Report and photos by Rick Carey, Auction Editor
Following last year’s two-day Houston auction featuring the R.E. Monical and Buess family collections Worldwide put on a one-day sale in 2011, a high-intensity offering of 129 cars and boats. While the numbers are off from 2010, the sale itself was one of Worldwide’s best ever in its enthusiasm and the quality of the cars offered.
The muscle cars of Pete Silva were prominently featured, including the LS6-powered 1970 Chevelle SS 454 convertible that was the sale’s top transaction at $236,500. They were uniformly high quality cars with exceptional documentation.
Classics offered distinct contrast, too, including the beautiful 1936 Pierce-Arrow 1602 Salon Twelve Convertible Coupe Roadster, one of only two known survivors in this body style, that brought $220,000 and the wonderfully restored 1934 Bentley 3 ½ Liter Drophead Coupe with coachwork by Park Ward that sold for $143,000, a profound value for the money.
In keeping with the concours theme there were several desirable boats, particularly the 1929 Bath Iron Works launch, a rare – probably unique – piece of boating and American shipbuilding history that brought $30,800.
The diversity of cars (and boats) and the charm of the Keels & Wheels concours environment has always set Worldwide’s Houston sale apart.
[table id=30 /] Worldwide Houston Classic Auction 2011 – Report (See Reference – Auctions Explained, A Note on Conditions and Character). Lot # 14 2010 Ford Fusion NASCAR Race Car; S/N Not Specified; Red ‘Bud’/Black; Estimate $100,000 - $125,000; Competition car, original as-raced, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $66,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $72,600 -- 368/822hp FR9 engine. Race ready and complete with everything except radios. Raced by Kasey Kahne for Petty Motorsports at Kansas City in October but DNF. Race ready with 2010 aero package, not to 2011 specs. With the latest aero package this Fusion could be on-track next weekend. Replace the bodywork and engine and it could be a Charger, Camry or Impala, too. Exactly why anyone would want it is open to question, especially for this much money, but it would be impossible to duplicate for three time the price it brought. Lot # 16 1963 Ford Galaxie 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 3J51R152074; Red/Red vinyl; Estimate $50,000 - $60,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $51,700 -- 427/425hp, 4-speed, bench seats, heater, no radio, column mounted tach, Cragar S/S wheels, blackwall tires. 24,609 miles from new. Good paint, chrome and interior. Engine and chassis are clean and orderly but not like new. Comes with a set of original-style steel wheels. A competent but not exceptional restoration to good driving condition. Offered at Auctions America's Ft. Lauderdale sale in March where it was bid to $50,000 but not sold. The result here is reasonable for the car's condition, but also a lot of performance and rarity for a fairly modest price. This is a ‘Pre-Muscle’ car with a legendary engine. Lot # 19 1937 Pontiac DeLuxe Eight Convertible Sedan; S/N 8CA35485; Black/Tan leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $65,000 - $85,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $50,000 -- Radio, heater, clock, ash tray, banjo spoke steering wheel, trim rings, wide whitewalls. Very good paint, chrome, interior and top. Restored like new with just a little age and use. Impressive, especially for a Pontiac. Offered here two years ago when the bidding stopped at $70,000. To say this is 'rare' risks overstating the understatement, and its condition is really exceptional. It wouldn't be over-priced at the low estimate, and would be a sound value at anything below it. Lot # 27 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N E54S001925; Pennant Blue/Beige vinyl; Estimate $85,000 - $100,000; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $79,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $86,900 -- Automatic, WonderBar radio, siamesed air cleaners, two tops, whitewalls, side curtains. Restored like new. Clean, sharp engine. Chassis shows some age. Offered at Mecum's Kissimmee sale in January where it attracted a bid of $72,500. Rarely seen in Pennant Blue, and even more rare with a period hardtop, the new owner paid a fair price and took home a desirable conversation piece. Lot # 30 1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible; S/N 546253967; White/Red, White leather; Estimate $120,000 - $140,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $100,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $110,000 -- Chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, remote spotlight, pushbutton radio, Autronic Eye, seatbelts. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Overspray under front fender on old undercoat on chassis, scratched old sill plates, grommets and shims lying on the floor. Pretty to look at, but probably less than satisfying to own. This car was reported sold by Bonhams in Los Angeles last November for $82,000 and would not appear to have had any work done to it since. The shaky condition and visible flaws are not reassuring and $82,000 is a much more appropriate price for it. Lot # 34 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup; S/N 1610136; Balsam Green, Black fenders/Black leatherette; Beige cloth top; Estimate $30,000 - $40,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800 -- Single cloth covered sidemount, varnished oak bed floor and sideboards, whitewalls, Straw Yellow wire wheels. Primer painted NOS top frame. Mediocre old paint, worn but sound upholstery. New top and bed wood. A presentable driver. No Reserve. This is a sound, usable and presentable old truck in a desirable body style. It brought a decidedly modest price and is a good value for the new owner. Lot # 35 1934 Bentley 3 1/2 Liter Drop Head Coupe, Body by Park Ward; S/N B203AE; Two tone Red, Maroon accent/Tan leather; Maroon leatherette top; Estimate $250,000 - $300,000; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000 -- RHD. Polished wheel discs, Lucas tribar headlights, single drawing light, barometer, enclosed rear spare, Lejeune ‘Flying Bee’ radiator mascot, badge bar, fender mirrors no bumpers. Excellent paint, chrome, top, interior and glass. Body from Bentley chassis B23EJ. Restored like new and better by Gary Wales with intricately detailed interior trim and lined Blackwood top. Comes with correspondence from a neighbor of the longtime second owner, Captain Percival Kent, an original owner's manual and restoration file. The most handsome and, at least by some standards, meticulously restored car in the auction. This is a beautiful and practical example of ‘The Silent Sports Car’ and a huge bargain at this price. The restoration alone deserves the money it brought. The underlying car is more than free. Lot # 38 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 6137; Red/Black leather; Estimate $90,000 - $110,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $74,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $81,400 -- Chrome spoke Borranis, blackwall Michelin P215/75RI5 tires, overdrive. Quick recent repaint, older interior, tidy unrestored chassis, weak chrome, pitted window frames and steering wheel spokes. Sills filled and chipped under trim. A disappointing car. The price appropriately reflects the uncertainty of this Ferrari's presentation. The seller should be satisfied to get this much for it. Lot # 39 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible; S/N 58E023213; Rajah Silver/Black, White leather; White vinyl top; Estimate $250,000 - $300,000; Concours restoration, 1 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $180,000 -- Silver Sabre wheels, whitewalls, Autronic Eye, three 2-barrels, A/C, parade boot. Show quality paint, chrome and interior. Excellent bodywork. Flat panels, even gaps. A fresh restoration with superb bodywork and fits, as good as it gets. The pros gushed over the workmanship under the paint on this Eldo, a notoriously difficult restoration project, and the high bid failed to reflect the car's inherent quality, rarity and the caliber of its restoration workmanship. It deserves to be a $200,000 plus car. Lot # 48 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda Hemi Convertible; S/N BS27R0B159521; Black, Argent shaker/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $1,450,000 -- 426/425hp Hemi, automatic, AM-FM, heater, rally wheels, trim rings, Elastomeric nose. Restored like new with excellent paint, chrome, interior, top and glass. At one time held both NHRA and IHRA National records with 11.09 and 11 flat ETs. Restored in its original as-delivered configuration with a replacement engine, one of three triple black 'Cuda Hemi convertibles. Displayed at the Petersen Museum and at Meadow Brook in 2005. Rod Egan worked hard to find the deal on this car, the sole 7-figure car in the auction, but couldn't make it work. Lot # 50 1933 Lincoln KA Convertible Roadster, Body by Murray; S/N KA193; Black/Black leather, Beige cloth top; Estimate $120,000 - $140,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $105,000 -- Dual sidemounts, wide whitewalls, polished wheel discs, rumble seat, Trippe lights, trunk rack. Good older paint, chrome and interior. Gauges not done. Good interior wood. Clean chassis. Tape coachlines. A handsome tour car. Tidy engine. Offered at Auburn Fall last September where the reported bidding reached $140,000, this is an elegant and attractive tour car, particularly with the polished wheel discs which give it unusual eye appeal. It could have been bid a little higher and wouldn't have been a bad deal at the low estimate. Lot # 56 1955 BMW-Isetta 300 Cabriolet; S/N 694148; Light Grey/Grey, Blue cloth; Blue cloth top; Estimate $35,000 - $45,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 -- Good paint, interior, chrome and top. Gauges not done, crazed taillight lenses, chassis repainted. An attractive cosmetic redo of a rare bubble side window, open rear soft top Isetta. No Reserve. This price would not have been out of line for a more ordinary Isetta cabriolet and is a good value for this rare variant. Lot # 57 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 Convertible; S/N 1246796530378; Maroon, White hockey stripes/White vinyl; Black vinyl top; Recent restoration, 2+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $220,000 -- 396/375hp L78, 4-speed, P/S, P/B. steel wheels, hubcaps, F70-14 Firestones, rear window defogger, bumper guards, Positraction, console gauges, AM-FM, console mounted 8-track. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Restored to showroom condition. Documented to be delivered in this configuration with the original build sheet. Phil Silva collection. A lovely car that sounded at least as good as it looked, but could have been sold for the reported high bid. Lot # 62 1940 Ford Standard Coupe; S/N 185617277; Black/Beige cloth; Estimate $50,000 - $60,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $35,000 -- Later 59AB flathead, heater, dual exhausts, trim rings, wide whitewalls, skirts. Good upholstery. Interior trim done in matte black. Pitted exterior chrome. Wind wing frames painted black over pitted chrome. Fair old paint. Loose door handles. Scary, but appears to be generally sound. The attention this car has received, particularly the dull interior and many sketchy details, put it firmly in the sights of street rod builders, or on the way to a proper restoration. It should have been loose and selling before it got to the reported high bid. Lot # 63 1921 Ford Model T Paddy Wagon; S/N 4826091; Green, Black/Black leather; Estimate $25,000 - $35,000; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $16,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,150 -- Electric headlights, kerosene cowl lights, turn signals, spotlight, ANCO hot spot manifold. Mediocre paint over a sound body. Good reproduction body with oval windows. Serviceable chassis and engine. No Reserve. This is more of a delivery van than a Paddy Wagon. No criminal with any self respect would remain in its largely unsecured box for more than a few minutes. It has plenty of appeal for tours and events, and great potential to promote a business. At this price the potential is ample, and a good value to the new owner. Lot # 64 1936 Pierce-Arrow 1602 Salon Twelve Convertible Coupe Roadster; S/N 3130078; Cafe au Lait, Royal Maroon fenders/Tan leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $275,000 - $375,000; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $200,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $220,000 -- Dual enclosed sidemounts, radio, rumble seat (and trunk compartment), golf bag door, Michelin radial tires, driving lights. A driver's car with a Ford 4-speed transmission in place of the original freewheeling gearbox (which is fully rebuilt and included). Known history since about 1956 and with the present owner since 1998. Crankcase and blocks built by Seagrave which had cooperated with Pierce on the twelve's development and were used by both marques. Later high compression aluminum heads. One of only three believed built in this style of which two survive. 2010 CCCA Senior National First Prize with fresh cosmetics and mechanicals. A rare and elegant automobile of the highest quality. This is a star car, with great charisma, eye appeal and potential for all sorts of events. It has a known history since the mid-Fifties and represents good value for money at this price. Lot # 65 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 30837S116160; Engine # 3116160 F0506RF; Red/Red vinyl; Estimate $80,000 - $100,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $72,500 -- 327/340hp, 4-barrel, 4-speed, AM-FM, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. Represented as matching numbers, the block appears to be coded RF, a 360hp Fuel Injection code, but the 340hp single 4-barrel code is RE and the stamping may be light. Good cosmetics. Restoration shows some age but little use. Chassis is nearly like new. Reported bid to $88,000 at Mecum's Indy sale last May. It is inconceivable that someone would represent a fuelie '63 as a 340, so the stamping discrepancy has to be a casually wielded hammer at the factory, not a mis-coding. The seller can't seem to catch a break on the bidding. The car is worth every penny of the low estimate. Lot # 68 1957 Porsche 356A 1600S Speedster, Body by Reutter; S/N 83898; Engine # P712008; Silver/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $160,000 - $180,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $147,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $162,250 -- Cassette stereo, chrome wheels, coupe seats. Cracked dashboard. Good paint, chrome and interior. Engine number is a '58 1600 Normal. Reported sold at Russo and Steele in Monterey in 2009 for $137,500 and bought appropriately here for its excellent restoration and configuration. Lot # 69 1961 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N 10867S104509; Engine # None; Red, White coves/Red vinyl; Estimate $100,000 - $125,000; Cosmetic restoration, 2- condition; Post-block sale at $92,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $101,200 -- 283/315hp, 4-speed, WonderBar radio, heater, spinner wheelcovers, whitewalls, Red hardtop. Good paint, chrome and interior. Very good engine compartment but not so good under the car. A quality cosmetic redo with some age. Offered earlier this year at Mecum's Kissimmee, Florida auction where the bidding stopped at $85,000. The wait proved valuable for the seller, and for the buyer, who got an attractive and usable fuelie for an appropriate price. Lot # 70 1934 Chrysler Airflow 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N CU4332; Brown, Beige/Beige cloth; Estimate $35,000 - $50,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800 -- Turn signals, radio, skirts, turn rings, wide whitewalls, fog lights, enclosed rear spare. Good paint, better upholstery, fair chrome. Chassis repainted but not restored. A sound and attractive, rare car. No Reserve. Historically significant and reasonably well presented, this is a fair price for a fair car. Lot # 90 1923 Willys Overland Model 91.5 Touring; S/N 34231; Black/Black leatherette; Black cloth top; Estimate $30,000 - $40,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700 -- Spotlight, Motometer, rear mounted spare Superficially restored with presentable but mediocre new paint, upholstery and top. A usable and unusual tour car. No Reserve. This result is Model T money but the buyer got a much more unusual car and a good value. Lot # 91 1970 Jaguar XKE SII Roadster; S/N 1R12968; Engine # 7R11451-9; Light Blue/Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Estimate $75,000 - $100,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000 -- 4-speed, A/C, chrome wire wheels, cassette stereo, blackwall tires. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Restored like new except for bad chrome on driver's side window trim and an aged engine compartment. Restored in 1995 and subsequently a JCNA National Champion but driven since and not particularly well maintained, it now looks like a two year old used car. The seller has had good value from this car, which was reported sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2001 for only $26,460, and now has realized a handsome profit. At this price the buyer should not expect to fare as well. Lot # 96 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 20867S106979; Engine # TI104EA; Silver/Black vinyl; Estimate $50,000 - $60,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $52,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $57,200 -- 327, 4-speed, pushbutton radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. Good paint, chrome and interior. Badged Fuel Injection but not equipped and the EA engine indicates a '65-'68 Chevelle 327/250-275hp block. Clean and fresh underhood but old undercoat on chassis. Good body fits. A usable driver. Considering the engine swap and the driver-quality presentation, this Corvette is fully valued at the price it brought here. Lot # 115 1923 Lincoln Model L Coupe Type 126, Body by Brunn & Co.; S/N 11921; Dark Blue, Black fenders/Grey cloth; Estimate $35,000 - $50,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $33,000 -- Windshield visor, opening windshield, tilt steering wheel, dual rear spares, whitewalls, varnished wood wheels. Decent old paint, good interior and chrome. No Reserve. Sold at Auburn Spring in 2002 for $26,500 and here in 2008 for $37,400 with just 49 fewer miles on its odometer, this is an intriguing, friendly and usable old car. An example of the original Leyland-built Lincolns, with typically tall, hat-friendly coachwork, it deserves a good home where it will be driven and enjoyed. Lot # 119 1909 Hupmobile Model 20 Roadster; S/N 11408; Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $15,000 - $25,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $17,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,250 -- RHD. Red wood spoke wheels, blackwall tires, Stewart speedometer, Budenberg acetylene pressure gauge, Motometer, acetylene headlights, kerosene sidelights and taillight. Tired old brush paint, old top, sound upholstery. A tired but very cute old runabout that has both charm and utility. No Reserve. Collectors pay more than this for recently built Model T speedsters without anywhere near the charisma, charm and appeal of this Hupmobile. It can be used and enjoyed as is or restored either all at once or over time, a lot of potential for hours of enjoyment and pleasure at a modest price. The price is appropriate, but also promises to be an unusually good value.
[Source: Rick Carey]
Always enjoy the thorough reports of Mr Carey. Great details and it’s real helpful to see previous trades on cars when available. Many thanks.
Carey is a terrific auction reporter. He has a keen eye for the details in the autos being auctioned and how they intersected with pricing. Nice work!