michelin tires, A/C, modern stereo. – Dull paint. Huge crack in front bumper. Both bumpers are terribly scratched up. Dirty wheels. Rear BMW badge looks like it’s been dragged across the street. Very used but relatively tidy underneath. Base model 2002 that’s been lightly modified. A very rough example, but could be fun to fool around with if it could be had for cheap. – A mixed up car of little value, offered at Auctions America’s Spring Auburn sale with a reported high bid of $10,000, then sold at Mecum Indy a week later for $12,960, exactly the same result it brought here. Call it ‘market value’ but not much of a value.Lot # T104 1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 Veloce Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N AR3045858; Avorio/Brown leather; Black cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $17,280. – 1962/129hp, SPICA mechanical fuel injection, 5-speed, Campagnolo wheels, Sumitumo tires, wood-rimmed steering wheel. – 3 owner car. Recent suspension rebuild and major service. Recent top end rebuild on the engine. One repaint in Avorio (ivory). Original interior and wheels. Tidy engine. Very good interior. Chrome is a little bit tired. A pretty driver with clean and good history. – Bought right, especially after the suspension rebuild to keep its sprightly Alfa handling fresh and crisp.Lot # T144 1957 BMW-Isetta 300 Coupe; S/N 500812; Yellow, , White/White leather with grey cloth inserts; Grey vinyl top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $28,080. – 298/13hp, 4-speed, Heng Shin tires, sunroof, luggage rack and trunk. – Decent paint with several dings. Tired chrome. Good interior. US-model car. An older restoration that someone has had some fun with, but still very presentable if far from perfect. – A usable and presentable Isetta for under $30K is, by definition, a sound value. This car sold at Mecum’s Houston auction in April for $21,060, a modest profit even after transport and commissions sufficient to pay the consignor’s Monterey week travel expenses.Lot # T148 1976 Porsche 914 Targa; S/N 4762904033; White, , Black roof/Black vinyl; Enthusiast restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $14,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $15,660. – 2.0, 5-speed, Ironman tires, dash clock, Blaupunkt cassette stereo. – Late 914. One of the last affordable ways to get into either a classic or a Porsche. Good paint and plastic. Very good interior. Used but tidy underneath. Good gaps. Decent, lightly dinged up wheels. Claimed to have been heavily restored, but the work was of average quality. – Sold for $17,050 at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale in 2012, the result here at Mecum Monterey on Thursday is a realistic marker of its current value. A great starter car, or as noted an affordable way to play around with 356s and 911s.
Mecum Auctions Monterey 2014 – Auction Report Page Two
Friday Cars
Lot # F012 1983 Daimler DS420 Limousine, Body by Vanden Plas; S/N SADDWATL4AC200423; Dark Grey hood and above coachline, , Dark Blue/Navy Blue leather in front and Navy Blue cloth in rear; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $14,040. – 4235, automatic, Uniroyal narrow whitewalls, bustleback rear, locking filler cap and glove box, flag pole, interior dome lights, front and rear A/C, electric rear division, P/W, central door locking, rear foot rests, tinted glass, pullout bar with crystal, dual wing mirrors. – Cracking interior wood. Average quality repaint with some overspray and orange peel. A few dings and a big scratch on the hood. Weak chrome. May have been described as regal at one point. Now just looks like a heavily used toy, but what a toy. – Re-run of T135.1, no-sale at $17,000. A Jag (or a Hag) by another name but with exaggerated design that recalls a failed earlier idiom. The seller should be happy to get this much.Lot # F029 1965 Honda S600 SM Roadster; S/N AS2851008019; Black/Red leather; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $44,280. – 606cc four, four Mikuni carbs, K&N filters, 4-speed, Minilite wheels, Cooper tires, dual wing mirrors, wood-rimmed steering wheel, radio, heater, locking glovebox. – Good paint and chrome. Titled as a 1967, probably the year it was imported. Good lightly worn interior. Definitely used but tidy underneath. The more luxurious SM model came with a radio, cigarette lighter, heater, more comfortable seats and a removable passenger’s seat. Superficially restored, but a cute, rare, interesting driver (for those who can fit inside, at least). – Given the choice between this Honda S600 SM and a Fiat Jolly the value is all on the Honda’s side of the equation and the bidder wise enough to recognize it, even spending this much, is way ahead of the game. It may be expensive, but that’s only ‘now’. Later it will look like a good value.Lot # F053 1966 Triumph TR4A IRS Roadster; S/N CTC65916L; Red/Black vinyl piped in White; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $26,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $28,620. – 2138, 4-speed, Minator wheels, Dunlop tires, dual mirrors, banjo steering wheel, wood dash, locking glove box, push button radio. – Desirable IRS (independent rear suspension) example. 113,000 miles on the chassis. 1,500 since 2008 engine rebuild and on frame restoration. 13,377 miles on odometer. Represented as matching numbers. Very good chrome. Strong paint. Very clean interior. A good but not perfect car, more like a pretty driver. – Sold by Worldwide in Houston in May 2007 for $24,750, then at RM Monterey three months later for $25,300, this is a steady and enjoyable car that brought a little more than the seller had in it and had added 558 miles to its odometer since Houston. Once seen as appreciating drivers, the TR4 value curve seems to have flatlined.Lot # F089 1961 Morris Mini Minor 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N MA2S4L34624; Burgundy/Tan leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,500 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $22,140. – 850, 3-speed, Minilite-style wheels, dual mirrors, black plastic fender flares, heater. – Decent paint. Very good gaps. Decent chrome. Very good interior, especially the high-quality custom leather. Average engine bay. Pretty well done very early Mini, but basic equipment. – The base Mini, still cute, but not exciting like a Cooper. The custom leather interior probably accounts for the few thousand dollars it brought over a standard vinyl upholstered Mini Minor.Lot # F092 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe; S/N WP0AB29993S685250; Speed Yellow/Black leather; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $55,080. – 3.6, twin turbo, 6-speed, Speedline wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, factory X-50 Power kit and factory aero kit, Alpine stereo. – Very good paint and interior. Some rock chips on the nose. Lightly used. Not like new, but close. – Used car. KBB says it’s worth $24,256 with the aero kit, Power Kit and 19 inch wheels. Chalk it up to auction enthusiasm.Lot # F105 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk III Phase 2 Convertible; S/N HBJ8L27836; California Sage/Dark Green leather; Dark Green vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $72,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $77,760. – 2,912/148hp, 4-speed with overdrive, stainless spoke wire wheels, Nankang tires, wood-rimmed steering wheel, heater, locking glove box, wood dash. – Well done top and paint. Very good top and chrome. Excellent interior. Really clean frame and engine bay. Recent rotisserie restoration done to high but not show quality standards. – An exceptionally enjoyable Healey, more than good enough to be driven proudly and displayed anywhere but at the most demanding venues, this is a notable value for a car that could have brought $80K or more on the hammer without being expensive.
Saturday Cars
Lot # S054 1950 Hudson Commodore Convertible; S/N 50268552; Yellow/Dark Red leather; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $54,000. – 262/123hp, 3-speed, power top, P/W, pushbutton radio, turn signals, dual remote Unity spotlights, skirts, wide hubcaps, trim rings, whitewalls. – Mediocre old repaint, sound but flawed. Decent chrome and stainless. Surface creased upholstery. Badly wiper scratched right windshield pane. Underbody is mostly original and surface rusted. A sound old Hudson that can be used as is for a long time before it warrants restoration. – Reported sold at Mecum’s Indianapolis auction this May on Wednesday for $41,040, but a no-sale on Sunday at $32,000, the bet paid off here in Monterey with a home run for … whomever owned it. The Wednesday Indy price made perfect sense, but it’s hard to criticize the Monterey bidders for its premium here. It’s a cool car.Lot # S078 1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N STH21; Black, , Silver coachline and roof/Black leather; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $28,080. No – Automatic, painted disc wheels, Firestone wide whitewalls, dual mirrors, Lucas driving lights, badge bar, Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot, suicide rear doors, dash clock, passenger’s side flower pot, dome light, pullout trays in back of front seats, wood dash and window trim. – Used by collector Bill DeCarr as his ‘around town’ car. Average paint. Very good interior. Dings and a couple of cracks in paint. Very good interior. Dings and a couple of cracks. Solid chrome. Average quality car that is no stunner in any way. One of 730 built between 1949 and 1955. – A neat old car, tired but honest and eminently usable. There is no more economical way to become a member of the RROC than this, and it is a great value.
Mecum Auctions Monterey 2014 – Auction Report Page Three
Lot # S080 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Roadster; S/N 1130441200137; Signal Red, , Red hardtop/Black leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $56,160. – 2.8/170hp, automatic, color-coded hubcaps, Michelin Harmony tires, Becker Europa AM/FM radio, P/S, dash clock. – Strong paint, excellent interior. Used but tidy engine bay and undercarriage. Early build number. Odometer shows 1,859 miles, but this is likely 101,859. Cosmetically maintained, strong, well-maintained and honest car. – Just a car, as the expression goes, but an encouraging one that evidences a good life with caring owners and bought for a reasonable price that could be something of a good value if its appearance is borne out in subsequent use. Even if it’s not, the buyer has some headroom in the investment for needed attention.Lot # S090 1935 Lincoln Model K Non-Collapsible Cabriolet, Body by Brunn & Co.; S/N K4280; Blue, , Dark Blue fenders and roofline/Black leather in front and Grey cloth in rear; Black vinyl top; Concours restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $180,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $194,400. – 414/150hp V12, single carb, 3-speed, chrome wire wheels, Firestone wide whitewalls, landau bars, suicide rear doors, dual enclosed sidemounts with mirrors, greyhound radiator mascot, Flex Beam headlamps, locking glovebox, luggage rack, wood window trim, roll-up glass rear division, clock below division window. – One of 13 non-collapsible cars, one of four remaining. CCCA Full Classic (TM). Best in Class at Amelia Island. Full restoration in 2009. Very good paint with a couple of small scratches. Excellent chrome and interior. Magnificent, car overall with a commanding presence. – Sold at Bonhams in Scottsdale in January for $170,500, the restoration is barely distinguishable from fresh, sharp and show-ready. This result confirms its value.Lot # S095 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo Coupe; S/N 9309800525; Burgundy Red Metallic/Beige leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $75,600. – 3.3, 4-speed, Fuchs wheels, Yokohama tires, sunroof delete, limited-slip differential, factory cassette radio, dash clock. – Strong paint and plastic. Well cared for interior with light wear. Lightly fraying seatbelts. Rear fender stone guard is beat up. Showing what is believed to be just 25,330 miles. Honest, mostly original car that hasn’t quite seen the same kind of thrashing that so many other 930s have. – What’s a ‘rare … sunroof delete coupe’? Oh, wait, a car that’s more valuable because it’s de-contented. It’s not quite like ‘radio and heater delete’ on a Muscle Car, in this case a distinction without a difference. ‘Hey, look, my 930 Turbo has no sunroof’? Gimme a break. Priced appropriately.Lot # S096 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino; S/N 07328; Red, , Black roof panel/Black leather, Red stripes; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $345,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $372,600. – 6-spoke alloy wheels, Michelin X tires, A/C, covered headlights. – Polisher scuffed paint, good chrome, very good but not correct pattern upholstery. Clean, neat underbody. A good driver. – Generously priced for its condition, the seller of this Dino was astute to take the offer and move on to something else. There is no shortage of Dinos today, and the attention of Ferrari buyers (along with their enviable liquidity) is moving higher on the food chain making this Dino a good value, particularly when compared with the prices that 330 GT 2+2s were bringing this week.Lot # S101 1972 BMW 3.0 CSi Coupe; S/N 2262727; Inka Orange/Black leather; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $53,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $57,240. – 3.0, 4-speed, alloy wheels, Federal Formoza tires, sunroof, A/C, wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel, wood dash and window trim, wood shift knob, Kenwood CD player, dash clock. – Strong paint and interior. Restored five years ago and has clearly been driven since. Solid, desirable fuel-injected example that is also well equipped, it has just seen a few years worth of use. – Sold at Auctions America in Burbank a year ago for $60,500. Time to move on leaving money on the table.Lot # S103 1962 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster; S/N 12104010022323; Metallic Blue/Beige leatherette; Black cloth top; Enthusiast restoration, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $75,000. – Becker Europa AM-FM, body color hubcaps, Cooper tires, Solex carbs. – Engine compartment is orderly but the engine idles at nearly 2,000 rpm. Older interior is sound but aged and lightly soiled. Bodywork and paint are awful. This is a scruffy 190SL that needs everything, and a lot of it. – The reported high bid, and the fact it didn’t sell at it, indicates how far sellers’ expectations for 190SL values are off the mark. It’s really hard not to call this 190SL despicable, a car so bad it was its presentation that caught my attention in the lineup. This car will cost an easy $100K to put into proper shape and anything less than a full restoration will leave it a compromised car. It should have gone away at less than $50,000. If there was money anywhere close to this bid it should have been gone in a heartbeat and it is telling that the many restorers on-site rejected it, knowing what it would cost to make it decent.Lot # S105.1 1977 Ferrari 308 GT4 Coupe; S/N 13846; Red, , Black lower body/Tan leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $28,080. – 3.0/5-speed, Cromodora wheels, Pirelli P77 tires, Blaupunkt AM/FM cassette stereo, P/W, dash clock, leather-wrapped steering wheel, sliding sunroof, locking glovebox. – The odometer shows 92,468 miles, and the rest of the car backs this up. Tired paint, cracking and chipping on edges. Wheels and plastic are pretty good. Interior looks redone with light wear. Rebuilt engine and gearbox then stored for 22 years. 1,000 miles since rebuild. Looks tired, but represented as fresher underneath. – This isn’t much car, but it’s priced reasonably if the old rebuilt engine is sound and the belts and hoses that should be replaced don’t cost too much. The successful bidder better have a field of lucky 4-leaf clovers.Lot # S110 1928 Chrysler Model 72 Deluxe Roadster; S/N J229240; Light Blue, , Dark Blue fenders/Brown leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $22,680. No – 249/75hp, 3-speed,blue wire wheels, Allstate wide whitewall tires, Depress Beam headlamps, K-D amber driving lights, cowl lights, luggage rack, single taillight, wood shift knob, passenger’s side wind wing. – Decent paint with some chips in the wheels and some panel edges. Tired chrome. Very good interior overall but some unsightly, smeared, dried glue near the Chrysler badge mounted on the dash is off-putting. Dirty engine bay. Fluid runoff stains down block and crankcase. Wheels look shabby. Not quite a dog, but it leaves a lot to be desired. – This is a Chrysler Six with sexy bodywork and a 75hp engine. It isn’t pristine (OK, it’s far from pristine) but this is not even decent Model A Ford money. For a Chrysler six. It’s a serious value even considering its aged condition.
Mecum Auctions Monterey 2014 – Auction Report Page Four
Lot # S114 1929 Reo Flying Cloud Master Sport Roadster, Body by Hayes-Ionia; S/N C10226; Red body, , Dark Red hood and fenders/Oxblood leather; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $39,960. No – 3-speed, dual sidemount spares with mirrors, wind wings, painted wire wheels, Lester tires, Tilt Ray headlamps, Trippe lights, chrome radiator mascot, CA black plate, wicker door accent, wood top frame, locking filler cap, rumble seat, luggage rack. – Tired paint and chrome. Tired wood in the top frame. Very good interior. Wicker trim is unstuck and flapping in the wind on driver’s side. Used underneath. Shut lines are less than perfect. A very much used older restoration. – This car was blue with primed fenders, an incomplete restoration, when it sold at the 1985 Harrah’s auction for $20,000. Finished a long time ago, it’s still a strong car that can be made better with some effort but not a lot of expense. Not a bargain, but not expensive, either.Lot # S124 1980 Renault R5 Turbo Series 1 Hatchback; S/N B0000564; Metallic Blue, , Light Blue bumpers, rockers and ‘Turbo’ script/Blue leather with Blue and Red cloth inserts; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $140,400. – 1397/158hp, single turbo, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Michelin TRX tires, aluminum body, fiberglass fender flares, Solo radio, dash clock, concept interior/art deco. – Strong paint with only a couple of flaws. Strong original interior. Number 428 of the first 600 cars built, which were homologation specials for Group B rallying and had aluminum bodies and fiberglass fenders. Original French title. Only one with this concept art deco interior that features bright blue leather seats with blue and red cloth inserts and red carpets. One family since new from Paris. Very rare in the US and made all the more reliable by its rally heritage. The inclusion of a 5 Turbo in “Never Say Never Again” doesn’t hurt, either. – One of the homologation specials built to legalize the R5 Turbo for FIA Group B World Rally Championship competition, there’s a reason these are know as the ‘Killer Bees’. The wheelbase is only 2,430mm and the power of the highly boosted 1.4 liter four comes on like a switch. Along with the Lancia Stratos, this is the endorphin-addict’s ride. Impressively original, with all the desired lightweight parts, this is the R5 to have and its reception here is a surprising recognition in the US of its performance and originality. A neat car worth every nickel it brought.Lot # S131 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible; S/N 5762061874; Black/Black leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $183,600. – 364/325hp dual quads, automatic, BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls, Autronic Eye, P/S, P/B, push button radio. – Good paint but not fresh. Lightly worn seats front and back. One of just 1,800 convertibles made in 1957. An older full restoration, but looks like it was done on a budget in the first place and has seen regular use since. – Bought for a price that could have acquired a better restoration with less use, but the triple black presentation of this one counts for something. Call it fair enough, but not a particularly satisfying acquisition.Lot # S146 1995 Porsche 962 K8 Spyder; S/N WSC01; Yellow/Black cloth; Competition car, original as-raced, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $930,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $1,004,400. – Gold center BBS wheels, Goodyear race tires. – 1995 Daytona 24 Hours winner driven by Jurgen Lassig, Marco Werner, Christophe Bouchut and Giovanni Lavaggi for the Kremer brothers’ team. Later raced at Sebring and Le Mans. Restored in its Daytona livery with good exterior cosmetics, tidy mechanics but showing age and use. Will need extensive preparation before again going on track. One of four K8s built by Kremer. – This Kremer 962 is almost 20 years old and offers fantastic performance in a highly developed package as well as a list of entries (and one overall win) that will make it a valued entrant anywhere its age and configuration permits. Driven to the extreme it will challenge any driver, but even at 7/10ths it will still be a legendary drive at a price that offers performance and history that is hard to equal.Lot # S152 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980405500606; Engine # 1980425500545; Silver/Dark Blue leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,075,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $1,161,000. – Chrome reproduction Rudge centerlock wheels, Michelin X tires, Becker Mexico AM-FM, fitted luggage, original belly pans, owner’s manual, books, tools. – Claimed to be the original belly pans. Good engine compartment with buffed intake runners. Clean, sharp underbody. Weak trim chrome. Not fresh, but well done and maintained. One of three Gullwings imported new into Guatemala by Manfredo Lippman. Restoration completed in 2006 for Mario Sueiras. US duty paid, 11% buyer’s premium; the final price shown is $31,089 light – The least expensive of the eight Gullwings offered at Monterey this week, a car that needs no excuses and will stand up wherever it appears. A sound, even good, value at this price.Lot # S154 1973 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino; S/N 05800; Yellow, , Black roof panel/Tan leather, Black stripes; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $425,000. – Cromodora alloy wheels, Michelin X tires, A/C, Kenwood cassette stereo, Daytona style seats. – Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Sharp, clean engine compartment, clean underbody. A very good example. – In all the excitement about Ferrari this week in Monterey the bidders seem to have overlooked this high quality Fly Yellow Dino at Mecum. The bid is light, but not unreasonable and the consignor’s search for more may not be successful in a softening and fully-supplied Dino market. Sometimes it’s better to take the money (if there is any) on a Dino that sold at Russo and Steele’s Monterey auction in 2007 for $199,100.Lot # S164 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Berlinetta, Body by Pininfarina/Scaglietti; S/N 07633; Red/Beige leather; Older restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,800,000. – Short nose body, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Michelin XWX tires. – Restored like new fifteen years ago and still in show quality condition if a little aged. Known history from new. – There is nothing wrong with this 275 GTB except the consignor’s expectations and even the expectations, given the fabulous prices reached for similar cars in Monterey this week, are not that far off. In the present environment of nearly unrestrained bidding for V12 Ferraris, and particularly 275 GTBs, this car could have brought $2.5 million without being out of line.Lot # S168 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster; S/N 19804210003191; Engine # 19898210000154; Silver/Red leather; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,750,000. – Alloy block, disc brakes, two tops, Becker Grand Prix multiband radio, Dunlop tires. – Warranty replacement engine. Good older paint, cracked leather on the driver’s seat. Wheel wells painted body color. Good chrome. Orderly engine compartment, clean and attractive. Thoughtfully cosmetically restored to attractive touring standards and well-maintained since in the care of racer Bill Wuesthoff. – Not the best 300SL Roadster in the Monterey auctions this week (there were ten of them), this alloy block car should have sold at the reported high bid. It has a choice history, but not choice enough to make up for its erratic presentation and replacement engine.
Mecum Auctions Monterey 2014 – Auction Report Page Five
Lot # S170 1972 McLaren M20 Can-Am; S/N M20-1; Gulf Orange/Black; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $2,000,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $2,160,000. – Aluminum Reynolds 494 V-8, 750 hp. – Peter Revson’s 1972 McLaren team car with three podium finishes, Raced by Roy Woods, driven by David Hobbs in 1973, Scooter Patrick for Herb Caplan in 1974, Milt Mintner in 1975 and George Follmer in 1976, but never competitive with the Porsche 917s or Shadows. Owned by Don Devine since 1986, period Reynolds aluminum engine with infrequent historic racing appearances. Original tub and bodywork. Unusually sharp, clean and orderly. – This McLaren M20 needs some thought. It was never, in any real sense, successful against the Porsche 917s, only a reliable contender if the Turbo Panzers failed, which they rarely did. The owner, however, was adamant that it was a $2 million car and he harried Dana Mecum into finding a matching bid, a triumph of determination over logic. Asked after the sale if ‘his heart was heavy, but so was his wallet’, Devine nodded without comment. This is a benchmark transaction.Lot # S173 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster; S/N CSX 3172; Black/Black leather; Modified restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $1,000,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $1,080,000. – S/C spec restoration with black side exhausts, black driver’s rollbar, centerlock sunburst wheels, 427 side-oiler engine, 4-barrel, 42 gallon tank, outside fuel filler. – Good paint, interior, chrome and engine compartment. Holding up very well. Once seized by DEA and sold in a sealed bid auction, updated to S/C specs by Lister Restorations in the early 90’s and essentially unused since. – A colorful history but not punctuated by notable damage or misuse. Offered at Barrett-Jackson in 1992 where it no-saled at $275,000, sold by Mecum at Indy in 2010 for $662,500 in comparable condition to its appearance today. It has 97 more miles on the odometer now than it did in 2010, which accounts for the careful preservation and quality appearance. The S/C upgrades don’t add to its value, but make it a lot more menacing.Lot # S178 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Spider, Body by Pinin Farina; S/N 0362AM; Engine # 0376;, , /; Competition restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $5,750,000. – RHD. Full width Plexiglas windshield, metal cover over passenger’s seat, silver painted Borrani wire wheels, Blockley 6.00-16 tires. – Bought from Ferrari by Tony Parravano, timed at 172mph at El Mirage in 1954, raced by Jack McAfee, Bob Drake and others. Lightly toasted at Sebring in 1955. Later owned by Frank Arciero in shortened form with a fiberglass body and driven by Dan Gurney in the 1958 Times-Mirror GP at Riverside. Eventually cut up, parts were accumulated by Fred Peters and Charles Betz in the mid-80’s. Restored with a new body by Steve Beckman with engine 0376 (internal #204). Very good paint and interior. Restored to like new condition with better cosmetics and bodywork. – Beautifully restored (if that’s the right term) from a confused mess of parts tracked through several southern California shops and owners over the years. The engine is the right type, but not the right engine. The body’s all new. Not surprisingly, the bidders were reluctant to give this revitalized 375 MM much credit. Another car claiming the same identity was offered at Brooks Monaco auction in 2000.Lot # S181 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet SII, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 2441; Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $2,250,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $2,430,000. – Chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Dunlop tires, Becker Europa TR AM-FM. – Right vent window frame doesn’t fit the windshield post. Mediocre old repaint, weak chrome trim, badly flaking rear bumper center section. Engine internal #320E. Engine compartment painted over flaked old paint many years ago. Wheel wells got the same treatment. Upholstery is lightly stretched. Old top has some abrasion tears where it has rubbed while stowed. Decent old repaint with chips at the hood corners. Badly scuffed driver’s door sill plates show far more use than the claimed 5,411 kilometers. A used Ferrari that can be driven, but not too proudly, in this condition. – The visible evidence of wear does not make for willing acceptance of the claimed 5,411 km from new, but it brought a healthy premium for low kilometers anyway, even if not for originality, because it’s been repainted both outside and under the hood. The bad vent window frame fit in not a healthy sign, either and it is an expensive Ferrari in its current condition.Lot # S183 1968 Shelby Turbine Indy Car; S/N BoS; Gold, , Blue stripe/Black; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $450,000. – Gold centerlock alloy wheels, all-wheel hydraulic drive, display engine included. – Good paint. Display car for many years. Never raced at Indy, more’s the pity. Craftily engineered by Ken Wallis with a variable intake to get around USAC’s intake annulus restriction, but eventually proved to be unsuccessful even in the hands of ‘rookie’ driver Bruce McLaren as well as illegal. – A side note in the history of racing in general and the Indy 500 in particular, a highly engineered car with great potential done in by an uninformed rules change and an undercapitalized team. There was no interest in it today.Lot # S186 1970 Bizzarrini P538; S/N P538B04; Red/Greg cloth; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $500,000. – Full width Plexiglas windscreen, wimpy little individual roll bars, centerlock alloy wheels, Michelin XWX street tires. – Very good paint and interior. Restored like new, because it is. No history of any significance, a Bizzarrini-built ‘continuation’ car finished in 1978. – Had there been any money for this exotic looking ‘continuation’ car it should have sailed off the block to a new owner.Lot # S188 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing; S/N 1980405500354; Engine # 1989805500331; Silver/Dark Red leather; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $1,350,000 plus commission of 8.00%; Final Price $1,458,000. – Hinged steering wheel, body color Rudge centerlock wheels, Vredestein tires, luggage, Becker Le Mans radio. – Fully restored with polished intake runners. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Very clean and orderly, showing no appreciable use. – A sharp and correct Gullwing with Rudge wheels from the factory, documented with the build sheet. Bought appropriately and a car to be proud to own and drive at this price.
I am sure the Ferrari 250 GTO will mop up a lot of cash, but it’s the BMW Isetta is what i just love here!
Lot #F105, “Phase 2 Austin-Healey” shows the front shroud light configuration and door handles of a Phase 1 car, although the VIN is given as HBJ8L/27836, a Phase 2 number. Mecum description says it’s a Kurt Tanner restoration to highest Concours standards, but how can that be if the VIN does not match the features of the car? The paint, too, while beautiful, is not an original color and would therefore lose points in Concours.
Rick, I believe that any restorer worth his salt should use a favorable estimate of his work by your column as advertising. Your commentary and evaluations are free of the usual frippery done by writers not wanting to abrade the owner ego. Therefore, I will steer clear of having any of my cars evaluated. I already know the flaws. 🙂