SHIFTING GEARS KEITH MARTIN
From Successful Upstart
“H
earst can buy the Bring a Trailer
community but it can’t own it.”
As the shock and awe of the
sale of Bring a Trailer subsides,
we asked the founder of eBay Motors,
Simon Rothman, for his thoughts about the
sale and his predictions for the future.
He said, “Over time, Hearst will absorb
Bring a Trailer, and they won’t be able to
keep from changing it.”
I first met Simon in 2002. eBay had
just purchased the auction company Kruse
International for a reported $145 million in
cash and stock. That was an eye-popping
number.
Dean Kruse was quoted on the website
of KPC News in Kendalville, IN, as saying,
“When eBay Motors first asked me
for a number, I figured maybe $10 million
to $15 million. When they gave me their
number I almost wet my pants!”
In the end the acquisition was a failure,
with Dean Kruse buying back his auction
company just three years later for what was
said to be “pennies on the dollar.”
Rothman noted that the acquisition
of Kruse was part of an effort by eBay to
change the demographics of its customers
by reaching new ones.
“Prior to launching eBay Motors, the typical eBay client was a
middle-aged woman in the Midwest buying and selling knick-knacks.”
In any case, eBay Motors experienced meteoric growth from $1 bil-
to Corporate Ownership
Simon Rothman, founder of eBay Motors, says Bring a Trailer will probably
lose some mojo under Hearst ownership
will have to make changes to BaT to make
more money from it. BaT will also have to
fit within the Hearst corporate structure —
they won’t have a choice.
“BaT has created a beautiful marketplace,”
Rothman said, “with its engaged
user community. Its relatively small size
has allowed it to create a bespoke website
tailored specifically to its needs.”
Messy and massive
I mentioned that many hardcore enthusiasts
view eBay Motors as a “messy place”
to buy and sell, with a confusing website
and a lack of curation over the cars offered.
Rothman noted that eBay Motors is
forced to use the Web structure that all of
eBay uses. That prevents it from tailoring
its site to be classic-car-friendly.
“Ebay Motors is chaotic, and its current
Hearst headquarters in New York,
the new base camp for Bring a Trailer
structure doesn’t match the evolving marketplace,”
Rothman said. “But Craigslist
and Facebook are messy as well. Cars
are being sold on all of them. They each
provide a different user experience and a
different degree of comfort for buyers and
sellers.”
Messy or not, eBay Motors is huge. In
lion in sales in 1999 to $14 billion by 2005. It also changed the profile of
eBay users dramatically.
“We would have succeeded whether or not we had purchased Kruse.
But the acquisition accelerated our participation in the marketplace,”
Rothman said.
“All acquisitions look good on paper,” Rothman said. “But they
rarely work out. Synergies that are put on paper to justify an acquisition
don’t often play out in the real world. When a big company buys a
small one, the small company goes from a feisty upstart in control of its
destiny to fighting for resources within a larger organization that has its
own goals.
“When the owners of BaT have their ‘liquidity moment’ — and are
fully paid for the sale — it is highly unlikely that they will continue with
the company after any contractual obligations have been fulfilled. The
people who made the magic will be gone.
“You have to remember that as a startup, BaT had everything to
gain and nothing to lose by taking risks. That’s the exact opposite of a
successful company like Hearst. I assume they paid top dollar for BaT.
Hearst is not a holding company — they didn’t buy BaT to simply let it
run itself and collect profits at the end of the year.”
Rothman commented that Hearst surely had a list of synergies that
they believe would allow them to increase the profitability of BaT, which
is necessary to justify the purchase price. In order to get a return, they
20 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
2015, the last year that eBay Motors revenues were broken out separately
from the parent company, eBay Motors did $15 billion (yes, billion)
in sales. Last year, the parent company eBay reported $10.8 billion
in revenue, comparable to the $11.4 billion reported by Hearst. (Sales is
the gross dollar amount paid for cars sold on eBay Motors. Revenue is
what eBay received in income from the sales.)
In Rothman’s opinion, the worst mistake eBay Motors could make
right now is to try to be more like Bring a Trailer. “The BaT experience
is simply not in Motors’ DNA, and they would have a hard time succeeding.”
I asked Simon what advice he would give to Hearst about the acquisition.
He replied, “As a friend, I would congratulate them on purchasing
a beautiful marketplace with 500,000 committed users. Take it and run it
and have fun. As an investor, I would tell them to sell it and move on.”
All things grow and evolve. The success of BaT has spurred a variety
of new companies to leap into offering online sales. The traditional landauction
players, including RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams, Gooding and others,
have all enhanced their online offerings. Online is the new normal,
and BaT has led the charge.
We’ve all enjoyed the emergence and growth of BaT as a tremendous
addition to the collector-car world. Now it will move from its role as
a startup to becoming a piece of a huge corporation. How Hearst will
absorb and evolve BaT to fit its corporate needs is the next chapter in
the saga of BaT.
Simon concluded, “In five years we will know the outcome of this
acquisition, and the picture will be clear. It’s not impossible to build on
magic, but it is very difficult.” ♦
Page 26
CROSSING THE BLOCK CHAD TAYLOR IMAGES COURTESY OF THE RESPECTIVE AUCTION COMPANIES UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
BARRETT-JACKSON
Where: Scottsdale, AZ
When: October 22–24
Web: www.barrett-jackson.com
RM SOTHEBY’S
Where: Elkhart, IN
When: October 23–24
Web: www.rmsothebys.com
Featured cars:
• 1954 Fiat 8V coupe by Vignale
• 1967 Toyota 2000GT coupe
• 1948 Tatra T87 sedan
Star Car: 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot dual-cowl Sport Phaeton
at Classic Promenade Auctions’ online sale
During the novel coronavirus pandemic,
please ensure that you check dates, times
and locations of auctions, as they may have
changed since this was printed.
BONHAMS
Where: Philadelphia, PA
When: October 4
Web: www.bonhams.com
Last year: 40/49 cars sold / $1.9m
RM AUCTIONS
Where: Hershey, PA
When: October 8–9
Web: www.rmsothebys.com
Last year: 199/208 cars sold / $15.2m
Featured cars:
• 1930 Cadillac V16 All-Weather phaeton
• 1910 Thomas Model M 6/40 tourer
• 1932 Chrysler CL phaeton
MECUM
Where: Schaumburg, IL
When: October 8–10
Web: www.mecum.com
Last year: 719/927 cars sold / $16.7m
BONHAMS
Where: Knokke-Heist, BEL
When: October 9
Web: www.bonhams.com
Last year: 33/42 cars sold / $12.6m
Featured cars:
• 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Lusso coupe
• 1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 by D’leteren & Frères
• 1957 AC Bristol Roadster
CLASSIC PROMENADE AUCTIONS
Where: Online
When: October 12–21
Web: www.classicpromenade.com/auctions
• Star Car: 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot
dual-cowl Sport Phaeton used in the 1974 film
“The Great Gatsby” starring Robert Redford
BRANSON
Where: Branson, MO
When: October 16–17
Web: www.bransonauction.com
Last year: 153/249 cars sold / $3m
Featured cars:
• 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 CJ fastback
• 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL convertible
• 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 327/300 coupe
BONHAMS
Where: Chichester, U.K.
When: October 17
Web: www.bonhams.com
Featured cars:
• Star Car: 1959 Aston Martin DB4 coupe
• 1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B coupe
• 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint
BONHAMS
Where: London, U.K.
When: October 30
Web: www.bonhams.com
Featured cars:
• 1924 Vauxhall 30/98hp OE Velox tourer
• 1933 Lagonda M45 tourer
RM SOTHEBY’S
Where: London, U.K.
When: October 31
Web: www.rmsothebys.com
Last year: 58/85 cars sold / $12m ♦
Auction Calendar
All dates listed are current at time of publication.
Contact information for most auction companies may
be found in the Resource Directory at the back of this
issue. Please confirm dates and locations before attending
any event. Email auction info to: chad.taylor@
sportscarmarket.com.
OCTOBER
1–2—CARLISLE
Carlisle, PA
4—BONHAMS
Philadelphia, PA
8–9—RM AUCTIONS
Hershey, PA
8–10—VICARI
Biloxi, MS
8–10—MECUM
Schaumburg, IL
9—BONHAMS
Knokke-Heist, BEL
10—BONHAMS
Birmingham, AL
12–21—CLASSIC
PROMENADE AUCTIONS
Online
14—H&H
Duxford, U.K.
16–17—BRANSON
Branson, MO
Star Car: 1959 Aston Martin DB4 coupe at Bonhams’ Chichester, U.K., sale
26 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
16–18—CCP AUCTIONS
Mississauga, ON, CAN
17—BONHAMS
Chichester, U.K.
22–24—BARRETTJACKSON
Scottsdale, AZ
23–24—SG AUCTION
Online
23–24—RM SOTHEBY’S
Elkhart, IN
24—CLASSIC
PRODUCTIONS
Murfreesboro, TN
24—VANDERBRINK
Hutchinson, KS
29–31—MECUM
Indianapolis, IN
30—BONHAMS
London, U.K.
31—RM SOTHEBY’S
London, U.K.
Page 28
CONCOURS & EVENTS SCM STAFF SEND NEWS AND EVENT LISTINGS TO INSIDELINE@SPORTSCARMARKET.COM
Andrew Welsh, Carlisle Events
You can find anything automotive at Fall Carlisle — but you must adhere to the mask and social-distancing health precautions
EDITOR’S NOTE:
In a normal year, October is the last big
splash of the collector-car year. Concours
fields go well with fall color — and warm,
golden afternoons.
This year is different.
The coronavirus pandemic forced many
concours and events to cancel, and the ones
that remain on the schedule could very well
cancel. In any case, the events listed below
are carrying on — with changes for safety.
Remember to keep checking event websites
for updates during this uncertain time. —
Chester Allen, Executive Editor
Niello Concours Celebrates 17 Years
The 17th Annual Niello Concours at
Serrano takes place on October 4 in El
Dorado Hills, CA. This year’s concours
celebrates Shelby Cobras and the History of
Sacramento Auto Racing. More than 200 cars
are expected to fill the show field. Add in the
famous fashion show and great food, and this
low-key concours shines brightly. The gates
open at 10 a.m. Tickets are $45 in advance
and $55 at the gate. www.theconcours.net
(CA)
Carlisle’s Last Bash of the Year
Fall Carlisle, which runs from September
30 through October 4, features a massive
28 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
swapmeet, with 8,100 vendor spaces selling
everything and anything automotive. The
Manufacturers Midway offers new parts.
Buyers and sellers strike deals in the Car
Corral. And, of course, there is the October
1–2 Carlisle Auction.
Carlisle has these regulations to prevent
the spread of COVID-19:
• Everyone must wear a face mask or face
shield.
• Lines will have six feet of space between
people.
• Carlisle employees will wear face masks
and gloves.
• Hand-washing stations will be plentiful
and easy to find.
• Additional seating to help spectators
maintain social distance.
• Additional disinfection of bathrooms.
Admission is $12 from Wednesday
through Saturday. Sunday admission is $7.
Kids 12 and younger are admitted at no cost.
An event pass is $35. www.carlisleevents.
com (PA)
Chico Concours d’Elegance
Marks 41 Years
The Chico Concours d’Elegance will
usher gleaming cars onto the fairways of the
Butte Creek Country Club on October 11.
This concours has celebrated cars since 1979.
The original Chico Concours program from 1979
Gates open at 10 a.m., and the concours
closes at 4 p.m.
Spectator admission is free.
For more information, visit www.
chicoconcours.com. (CA)
YOU WRITE WE READ All letters are subject to editing. Please address correspondence to SCM, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208. Fax 503.253.2234, e-mail: youwrite@sportscarmarket.com
Pickering’s Pickup
Audacity
To the Editor:
A pickup truck is now a
collector car per Jim Pickering
(September 2020, “American Car
Collector,” p. 56). Just because
someone lost control of their
senses and paid stupid money
($88,475) for this pickup is no
reason to call it collectible!
At times like this, it would
behoove all of us to cross the
street, turn and take a good look
at this collectible from the other
side. My fear is that one of these
days some bidder is going to pay
crazy money for a Ford Pinto!
How could you deny it col-
lectible status? Some buyer could
find the Pinto just as attractive as
the pickup. Of course, the buyer
would have to be locked up for
their own safety.
I must confess to a recurring
nightmare from my time working
in Los Angeles.
For all my sins relating to
cars, when I die, my punishment
will be to drive a Ford Pinto
back and forth across L.A. on
Interstate 10 (one of busiest
freeways in the world) with a full
tank of gas and only in the fast
lane.
For the time being I will keep
driving my Maserati. — Ed
Wootton, via email
Executive Editor Chester
Allen responds: Mr. Wootton,
thanks for your thoughtful note.
Here at SCM, we try to cover the
market as it happens, and trucks
are happening right now. Still,
your note inspired us to ask SCM
readers whether they believe
trucks are collectible. You can
find a sampling of their opinions
in this month’s “Reader Forum”
on p. 164. One startling hint —
we included every letter that said
trucks are NOT collectible.
Lotus Europas Wobble —
But Don’t Fall Down
To the Editor:
I read Jeff Zurschmeide’s
article on Lotus Europas with
interest (September 2020,
“Affordable Classic,” p. 42). It
covered many of the important
points of Europa ownership,
including the excellent steering
and handling, which have to be
experienced to be truly appreciated.
I think it was a Road &
Track writer who said, “A master
chassis-tuner has been at work.”
32 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
If you can get in and out, and have size 10 or smaller feet, a Europa
is a very entertaining driving experience.
I raced Formula Fords and Sports
2000s in SCCA National events
for many years as my frame of
reference.
I’ve owned two 5-speed
Europa Specials, one of which
I purchased new. My friends
laughed at me when I replaced
my L82 Corvette with a Europa.
I drove it nearly every day for
two years — save on snowy
roads. I also competed in the
SCCA Solo II program, and did
very well. Driving to the Solo
II Nationals in Salina, KS, from
Chicago, I recorded over 35
highway mpg. In addition, the
ventilation system in the later
cars is actually pretty good.
I found the cars easy to
work on, and not unreliable
if you maintain the electrical
connections. With a fiberglass
body, virtually everything has
a separate ground. One of the
other issues with Europas is the
outer rear axles, which fatigue
and can cause wheel wobble and/
or eventual “wheel departure”
if neglected for too long. As for
the door-hinge issue, it’s just a
badly designed hinge. The doors
are neither heavy nor long. Most
people could carry one under
each arm. My ’74 Europa had
a government-required sticker
on the windshield stating that it
didn’t comply with federal sideimpact
requirements. I was in
my 20s and didn’t care.
As for the body design, it’s
certainly not a classically beautiful
design, but is quite functional
and aerodynamic for its time.
The article did it no favors with
its pictures of a heavily modified
example.
If you can get in and out, and
have size 10 or smaller feet, a
Europa is a very entertaining
driving experience. — Alan
Andrea, Highland Park, IL
Publisher Martin’s
Mercedes Shootout
To the Editor:
I thoroughly enjoyed read-
ing “Publisher Martin Wants a
Mercedes” (September 2020,
p. 162) and the commentary by
Laumbach and Hedary.
I am a former owner of
several Mercedes, including a
1963 220Sb, 1997 SL320, and
a 2004 SL500 (with the sports
package). I currently own a 2000
SL500 “Sport” with both SL1
and SL2 option packages — and
a panoramic roof. Since I own or
have owned two of the three cars
under consideration, I thought
I would throw in my two cents’
worth.
A basic question for Publisher
Martin is how he wants to use
his Mercedes. Does he want a
comfortable driver that he can
take on occasional long trips, or
just something sporty to drive
around town? I had been quite
happy with my SL320, but when
I saw a lightly used Aegean Blue,
Parchment interior, sport-package
R230 on a dealer lot, I fell in
love. I thought it was perhaps the
prettiest car I had ever seen and
could not get my checkbook out
fast enough. Within a year, the
folding-top mechanism started to
give me fits, and after spending
thousands at a large Northern
Virginia dealership and never
resolving the issues, I traded it
in on an ML350. Living with
the R230 reminded me of Lord
Chesterfield’s reputed admonition
regarding having a mistress:
“The pleasure is momentary,
the position ridiculous, and the
expense damnable.”
After considerable soul
searching, I decided my next
sporty car should be a late-model
R129 SL500. I could never get
over the bumpers of the R107, I
Page 34
You Write We Read
Aerovault .......................................................... 141
AIG PC Global Services, Inc ........................... 123
Allard Motor Works LLC ................................... 93
Allard Sports Cars Ltd ...................................... 115
Audrain Auto Museum ....................................... 67
Authentic Classics, LLC .................................. 120
Avant Garde Collection .................................... 122
Baldhead Cabinets ............................................ 129
Barrett-Jackson ................................................... 25
Barrett-Jackson ................................................. 123
Bennett Law Office .......................................... 165
Beverly Hills Car Club ..................................... 131
Boca Raton Concours ......................................... 46
Branson Collector Car Auction .......................... 27
BridgePoint Risk Management ........................ 123
Buy Sell Hold .................................................. 159
Camaro Central ................................................... 54
CarCapsule USA................................................. 38
Cars Yeah .......................................................... 151
Cars, Inc. ............................................................. 37
Centerline Alfa Parts ........................................ 118
Chattanooga Motorcar Festival ........................ 125
Chequered Flag International ........................... 105
Classic Auto Mall ............................................. 179
Classic Car Capital ............................................. 31
Classic Promenade ............................................. 15
Collector Studio ................................................ 137
Copley Motorcars ............................................. 109
Daniel Schmitt & Co. ....................................... 129
Dobson Motorsport........................................... 138
Driversource Houston LLC ............................... 6-7
EPAS Performance ........................................... 142
ETS Racing Fuels ............................................... 43
European Collectibles....................................... 119
F40 Motorsports ................................................. 39
Fantasy Junction .......................................... 16-17
Finarte ................................................................. 23
Fourintune Garage Inc ...................................... 153
GAA Classic Cars ............................................... 75
Gaswerks Garage .............................................. 153
Gooding & Company ......................................... 11
Grundy Insurance ............................................... 77
Gullwing Motor Cars, Inc. ............................... 137
Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. ......................... 95
Hamann Classic Cars, LLC .............................. 101
Hortons Books Limited .................................... 133
Hyman, LTD ....................................................... 22
Intercity Lines ..................................................... 49
JC Taylor ............................................................. 80
JJ Best Banc & Co ............................................ 167
JJ Rods ................................................................ 79
Kevin Kay Restorations ..................................... 10
Kidston ................................................................ 13
La Macchina Molto Bella Auto Show ............... 24
Larry’s Thunderbird and Mustang Parts ............ 87
Law Offices of Bruce Shaw ............................. 135
Legendary Motorcar Company ........................ 153
Lutty’s Chevy Warehouse ................................ 139
Luxury Brokers International ............................ 8-9
Luxury Lease Partners, LLC .............................. 41
Manns Restoration .............................................. 29
Matthews Auctions ........................................... 131
McCollister’s Auto Transport ........................... 111
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center .......................... 35
Metron Garage .................................................. 103
Miller’s Mercedes Parts, Inc ............................ 165
Motor Classic & Competition Corp. .................. 81
Mouse Motors, LLC ......................................... 144
Northwest European ......................................... 147
Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions ..................... 91
Paramount Automotive ..................................... 127
Passport Transport .............................................. 97
Paul Russell and Company............................... 141
POR-15 ............................................................... 78
Porsche 356 Registry .......................................... 47
Prince Vintage, LTD. ........................................ 119
Private Garage. L.C. .................................... 18-19
Putnam Leasing ................................................ 180
QuickSilver Exhausts Ltd................................. 113
RB Collection ................................................... 133
Reliable Carriers ................................................. 85
RM Sotheby’s .................................................... 4-5
RMD bvba .......................................................... 45
Ronald McDonald House ................................. 116
Saratoga Motorcar Auctions ............................... 99
SCM Live! ........................................................ 159
Stoddard NLA-LLC ......................................... 107
Streetside Classics .............................................. 53
StreetWorks Exotics ........................................... 40
Symbolic International ....................................... 21
The Old Racing Car Company, Inc. ................... 89
The Stable, Ltd. ................................................ 117
The Werk Shop ................................................. 132
Tony Labella Classic Cars ................................ 165
Torque Classic Cars ............................................ 33
TYCTA ............................................................. 135
Vintage Car Law ............................................... 146
Vintage Car Works.............................................. 51
Vintage Motors of Sarasota .............................. 104
Vintage Rallies .................................................. 143
Volunteer Vette Products .................................... 66
WeatherTech ....................................................... 55
West Coast Classics, LLC ................................ 145
White Post Restorations ................................... 169
Worldwide Auctioneers .................................... 2-3
Ad Index
LIGHT-HAND DRIVE LARRY TREPEL
34 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
“Here to talk endlessly about his Corvette is Governor Andrew Cuomo.”
really missed my SL320, and I
wanted to avoid as many electronics
as I could and at the same
time have a reliable, versatile,
comfortable fun car with a bit
more power.
I avoided the SL600 as hav-
ing too many features that could
prove bank-breaking should they
fail. My search criteria included
maintenance history, known
ownership, an interior that is not
black, and a panoramic hard top.
A pano hard top was a must for
me after having sat in a 129 with
one several years previously on
a dreary winter day and marveling
at how it brightened up the
interior.
After a two-year search, I
located the “95% solution” car in
Florida in white, not my favorite
color, but acceptable. I still have
the car and am very happy with
it. It came with the SL1 (sport)
and SL2 (comfort) packages and
included the original staggered
AMG wheels. Incidentally, when
I first drove the car, the wheels
were shod with non-standardsize
tires; hence, the cruise control
would not work beyond 35
mph. Installing Michelins in the
correct size solved the problem.
Having lived with the car
for five years and more than
20,000 miles, here is what I
have found: The car is very
practical and roomy, and to me
is likely the last really practical
2-seat Mercedes. I can put two
sets of full-size golf bags in the
trunk and still have a package
shelf behind the seats for soft
luggage. The paint is original
(Glacier White, code 149) and
the Parchment interior surfaces
are in excellent condition. I feed
the car ethanol-free 93-octane
gasoline, which is readily available
where I live, and the engine,
currently with 103,000 miles,
runs like a sewing machine.
The advertised 300 hp moves
the nearly two-ton car smartly,
and the smooth and forceful acceleration
up to and beyond legal
speeds always makes me smile.
Routine maintenance has
included replacing an idler pulley
for the belt system, replacing
the brake pads, replacing the
windshield-washer pump, having
the top’s hydraulics rebuilt, and
replacing a light switch in the
overhead console.
The ride is firm compared to
my SL320 and the R230, and as
I do not drive the car anywhere
near its design limit, the sport
suspension and staggered, lowprofile
tires are overkill. If I had
it to do over and had a choice, I
would probably not opt for the
SL1 sport package, even if it
offers more investment potential.
Also the molded-plastic trim
pieces in the interior around
the windshield oxidize easily,
become quite brittle, and are
expensive to replace.
The panoramic top is perhaps
my favorite feature and I am
tempted to leave it on year round
rather than put it on and take
it off seasonally. It gives the
interior a wonderful light and
airy feeling even on dark days
in the winter, and the retractable
sun shade, augmented by the a/c,
keeps the car comfortable even
on sunny, 90-plus-degree days.
The panoramic top also has a
slightly different profile from the
regular hard top, and to my eye,
enhances the car’s looks.
Bottom line: I recommend
the R129, and strongly suggest
Publisher Martin consider holding
out for the panoramic top. I
recommend the SL2 package but
remain on the fence regarding
the SL1 sport package, at least
as far as driving comfort is
concerned.
Sports Car Market and its
contributors continue to be a
class act and it is a publication
I eagerly look forward to each
month. Well done! — John
Cardwell, via email ♦
Page 36
SPEAKING VOLUMES MARK WIGGINTON
Junkyard: Behind the Gates at California’s Secretive European-Car Salvage Yard
by Dieter Rebmann and Roland Löwisch, 176 pages, Motorbooks. $31.21 (Amazon)
T
here is undeniable mystique to the barn
find. You, intrepid old-car private eye,
pull back the sagging wooden door of the
remote, sagging farm outbuilding — the
only sound the wind across the fields.
Inside, under a tarp and archaeological layers
of respect left by pigeons, is the gem you have
always sought.
But mostly it’s a snipe hunt these days. The
barns have been emptied, the cars restored and
even Indiana Jones is retired.
However, there is a place known to contain
amazing booty, the epicenter of barn-find nation,
hiding in plain sight — a mystical foreigncar
wrecking yard in Los Angeles.
Rudi Klein started gathering up wrecked
European cars in 1967 — in sketchy South
Central Los Angeles. He called the business
“Foreign Auto Wrecking.”
An open secret, yes, but Klein controlled access, charged exorbitant
prices and mostly kept prying eyes from his four-acre site. It was filled
with hundreds of Porsches, Mercedes, Ferraris and all manner of rusty,
crashed, burned and neglected vehicles.
But, as the collector market exploded, Klein’s trash turned to treasure.
Photographer Dieter Rebmann and author Roland Löwisch finally
talked their way into the hallowed ground, and Junkyard is the result.
It’s a high-end example of barn-find porn, which may or may not be
your particular jam.
Rebmann spent days photographing the stacks of cars, the removed
parts, the patina of cover-free storage (i.e., rust and decomposition) in that
quite specific and hazy light of Southern California. With the knowledge
NEAT STUFF JIM PICKERING
Alfa Anniversary
Alfa owners will tell you that there’s
just something special about the brand
— an X-factor that’s hard to pin down
but charms you into being a believer.
Show off your appreciation for that
automotive soul with Eberhard &
Co.’s limited-edition Alfa Romeo
chronograph, created to celebrate
the Alfa’s 110-year anniversary.
Only 110 of these special
automatics will be made, each
featuring a 43.0-mm case with a
transparent sapphire back, a face
featuring Alfa Romeo logos and
three counters, and a piston-shaped
push button. They’ll be available at
the end of September at authorized
Eberhard & Co. dealers. MSRP is 6,700
CHF, or about $7,300. Learn more at
www.eberhard-co-watches.ch.
Luggage That Fits
Alan Taylor Co. of Temecula, CA, has introduced a
special line of custom-made luggage to fit your classic.
Taylor Made Automotive Luggage can be designed and
fit to any car, new or old, and offers a wide range of
options to suit your tastes and your car’s interior — from
matched leather or vinyl to exotic leathers. Prices start
at $1,200 per case in vinyl and $2,500 in leather and go
up from there, depending on options and complexity.
Contact them for more information at accounting@
alantaylorcompany.com. ♦
of an antiquarian and eye of a fine-art photographer,
Rebmann documented as much as possible
before Klein had enough of the intrusion.
That was 20 years ago, and finally the images
are in book form. As to the yard, Klein died in
2001, and his sons have taken over — while retaining
their father’s secretive nature.
What remains are Rebmann’s images, allow-
ing you to pore over backgrounds, through broken
windshields and over dusty fenders to spot your
own heart’s desire.
PROVENANCE:
There isn’t much text, not much beyond an
intro and the captions. Real cars, real location,
real photographer — there is nothing more to say.
FIT AND FINISH:
This is a lovely book. Originally published in
German as Junk Yard in 2017, it’s now available
here (as an imprint of Motorbooks as well as a compound word). Nice
design and layout, and solid reproduction.
DRIVABILITY:
Rebmann accomplished a lot photographically in the short amount of
time he had to document the piles of cars and parts. Junkyard gives you
a pretty good sense of what is there, the treasures still to pry from the
owners, the cars that will head to museums or the lawn at Pebble. But it
also means that while enjoying paging through this book, I kept thinking
the book I want to see is the one Rebmann would have produced with a
couple of weeks to shoot. That hazy/bright L.A. light is a featured player,
and it’s used to good effect, as is his eye for detail. But it all feels as
rushed and overwhelming as it was on that day 20 years ago. ♦
36 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
ting — should he or she have
looked at the pics. I assume he/
she bid on a BlackBerry without
a viewing screen — just
guessing. Or maybe he/she had
a budget. Okay, fair comment.
Budgets and very expensive
cars get along like Donald and
Nancy — not gonna work together.
If the budget argument
holds water, then a great DB7
Vantage or DB9 should have
been considered.
I wrote the profile of a
DETAILS
Years produced: 2008–13
Price when new: $280,000
Number produced: 2,534
Current SCM Median Valuation: $133,153
Pros: Mega performance, killer looks, serious
Aston cred.
Cons: Massively expensive to fix a neglected one,
and you’d better like gray, light gray, dark
gray, medium gray, silver, bright silver, black
or black metallic with a hint of gray.
Best place to drive one: To visit your ex-wife or
girlfriend — or on a cross-country trip since
you can’t fly.
Worst place to drive one: To NAPA Auto Parts
or Jiffy Lube looking to cut corners on service.
beautiful DBS offered by RM
at Amelia Island in the June
2020 edition of SCM (English
Profile, p. 56). I wanted to own
that car at $140k after I wrote about it!
A typical owner is: An Aston aficionado or
someone who already has a 550 Maranello or
Bentley Continental GT Speed.
75% less condition as the gentleman who went to a spy movie starring
Rowan Atkinson. No bueno. Hear that ticking? It’s not the sound of
your Molex.
The price for a proper, low-mileage, coveted manual-transmission
Why a $140k DBS is an Affordable Classic
In stark and blunt comparison, the person who spent $50k for the
Honda on BaT was better off than the new owner of the $55k DBS sold
in the U.K., as at least the Honda is mint. This shows a wide disparity
of where proper — and not-so-proper — true “value” lies in the DBS
(or any exotic car) world.
For $140k (should this now be deemed affordable), you will enjoy
the correct Aston Martin DBS experience as the gentleman spy would
have in 2009, à la Daniel Craig. Enjoy.
For $55k, you can experience approximately 50% of the thrill in
DBS that was well preserved versus the beat-like-a-rented-mule, highmileage,
automatic-transmission DBS that will no doubt have needs
was clearly showcased here. There are no deals (except on Tom Brady
Patriot jerseys).
As a closing statement, let’s agree on this: The Aston Martin DBS
could be considered an Affordable Classic on the basis that it is a halo
car that gives fantastic performance and has killer looks (it’s sort of that
Gina Carano package of strength, intelligence and beauty).
Owning an Aston Martin DBS may very well have little monetary
downside if you pick the right example: manual transmission, good
color and 2+0 seating. I can endorse the expensive example and give
fair warning to the cheaper car.
It’s 2020, where $140k versus $55k is much, much more affordable.
I think I hear my dog mixing a drink. ♦
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 43
Page 44
COLLECTING THOUGHTS LOVING THE PORSCHE 356
Beauty More Than Skin Deep
The simplicity and harmony of individual parts working in concert takes time
to appreciate
by Jim Schrager
Jack Lamon’s 1959 Porsche 356A coupe holds the secret of the model’s appeal: Its bone-stock configuration exposes the purity of the driving experience
A
s a kid growing up, I could not understand what people saw in a
Porsche 356 or why they would pay “Corvette money” for such
an odd-looking car with an engine seemingly built of stamped
tin. Yet I saw experienced car enthusiasts writing about how
wonderful the 356 was without ever really explaining why.
I never figured it out until much later in life when shopping for my
own 356. Even then, driving cars for sale on short hops, I didn’t get it.
It wasn’t apparent what all the fuss was about. What was I missing?
Or was it all just a charade? Was the real thrill of ownership no more
complex than saying “I own a Porsche”?
A very good friend has a bright and charming son, Max, who also
can’t understand the allure of a 356. He’s 15, just starting to drive,
and the 356 puzzles him. As he’s noted, the car is kinda dumpylooking,
doesn’t really go that fast, and just seems outclassed in every
measurable way when compared to other vintage — and new — cars in
the same price range.
Developing a deeper view
Max is caught up in the same problem that affects all novices, which
is that beginners can only see the visible outlines of unfamiliar objects.
They haven’t developed a deeper view that comes with owning and
driving cars. The 356 is not a visual sensation. It is not built of exotic
materials, it doesn’t have a massive engine and it sets no records in
measured speed tests.
Yet another friend of mine, Jack, is now an expert in the Porsche
sports-car game. He now owns a 1959 356A coupe, a 1984 Carrera, a
1971 911S Targa, and a 2015 GT3. He’s seen and done it all and remains
absolutely in love with the 356 he’s owned for a decade. He recently
mentioned to me that he could happily drive that car every day for the
rest of his life. How can that be, especially against the lineup of great
44 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
cars he owns?
Perhaps it’s because of what cognitive scientist Herbert A. Simon,
winner of the Nobel Prize, wrote decades ago: “Experts see more than
novices.”
Notice Professor Simon didn’t say that experts “know” more, as that
would be a tautology. Rather, Simon noted that in the same object or set
of facts, experts see things that novices simply don’t observe. He added
that in many cases when novices are shown what experts see, they can’t
make sense of what they are told.
While each car has a clearly visible exterior, those who really know
cars realize much of the joy is a result of the driving experience. And
that feeling is not fully captured by just how fast a car can go. In daily
driving, being fast isn’t the most important attribute. For most drivers
it is the way the car responds, how it “feels.”
What’s beneath the skin
I’ve had the chance to drive Jack’s 356 on a few occasions. To look
at it, it’s nothing special. The color, Guards Red, is wrong for a 356A.
The body gaps are good, the car isn’t rusty, the paint is older but still
shiny, the wheels painted rather than chromed. The interior is first-rate,
with well-restored leather seats. The engine is a “Normal” with just 60
DIN horsepower at work.
The whole package looks fine — yet nothing special stands out.
It all changes when you spin the key and go for a drive.
The difference in this car is apparent from the first few blocks. The
steering seems frictionless yet highly communicative. The shifter is
as smooth as can be, direct and precise. The clutch is light, as are the
accelerator and brake pedals.
The power is readily available just off idle, so you can ease out the
clutch and smoothly pull away. Yet when you step into it, the engine
Page 45
easily revs to redline with power building as the revs climb. The higher
the RPM, the more the engine urges you to keep going. This engine
makes you want to zing it to redline on each shift.
The ride is never harsh yet the car handles beautifully, and the
brakes are strong with excellent feel. Visibility is excellent, the seats are
comfortable, the interior amazingly roomy. The entire car appears to be
optimized for your driving pleasure on regular roads at legal speeds.
The dead-stock secret
Only when driving this car do you begin to understand how the
Porsche legend was built, why people paid so much when the cars were
new — and why it charms owners to this day.
How unusual is Jack’s car? When other 356 owners drive his car,
many ask: “How did you get this car to drive so well? My 356 doesn’t
drive like this one.”
Jack’s secret: The car is dead-stock.
No harsh Koni shocks for “better handling,” no big aftermarket
carbs for “more power.” No fat wheels and oversize tires for “extra
grip.” No aftermarket “big bore” pistons — but stock Mahle parts
instead. The correct distributor with a carefully calibrated advance
curve. The steering wheel is the correct 420-mm diameter as selected
by the factory — not a modern, smaller, “sport” design. Attention to
detail is lavished not on making things “better,” but instead realizing
the engineers knew what they wanted and made masterful choices back
in the day the car was built.
Few of these things are apparent by looking at the car. Most only
come into play when you use it. The simplicity and harmony of
individual parts working in concert takes time to appreciate.
Even when driving an old car like this makes us feel good, we have
to dig deep to explain that “feeling” to others. Like every meaningful
endeavor we undertake, it happens in real time and we work hard to
unpack it. As Kierkegaard noted: “Life is lived forward, but understood
A surprisingly roomy interior with leather seats enhances the comfort factor
in reverse.”
It took me and Jack, and so many others, lots of time to see the
beauty that is far beyond skin deep in our 356s. I hope my friend’s son
Max and those of you not yet experienced will also get the chance to
savor the multidimensional reality — rather than a two-dimensional
image — of these old cars.
Only once you have taken the controls in your own hands and
watched the car perform in ways that don’t grow old will you begin to
understand. The right old car can rightly feel like magic.
And I suppose the real magic of old cars is that the best ones never
feel old at all. ♦
JIM SCHRAGER is the author of Buying, Driving, and Enjoying the Porsche 911,
wherein he attempts to explain why these old cars are so special.
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 45
Page 48
LEGAL FILES JOHN DRANEAS
There Can Be Only One, Part II
Two teams of lawyers — one in Oregon, one in London — dig out the convoluted
story behind a fake Porsche 904
L
ast month, “Legal Files” started the story of two Porsche 904s,
one owned by “Dieter” in Germany and the other owned by the
estate of Ken Allison in Kentucky, each claimed to be chassis
number 904054 (September 2020, p. 52). Our firm partnered with
the London firm of Goodman Derrick to represent Dieter. At the end of
last month’s column, North Carolina DMV representative Robert Sawyer
had suggested that the Allison 904’s title might be a fake.
Digging deeper
We needed to keep Sawyer engaged. After all, we had only paid $13
for the title research, and it would be very easy for him to simply say,
“Sorry, that’s all we have.” So, I took a calculated gamble and told him
what was going on. I could tell he was totally engaged by the prospect
that one of these cars was a $1.5 million Porsche 904 and the other was
a worthless imposter. He seemed offended that someone would use a
North Carolina title to try to pull off that kind of a scam. He was happy
to get his people to dig deeper. Only problem was, they had just closed
down again due to another COVID-19 exposure, so it might take a little
while.
Negotiations continue
Meanwhile, my litigation partner, Cooper, was making good progress
with the estate’s attorney. The estate was being administered by Allison’s
widow, who we were told didn’t know very much about the cars and
didn’t want to get wrapped up in a major lawsuit in federal court. The
lawyers agreed to share information, hoping to prove to the other side
the strength of their cases. We agreed to a stand-still agreement whereby
we would provide information to each other in hope of reaching a resolution
without litigation.
We provided a partial copy of Dieter’s extensive history about his
car. We thought it was easily sufficient to make the Allison side aware
that Dieter’s car was the real deal. The estate provided copies of their
North Carolina title, the Selbach registration, the Porsche CoA, copies
of correspondence with Porsche regarding the frame blueprints, and a
few other documents. They also provided photographs with 904054 conspicuously
stamped into chassis parts and the chassis tag. The package
was clearly insufficient to contradict Dieter’s provenance history. But
could it be that the Allison 904 was built partially from discarded parts
from Dieter’s car?
48 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
X
More back-and-forth
Meanwhile, North Carolina DMV reopened and Sawyer called back.
They had searched everywhere. North Carolina has DMV records going
back as far as 1920 on microfiche (if you don’t know what that is, ask
your mother or father). Nowhere in any of that could they find 904054.
We pressed the estate and received more documents. Of greatest
interest was a document from North Carolina DMV dated April 2019. It
was a form letter with blanks that were filled in separately. It was signed
by Portia (perfect name, eh?) Manley, Director in Charge of North
Carolina DMV’s Field Services, addressed “To Whom It May Concern.”
The letter stated that the documents enclosed were certified copies of the
actual DMV title records for “1965 Porsche C, VIN: 904054.” It was
accompanied by the front and back of the title we already had, signed by
Allison, along with a copy of Mrs. Suttles’ Letters of Administration in
her son’s probate.
This raised a number of questions:
1. Who requested it? Allison died in 2018, so it couldn’t have been
him. We had a pretty good suspicion who it was, but we don’t have
enough evidence to say.
2. While the letter referred to “true and perfect” copies of the North
Carolina DMV title records, the documents themselves did not contain any
certifications. Thus, it was impossible to say that the documents provided
to us were actually provided to the estate by the North Carolina DMV.
3. It made no sense for the North Carolina DMV to have the back of
the title signed by Allison. The only way they would have that document
would be if Allison had titled the car in his name, either in North Carolina
or any other state. If he had done that, he would have surrendered the
North Carolina title issued to Suttles for cancellation. But we knew that
904054 had never been titled by Allison, so North Carolina DMV could
never have received the back of the title signed by him.
When Sawyer called back, I teased him that his team must be losing
its touch because less than a year ago, Portia Manley had found the
904054 title records and sent them to the estate.
“What are you talking about? Send me a copy!” Sawyer said.
A few days later, we received a package from North Carolina DMV.
The first page was another official Title Certification signed by Portia
Manley. It described “1965 Porsche C, Vehicle Identification Number
161441.” The Title Certification was accompanied by 10 pages of documents,
some in German, some in English, that documented the sale of a
1965 356 SC cabriolet VIN 161441 to Roger Suttles on April 11, 1972,
for $1,800. The seller was Klaus Petermann and the sale occurred at the
Bad Kreuznach U.S. military base in Germany.
I called Sawyer and asked why he had sent me documents on a 356.
“That is all we have.” When I half-jokingly pointed out that the
Allison estate had North Carolina documents on a 904, he responded,
“All I can say is, we sent you exactly what we sent them.”
The pieces start to fit together
The 356 purchase made total sense. Suttles had to have purchased
some Porsche, and this one, at $1,800, seemed to fit within his budget
as an SP4. That also squared with the $500 sale from his estate for the
“inoperable” Porsche.
So we now had four lawyers, two on each side of the Atlantic, poring
over two stacks of documents. Here is what we reasoned must have
happened:
Page 49
1. Suttles purchased the 356 while stationed in Germany, brought it
to North Carolina, titled it in North Carolina, and parked it after it was
damaged.
2. Ken Allison found the 356 and purchased it from Mrs. Suttles for
$500. For whatever reason, she did not sign off on the title.
3. Someone used the 356 title to create a bogus North Carolina title
for a 904, using VIN 904054 — we have no idea why anyone chose to
use that number. Perhaps they thought that 904054 did not exist.
4. For some reason, North Carolina DMV did not send us a copy of
the 356 certificate of title. However, they did send a copy of the application
for the title, which showed a title number of 11338446, which was
curiously only one digit different from the 904 title number of 1338446
— a simple erasure.
5. At some point, these documents were paired up with the original
of Selbach’s canceled German registration for 904054, lending another
tinge of confirmation.
6. In 2019, someone requested documents from North Carolina DMV,
receiving the same 356 documents we received. They modified the Title
Certification sheet by changing the description of the car it identified
with an incorrect format and substituted the estate’s documents for the
356 documents provided by DMV.
7. Since that happened after Allison had died, we knew there had to
be at least one co-conspirator. Again, we had a strong suspicion who that
might have been, but we don’t have sufficient evidence to name anyone.
The last piece
One last piece was missing — what happened to the 356? We had
learned that Allison had owned two 356s. Could one of them possibly
be VIN 161441?
We contacted the estate’s attorney and requested copies of the title
JOHN DRANEAS is an attorney in Oregon. He can be reached through www.
draneaslaw.com. His comments are general in nature and are not intended to
substitute for consultation with an attorney.
documents for Allison’s two Porsche 356s. That brought immediate
howls of protest: “Those cars are irrelevant to this dispute, and we aren’t
providing anything on them. Not only that, but they have both been sold.”
We took that as a yes — one of Allison’s two Porsche 356s was VIN
161441 — but we also thought it was worth trying to find independent
corroboration. We asked our investigator to see if he could find a registration
anywhere for 161441. He couldn’t, but he contacted a friend
who is an avid 356 collector and maintains an extensive database of 356
information. He asked if he could tell who owned 161441. The quick
response was, “Sure. It’s Ken Allison in Lexington, Kentucky.”
Checkmate!
Settlement
Before we could do anything else, we received a settlement offer
from the estate. Their preferred resolution was that Dieter buy their car.
If he did not want to do that, they would agree to eliminate all references
to chassis number 904054 and sell it as a replica. We agreed to try and
work out a purchase, but clarified that we would expect the chassis plate
to be removed from the car and all 904054 identifying marks ground off
it. The immediate response was, “That has already been done.” Wow!
We were unable to agree on a purchase price, so we took the second
approach of stripping all identifying marks off the replica 904. The estate
would not give Dieter the parts that were removed — or the title documents
— for fear of their being used as evidence against the estate. So we
sent a representative who assisted in their destruction.
Now there is only one Porsche 904 chassis number 904054. ♦
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 49
Page 50
UNCONVENTIONAL WISDOM DONALD OSBORNE
The Infinite Pleasures of the Open Mind
An unexpected drive in a custom Corvette reveals unexpected pleasure in grunt
and screaming horsepower
vertible. That would be my ride. The car in the Audrain Collections
is a car with a 454-ci engine with custom Hooker headers, high-performance
ported heads and high-lift roller cam producing 550 hp and
a monstrous 600 ft-lb of torque. The 17-inch wheels put the power to
the road through a lowered F41-specification Camaro Z28 suspension.
Flared fenders, a 427 stinger hood, deleted front bumpers and main-
sewer-sized chromed sidepipes complete the package. All in all, not
a car for the shrinking violet. As expected, the car makes a dramatic
noise, which is part and parcel of the designed appeal. I had often
walked past it in our storage garage and not really given it much of a
second glance.
For my tastes, the customs that I am drawn to are those that were
built in the 1940s or 1950s — or contemporary vehicles that show careful
and subtle detailing, usually inspired by custom-built cars of the
’30s or ’40s. This Corvette seemed a bit too “in your face” for me — a
car for posing in rather than driving.
A rolling rocketship
When I got behind the wheel — after a stern admonition to avoid the
Good old all-American grunt. It’s almost enough to lure a guy away from 1950s
European sporting sedans
never” crowd, conventional wisdom most often leads to rock-solid
opinions based on sand.
For me the surest remedy for assumptions is an honest and genuinely
Y
open mind. If I do not have first-hand experience of a car, I make an
effort not to have an immovable position on its merits or faults. I am —
shockingly enough — human, so I also must admit that I have thoughts
about various vehicles I have not yet driven or ridden in that may have
been influenced by what I have read in reputable books or magazine
articles or conversation with friends, colleagues or acquaintances for
whom I have respect.
Nevertheless, nothing is as powerful as being in the moment in a
place with a car. And like the summer sky in Montana, a truly open
mind is practically limitless. I was recently made strikingly aware of
this when I was asked to drive a car that probably would not have been
my first choice for a video shoot.
The occasion was a special Fourth of July production for our
YouTube channel at the Audrain Automobile Museum in Newport, RI.
My team had come up with a very clever concept to celebrate the holiday
in one of our twice-weekly posts. The conceit was that I was sitting
at my desk working when the phone rang to remind me that I was late
for an important appointment.
Lights, cars, singing
Dashing out of the museum, I would hop into a car and drive to
the date, preparing as I went along. Once I arrived onsite, I would
then fulfill my obligation. The conceit was that I was on the way to an
Independence Day commemoration at historic Fort Adams. It would be
me singing “America the Beautiful” against the backdrop of Newport
Harbor and a red, white and blue trio of American cars.
The blue was represented by a 2017 Ford Mustang, white by a 1923
Studebaker tourer and red by a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette custom con-
50 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
ou may recall the reason why I chose the name “Unconventional
Wisdom” for this column — it was because I had long ago tired
of assumptions mistaken for presumptions that so often arise
in the collector-car world. Usually the province of the “always/
sidepipes at all costs after the car had been running, unless I wanted a
permanent calf tattoo — I turned the key. The noise was indeed dramatic
— I had to have a mic check to be sure I could be heard as we
rolled video on the drive.
I turned the wheel to begin and the first revelation hit me. The
handling was far better than I could have ever imagined, immediately
responsive and linear. Also more linear than the lumpy idle would suggest
was the power delivery. It pulled fairly smoothly off the line and
gained speed easily and without fuss. I was impressed — and glad I had
not totally dismissed this car out of hand.
As I drove down the street, the brilliant red Corvette drew admiring
glances and lots of thumbs-up from other drivers and pedestrians. It is
an eye-catcher. Just when I was beginning to think I was completely
taken by it, I decided to press down a bit further on the throttle. Things
became exciting very, very quickly.
All that torque was fine for low-end grunt, but the horsepower
joined the party as the cam came on. And all I could do was hold on, as
that was the same moment that the lowered suspension and the fat tires
decided they wanted to attend different parties at the same time and
the body began to protest in the way only an open mid-1960s fiberglass
car can.
It was clear at that point that this was an old-fashioned custom/hot
rod, not a modern tuner car. Tuners — good ones, at any rate — always
start with the suspension and work their way up. Next come wheels and
tires, then seats, then more engine power. This was a car built from the
engine down. Once I realized and accepted that, I could enjoy it for
what it is — a rocketship roller coaster for the road.
This car was designed for enthusiastic middle-aged drivers to amuse
themselves — and young onlookers on the sidewalk — but not for covering
very long distances or for driving on broken pavement. When I
made my peace with the car, I saw the fun it could deliver — even to
me, who finds delight most readily in well-balanced 1950s European
sporting sedans.
Every dog has its day, and there are horses for courses. When we
open ourselves to possibilities, enjoyment and satisfaction can be found
in more places. Is that not a worthy goal in itself? By not looking past a
potential pleasure, I am surely bound to find more.
I suggest we all should give it a try. ♦
Page 52
AMERICAN CAR COLLECTOR JIM PICKERING
Modern Collectible?
Can a new Bronco forge a fresh trail in the collector world?
in some way. We have assigned value to that one big thing.
The ’64 Pontiac GTO brought muscle to the masses.
The ’65 GT350 showed what ingenuity and drive could
accomplish. The ’66 Bronco made a Jeep livable. You
could drive all of them anywhere, sure, but they all did
something well, or were key in changing the car world.
But transport back to when those cars were new, and
the view’s a bit different. The transition from appliance
to collectible largely only happened after these machines
made impacts on their owners — and I think in most
cases, it had little to do with the builders’ intent. After all,
Shelby was trying to win races and make money, not build
a legion of followers with paint-pen-signed dashes, right?
Jack of all trades…
If we’re looking at Ford’s current offerings on a
It’s finally here, but will it take its place as an “instant colletible”?
I
f your social media profile is anything like mine, you’ve been seeing a lot of new
Ford Broncos lately.
It’s always been a slow burn in the background — typically some friend of a
friend posting a back-corner Internet story built on a few Photoshopped images of
what the Bronco might look like — if Ford ever decided to build it again.
The refrain was always the same: It’s coming! No, really!
Sort of like the Portuguese Barn Find story, the dream of Bronco III simmered in
the background, bubbling along lockstep with a booming old-Bronco market. Then,
finally, Ford started to actually develop what its fans had been asking for, and Bronco
fever grew.
In July, 2020’s worst-kept secret finally crested a hill in the distance and rolled into
everyone’s feed, direct from FoMoCo.
Off-road dreams turned to reality in one evening. Four-by hype went nuts. My
phone buzzed with updates as I was trying to barbecue on my back deck. I imagine that
at that very moment, the person who slapped “Blazer” on Chevy’s newest mall-rated
crossover was tearfully sliding family photos across their desk and into a cardboard
box. Dreams turned reality indeed.
Instant collectible?
Hype is one thing, but collectibility is something completely different.
Are special-edition Broncos the newest “Instant Collectibles” — 2021’s Pace Car
Corvettes, or Eldorado convertibles, or Prowlers, or PT Cruisers?
That’s quite a list, and it begs another question: Can an auto builder ever success-
fully build cars with the intention of future collectible status? How do you, as Ford,
ensure you’re building a new Bronco and not a new Bronco II?
That last question is kind of silly, because while you and I might think that way
as car collectors, Ford probably doesn’t. Building cars people want to collect is good
for a brand, but so is simply selling a lot of cars over a long weekend. After all, while
Dodge’s current “Hemi everything” policy is great, don’t forget that it took an army of
cringe-worthy Reliants and Caravans to save Chrysler in the 1980s.
Regardless, dredging up icons from the past has proven to be a good method for
generating public interest these days, from the GT to the new Mustang Mach-E. We,
as collectors, get to reap the rewards that the public’s focus on heritage within newness
provides.
New Mustangs with retro style make people look to old Mustangs, for example. But
any hope for real collectibility of these new heritage-style models, I think, relies upon
their specialization within our “one size fits all” world.
In short, they have to do something really well to qualify.
Job One: one job
If you look at the high points of the American cars we call collectible today, one thing
is pretty obvious: They each had an X-factor that set them apart and made them unique
52 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
spectrum of specialization, one side would have Shelby
GT500s, the new GT, the Raptor, and probably the
Bronco. They’re all usable daily, but they’re also special
tools.
The other side? Flex, Edge, Explorer, Escape.
Appliances well suited to a bunch of tasks.
From a pure specialization standpoint, it doesn’t take
long to figure out which ones are ’65 Falcons and which
ones are ’65 GT350s, if you get my meaning. Obviously
there’s a lot more to it than that, but if we’re trying to derive
any hope of future collectibility in current models,
that’s a place to start.
As for the Bronco, early adopters won’t care about
anything other than hype. They’ve already lined up with
cash in hand and dreams of dirt. Ford will build rigs and
those people will use them up, and if those user experiences
are good ones — and not too many end up built
— those of us in the collector world may see these new
Broncos again in the future, cresting a rise in value after
a long dip of new-car depreciation.
We all know that story because we’ve all seen it
before.
What I think is notable right now, however, is what
will likely happen to already-inflated classic-Bronco
demand. Vintage rigs are about to ride another wave
of interest that the fresh Bronco has created. Buying in
now and selling soon makes some sense — at least in
the short term, until the new Bronco starts to age like a
2005 Mustang GT. For all the new Bronco’s hype, for a
collector, that’s really the take-away.
As for me, my feed is now full of Photoshopped
Blazers. What does that tell you? ♦
Images courtesy of Ford Motor Co.
Page 56
PROFILES IN THIS ISSUE
Significant Sales That Provide a Snapshot of the Market
FERRARI: 1958 Ferrari 250 GT Coupe by Ellena p. 58
ENGLISH: 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Volante p. 60
ETCETERINI: 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Turismo Ministeriale p. 62
GERMAN: 1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Six-Door Pullman p. 64
AMERICAN: 1972 Ford Bronco p. 68
RACE: 1974 BMW 3.0 CSL p. 70
NEXT GEN: 2017 Ford GT p. 72
56
OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
their 375 America and 250 Europa chassis. The design
was adaptable for series production and was accepted
for the 250 GT project.
Ferrari needed to sublet the body construction to an
outside firm.
Pinin Farina built a few prototypes, but they were in
the middle of an ambitious expansion plan. Construction
at their new factory prevented the actual production of
the new car. Pinin Farina contracted Boano to build the
bodies, and these cars became known as the 250 Boano
to differentiate them from other Ferrari 250 GT models.
A one-off Fiat that Boano built for Gianni Agnelli
would lead to an offer to put Boano and his son in leadership
positions at Fiat’s new Centro Stile department.
Boano jumped at the position and sold the coachworks to
his son-in-law Ezio Ellena. Carrozzeria Boano became
Carrozzeria Ellena, and the construction of Ferrari’s
250 GT coupe continued uninterrupted.
A nice, bland Ferrari
Ellena made some subtle changes to the model, such
as eliminating the vent windows and slightly raising the
roof. The Ellena-built 250 GT coupes became known as
250 Ellenas or high-roof Boanos.
In an era of flamboyant offerings from Vignale,
Ghia, and some of the other Italian designers, the Pinin
Farina-designed 250 GT coupe might be called elegant,
graceful, tasteful or attractive, but that’s just a kind way
of saying the design is bland.
The heart of any Ferrari is its engine, and that’s where
the 250 GT coupe doesn’t disappoint. While the America
and Europa models featured powerful-but-complicated
Lampredi long-block V12s, the 250 GT coupe got a 220hp
version of Ferrari’s Colombo-designed V12. The 250
GT engine is legendary for its power and smoothness.
In the Boano, the engine lives up to its billing. The
car’s top speed was just short of 150 mph, dwarfing
nearly every other car in production at the time.
Our subject Ellena coupe
Even a somber design from Pinin Farina can tower
over the best design from a lesser coachbuilder, and our
subject 250 GT “Ellena” coupe proves the point. A silver
roof highlights an elegant black body. Inside, green
leather with complementing carpet adds an unexpected
pop to what could have been a drab space. The excellent
mix of colors makes this one of the more interesting 250
GT coupes I’ve seen.
There was a time that 250 GT coupes looked like they
were solidly in the million-dollar club, but that’s no longer
the case. A Boano last made the mark in 2018, and
an Ellena just missed it later that year.
Between those sales, an Ellena seller passed on a
$625,000 bid. In early 2019, a Boano seller passed on
a million-dollar bid and later that year another Boano
seller accepted a $522,000 bid. Our subject Ellena failed
to sell for $560,000 last August.
The erratic pricing of 250 GT coupes is in part due
to the different quality of the offerings, but that’s not
an issue here. There’s nothing I see about 0861GT that
would make it a second-string car. The provenance is
good, the restoration is good and the mechanical condition
is good.
There was no COVID-19 fire sale here. RM Sotheby’s
estimate was right on the money. The pre-sale estimate
was $625,000 to $725,000, and the bid split the difference.
The seller got a fair market value and the buyer gets
to play with the big boys for a value price. Everyone
goes home happy. ♦
STEVE AHLGRIM served as general manager and vice president
of Ferrari dealer FAF Motorcars, has been a concours judge for
over 25 years, and is a member of the IAC/PFA — an international
committee that oversees high-level Ferrari concours judging.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT Boano coupe
Lot 59, s/n 0581GT
Condition 4
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Sold at $522,000
Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach, CA,
8/16/2019
SCM# 6907057
DETAILS
Years produced: 1956–58
Number produced: 130 (40 by Ellena,
90 by Boano)
Original list price: $10,500
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$802,500
Tune-up cost: $3,000
Distributor caps: $450
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Chassis # location: On frame tube next
to engine
Engine # location: On a boss at the
right rear of engine
Club: Ferrari Club of America
Web: www.ferrariclubofamerica.org
Alternatives: 1956 Alfa Romeo 1900
3-window coupe, 1955 ArnoltBristol
Mark II coupe, 1954 Cisitalia
202 coupe, 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO
SCM Investment Grade: B
COMPS
1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II coupe
Lot 33, s/n 18236GT
Condition 2
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Not sold at $574,236
Bonhams, Zoute, BEL, 10/11/2019
SCM# 6911721
1957 Ferrari 250 GT Ellena coupe
Lot 209, s/n 0819GT
Condition 1Transmission:
4-speed manual
Sold at $378,125
RM Auctions, Ferrari Leggenda e
Passione, Maranello, ITA, 5/17/2009
SCM# 120496
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 59
Back to an automatic
The last owner bought the car from Moody through
RS Williams in 2004 and three years later commissioned
a restoration with Aston Martin Works — which is never
going to be cheap — adding a number of upgrades: a
modern 4-speed automatic transmission, power steering
(only the Mk2 had it as standard), modern a/c and
satellite navigation. The car was repainted Dubonnet
Red over an Oxblood interior.
The suspension now wears Koni adjustable dampers.
It has done less than 800 km since the restoration and
still presents well, except where the front valance had
been crunched into a curb or similar. That’ll be a few
hundred dollars to straighten and repaint. Luckily, the
damage is in an area where it won’t be noticed too much,
in case the paint’s not a perfect match.
It looks like a DB5, but it’s different
First appearing as a convertible at the 1966 London
Motor Show, DB6s are built differently than the DB5,
although they look superficially similar.
The DB5 car shares the Superleggera (super-light-
weight) construction of the DB4, which wraps aluminum
paneling around a tubular steel frame welded to a steel
platform chassis.
The DB6, four inches longer in the wheelbase, uses a
folded-sheet-steel inner structure (although it still wears
Superleggera badges), but surprisingly, it’s claimed to
weigh only 17 pounds more than the DB5 and is only two
inches longer overall.
A complete DB5 or DB6 restoration at Aston Martin
Works is in the region of £500k/$600k, although we don’t
know exactly how much work this car had.
Sorting through the numbers
After those first 37 DB5-based cars known simply as
Short-Chassis Volantes, just 140 DB6-based Volantes
were built, including 29 325-bhp Vantage versions.
Our subject car is one of the regular 282-bhp ver-
sions.
Numbers appear rather confusing. The 140 figure
(longtime Aston dealer Byron International says 148)
is variously applied to all DB6 Volantes, or sometimes
just the Mk1s. But given that there were only 240 Mk IIs
(DB6Mk24101R–4345R), added to a total production of
1,327 Mk1s, few can have been ragtops.
Britain’s very own King-in-waiting Prince Charles
owns one, famously given as a 21st birthday present
by his mother and lately converted to run on bioethanol
— reconstituted surplus wine — from his Duchy of
Cornwall estate.
Originally, the convertible cost the same £4,998 as
the coupe, and the customer could specify a Powr-Lok
limited-slip differential, chrome wire wheels and an
automatic gearbox at no extra cost. An electric aerial
was fitted as standard, although the radio, which would
be a customer choice, was considered an extra and was
charged accordingly.
Swapping parts is the new normal
Upgrades with modern parts are popular on old
Astons and to a lesser extent, Jags, because, frankly, in
their original form they’re too much like hard work for
some owners to cope with.
If you’ve only operated modern motors, the physical-
ity of a 50-year-old sports car can be a bit of a surprise
— as Publisher Martin has been discovering with his
detuned left leg.
DETAILS
Years built: 1966–71
Number produced: 140 (long-chassis
cars)
Original list price: $13,995
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$625,000
Although the DB6 Mk1 had the option of power steer-
ing, this one evidently didn’t, but it’s relatively easy
and cheap to add electric assistance, whose heft can be
turned up and down at will, as here.
I’m not a fan of automatic transmissions, and if you’ve
driven one of the 3-speed BorgWarners of the type the
DB6 was originally lumbered with, you’d see why.
A modern, responsive auto brings the car into a differ-
ent age and, nicely, this conversion uses the original-style
gear selector so the interior still appears stock — apart
from the modern Blaupunkt stereo and the steering-wheel
spokes rather fussily painted in body color.
Factory a/c would have meant that to make room for
the receiver/evaporator behind the rear seat, the single
main fuel tank would have been ditched, replaced by
twin tanks in the rear wings, which this car still has. It’s
also got 123 electronic ignition, which should make the
need for tune-ups less frequent, a high-level brake light
mounted on the trunk lid, and a modern alternator to
run it all.
As we observed last month, in the current market it’s
correctly priced.
Discreet-(ish) modifications of this type don’t gener-
ally affect values much either way, the degradation of
originality no doubt canceled out by enhanced userfriendliness.
However, it looks as though the last owner
has invested (and lost) a bundle shelling out for the
restoration and upgrade works, so for that we probably
ought to kick this one up into the “well bought” column.
One anomaly of the online auctioning system is that
the cars no longer have to be tied to wherever the bidding
is taking place. Although this “European” sale was
nominally located in Essen, Germany, with transactions
in euros, the car needed collecting from Surrey,
England, home of RS Williams, although it did not have
its taxes paid in the U.K.
Finally, perhaps, the collector-car auction market
has truly gone global. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
PAUL HARDIMAN has written for SCM since 2007. He’s our go-to
guy for British and European auction coverage — and many car
profiles.
Tune-up cost: $500
Distributor cap: $81
Chassis # location: Plate on right side
of scuttle
Engine # location: On left of cylinder
block next to alternator
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Club: Aston Martin Owners Club,
Drayton St. Leonard, Oxfordshire
OX10 7BG +44 1865 400400
Web: www.amoc.org
Alternatives: 1964–65 Aston Martin
DB5 Vantage, 1964–67 Jaguar
E-type Series I 4.2, 1965–66 Ferrari
365 GTC
SCM Investment Grade: B
COMPS
1968 Aston Martin DB6 Volante
Lot 163, s/n DBVC3677R
Condition 2
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Not sold at $670,000
RM Sotheby’s, Olympia, London, U.K.,
10/24/2019
SCM# 6916390
1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage
Volante
Lot 337, s/n DBVC3618R
Condition 3+
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Sold at $592,097
Bonhams, Goodwood Festival of Speed,
Sussex, U.K., 7/13/2018
SCM# 6874899
1967 Aston Martin DB6 Volante
Lot 209, s/n DBVC3659R
Condition 2
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Sold at $657,845
Bonhams, Aston Martin Sale, Reading,
U.K., 6/2/2018
SCM# 6872486
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 61
DETAILS
Years produced: 1939–40
Number produced: 81
Original list price: N/A
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$119,835 (this car)
Tune-up cost: $3,500
Chassis # location: Engine compartment
on side rail
Engine # location: Stamped on side
of block
Of course, when it comes to Alfa, “pre” and “post”
are relative terms. The company quite famously built
passenger cars during every year of the war-torn
1940s, a feat few other manufacturers share. Perhaps
the proper division would be “vehicles built before the
near-total destruction of the Portello factory and those
built while it was being rebuilt.”
The cooking version
In any event, another distinguishing factor of pre-war
Alfas was the very different character of
the models
dependent on the state of tune in which they were built.
From the fire-breathing racing triple-carburetor Super
Sport Corsa with 125 hp and the hottest road-going
model, the 105-hp Super Sport, to the single-carb Sport
at 95 hp, the 6C 2500 was a genuine 100-mph car,
clothed in the coachwork of Italy’s greatest carrozzerie.
At the base of the pyramid was the Turismo, as my
British friends might say, “the cooking version.”
Equipped with a single carburetor and a lower compression
ratio, it produced 87 hp. It was also the engine
most often fitted to chassis with sedan or limousine
bodywork — the heaviest to be mounted. Our subject
car, bodied with in-house Alfa factory coachwork, is one
such model.
The “Ministeriale” was, as its name implied, a model
created for official transport. With the formality of a
limousine but possessing a sobriety of form better suited
for a high-level civil servant, it could certainly never be
accused of being either flashy or dashing.
Those who would appreciate this style would lean
towards the type attracted to historical monuments. It
is certain that its early history would make fascinating
reading, but as is so often the case with passenger cars
delivered during World War II, the catalog stated, “Its
exact ownership during the war is unknown.”
A long movie career
After the conflict, it passed through the hands of some
minor Italian nobility — then into the long-term ownership
of a family in Italy who perhaps found the Alfa’s
highest calling, as a period movie prop. Its film resumé
is a long one, with some features more well-known than
others. I have to admit that as catalog copy goes, I have
never seen an Academy Award nomination list used as a
selling point for a car that was not a principal character
in a film.
Nevertheless, the other fairly amusing part of the
pitch is the mention of this slow, staid sedan’s “eligibility”
for the Mille Miglia Storica. Given the current rules
for entry to the Italian classic, which involve inscription
on the Mille Miglia Registry, open only to those cars
which actually ran in the original 1927–57 events, and
sporting interest, I would be somewhat surprised to find
it welcomed in Brescia.
Even if it were accepted into the Mille Miglia Storica,
it would almost certainly be a very leisurely, if supremely
cushy, manner of covering the distance and a
very memorable mount for the rally.
I doubt very much that the new owner had that in
mind when submitting their bid.
And all this gets us to the price realized.
A low price — for a reason
This was, without a doubt, an absolute bargain price
for a 1939 Alfa 6C 2500 — until you factor in the discounts
taken for the state of tune and stodgy bodywork.
And it’s not just that it’s a sedan — Pinin Farina and
other carrozzerie built lovely — and sometimes even
sexy — 4-door bodies on this chassis. This isn’t one of
them.
The car’s film history is interesting — but not compel-
ling. Unlike sitting in your media room and playing the
opening of “Le Mans” for your friends and stepping into
your garage to gaze on the 911 you all just saw Steve
McQueen drive into town before the race, it’s unlikely
that screening “The Last Emperor,” in which your newly
acquired Alfa Romeo rated two stars on the Internet
Movie Car Database for “Minor action vehicle or used
in only a short scene,” would have the same effect.
It is, however, a transaction I would categorize as ap-
propriately bought — the car is neat in its square-rigged
way and is an historical artifact, as a survivor of the
period. If the owner is brave enough to do the research
into its early ownership, it could prove to be even more
interesting — even if potentially a bit frightening. ♦
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
DONALD OSBORNE, ASA, is the CEO of Audrain LLC and oversees
the Audrain Automobile Museum and the Audrain’s Newport
Concours & Motor Week. An historian and consultant, he stars on
“Jay Leno’s Garage” on CNBC.
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Club: The Alfa Romeo Owners Club USA
Web: www.aroc-usa.org
Alternatives: 1942 Packard Clipper
Eight, 1939 Bugatti Type 57
Galibier, 1939 Bentley 4¼ Litre
Saloon
SCM Investment Grade: D
COMPS
1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Tipo 256
coupe
Lot 120, s/n 915014
Condition 2+
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Sold at $2,755,000
Gooding & Company, Pebble Beach, CA,
8/16/2019
SCM# 6907122
1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S sedan
Lot 144, s/n 917122
Condition 2
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Sold at $177,358
RM Sotheby’s, Paris, FRA, 2/7/2018
SCM# 6858265
1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 cabriolet
Lot 46, s/n 913014
Condition 3
4-speed manual
Sold at $397,323
RM Auctions, Paris, FRA, 2/5/2014
SCM# 232244
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 63
DETAILS
Years produced: 1964–81
Number produced: 428 long-wheelbase
versions
Current SCM Median Valuation: $98,000
Tune-up cost: If you have to ask, you
can’t afford it. (In reality, about
$1,200 for ignition service, spark
plugs, valve adjustment, oil service
and fuel filters)
Chassis # location: Stamped into
right frame rail adjacent to front
of engine, under a/c compressor
bracket
lesson to you. Well-documented history and original
presentation yield the strongest market result. With all
600s, historical influence wields a notable influence on
market values. And history must be presented authentically
and accurately.
No modifications mean fewer headaches
Our subject 600 has never been the victim of another
person’s foolish whims. Inside, it is fairly consistent,
with what appears to be replacement leather on the front
seats, its original intercom system and its original radio.
Anyone who is serious about purchasing a 600 will pay
up for details such as these. Cars that have had divider
windows removed, seats reconfigured and inches added
will likely suffer serious hydraulic-system issues.
Ahh, that hydraulic system. It is as pervasive in a 600
as the veins are in the human body. Everything — from
the sunroof, to the shock absorbers, to the climatecontrol
air flow — is tied to this system. If you remove
one item, you risk failure of all the components. Every
hydraulic control in the W100 is calibrated to work at a
specific pressure. Add or remove one of them, and your
carpets could be soaked in red hydraulic fluid.
It’s almost as though the Daimler Benz engineers de-
signed the car to punish those who think they know better.
I am sure a few of you are worried about that non-
matching engine. It is highly likely that President Papa
Houphouët’s complex car may have run into mechanical
issues from the inevitable lack of maintenance in a
developing country.
Mercedes’ standard practice at the time was to
HIGH AUCTION SALES FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS
$377,778
$400,000
$300,000
$236,500
$200,000
$100,000
$0
1967 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
$157,500
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
$361,088
$335,000
This sale:
$299,587
replace the engines and not rebuild them. Hopefully,
this was the case. However, if this engine was replaced
following the car’s exodus from the Ivory Coast and
swapped for a better used unit, then shame on whoever
did it. With so much extra mass to drag around, it is
quite possible that this early 600 was ailing mechanically
by the time its stint as a presidential car was over.
The 600 compared to the modern Maybach
If you’re wondering, the Maybach 57 and 62 are not
a worthy successor to the 600. They will never be the
600, and they are not a substitute for the 600. I often
find that most Maybach owners may have considered
a 600 — but wisely acknowledged that they could not
withstand the responsibility and cost of ownership. The
600 is an unrepeatable technical tour de force, a car
that will never have an equal. Heads of state at the time
understood this, which was why these cars were highly
sought after in period.
The exclusivity of the 600 is firmly established in the
Mercedes-Benz model range.
Originality, history create a noteworthy sale
These monoliths often quietly show up at auction,
frequently sitting in a dark corner with sinking air suspension.
While Ferraris or Maseratis might tell tales of racing
and Porsche 356s might tell personal success stories, if
these megalithic automobiles could talk, they would tell
stories of world history and development, parts of which
unfolded in their backseats.
Our subject car doesn’t just represent the best money
can buy — it is a part of the African independence movement,
a culmination of Mercedes’ greatest era and a
relic from a significant period of world history.
From a practical standpoint, replicating the fit and
finish of this car would cost at least $600,000 today, so
this restoration was purchased for pennies on the dollar.
And a long-wheelbase 600 in any condition starts at
just under $100k. So if you must have a long-wheelbase
600 for personal reasons, this car was well bought. I
only hope the new buyer is prepared to be a responsible
custodian of this historically important Mercedes. ♦
Pierre Hedary, who owns and operates a Mercedes-Benz repair
and restoration shop in Titusville, FL, lives and breathes vintage
Mercedes.
1969 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
Lot 197, s/n 10001445004546
Condition 2
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Sold at $335,000
RM Sotheby’s, Los Angeles, CA,
12/8/2018
SCM# 6887629
Engine # location: Behind left cylinder
head, stamped on pad in top of
bell housing
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Club: International Mercedes-Benz
M-100 group
Web: www.m-100.co
Alternatives: 1968–90 Rolls-Royce
Phantom VI, 1968–92 Daimler
Limousine, 1967–78 ZIL-114
SCM Investment Grade: B
COMPS
1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
Lot 154, s/n 10001412000402
Condition 3
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Sold at $261,501
Artcurial, Paris, FRA, 2/7/2020
SCM# 6922396
1968 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
Lot 246, s/n 10010412001065
Condition 3+
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Sold at $148,500
RM Sotheby’s, Phoenix, AZ, 1/19/2017
SCM# 6817075
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 65
Page 68
AMERICAN PROFILE
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
1972 Ford Bronco
A very nice, fairly original Bronco fetches great money, but the insane prices go
to the crazy, modified versions
By Nick Jaynes
Chassis number: U15GLN06404
SCM Condition for this truck: 2+
SCM Analysis This truck, Lot 145, sold for $64,900, including buyer’s
premium, during Barrett-Jackson’s Online Only July
2020 Auction on July 6, 2020.
When my SCM editor assigned this profile to me, this bucking Bronco
had not yet crossed the digital auction block. Given that the all-new
2021 Ford Bronco had just been revealed a few days prior, I was bracing
myself for a staggering result.
“Get ready to vomit with rage, Nicky,” I muttered to myself.
That’s because, around a decade ago, I turned down the opportunity
to purchase a 30,000-mile 1968 Bronco for $11,000. I’ve kicked myself
ever since.
When I reviewed this excellent example, I conjured images of triple-
digit auction results.
Imagine my surprise when it failed to crack $65,000. Meanwhile, a
hodgepodge 1968 Bronco fetched $83,000 around the same time over
on Bring a Trailer.
What’s going on here? I figure it’s a case of misaligned tastes. But
before we get into that theory, let’s have ourselves a refresher on the
first-gen Bronco, shall we?
International envy
The original Bronco was created as an answer to the International
Harvester Scout and Jeep CJ-5. Ford built the first Bronco for ranchers,
outdoorsmen and utility-company workers who had to get off the
beaten path with regularity.
Ford likely didn’t anticipate it being a hit among the general
populace, who spent most of their time on pavement. We can intuit
this because a 170-cubic-inch, 105-horsepower inline 6-cylinder
68 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
Page 69
engine borrowed from the Falcon, backed solely by a
column-shift, 3-speed manual gearbox, was the only
engine-and-transmission combo offered on the Bronco
at launch in 1965.
Although it is perfectly adequate, this is the kind of
drivetrain duo you offer when you aren’t expecting much
of a vehicle. This lackluster, less-than-total-commitment
attitude is further evidenced by the myriad parts borrowed
from other contemporary Ford cars’ parts bins
that composed the Bronco’s interior.
The original design has aged well, which is why much
of the 2021 Bronco’s design replicates that of the ’66.
But it wasn’t really awe-inspiring, either.
The drivetrain was not the only Falcon carryover that
designers bestowed upon the Bronco. It received the
Falcon’s fascia, too. At the time, this would have waved
the “don’t expect much from this one” flag to onlookers;
the Falcon didn’t really inspire confidence in the carbuying
public.
Or at least that’s what I’ve been told.
In college, I owned a 1961 Ford Falcon with that 170-
ci inline 6-cylinder engine and three-on-the-tree. It was
perfectly adequate. But you definitely got the impression
nothing about it was designed for longevity. The Falcon
was a miserly economy sedan for low-income folks. I see
the first-gen Bronco in the same way.
Popularity
During the past five years or so, the first-gen Bronco
has exploded in popularity. A handful of diverse groups
are responsible for this outlandish event. They are:
Gen-X moms in the midst of mid-life crises. The
“mommy needs to rediscover her cool side” types have
flocked to the Bronco. These moms don’t actually want
or like the Bronco, I’ll wager. Rather, it scratches the
vintage-vehicle itch while being more badass than a
Mustang convertible (and less clichéd, too).
Xer moms are followed closely by hillbillies with too
much money (see the $83k Bronco on BaT, for example).
These guys want Broncos festooned with 37-inch tires, a
screaming V8, garish graphics, and stupid — as well as
far too many — LED lights. These well-heeled sons of
the soil do so much to these rigs that, by my approximation,
they cease to be first-gen Broncos anymore.
The Millennials are the last group galloping toward
the Bronco. They are keen to add a bit of vintage flare to
their experiences-over-possessions, Instagram-friendly
lifestyles (funny how possessions still play a pivotal role
in their lives, isn’t it?).
They need that perfect accent piece to pose with in
the desert to demonstrate to their peers how woke and
authentic they are. The more rugged and outdoorsy they
— and their gear — appear, the better. Funnily enough,
as far as they care, these first-gen Broncos could be as
HIGH AUCTION SALES FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS
$100,000
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
$0
1972 Ford Bronco
$79,200
$68,200
$77,000
$77,000
This sale:
$64,900
$63,800
1966 Ford Bronco
Lot F8, s/n U13FL788842
Condition 2+
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Sold at $110,000
Mecum Auctions, Monterey, CA,
8/23/2018
SCM# 6877348
2015
2016
High-sale prices represent unmodified U15 Broncos
2017
2018
2019
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 69
DETAILS
Years produced: 1966–77
Number produced: 225,539
Original list price: $3,712
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$45,000
Chassis # location: Top of the rightside
frame rail behind shock tower
Engine # location: Right-hand side
of engine
easily substituted with mid-’80s Land Cruisers. It’s the
old, boxy 4x4 they’re after — not the nameplate itself.
No love for the original
That brings us to the 1972 Bronco that Barrett-
Jackson sold for $64,900 in July. It is about as original
as they come. In terms of accoutrements, that is. It has
a 302-ci V8 under its hood, which may well be original,
as Ford offered the 302 under the Bronco’s hood starting
in ’69. And it has retained the 3-speed manual, but the
shifter has been moved to the floor.
This example is said to have received a frame-off
restoration. It may well have, but it’s sort of hard to tell.
It looks nice, but not frame-off nice. I am also perplexed
why they didn’t at least vacuum the interior before the
auction photos. But that’s neither here nor there.
This one didn’t fetch a king’s ransom like so many
other Broncos have recently because it lacks the accessories
the above buyers so desperately crave. There are
no Mexican-blanket seat covers. It has no automatic
transmission. The roof features not one KC light. And
the tires appear to be modest 28-inchers — nine inches
short from the requisite 37s.
This one isn’t particularly special. It’s nice, but it’s
not wacky enough to appeal to a broad audience.
Obviously, $64,900 is nothing to shake a stick at —
and it’s a five-fold increase in what this truck might have
fetched a decade ago. Still, it lacks the specialness —
that je ne sais quoi — to appeal to Xers, hillbillies or
Millennials.
Let that be a lesson to you. If you want to build a
Bronco that will fetch crazy-stupid money, it too must be
crazy and stupid. ♦
NICK JAYNES started writing for SCM a couple of years ago. His
passion for cars and adventure shows through in all of his stories.
1974 Ford Bronco
Lot F49, s/n U15GLT82259
Condition 2+
Transmission: Automatic
Not sold at $56,000
Mecum, Kissimmee, FL, 1/2/2020
SCM# 6922266
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Club: Bronco Club of America
Web: https://broncoclubofamerica.com
Alternatives: 1965–68 International
Harvester Scout 800, 1961–72 Jeep
CJ-5, 1960–78 Toyota FJ40
SCM Investment Grade: B (this may
change if the Bronco craze ends)
COMPS
1973 Ford Bronco custom
Lot 5396, s/n U15GLR92118
Condition 3Transmission:
3-speed automatic
Sold at $42,000
Russo and Steele, Scottsdale, AZ,
1/16/2020
SCM# 6922029
DETAILS
Years produced: 1972–75 (street CSL)
Number produced: 1,039
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$128,000 (street CSL)
Chassis # location: Tag and stamp on
left side of engine compartment
Engine # location: Stamped above
starter
Easing into racing
BMW had from its beginnings in the car business
conceived of itself as a manufacturer of high-end performance
cars that inevitably got raced, but the company
had a very on-and-off attitude toward direct racing involvement.
Having won both their class at Le Mans and
overall in the 1940 Mille Miglia, the factory just didn’t
have the money to try racing again until the 1960s, when
it built a series of impressive pure racing engines for
Formula and sports-racing competition. That was abandoned
as not productive in late 1970, leaving only the
production cars to carry the BMW performance banner.
Fortunately, the sporting competitiveness of the
4-cylinder 2002 had spawned a number of performance
engineering companies, particularly Schnitzer
Motorsport and Alpina, in the mid-1960s, and they were
both capable and willing to work with the factory to create
racing versions of the CS. In the early 1970s, BMW’s
sales chief set up a separate company, BMW Motorsport
GmbH, to handle the company’s racing ventures.
The CSL legend is born
Starting in 1970, the 2800 CS was raced extensively
in the Touring Car wars, but by 1972 the writing was
on the wall that the car needed to get lighter and more
powerful. The FIA rules were very specific about what
was considered “production,” so BMW built a run of homologation
specials called CSL. They used thinner steel
for the body and aluminum for the doors, roof, trunk and
hood. They made the side windows out of plastic. By not
using sound deadening and a lighter interior, they got
the CSL down to about 2,650 pounds.
The other stuff that had to get legal were the bits
that comprised the aero package. A front air dam,
fender strakes, a diverter for the back of the roof, and
HIGH AUCTION SALES FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS
$300,000
$275,778
$250,000
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
$0
$180,382
$149,472
$134,269
This sale:
$174,759
$131,600
1974 BMW 3.0 CSL
of course, the rear wing, made the car actually work at
racing speeds.
Interestingly, the rear wing wasn’t road legal in most
of Europe, so the cars got delivered with the wing in the
trunk. Unlike many homologation specials, the CSL was
quite successful in its own right, with 1,039 produced.
Nicknamed the “Batmobile,” they are very collectible
today.
As well as being quite the road car, the CSL was
exactly the weapon that Schnitzer and Alpina needed
for the European Touring Car battles. They knocked
another 300 pounds off the car and added more tire,
bigger wings and so on as the rules evolved until 1976.
Power improved as well, and by 1975, the 4-valve, twincam
version was making over 450 horsepower. The CSL
dominated European Touring Car for years, but after
1976 it was over.
With their wings, appendages, and wild paint
schemes, they were glorious cars in a glorious time. The
cars that actually raced for the factory and major teams
are very desirable now, and they are worth anywhere
from $1 million to over $2 million, depending on details
of history and mechanical development.
I am told they are fabulous things to drive.
A wannabe 3.0 CSL
As mentioned at the beginning, this car is not a real
racer, although it obviously pretends to be. It was built
privately about 15 years ago and was raced in historic
events for a few years before getting put away.
Except for an earlier, smaller rear wing, it is config-
ured and painted just like the 1976 factory team Gösser
Beer car, but it clearly doesn’t have that car’s trick internals
(no four-valve engine, and it may or may not have
aluminum body parts), so it won’t be nearly as fast. It has
expired racing documents, so it was once considered to
be race legal, but enforcement has gotten tougher, so I’m
not sure it could get them again.
It is best thought of as simply a track toy.
With all that said, the car is very impressive-looking
and undoubtedly a lot of fun to drive — close to if not
quite the experience of a real team car. If you wanted to
start fresh and build one, it would cost easily as much as
buying this, so the value is there if you understand what
you are getting.
It’s not real, but it wasn’t priced that way. I would say
it was fairly bought. ♦
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Thor Thorson wrote his first Race Profile for SCM way back in
2003. He has owned this part of the magazine ever since, much to
the delight of all.
1972 BMW 3.0 CSL Batmobile coupe
Lot 1138, s/n unknown
Condition: 3
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Not sold at $135,000
Russo and Steele, Monterey, CA,
8/17/17
SCM# 6846360
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Club: BMW CS Registry
Web: https://bmwcsregistry.org
Alternatives: 1973–74 Porsche RSR,
1974 Ford Capri RS 3100, 1974
Opel Commodore GS/E
SCM Investment Grade: B
COMPS
1972 BMW 3.0 CSL Batmobile replica
coupe
Lot 128, s/n 2331066
Condition 3+
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Sold at $132,765
Silverstone Race Retro, Stoneleigh
Park, U.K., 2/24/17
SCM# 6827821
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Group 2 Heidegger
racer
Lot 164, s/n 2275236
Condition 2Transmission:
5-speed manual
Sold at $275,778
Artcurial, Paris, FRA, 11/1/2015
SCM# 267480
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 71
DETAILS
Years produced: 2017–present
Number produced: 600-plus
Original list price: $450,000
Current SCM Median Valuation:
$1,320,000
flying-buttress air tunnels in the rear. Early grumbling
about the move from the V8 engine to Ford’s 3.5-L
Ecoboost V6 was hushed by 647 hp and a top speed of
216 mph. The GT also introduced many American-car
fans to the joys of a dual-clutch automatic — and the
marvels of carbon-fiber wheels.
Curious yellow
This car, a 2017 model, makes a good choice for an
online auction due to its eye-catching Triple Yellow
paint and Lightning Blue racing stripes, with glossy
black carbon fiber accenting the sideview mirrors,
doors and underbody aero. A bragging point for the new
GT was its 20-inch gloss carbon-fiber wheels, seen here
wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Even the
fasteners are lightweight titanium lug nuts.
Behind the carbon weave are blue-painted Brembo
brake calipers. This is not a car for blending in, even
among other Ford GTs. Inside is more sedate, black
Alcantara and matte carbon accents. Modern sports cars
have one thing every owner of a classic — even a more
recent classic like the 2004 — would covet. As you’re
strapped in your carbon-fiber Sparco racing seat, you
can see what’s around you on a 6.5-inch infotainment
system powered by Ford’s Sync 3. Forget race-winning,
it’s the backup camera and cell phone connectivity that
turns ’em green with envy.
Rules and regulations
Despite 2020 being the fourth year of production for
the second-generation GT, we haven’t seen many cross
the auction block, and this is due to low production numbers
— Ford has made only 250 cars each year — and
a required no-sale contract, which limits buyers from
reselling GTs for two years after the initial purchase.
The contract and Ford’s exclusive purchase appli-
cation mean that most GTs are still with their original
owners. Those lucky original owners are either waiting
for the contract to expire — or their cars are so wellloved
as to be still in use, either as showpieces or garage
decorations.
Ford has been harsh on those who break the contract,
most famously taking GT owner — and famous wrestler
and actor — John Cena to court over his early sale.
The first GT to come (legally) to auction sold at
Barrett-Jackson in 2019 for $1.54 million, but that was
both a different time and a different car — an ultra-lowmile
special edition. As cars continue to come up for
sale, we’ll see how colors and options affect prices. This
car is a good example, with its love-it-or-hate-it blueand-gold
color combo. If only there had been a few more
UCLA alumni in the bidding!
The color combo could be the reason for the below-
estimate sale price — RM Sotheby’s estimated between
$850,000 and $950,000 — but it could also be that Ford is
continuing to produce GTs, and each one that rolls off the
assembly line makes the previous ones just a tad less rare.
Still, we’d say there is nothing for the buyer to worry
about. If history has shown us anything on the Ford GTs,
it’s that they always win in the end. I call this sale wellbought.
♦
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
ELANA SCHERR started writing for SCM a couple of years ago, but
she has recently taken on car profiles, interviews (“Driven to Ask”)
and new-car reviews (“Driving with Elana”).
2017 Ford GT Heritage Edition
Lot 747, s/n 2FAGP9CW6HH200084
Condition 1
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Sold at $1,400,000
Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV,
10/3/2019
SCM# 6911611
Tune-up cost: $500
Chassis # location: Driver’s side door
frame
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
automatic
Club: FordGTForum
Web: www.fordgtforum.com/forums
Alternatives: 2008–10 Dodge Viper
SRt-10 ACR, 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista,
2017–20 McLaren 720S
SCM Investment Grade: A
COMPS
2017 Ford GT
Lot 246, s/n 2FAGP9CW8HH200040
Condition 1
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Sold at $923,000
RM Sotheby’s, Phoenix, AZ, 1/16/2020
SCM# 6922106
2017 Ford GT
Lot 314, s/n 2FAGP9CW9HH200063
Condition 1
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Sold at $1,242,500
RM Sotheby’s, Monterey, CA, 8/15/2019
SCM# 6908487
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 73
NEXT GEN RISING SUN BRIAN BAKER
Recent Sales of Significant Japanese Cars that
are Market Leaders — or Future Collectibles
1993 Toyota MR2
# 33820. S/N JT2SW22N1P0079323. 34k miles. “Turbocharged
2.0-liter inline 4, 5-speed manual transaxle, limited-slip differential,
Super White, black simulated leather interior, removable T-tops, air
conditioning, CD/cassette stereo, service records, factory manuals.”
Condition: 1-. SOLD AT $31,763. Bring a Trailer 7/13/2020.
Brian’s take: The second generation MR2, or Midship Runabout
Photos courtesy of Bringatrailer.com
2-seater, has been climbing for some time now. With its mid-engine design,
there aren’t many other Japanese cars similar to it, which almost
puts it in its own category. It doesn’t really fit with the Miatas, as it is
a targa top and not a convertible, and it’s doesn’t really fit in with the
Civics, as it isn’t front-wheel drive. But it also doesn’t pack the power
of top-level JDM cars such as the Supra or RX-7. This car attracts
a different type of Japanese car buyer. Less than five years ago, they
averaged $3k–$6k, but the price has sure jumped with a lot of other
Japanese cars. This isn’t the first one to pass over $30k, and it probably
won’t be the last. Well sold.
1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata
# 33680. S/N JM1NA3535R0518951. 40,000 miles shown. “1.8-liter
inline 4, 5-speed manual transmission, Torsen limited-slip differential,
Classic Red over black cloth, black soft top, air conditioning, AM/FM/
cassette radio, tonneau cover” Condition: 2. SOLD AT $11,025. Bring
a Trailer, 7/8/2020.
Brian’s take: I talked about the Miata in the October 2017, August
2019 and October 2019 issues of SCM. I mentioned how they are fun,
zippy cars that are hard to keep the miles off and always make you smile.
Values since then have stayed around the same mark — Condition 2+
cars selling for $9k–$13k. But one aspect I have noticed since then is
Gen Z’s love for the first-generation Miata.
Many of these car owners in their late teens/early 20s have found
interest in cars through the Miata. Customizing them in their own way,
and in turn, getting their friends interested in cars. With the sea of
aftermarket parts for them, along with the multi-generational appeal,
Miata values will only continue to rise. Despite the fading paint on this
car, I consider it well bought.
1987 Honda CRX Si
# 33837. S/N JHMEC1346HS043046. 111,000 miles. “1.5-L DOHC
inline 4, 5-speed manual transaxle, refinished in red, gray cloth interior,
factory alloy wheels, new clutch, timing-belt and water-pump service,
brake and rotor service.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $19,425. Bring a
Trailer 7/13/2020.
Brian’s take: First-gen CRXs have always seem to fall second in
desirability compared to the second-gen car. This is why this sale surprised
me. The Junior Zagato-inspired CRX was available in two trim
levels: HF (for High Fuel) and Si, (for Sports Injected). The HF model
was a slow, carbureted 1.3-liter SOHC, where the Si packed the 1.5
PGM-FI fuel-injected SOHC, making it much more fun. I will confess
that I wasn’t expecting these kinds of prices for the first gen, but I think
this is due to the second gen selling for over $20k, like the 1989 Si that
sold nine days later (# 34209). This is similar to how the Porsche 911s
brought up the value of the 912s, or how the Datsun 240Z is slowly
bringing up the value of the 280z. Well sold. ♦
76 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
MARKET REPORT OVERVIEW
The Future Is Here — or Is It?
2020 has been less about market change and more about a temporary shift in
focus
by Chad Taylor
Top 10 Sales
THIS ISSUE
(Public auctions only)
T
1. 1939 Bugatti Type 57 cabriolet,
$873,796 —RM Sotheby’s, p. 102
2. 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Roadster, $861,313 —RM
Sotheby’s, p. 104
3. 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400
coupe, $811,382 —RM Sotheby’s,
p. 108
4. 1964 Porsche 904 GTS coupe,
$786,416 —RM Sotheby’s, p. 104
5. 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Volante,
$711,520 —RM Sotheby’s, p. 102
6. 1979 Lamborghini Countach
LP400 S coupe, $511,795 —RM
Sotheby’s, p. 110
7. 1981 Lancia 037 Stradale coupe,
$511,795 —RM Sotheby’s, p. 110
8. 1955 Porsche 356 Pre-A
Speedster, $405,691—RM
Sotheby’s, p. 104
9. 1938 Mercedes-Benz 320
Cabriolet B, $380,725 —RM
Sotheby’s, p. 102
10. 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB
coupe, $312,070—RM Sotheby’s,
p. 110
BEST BUYS
he pandemic has changed the market
for collector cars, both now and for the
foreseeable future. But while we’re all
still at home instead of kicking tires
with friends in Monterey, I don’t think things
have really changed as much as it might seem.
The biggest change I see is in which events
and which vehicles are now grabbing our attention.
We tend to forget that cars sell everywhere
and all the time, not just at the five or six grand
events each year. Between Rétromobile,
Monterey and Scottsdale, auctions are still
taking place at the local — and often lessexpensive
— level. It is the vehicles at these
auctions that are filling our time while the
weeklong car extravaganzas are on hiatus.
At H&H Auctioneers’ June online sale, Paul
1923 Buffalo Springfield steamroller sold for more than $26,000
Hardiman watched a rough — and that’s an
understatement — Series I Land Rover sell for $1,500.
The once rugged off-road beast is now parked in a field,
rotten and in need of an archaeologist for removal.
At VanDerBrink’s Stillwater, MN, auction, aside
from a $62k Mercedes-Benz 190SL, the top sale wasn’t
even meant to travel roads, but rather build them. Yep, a
1923 Buffalo Springfield steamroller sold there for more
than $26,000. That’s a far cry from the Daytonas and
300SL Roadsters we are used to watching sell across
auction blocks during the summer months, but it’s interesting
nonetheless.
That doesn’t mean the desirability of a one-of-one
Ferrari or flat-floor E-type is waning. At RM Sotheby’s
Online Only European sale, big cars still achieved big
money. A 1939 Bugatti sold for $874k, the Porsche 904
GTS from the Petitjean Collection pulled in $786k, and
a limited-edition 2020 Porsche 935 “Martini” racer was
snatched up for nearly $1.5m.
Clearly, buyers have not loaded all their money
into vaults in underground bunkers. And sellers with
million-dollar cars have not totally shied away from offering
them up during these shaky times, either.
Is the market changing? Sure. It is an ever-evolving
landscape. But beyond a first glance of the car market
during COVID-19, you will find the cars, people’s passion
for them and the money needed to buy them all still
there. However, the current climate has let us focus in on
a different side of things, without all the glitz and glam
of spotlights and stages — a side that can be offbeat, but
which has always been here and is often overshadowed.
No, the 2021 Monterey auctions will not have 1920s
steamrollers instead of Ferrari SWBs, and Pebble
won’t have a class dedicated to rotted Land Rovers. We
will be back to normal in the future with tents full of
Lamborghinis and Porsches representing every color of
the rainbow.
Then again, I would love to see a Steam Machinery
class at Pebble Beach. ♦
July 6–10, 2020
June 3–11, 2020
H&H Auctioneers
Online Only
June 24, 2020
VanDerBrink
Stillwater, MN
June 7, 2020
$0
$1m
$378k
$2m $4m $6m $8m $10m $12m $14m $16m $18m $20m $22m
SCM 1–6 Scale Condition Rating:
1: National concours standard/perfect
2: Very good, club concours, some small flaws
3: Average daily driver in decent condition
4: Still a driver but with some apparent flaws
5: A nasty beast that runs but has many problems
6: Good only for parts
RM Sotheby’s
Online Only
Barret-Jackson
Online Only
Sales Totals of Auctions in This Issue
$3m
$22m
1968 Lamborghini Miura P400
coupe, $811,382—RM Sotheby’s,
p. 108
84 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
1966 Chevrolet Corvette convertible,
$80,300—Barrett-Jackson, p. 96
1958 Austin-Healey 100-6 roadster,
$33,712—H&H Auctioneers, p. 114
1968 MGC-GT coupe, $11,939—
H&H Auctioneers, p. 118
1939 Ford Marmon-Herrington
4x4 conversion pickup, $2,310—
VanDerBrink Auctions, p. 132
Page 86
MARKET REPORT OVERVIEW
Buy/Sell/Hold
Hunt for resto-mods, say goodbye to Uncle Bob’s truck, and if you have an ’80s
911, hold it for me
by John Boyle
BUY: Resto-mod Corvettes
Over the past few years, I’ve met the proprietors of multiple shops
that take neglected C1 and C2 Corvettes and turn them into modern
performance vehicles. The changes make trips a lot more comfortable,
boost performance and safety, and increase the chances of arriving at
your destination without a tow truck.
The key ingredients are new high-tech crate engines/transmissions,
new chassis, huge brakes, custom leather interiors, modern a/c and the
latest entertainment systems. These efforts are appreciated by bidders
who pay anywhere between $250k–$400k for them.
One of the “laws” of the collector-car world is customs rarely retain
BUY
their value, so if you’re up for a hunt, keep your eyes open for one of
these on the secondary market. At Barrett-Jackson’s Online July sale,
a year-old ’66 Corvette convertible with all the good stuff went for a
very fair $198k — a substantial discount over what similar fresh-builds
typically bring.
SELL: American trucks
“You know, your Uncle Bob had a lake cabin… didn’t he buy a new
truck to tow the boat just before he got sick? Well, Aunt Betty is selling
the place…”
In last month’s “American Car Collector” column, SCM Managing
Editor Jim Pickering highlighted a low-mile ’85 Chevy K20 pickup that
brought $88,725 on Bring a Trailer. The same month, a 15k-mile ’91
Suburban sold for $37,250. A summer-home-kept ’77 Blazer with 13,000
miles on the odometer brought $50,500, and a pretty basic ’72 3-door
Suburban owned by one family until 2017 sold for $40k. And it’s more
than just Chevys — BaT also sold a low-mile 1990 Jeep Wagoneer for
an impressive $58k.
Keep in mind, these aren’t fresh restorations or upgraded trucks,
SELL
these are just old family vehicles. You might already own one (or part of
one). If so, detail and list it while the market is hot. And be sure to give
Aunt Betty some of the profits…
HOLD: Porsche 911
Trendy IPOs get all the attention, but there is nothing wrong with
a dependable blue-chip investment that promises steady growth. The
Porsche 911 is the one (relatively) affordable sports car that everyone
— from Stuttgart to Singapore — likes. Yes, there are national favorites
like Corvettes and Astons, but Porsches are their own international currency.
Porschephiles have their favorites, and special models command
HOLD
86 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
high prices. But let’s look at the affordable end of the spectrum: Five
years ago, a 1978–83 911SC was valued in the mid-$20ks, but today
its median in the SCM Pocket Price Guide is $49,500 — up 2% over
last year. Likewise, a 1984–86 Carrera went from $30k to $60k. Later
models have done even better: The once-derided 1990–94 964 Carrera
2s have more than doubled, going from $30k to $80k. Likewise with
993s — they’ve risen from the low $30ks to the upper $50ks. In short, if
you have one and enjoy it, hold it. When you go from a six-car garage to
a retirement condo with space for only one “toy,” a 911 will likely be it.
Iconic, dependable, supportable — it checks a lot of boxes.
Page 88
BARRETT-JACKSON ONLINE
Online July 2020 Sale
A custom ’76 Bronco sold for $195k, proving the resto-mod market remains
strong
Company
Barrett-Jackson
Date
July 6–10, 2020
Location
Online
Automotive lots sold/offered
50/92
Sales rate
54%
Sales total
$3,045,900
High sale
2005 Ford GT coupe, sold at
$275,000
Buyer’s premium
10%, included in sold prices
A strong sale: resto-mod 1976 Ford Bronco, sold for $195k
Report by John Boyle; photos courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
Market opinions in italics
2020
wasn’t supposed to be this way. By July,
Barrett-Jackson was supposed to be well
on its way along the “Road to 50,” a yearlong event leading
to the 50th anniversary of its first Scottsdale auction.
A week after the conclusion of this year’s Scottsdale
extravaganza, it announced a new TV deal with the
A+E Networks, which would beam their four signature
events, as well as other programming, around the world.
Well, we all know how that turned out: The April
Palm Beach sale was pushed back to October but has
since been nixed from the calendar, and the June
Northeast sale was canceled altogether. The virtual
replacement for the Northeast Auction was the online
May event, which had a 54% sales rate and brought in
over $3.6m. This sale, their second online-only endeavor
of 2020, saw a similar sales rate (54%), with 50 of 92
vehicles sold and a sales total just over $3m.
A 2005 Ford GT was the high seller at $275,000,
solidly in its usual neighborhood, while a black-onblack
’18 was a no-sale at $795,000 — well below its
usual million-dollar-plus price point. Unlike their usual
almost all no-reserve events, here only about a quarter
were no-reserve consignments.
Resto-mod Corvettes were in abundance; an exceptional ’66 convertible brought
$198,000, a bit of a bargain compared to Scottsdale prices, while two ’63 Split-Window
coupes failed to sell despite receiving $200k high bids. Among the Ford contingent,
a wild ’66 Mustang convertible went for $140k, as did an “Eleanor Tribute.” An outstanding
SEMA-display custom ’76 Bronco was well bought at $195,250, and an 894mile
’79 Super Beetle convertible was well sold at $40,150 — four times higher than
its current price-guide valuation.
Obviously, without the chance to eyeball the offerings, the strength of a car’s pre-
sentation lives and dies on the quality of the photos provided. The Barrett-Jackson
staff should be applauded for taking outstanding studio photos of many of the lots.
Cars were well presented, with nary an inch undocumented. Conversely, the ownersupplied
photos were a mixed bag: Some were very good, others left a lot to be desired,
only offering distant shots with scant attention paid to areas of normal wear.
Hopefully, the pandemic will ease, allowing our normal lives to resume. “While we
are in a different world than anyone imagined just a few months ago, it clearly hasn’t
dampened the spirit of the collector-car family,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and
CEO of Barrett-Jackson.
As I write this, Barrett has announced a three-day auction in Scottsdale from
October 22 to 24, in lieu of the recently canceled Palm Beach and Las Vegas sales. The
Arizona auction will offer in-person, online and phone bidding. There is no doubt that
staffers are also busy planning the Golden Anniversary Scottsdale sale for Janaury
2021. But in the meantime, it’s reassuring to know that one of the giants of our hobby
can meet the needs of its clients with the aid of technology. ♦
88 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
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BARRETT-JACKSON ONLINE
ENGLISH
#171-1959 JAGUAR XK 150 roadster.
S/N S8316430N. Black/black cloth/red
leather. Odo: 60,283 miles. 3.4-L I6, 4-sp. A
nice but aging restoration. Exceptionally well
illustrated, with photos showing minor
scratches and chips. Chrome, including wire
wheels, looks flawless. Slight wear to seat;
dash and gauges appear excellent. Carpet is a
different shade from the leather, possibly due
to age. Trunk spotless and includes factory
tool roll. Underhood is likewise sharp, no
signs of leaks or wear. Exhaust looks new.
Comes with tonneau to seal cockpit while top
is down. Car will need to be collected from
Scottsdale, AZ. Cond: 2-.
past 18 months. Considering this example’s
low miles and excellent condition, it’s easy to
see why the consignor didn’t take the $105,000
high bid.
GERMAN
#180-1979 VOLKSWAGEN SUPER
BEETLE convertible. S/N 1592038503.
Silver/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 894 miles.
1.6-L H4, 4-sp. An unused car with only 894
miles. Shows as new, with only a couple of
small chips on the hood. Interior looks unworn,
no wear to seats, dash is fine with clear
gauges. Factory radio, but aftermarket speakers
in doors. Engine compartment clean with
no signs of leaks. Front trunk likewise clean,
but carpet/mat has a golf ball-sized bald patch.
Car will need to be collected from Scottsdale,
AZ. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $58,300. If you’re in the market for
one of these easy-to-live-with Ferraris, the
good news is they’ve retreated from their spike
of a few years ago. This example comes across
as an honest car. Although not a piece of unused
garage art, it does appear better than
many seen at auction. The interiors of
308/328s have always struck me as fragile;
perhaps this one needs just a professional detailing
to look its best. The price guide lists a
median value of $68,000—down 7% from last
year. At $10k below that median, this seems
well bought. One wonders if it would have
done better in a live auction or in a different
color.
#166-1989 FERRARI TESTAROSSA
NOT SOLD AT $90,000. The XK 120s
through 150s have been popular seemingly
forever, and later examples like this one combine
newer mechanicals and upgraded specs
with the type’s classic late-’40s look. The ’59’s
claim to fame was having roll-up windows.
This example last appears in the SCM Platinum
Auction Database selling for $60,225 at
the Kruse Hershey sale in 2003 (SCM#
1561432). At that time, it had a fresh restoration,
presumably the same one it wears today,
as only 1,546 miles have been added since. It
failed to meet reserve with a high bid of $90k
— short of the SCM median of $107,000.
#169-2012 MCLAREN MP4-12C coupe.
S/N SBM11AAA8CW001209. Silver/black
leather. Odo: 3,200 miles. 3.8-L turbocharged
V8, auto. A well-optioned car with many carbon-fiber
panels, lightweight forged wheels
and heated full leather seats. Car appears to be
unblemished, with no signs of use. Slight wear
to driver’s seat, but the susceptible sill area
(because even if it’s not being driven, people
want to sit in your supercar) seems unworn.
Tires show some wear but still have plenty of
tread left. CARFAX indicates it’s a no-accident,
one-owner Arizona car with service records.
Car needs to be collected from
Scottsdale, AZ. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $40,150. 1979 was the final year of
the Super Beetle in the U.S. More than a few
were put away as “instant collectibles.” This
example seemed to age better than some
never-used cars I’ve seen; some plastics don’t
age well even if the car is stored. Sold for
$38,500 at the RM Fort Lauderdale sale in
2018 (SCM# 6869816). Amazingly, it sold
even better this time. The SCM Pocket Price
Guide gives these a median of $11,000, so
bidders thought the low miles was worth a
healthy premium—but it makes any future use
a very expensive proposition.
ITALIAN
#117-1987 FERRARI 328 GTS Spider.
S/N ZFFXA20A4H0070369. Black/black
vinyl/black leather. Odo: 34,525 miles. 3.2-L
fuel-injected V8, 5-sp. Photos don’t include
exterior close-ups, so no body or paint issues
noted. Some creases to seats and wear to carpet
by driver’s door. Clear gauges, although
there seem to be minor issues with leather
dash covering. Newer radio fitted. Engine bay
is clean, shows signs of recent service (belt
changed within last 1,000 miles) and is dry.
Photo of factory sticker confirms it came from
Maranello black. CARFAX shows it to be a
U.S.-market example with three owners, and
comes with books, tool roll and some service
records. Car will need to be collected from
Ventura, CA. Cond: 3.
NOT SOLD AT $105,000. The first model
built completely by McLaren, the 12C was the
entry-level follow-on to the legendary F1. It
was produced from 2011 to 2014. Original
MSRP was $231,000. Coupes have been selling
in the $100,000–$120,000 range for the
90 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
coupe. S/N ZFFSG17A9K0082372.
Black/black leather. Odo: 23,338 miles. 4.9-L
fuel-injected H12, 5-sp. Honestly photographed
in bright sunlight. Unforgiving black
paint shows the usual amount of road rash and
paint swirls. Close-up shots show a small
crack in front turn-signal lens and some loss of
clearcoat on edge of hood. Small painted-over
scrape to bottom of passenger’s side strakes,
but front spoiler is undamaged. Dash covering
looks dry. No apparent wear to driver’s seat or
adjacent carpet/trim. Console and switches
look fine. Windows heavily tinted. Trunk appears
clean and is shown with tool roll and
books. No sign of damage to factory wheels;
tires are recent Yokohamas. Engine compartment
very clean. Car needs to be collected
from Scottsdale, AZ. Cond: 3.
NOT SOLD AT $60,000. A later-model Testarossa
in basic black. Last seen at the 2019
Mecum Phoenix sale, where it went unsold
with a $90,000 high bid (SCM# 6904788). The
number headed the wrong way here, with a
high bid of $60k. SCM median is an even
$100k, so it’s no surprise it’s staying in Scottsdale.
#132-2001 FERRARI 456M coupe. S/N
ZFFWL44A710124619. Blu Pozzi/light blue
leather. Odo: 5,293 miles. 5.5-L fuel-injected
V12, 6-sp. Looks to be in like-new condition.
Bit of rash to front bumper, no other exterior
issues noted. The interior is spotless, with no
issues to dash or console. Minor wrinkling on
back seat inserts, likely due to age rather than
use. Factory radio still fitted. Wheels look uncurbed.
Engine bay spotless. Car needs to be
collected from Scottsdale, AZ. Cond: 2-.
BARRETT-JACKSON ONLINE
with nicely accessorized engine with “Ford
Racing” valve covers. Smoothed firewall. Car
will need to be collected from Scottsdale, AZ.
Cond: 3+.
and tags/decals. Car will need to be collected
from West Palm Beach, FL. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $14,850. At Barrett-Jackson’s
Scottsdale sale this year, I saw a 68k-mile example,
with the more-desirable extended cab,
sell for $21,450, proving that teenagers of the
‘80s are buying the dream cars of their youth.
This seems fairly sold, as bringing an unrestored
truck to this level wouldn’t be cheap,
but $15k for a 160,000-mile Toyota does seem
like a lot of money.
#183-2002 HONDA S2000 convertible.
S/N JHMAP11442T002311. Yellow/black
vinyl/black leather. Odo: 11,042 miles. 2.0-L
fuel-injected I4, 6-sp. Excellent photos. Closeups
show very minor chips on front spoiler, as
you’d expect in a car with these miles. Rest of
the car looks fine; clear lights, good top and
glass. Interior is unworn, with no scuffing on
sills and nothing significant to seats or dash.
All is stock except for a stick-on Hula-girl
statue on the dash and a decal of Air Cavalry
Army pilot wings on the clear draft blocker
behind the seats. Underhood is clean. Aftermarket
air filter fitted. Car will need to be collected
from Scottsdale, AZ. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $20,900. There was nothing not to
like here—an iconic roadster in basic red,
nothing too trendy or polarizing. Offered at no
reserve, this was going to sell. Final price was
reasonable, given that unassembled T-Bucket
kits go for the same price and this is a more
user-friendly proposition.
#118-1954 CHEVROLET 3100 custom
pickup. S/N DRMVB0000158815MO. Silver
gray/red leather. 6.0-L fuel-injected V8, auto.
Five-window cab on custom frame. Air-ride
suspension, Mustang II front, Ford 9-inch rear.
Custom 15-gallon fuel tank is visible between
frame rails in the wood-floored custom bed.
Wheelwells left open to highlight the 22-inch
wheels and Wilwood brakes. Body and paint
look great. Super chrome finish to stock grille.
Interior likewise up to show-standards. Dash
looks stock but fitted with custom digital
gauges. The only disappointing part is the
plastic aftermarket HVAC control panel looks
like it just came out of the the box. Spotless
smoothed engine bay. Title branded as “Reconstructed.”
Truck must be picked up from
Orlando, FL. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $77,000. A first-rate ’57 Chevy,
complete with fuzzy dice and tissue dispenser
(note to Detroit... how about bringing them
back for anti-bacterial wipes? Please send my
royalty checks c/o SCM). For years, people
have been saying these were losing popularity
as their target demographic ages out of the
hobby, but these still bring good money at
auction. A first-rate example sold for $190k at
B-J Scottsdale in January and a nice 2- car
made $71k on Bring a Trailer in June (SCM#
6932442). Compared to those prices, this one
was well bought.
#114-1965 FORD MUSTANG custom
fastback. S/N SF09T322374. Burgundy/black
vinyl. Odo: 69,776 miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Fresh restoration with 300 miles. 351
Cleveland. Upgraded independent front suspension
with adjustable coil-overs and upgraded
sway bar. Stock exterior, including the paint
color (albeit applied far better than Dearborn
ever dreamed at the time). Straight body; seller
says all chrome and stainless refinished. Period
deluxe-factory-level interior, with added sound
deadeners and insulation. Stock dash looks
new, with wood wheel and modern stereo.
Speakers added behind the fold-down back
seat. New door panels, headliner and sill plates.
Underhood and trunk spotless. Car needs to be
collected from Tucson, AZ. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $24,750. One of 66,547 S2000s
sold in the U.S. between 1998–2009. Online
listings show similar-mileage cars with asking
prices between $33k–$45k, making this one
very well bought even at $1,250 above the
SCM median.
AMERICAN
#131-1931 FORD MODEL A custom
roadster. S/N AZ376991. Red/black vinyl/tan
cloth. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. A “real” steelbody
A powered by an honest-to-gosh Ford
engine. Photos show coil springs and shocks
in rear, so it’s not completely stock under
there. Usual paint chips to door and fender
edges and to bottom of hood. Chrome grille,
headlights and windshield frame look good.
Interior looks clean, if a bit boring in two-tone
tan. Nice photo of under the steering column
shows neatly done wiring. Stock instrument
cluster (with no miles showing on odometer),
chrome auxiliary gauges tucked underneath
dash along with a stereo. Engine bay is clean,
94 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
SOLD AT $59,400. Known as the “Shop
Truck” because of its semi-matte finish. With
its new bed, I’ll assume its hauling days are
behind it. A well-done custom that was very
well bought.
#158-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR con-
vertible. S/N VC57J163674. Red/white
vinyl/red & gray vinyl. Odo: 950 miles. 283-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Reportedly a two-owner car
with only 950 miles since restoration. Seller
notes all-original floor and body panels. Paint
and chrome look great. Stock two-tone interior,
slight waviness to gray portion of door
panels. Stock dash with nice trim, modern
retro-style radio fitted. Trunk has new mat and
factory jack; spare is in Continental kit.
Underhood spotless and stock including oldstyle
battery, hose clamps, GM-branded hoses
SOLD AT $56,100. A more modest-spec upgrade
falling somewhere between full-blown
resto-mod and a stock car with upgrades. Going
against the conventional wisdom that convertibles
bring more money, among ’65
Mustangs, it’s the fastbacks that bring top dollar...
some 20% more in the price guide. Given
the upgrades, it was likely fairly bought, although
for the long term, I’d rather have a
similar-quality stock example for less money.
#141-1966 FORD MUSTANG custom
convertible. S/N 6F08T256836. Red/black &
gray leather. 427-ci fuel-injected V8, 6-sp.
Roush crate engine, twin-disc clutch, coil-over
front suspension, Baer brakes and custom ex
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BARRETT-JACKSON ONLINE
haust. Fenders massaged to take larger tires,
rear quarters noticeably widened. Custom
bumpers, grille and front pan. The work looks
very well done, but online bidders probably
would have liked more close-up body photos.
Original-style dash houses digital instruments,
infotainment screen and nice wood. Very welldone
custom console and modern seats.
Smoothed, clean engine compartment highlights
shiny Roush mill and aluminum radiator.
Car needs to be collected from Scottsdale,
AZ. Cond: 2+.
a huge bargain for second owners looking for
a comfortable ride with classic looks.
BEST
BUY
#156-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N
194676S120026. Red/white vinyl/
SOLD AT $140,250. Unlike Lot 114, the other
early Mustang offered, this was a full-blown
custom. If this were a Porsche, it would be
called an Outlaw. I’m not sure simply calling
it a custom does it justice. Given the likely
build cost, this seems fairly sold at a price far
below what you’d pay for a similar Corvette
resto-mod.
#177-1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
custom convertible. S/N 194676S120063.
Silver/black cloth/red leather. 6.2-L fuel-injected
V8, auto. Completed in April, 2019.
Custom chassis, LS3 engine, 4-speed automatic,
C5 suspension in the front and C6 in
the rear. Body looks straight, with excellent
lines. Excellent paint shows one small scratch
where hard convertible cover meets driver’s
door. Chrome and stainless appear new. Classy
cloth top well fitted and fits well in in its compartment.
Custom 18-inch wheels in front,
20-inch in rear. Hood features a ’67-style
stinger scoop, but rest of body looks stock.
Digital gauges and Vintage Air. Quality carpets
and door panels, custom modern bolstered
seats. Stock-looking radio, crystal-clear clock
face, new console. Engine bay features a
smooth firewall. LS3 has retro-style finned
“Corvette” valve covers and chromed accessories.
Car must be collected from Scottsdale,
AZ. Cond: 2.
black leather. Odo: 36,743 miles. 427-ci 390hp
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. A matching-numbers L36
big-block, just a step behind the L72 427/425
option. $85,000 body-off restoration completed
at unspecified time in the past, during
which its color was changed from silver to
red. Retains factory knockoff wheels. Paint
looks very good; issues are limited to a crack
in a door opening and a couple of chips on
convertible top cover. All chrome, badges and
stainless like new. Good glass and window
rubber. Excellent dash. Comes with AM/FM
radio and power antenna. Car comes with
original starter, carb and seat covers removed
during restoration. Must be collected from
Scottsdale, AZ. Cond: 2+.
tos, which this car had, details on the restoration
(who did it, what was done, and when)
would be welcome. The SCM median for a
427/435 is a healthy $110,000 (second only to
the few L88s among the varieties of ’67 Corvette
convertibles). Sold for $11k under the
median, but whether it was well—or just
fairly—bought, will likely come down to the
age/condition of the restoration—something
hard to judge with even the best photos.
#115-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Pace Car convertible. S/N 124679N639747.
White/orange/white vinyl/orange & black
houndstooth cloth & vinyl. Odo: 42,688 miles.
350-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Recent inspection by
Jerry MacNeish rated the paint, engine bay
and undercarriage as “good” and the interior
as “very good.” 2009 inspection by an SCM
analyst stated, “Driver’s door out at bottom,
passenger’s door tight to rear quarter. Trim
and brightwork very nice but not to showstandards.
Paint is nice as well but shows prep
issues, sanding marks and some evidence of
bodywork. Mostly new interior presents well;
good engine bay shows some amateur paintwork
and a few non-standard finishes.” Car
will need to be collected from Midland, TX.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $80,300. An impressive-looking
mid-year ’Vette. The price guide lists a median
value for these as $69,500, plus $5k for the
original side exhaust and another $5k–$8k for
factory knockoffs. This car was far above the
median in quality yet fell short of the priceguide
numbers, not to mention the cost of the
restoration. Very well bought.
#122-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 194677S117941.
Green/black vinyl/green vinyl. Odo: 35,411
miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2-bbl, 4-sp. A
matching-numbers L71 Corvette from the last
year of C2 production. Achieved Bloomington
Gold certification in 2015. Goodwood Green
paint looks great; no signs of cracks or chips.
Likewise, chrome and stainless fits well and
has the correct sheen. Interior looks particularly
nice, with very good dash. AM/FM radio
sports factory tag. Console and door panels
appear wear-free, seat covers well fitted. Spotless
wheels shod with correct Redline tires.
Underside is show-worthy, engine compartment
is clean, correct and detailed. Car will
need to be collected from Charlotte, NC.
Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $198,000. Last seen as a fresh
build at the Mecum Indy sale in May 2019,
where it was bid to $200,000 (SCM#
6903032), which is the low end of the market
for full-blown resto-mod ’Vettes. Here the
seller took slightly less than that offer, making
this well bought. It will be interesting to see
how resto-mods do as used cars. If their prices
fall like we see in most customs, they could be
96 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
SOLD AT $54,450. Last seen at the 2009
Barrett-Jackson West Palm Beach sale, where,
with 11 fewer miles, it sold for $72,600 (SCM#
1644060). Today, various price guides agree
that the car is worth in the mid-$60ks, making
this very well bought.
#145-1972 FORD BRONCO utility. S/N
U15GLN06404. Seafoam Green/white
vinyl/white vinyl. Odo: 89,014 miles. 302-ci
V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Paint looks nice; front bumper
looks like an economy repop. F-O-R-D letters
missing from grille but holes remain. Interior
has been sprayed with black bedliner. Aside
from that, it’s stock; seats have slight wrinkles
and there is wear to shift lever and grime on
shift boot. Frame and rear axle look to be
undercoated. Underhood is clean and stock.
Truck needs to be collected from Scottsdale,
AZ. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $99,000. When buying a car remotely,
having something like Bloomington
Gold certification would give a bidder real
peace of mind. Still, even with excellent pho
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BARRETT-JACKSON ONLINE
SOLD AT $64,900. Despite the popularity of
old Broncos, this was one of the few lots to be
sold without reserve—perhaps a hint of the
seller’s expectations. It’s a welcome change to
see a stock first-gen Bronco. Most on the road
have dubious owner “upgrades.” The most
recent stock truck pictured in the Platinum
Auction Database, a 2+ example in sporty
Ranger trim, brought $56k at the Mecum Kissimmee
sale in January (SCM# 6922266), and
a 3- unit with lots of needs sold for $42k at
Russo and Steele Scottsdale 2020 (SCM#
6922029). Given its base-trim level and lowbuck
bedliner interior, I’ll call this well sold.
(See profile, p. 68.)
#148-1976 FORD BRONCO custom
SUV. S/N U15GLA61346. Green/tan leather.
Odo: 1,746 miles. 5.0-L supercharged V8,
auto. Full custom built for display at the
SEMA show. Supercharged Coyote engine,
custom chassis with 12 inches of suspension
travel, Baer brakes, 35-inch tires, flushmounted
glass, custom bumpers, shaved door
hinges, LED lights, winch, full roll cage and
full custom leather interior. Looks like it just
came off the display floor. Underside spotless.
Smoothed engine bay with the plastic engine
cover painted a complementary shade of
green. Cond: 1-.
on hood latches, wear to door rubber, signs the
fuel tank has had a nozzle in it—the type of
stuff you’ll get on even the best-kept 3,700mile
car. No signs of road rash or interior
wear. Engine bay clean. Car needs to be collected
from Scottsdale, AZ. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $55,000. A near-new example of a
first-gen Viper. Despite their performance and
exclusivity (only 3,083 built in 1994), these
are performance bargains if you can live with
the lack of creature comforts. I hadn’t realized
they were so affordable until I viewed one at a
local auction and spoke to the happy new
owner of one at our local barbecue place
(back when we could still go to restaurants).
Deservedly sold well above the SCM median
of $37,500. Too bad the premium paid and low
miles mean this will likely remain a display
piece.
#124-2004 FORD MUSTANG GT con-
SOLD AT $195,250. At Barrett-Jackson
Scottsdale, there were all manner of custom
Broncos, but none impressed me as much as
the details—and tastefulness—of this example.
This one exuded style that made it look far
better than the usual sum of aftermarket parts.
Now, nearly $200,000 is a lot of money for any
vehicle, but this was well bought.
#130-1994 DODGE VIPER RT/10 road-
ster. S/N 1B3BR65E2RV102133. Red/black
vinyl/gray leather. Odo: 958 miles. 8.0-L fuelinjected
V10, 6-sp. A two-owner car with 958
miles. Seller states the side curtains, top and
tonneau have never been used. Shows like a
new car, no wear noted anywhere. Equipped
with factory a/c. Undercarriage spotless, as is
engine bay. Still sporting original Michelin
XGTZ tires. Comes with non-working original
battery, all registrations, service documents,
factory literature, video tape, models and 100plus
magazines featuring the Viper. If you’re
looking for one to put away in your collection,
this would be the one. Needs to be collected
from Seekonk, MA.
SOLD AT $26,400. Just the thing for a Mustang
collection, especially if you can get it
running and have access to a track. Interestingly,
since concept cars often bring big
money, it’s worth noting that this was one of
the no-reserve lots offered. Sold for about double
the price of a very clean ’05 convertible,
this seems like a good buy for a Mustang collector
who has a place to drive it.
#150-2005 FORD GT coupe. S/N 1FAFP90S15Y401048.
Red/black leather. Odo:
3,710 miles. 5.4-L supercharged V8, 6-sp.
Honestly photographed, with detailed shots
showing all areas of minor wear: scuff/chips
cept roadster. S/N Red/red leather. 3.9-L
fuel-injected V8, auto. 2004 concept/preview
model based on a sectioned 11th-generation
Thunderbird (and Jaguar S-type) platform.
Like the T-bird, it’s powered by a variant of
the Jaguar-derived 3.9-L engine. Functional,
with care given to its suspension. Equipped
with Brembo brakes. Unfortunately, seller
doesn’t say just how functional it is. Paint
looks to be in excellent condition. Custom
interior looks nothing like production cars.
Engine, and the complete engine compartment,
is painted flat black. There is an opening
trunk with a battery. Sold on a bill of sale only
and not legal for use on public roads. Car
needs to be collected from Scottsdale, AZ.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $275,000. A well-equipped car with
three of the four options (no racing stripes) in
very good condition. Despite their age and the
fact the newer ’17–on models are now on the
market, these still haven’t fallen, selling for
about twice their original MSRP. At BarrettJackson
Scottsdale this year, nine were sold. A
29-mile example went for $381k, while a
1,100-mile example brought $300k. The leastexpensive
recent sale was the $225k paid for a
15,122-mile car sold at Mecum Kansas City,
2019 (SCM# 6918978), indicating that miles
are a consideration even for these easy-tolive-with
supercars. Current SCM median is
$316k, so this buyer saved $41k and still got a
car with fewer than 4,000 miles. Well bought.
#174-2018 FORD GT coupe. S/N 2FAGP9CWXJH100074.
Black/black leather. Odo:
853 miles. 3.5-L turbocharged V6, auto. An
as-new example of the Le Mans-winning
racer. Extensive studio photos show no signs
of wear. Nothing much to say other than it
comes with factory delivery seat and steeringwheel
covers, battery tender, car cover and
books. Comes with factory warranty until
April of 2021. Car needs to be collected from
Scottsdale, AZ. Cond: 2+.
NOT SOLD AT $795,000. How does an online
auction compare with an in-person event?
In January, Barrett-Jackson sold two of these:
a 538-mile example sold for $1,182,000
(SCM# 6922298) and a 141-mile car sold for
$1,485,000 (SCM# 6922292). Considering the
low bid, either the somber black-on-black colors
were a turn-off, or buyers willing to spend
a million dollars for a relatively common car
(in other words, there are more out there) want
to see it in person before signing a check. ♦
98 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
ENGLISH
#155-1955 ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 con-
vertible. S/N 370574. Blue Haze/black
vinyl/brown leather. Odo: 55,530 miles. 3.6-L
I6, 4-sp. Repainted to a good standard years
ago, now showing touch-ups, nicks on the
edges and cracks in body filler. Interior original,
with heavily creased seats and aged and
cracked varnish to the wood dash. Dry and
shrunken door panels and soiled carpets. Grille
bent. Chrome pitting and peeling. Fitted with
an engine from a DB4. Cond: 3-.
#116-1972 JAGUAR E-TYPE convert-
ible. S/N 1S20682. Eng. # 7S 5725SB. Blue/
black vinyl/tan leather. Odo: 32,714 km. 5.3-L
V12, 4-sp. Poor-quality repaint long ago now
showing numerous chips and other flaws.
Leather upholstery intact but well worn, soiled
and mildewed. Chrome thin, pitted and
dinged. After 40 years of static display, it will
take some fettling to run again. In France since
new. Cond: 4+.
nal car showing some use, but generally well
kept. Paint now shows a few chips and dings.
Body fit less than ideal (likely from the factory)
with a couple small cracks in fiberglass—but
perfectly fine for rally use. Interior
is good, showing wear consistent with kilometers
driven. Chassis and engine compartment
show use and age. Fitted with Moto Lita steering
wheel, original alloys, roll bar and, of
course, fog lights. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $243,415. Lots of character on this
mostly original car. The price would indicate
buyers were willing to pay up for the charming
patina, yet its originality was compromised
long ago with the repaint and engine swap.
The car felt good—like a pair of old broken-in
shoes—but the premium was unwarranted.
TOP 10
#5
#408-1967 ASTON MARTIN DB6
Volante. S/N DBVC3623LC. Dubonnet
red/red cloth/Oxblood leather.
Odo: 748 miles. 4.0-L I6, auto. High-quality
restoration in 2007, but with upgraded components
to give it a more-modern driving experience.
The refurb included a color change, a
modern 4-speed automatic, electric power
steering, Koni shocks and a late-model Blaupunkt
stereo with navigation. Paint excellent
except on valance, where it appears to have hit
a curb hard. Some creasing to leather and light
soiling on chassis and engine compartment.
Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $109,849. Apparently, the boot was
filled with gold Napoléons, as there could be
no other explanation for this price. A tired old
Series III that will cost a fortune to restore.
Once completed, it might achieve today’s result.
Would have been a worthy project at half
the price.
FRENCH
TOP 10
#1
#359-1939 BUGATTI TYPE 57 cabriolet.
S/N 57731. Eng. # 527. Cream
& green/black cloth/green leather.
Odo: 87,396 km. 3.3-L I8, 4-sp. Coachwork
by Gangloff. Excellent full restoration beginning
to age. Paint showing age at the edges.
Gauges yellowing. Interior still excellent but
no longer fresh. Recent rebuild of fuel and
exhaust systems. Retains its original engine
and fitted with 4-speed and Marchal headlights.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $118,587. Named after the Coupe
des Alpes Rally prior to completing wins in the
same race in 1968, 1969 and 1971. Alas, this
example has no known race history, but it is a
desirable Dieppe-built car fitted with the largest
1.6-L motor. A110s trade in a wide range,
but several have recently sold for strong
money, making this a model to watch. Still, 40
years of static display will be hard to erase,
and this price leaves little room for expenses.
GERMAN
#385-1936 BMW 329 cabriolet. S/N
86526. Black & cream/black cloth/tan leather.
Odo: 70,341 km. 2.0-L I6, 4-sp. Poor, old repaint
showing cracks, scratches and chips too
numerous to list. Upholstery poorly fitted with
incorrect materials. Headliner stained and with
several holes. Mix of yellowed original and
modern gauges. Chrome thin, dull and pitted.
Crusty rubber seals and tires. Generally tired,
worn out and needs everything. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $711,520. Perhaps the shade of
Tomato Soup Red was chosen in deference to
the original owner, who was the chairman of
Campbell’s. While it did look “M’m! M’m!
Good!” the color change from original triple
black along with the other no-see mods didn’t
contribute an upside to the final value. Top
examples will break a million, so this altered,
no-longer-fresh example hit an appropriate
mark. (See profile, p. 60.)
102 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
SOLD AT $873,796. Interesting history as a
one-off Geneva Show Car, later used by Bugatti
factory driver Jean Pierre Wimille as a
demonstrator. Fifty-six years in the Quattroruote
Collection, until sold in 2016 for
$757k by RM Sotheby’s in Monaco (SCM#
6799780). The car is better today under the
care of the current owner, whose staff better
attend to its needs. As an attractive one-off
Bug with interesting design features and excellent
provenance, the result was strong but not
over the top.
#148-1971 ALPINE-RENAULT A110
coupe. S/N 017684. Eng. # 11154. Blue/black
leather. Odo: 73,780 km. 1.6L I4, 5-sp. Origi-
SOLD AT $63,662. At the end of the day,
there’s really no question what to do with this
old relic. Spending anything approaching significant
is money down the drain at this price.
Best to keep it just as it is cosmetically, service
the running gear and have a great time showing
it in display class. A neat old curiosity sold
way under estimate, but I’d still call it strong.
TOP 10
#9
#345-1938 MERCEDES-BENZ 320
Cabriolet B. S/N 191191. Black/tan
cloth/tan leather. Odo: 1,200 km. 3.2-L
I6, 4-sp. Very well restored to a concours
level, now showing light use. The 1,200 kilo
Page 104
meters shown are likely tallied since the restoration.
Dual sidemounted spares, fitted
luggage and chrome wire wheels with wide
whitewalls that are starting to dull. Built in
Mannheim and sold new to a German princess,
who was eventually the mother of Carl
XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Cond: 1-.
at the panel edges. Seats heavily creased with
nice patina. Engine replaced with correct type.
Rare Rudge knockoffs and hard top. Current
ownership since 1976 and in France since
new. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $380,725. A mid-range model with
baby 500K looks, but unfortunately mid-range
power to boot. Desirable Mannheim-built car,
which can rarely be validated as the factory
containing the build records burned down in
WWII. Attractive lines, rich brand heritage
and a quality restoration should get the buyer
into his concours of choice. Sold under the
lower estimate, but within reason.
TOP 10
#8
#361-1955 PORSCHE 356 Pre-A
Speedster. S/N 80524. Eng. # 34815.
Black/black cloth/black leather. Odo:
38,217 miles. 1.5-L H4, 4-sp. Restored with
excellent paint, upholstery and chrome. Color
change to triple black from Reutter Blue with
beige interior when new. Delivered new to a
U.S. serviceman in Germany and just three
owners from new. Retains original engine and
was driven in the 2010–12 Mille Miglias. Accompanied
by the Porsche CoA and Kardex.
Presents well, showing very light road use.
Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $861,313. Wonderfully originallooking,
and one of 30 delivered with Rudge
knockoffs. Had this been original paint and
sans the engine swap, it would have made
quite a story. 300SL buyers will pony up for
complete originality or perfect restorations.
Tweeners, like this car, usually hover at the
lower end of the value range. The wheels
made a difference, but the car still sold on the
rich side.
TOP 10
#4
#186-1964 PORSCHE 904 GTS
coupe. S/N 904062. Silver &
orange/blue cloth. Odo: 5,621 km.
2.0-L H6, 5-sp. Generally known but unimpressive
racing history includes frontal damage in
’66. Later competition restored and purchased
by Petitjean in ’93. Originally fitted with 4-cam
engine but now carries a replacement unstamped
6-cylinder. Decent paint, but chipping
on the edges. Interior sound, but only to the
level of a used race car. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $405,691. One of only 1,034 “PreA”
Speedsters made in 1955 and is well restored
with full provenance. Buyers will pay a
premium for these attributes, but even more
appealing is its proven roadability by competing
in the Mille Miglias. Porschephiles drive
their cars and pay more for a proven example
like this. Sold on the high side, but deservedly
so.
TOP 10
#2
#168-1958 MERCEDES-BENZ
300SL Roadster. S/N
1980428500087. Silver/black
cloth/black leather. Odo: 20,515 miles. 3.0-L
I6, 4-sp. Mostly original, with one decent repaint
now showing a few small chips and bubbles.
Leather interior is all original and crusty
104 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
SOLD AT $786,416. Details matter, especially
as they relate to vintage race cars. 904s
are highly regarded in the Porsche world, but
no important history, previous damage and an
engine from a 911 add up to a value that lies
at the bottom of a range that can exceed $2m
for the most desirable examples. Still, it’s a
real 904, and that is enough to get any pulse
racing. Sold for an appropriate figure.
#357-1969 MERCEDES-BENZ 280SL
convertible. S/N 11304410012570. Eng. #
130.983.10.004917. Green/tan cloth/Cognac
leather. Odo: 24,809 km. 2.8-L I6, 4-sp. Gorgeous
color combination. Very good body and
paint, but does have a few chips on the edges.
Small dents in bumper. Rich Cognac leather
nicely redone. Light soiling on carpet and
grease spot on top. Trunk mat trimmed with
tan piping. Well appointed with 4-speed transmission,
Euro headlights and Becker Europa
AM/FM radio. Cond: 2-.
Page 106
SOLD AT $104,856. After prices settled down
from a run-up of these W113 models a few
years ago, recent results such as this one are
showing strength once again. Perhaps the
pendulum swung too far and a resurgence is in
the making. This was a fine but not spectacular
example that sold for a strong result.
#383-1972 BMW 2000 Touring 2-dr se-
dan. S/N 3357480. Yellow/black leather. Odo:
99,006 km. 2.0-L I4, 4-sp. First owner until
2019. Recently repainted to a very good standard
in original Golf color. Interior remains in
good condition commensurate with its relatively
low 99,000 kilometers. Engine compartment
and chassis are generally clean but have
not been detailed. Fitted with 4-speed, Blaupunkt
AM/FM and an aftermarket tachometer.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $46,186. The Frua-designed Bitter
is based on an Opel Diplomat chassis, but powered
by a Chevy 327. Three hundred ninety-five
were made, but they seem much more scarce
today. Each quarter angle looks beautiful, but
taken as a whole, the design seems less than
successful. In case you ever wondered what
would happen if an Espada got together with a
240Z, here’s your answer. A better example
could be had for the price paid.
#342-1993 PORSCHE 928 GTS coupe.
S/N WP0ZZZ92ZPS800343. Green/black
leather. Odo: 118,904 km. 5.4-L V8, auto.
Original paint still very good. Large chips,
with touch-up on front bumper; other small
stone chips throughout. Interior beautifully but
incorrectly reupholstered in black, with matching
green stitching and piping. Fitted with 911
Cup wheels. Original manuals, tools and
Becker stereo. Excellent detail throughout.
Cond: 2-.
used to spending six figures for a sedan with
needs, but they’ll make an exception for an
Alfa 6C. This car would be a welcome entry to
an Alfa display at The Quail or Pebble Beach
sitting right beside other 6Cs worth $2m, or
even certain 8Cs at $20m. Nobody knew quite
where this car would land, but I’d put it in the
well-bought column. (See profile, p. 62.)
#111-1956 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA
Spyder. S/N AR149500412. Eng. #
AR135140403. Red/black cloth/black vinyl.
Odo: 22,821 miles. 1,290-cc I4, 4-sp. Barely
fair-quality older repaint and reupholstery on
an otherwise mostly original car. Paint shows
chips, dings and overspray. Original carpets
faded and steering wheel wrapped with aftermarket
vinyl wrap. Pitted and thin chrome.
Gauges, badges, engine compartment, chassis
and rubber all tired and worn. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $17,476. The Touring-body BMW
2000s were never exported to the U.S. and are
even unusual across the pond. Only 1,725
units were built. These have the same chassis
as the 2000 sedan, but the unusual hatchback
body gives it a touch of style. With top-condition
2002s breaking $100k recently, this model
could get caught up in the tide that lifts all
boats. A modest price paid and a good entry to
vintage-BMW ownership.
#156-1974 BITTER CD coupe. S/N
5250066. Blue/purple velour. Odo: 50,384
miles. 327-ci V8, auto. Repainted at some
time in the distant past. A bright finish, but
several scratches throughout and clearcoat
flakes on the roof. Slightly saggy seats upholstered
in an almost purple shade. Bumpers and
other chrome worn and scuffed. Door fit off.
Loose wires under dash. Will require some
work to get back on the road. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $64,911. A well-presented and desirable
GTS model in unusual colors that sold
very, very well. Bidders didn’t seem to mind
the custom interior, but the real surprise is
that they ignored the automatic transmission.
928s have seen highs at this level, but typically
only when fitted with a 5-speed and with
ultra-low miles/kilometers. This sale is a testament
to the strength of the 928 market.
ITALIAN
#405-1939 ALFA ROMEO 6C 2500 Turismo
Ministeriale sedan. S/N 914073. Eng. #
923.243. Black/brown cloth. RHD. Odo:
81,203 km. 2.5-L I6, 4-sp. Never fully restored,
and an oft-used movie car, even appearing
in Academy Award-winning “The Last
Emperor.” Eighty-one built and one of two
remaining. Fair paint, and decent recently
completed interior upholstery with tired original
interior wood. Chassis and engine compartment
original and dirty. Rechromed
bumpers, but the rest of the trim is tough. An
elegant specimen in presentable condition.
Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $69,904. Besides being a beautiful
fun-to-drive Italian sports car, there are two
appealing aspects of this car. First, it is intriguing
because of its near-scruffy condition,
making it a blast to drive with reckless abandon.
Second, as a pre-1958 example, it is
Mille Miglia-eligible — a bucket-list event,
assuming you are one of the chosen 400 deeppocketed
participants. As a short-term investment,
fuggedaboutit. You’ll be sunk the first
time a mechanic lifts the hood.
#152-1962 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA
Sprint Speciale coupe. S/N AR10120177449.
Eng. # AR00530 94898. Red/black leather.
Odo: 22,282 miles. 1.3-L I4, 5-sp. Fair-quality
repaint years ago now showing results of poor
prep. Chips and touch-up on most panel edges.
Good upholstery, but mildew spots on door
panels and trim. Dash has tear on vinyl and
missing radio. Chassis and engine compartment
dirty. A restoration project. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $119,835. Attractive, elegant and
classy, but it is still a sedan. Bidders are not
106 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
SOLD AT $82,386. Inspired by the outrageous
B.A.T show cars designed by Bertone in the
early 1950s, there is nothing quite like the
Sprint Speciale. From its graceful, curvy lines,
to its quirky style and Alfa Romeo heritage, the
model is purely Italian. Before you propose a
Tuscan countryside picnic in this example, you
had better install a drain on your wallet. A worthy
project made difficult by the price of entry.
Page 108
#153-1966 MASERATI MISTRAL
coupe. S/N AM109646. Rosso Rubino/black
leather. Odo: 53,764 km. 3.7-L I6, 5-sp.
Thickly repainted in Germany in 2008, now
showing numerous cracks, bubbles and
overspray. Seats show heavy creases, but
could be reclaimed. Chrome thin and pitted.
Chassis and engine compartment appear original
with no cosmetic maintenance. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $116,090. Having been owned for
less time than others in the Petitjean Collection
(23 years vs. 40 for many), this car may
have suffered less neglect. And having been
painted as recently as 2008, one might presume
it was running at the time. While these
flashes of optimism are encouraging, reality
will likely prove that proper fettling will cost
more than the market allows.
TOP 10
#3
BEST
BUY
#128-1968 LAMBORGHINI
MIURA P400 coupe. S/N
3111. Eng. # 1067.
Yellow/black leather. 4.0-L V12, 5-sp. Mostly
original with poor-quality repaint that has not
held up well. Chips and cracks prevalent
throughout, along with some rust bubbles.
Decent seats and dash, but a few small tears in
surrounding panels. Deteriorated carpet and
rubber. Engine compartment and chassis dirty.
Fitted with replacement correct-type engine
from chassis 01072. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $156,035. As a project car, this was
an intriguing example. Good colors, a big V8
and a 5-speed, a known history for the past 40
years, and oh, those beautiful Giugiaro lines.
The price paid here, however, left no room for
the restoration. Recently, Ghibli prices have
been on a downward curve, and this result is
approaching that of a decent example. No one
told the buyer, who may have to wait a while
for the value curve to turn before recouping
his investment.
#150-1970 LAMBORGHINI ISLERO
400 GTS coupe. S/N 6591. Eng. # 50199.
Blue/black leather and tan velour. Odo: 8,984
km. 4.0-L V12, 5-sp. Very low kilometers,
yet repainted long ago to only a fair standard.
Plenty of flaws in the finish including cracks,
many chips, orange peel and overspray. Interior
intact, but rife with mold spots that don’t
production of a mere 401 compared to 7,260
Panteras, values for the Mangusta can be over
three times more in today’s market. Higher
values won’t save the buyer at this price, but
he does get to brag about the cool clamshell
engine cover.
#367-1971 FERRARI 365 GTC/4 coupe.
S/N 14931. Eng. # 00118. White/black leather/
red plaid cloth inserts. Odo: 95,548 miles.
Cosmetically restored four years ago and still
with excellent paint, interior, engine compartment
and chassis. Some edge chips and cracks
in matte-black bumper. Pitted door handles.
Fitted with 5-speed, air conditioning, power
windows, Cromodora wheels. Includes books,
manuals and restoration receipts. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $299,587. Unusual but attractive
colors of Avorio Tetrarch (ivory) with red and
black seat inserts that seemed fitting for a car
meant for touring (despite having raced in
Australia for a stint). One of seven painted in
this shade, and it will stand out in a sea of red
at Italian events. The colors gave it a boost, as
the price paid was about mid-estimate.
SOLD AT $811,382. The least-evolved P400
models do not occupy the highest tier in Miura
hierarchy; however, this desirable early-production
example is claimed to be among those
made with a lighter 0.9-mm steel. Few project
Miuras remain, and the new owner paid up for
exclusive rights to put his mark on its restoration.
A blue-chip investment with some potential
for upside in the long term.
#113-1969 MASERATI GHIBLI coupe.
S/N AM1151162. Eng. # AM1151162.
Blue/black leather. Odo: 64,212 km. 4.7L V8,
5-sp. Poor older repaint showing several chips,
cracks and other flaws. Interior spotted with
mildew. Unkempt engine compartment and
chassis. Original alloys, power windows and
5-speed. Acquired by Pettitjean in 1982 and
has logged just 40 km since. Cond: 4+.
108 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
look like they can be cleaned. Chrome dull,
scratched and pitted. Cracked and broken
parking-light lenses. Headlight lids are raised
about an inch. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $255,897.
Named after the legendary bull that slayed the
best matador in the world in 1947, the spirit of
Islero is alive and well with this killer result.
Islero values have climbed steadily over the
past decade, with the best ones topping out
above $300k. This example isn’t even in the
same bullring, with a long list of expensive
needs. Well sold.
#118-1971 DETOMASO MANGUSTA
coupe. S/N 8MA1224. Red/black leather.
Odo: 53,387 km. 302-ci V8, 5-sp. Older, poorquality
repaint from original blue to red. Flaws
include overspray, orange peel and several rust
bubbles. Original interior looks salvageable
with a good cleaning to rid the mold spots.
Dirty engine compartment and chassis. Engine
replaced. Fitted with 5-speed, a/c and power
windows. Includes original tool roll and jack.
Cond: 4+. SOLD AT $212,208. Often compared
to the Pantera, and for good reason.
Despite the slightly better performance and
aerodynamics of the later-designed Pantera,
exclusivity sets the two cars apart. With
#110-1973 DETOMASO PANTERA
coupe. S/N THPNNR05810. Red/white vinyl.
Odo: 63,044 km. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, 5-sp. Relatively
low kilometers, but has rested with little
or no maintenance in the Petitjean Collection
for 37 years. Repainted to only a fair standard
showing orange peel, poor prep and touch-ups.
Original interior very good if the mold spots
can be cleaned. Alloys heavily curbed. Fitted
with 5-speed, Euro bumpers, power windows
and a/c. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $67,407. Awakening an Italian exotic
from nearly four decades of static display
is an intrepid endeavor at best. One that is
powered by a big American V8 makes the job
easier, but the motor is just one component of
the effort. Nearly every system in this car will
need to be gone through, ultimately putting
this attempt underwater as an investment. Better
to spend another $30k on a fully sorted
example.
Page 110
When you’re done, you’ve got the most iconic 1970s boyhood dream
car extant, and with light mileage. Hugely expensive by today’s
standards, but could be the wisest purchase of the sale down
the road.
1979 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S coupe
#122-1973 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER 2000
Veloce convertible. S/N AR2462881. Eng. #
S16492. Red/black vinyl/black leather. Odo:
15,365 km. 1962-cc I4, 5-sp. Older repaint
showing poor prep, overspray, orange peel and
chips. Interior good except driver’s seat that is
torn and partially repaired with electrician’s
tape. Chrome thin, scratched, pitted and
dented. Emblems bent and worn. Headlight
cover damaged. Engine replaced with “periodcorrect”
unit. Cond: 3-.
TOP 10
#6
#177-1979 LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH
LP400 S coupe. S/N 1121066.
Eng. # 1121066. Blue/cream leather.
Odo: 13,787 km. 4.0-L V12, 5-sp. All-original
and just 14,000 km. Paint shows numerous
rock chips on front end and fender flares. Interior
good but has some mildew spots. Campagnolo
wheels have curb rash. Passenger’s
side mirror removed but included. Broken
quarter window. Includes a/c and cassette stereo.
Cond: 2-.
pristine condition. Group B is a trigger word
for race fans in their 40s, and the segment is
white-hot. You’d be hard pressed to find a better
example, and it sold for an equally spectacular
sum.
AMERICAN
#173-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
convertible. S/N 30867S111061. Daytona
Blue/silver hard top/black vinyl. Odo: 55,661
miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older thick repaint
with blisters, cracks, scratches and chips.
Hard top painted silver. Small-block Chevrolet
replacement engine with Edelbrock manifold,
but of unknown origin. Remainder of the car
appears largely original, with very good vinyl
buckets, worn carpets and faded gauges.
Chrome worn, scratched and pitted. Fitted
with AM radio, power windows and spinner
hubcaps. Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $19,348. Presented well in the fullbody
photos, but close-ups reveal this little
Kammback has been rode hard and put away
wet. A mess cosmetically, and after sitting comatose
for 40 years, I can’t imagine the mechanical
components have fared any better.
Well sold.
#397-1974 FERRARI 365 GT4 BB
coupe. S/N 1756. Red & black/black
leather. Odo: 29,609 km. 4.4-L H12,
5-sp. Restored to a good driver level in 2005
after more than 20 years of storage and neglect.
Very good paint and upholstery. Engine
compartment clean but not detailed. Seats
show light creases. Fitted with 5-speed, Nardi
steering wheel, a/c and power windows.
Comes with books and tools. Cond: 3.
TOP 10
#10
SOLD AT $511,795. One of just 50 first-series
LP400 Ss built. Lots of shelf wear from 33
years of static display and will require full
recommissioning and thousands of hours of
paintwork and detailing. When you’re done,
you’ve got the most iconic 1970s boyhood
dream car extant, and with light mileage.
Hugely expensive by today’s standards, but
could be the wisest purchase of the sale down
the road.
TOP 10
#7
#331-1981 LANCIA 037 Stradale
coupe. S/N ZLA151AR000000014.
Red/black cloth. Odo: 19,879 km.
2.0-L supercharged I4, 5-sp. The 14th of 207
built. Original paint and interior. Paint excellent,
with very few stone chips. Velour seats
still look new. New fuel tanks, clutch, suspension
and brakes within the past 200 km, as
well as a photo-documented comprehensive
rebuild of the engine and gearbox. Contains a
roll cage and is fitted with alloys and Carello
fog lights. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $69,904. A surprising result for a
rough, low-spec Sting Ray carrying a replacement
engine. Sold even above the high estimate
and double its value in the U.S.
American entrepreneurs might consider loading
a boat with easy-to-source bottom-feeder
’Vettes, but this result may be unrepeatable.
Well sold.
#325-1965 APOLLO 5000 GT coupe.
S/N 96263. Red/black leather. Odo: 76,585
miles. 5.0-L V8, 4-sp. Older European restoration.
Once-excellent paint- and bodywork now
showing a few tiny nicks and flaws. Front
bumper dull, with multiple small dings. Interior
nicely redone, showing light use to
leather. No rubber on pedals. Weatherstripping
protrudes outward from window frame.
Badges dull, some attached with screws.
Windshield scratched. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $312,070. Just the 23rd 365 GT4
BB built. Once owned by famous Formula One
driver Jean-Pierre Jabouille, who reportedly
purchased the car as a project in a tired state
and never got around to restoring it. Instead,
it sat in the back of a distributorship for more
than two decades, suffering from the pilfering
of ancillary parts, but not the engine and
gearbox. Rescued and restored by the consignor
in 2005. Lots of stories around this
example that kept the sales price in check.
110 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
SOLD AT $511,795. The Stradale was a homologation
special built to qualify for the
Group B rally circuit. The race version was
the last rear-wheel-drive model to win the
World Rally Championship. This example has
no known race history but was presented in
SOLD AT $237,173. Apollos rarely trade
publicly, so valuing them can be a challenge.
Some help arrived late last year when the Corpus
Christi Old Car Museum auctioned three
of them, including one matching today’s
model. In slightly better condition, that one
garnered $165k (SCM# 6911691), making it
look really cheap—or today’s example expensive.
I’d bargain that the answer lies somewhere
in between. ♦
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H&H A-B-C Live Auction Online
Weirdie warning: A 1967 Saab Sonett V4 brought a very healthy $18,260
Company
H&H Auctioneers
Date
June 24, 2020
Location
Online
Auctioneers
Simon Hope
Automotive lots sold/offered
48/70
Sales rate
69%
Sales total
$1,044,383
High sale
1934 Lagonda M45 tourer,
sold at $230,362
1967 Saab Sonnet, sold at a strong $18,260
Report by Paul Hardiman. Photos courtesy of H&H Auctioneers
Market opinions in italics
H
&H’s online sales differ from the rest. So far, the Warrington-based company
does not gather all the cars together in one place for pre-sale viewing, instead
offering personalized video walk-arounds. This brings a whole new tranche
of remotely located vehicles into play, and can lead to some sometimes hi-
larious consequences. One such consequence at their recent A-B-C sale was the Land
Rover Series I restoration project ($1,405), abandoned some time ago in a field in the
Peak District and coming with the instructions to bring a trailer — as it was so rotten
it was expected to break in half upon removal.
This was one of two Landie resto projects. After the market heights following end of
Defender production in 2016, the money has dropped but the hardware remains ever popular.
Their nemeses, well-preserved Japanese 4x4 pickups of the ’80s and ’90s, are gathering
in numbers as well, with two at this sale. The Hilux outsold the $4,917 L200 by almost
50%, but there was an interloper in the shape of a Ford P100 — a South-African-designed
and -built “bakkie” ingeniously assembled from mostly existing parts plundered from
Ford’s range, although only 2-wheel drive. It split the difference between them at $6,700.
Although the high sale was of indisputable pedigree — a nicely patinated Lagonda
M45 still with its factory T7 body — some of the other lots looked out of place, such
as a Mk 4 Ford Escort van and a Vauxhall Vectra.
A restored Mk1 Escort RS2000 took a strong $50,567, and an Austin-Healey 100-6
looked like a good value at $33,712. Rarely seen at auction in such nice condition
was an obviously cherished Triumph Herald 1200 saloon at $7,866, while a slightly
modified MGB GT V8 sold for RV8 money ($20,367) and a fairly rough Mini Moke did
well to get $16,856. Someone paid $700 for a small pile
of rusty 1965 MGB bits, importantly with an identity —
too bad the rolling-shell B project later in the sale was
so much younger, otherwise it could have been a case of
instant karma.
While Mk1 Golf GTIs are often seen at auction going
up against their hot-hatch Peugeot 205 rivals, a very tidy
Mk2 was a rare pleasure and sold for less money: $9,885,
quite rightly more than its competitor in period, the Ford
Escort XR3i, of which there were two offered. For less
money, though, you could have had the upcoming thing,
a VW Corrado VR6 based on the same floor pan. A
’67 Saab Sonett V4 looked quite strong at $18,260, and
finally, a lowish-mile Ferrari F355 GTS with F1 paddleshift
was on the money at $87,088.
The other difference, and one that needs to be ad-
dressed, is that H&H’s online presence is, so far, the
least dynamic in the U.K. market. Here, the camera
was mostly fixed on the auctioneer in close-up, with a
few cutaways to the cars. The boss is a charismatic performer
on stage, but as he has observed himself, it’s just
not the same without punters in the room. ♦
Buyer’s premium
12.5%, included in sold prices
($1.00 = £0.80)
112 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
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H&H AUCTIONEERS ONLINE
ENGLISH
#314-1925 LAGONDA 12/24 tourer. S/N
7122. Green/black cloth/black leather. RHD.
Odo: 3,047 miles. 1,460-cc I4, 3-sp. Tidy and
nicely kept. Showing a decent patina, but unused
for 10 years. Shiny paint with cracking at
panel edges; good chrome to lights, although
nickel-plated radiator shell shows a few dings.
Nice dash and instruments. Seat leather and
cloth. RHD. 3,127-cc I6, 4-sp. Late car, so
four-wheel brakes and 4-speed. Just out of
restoration said to have cost £75k ($100k).
Originally a Weymann saloon, later rebodied
as a tourer, now in this rather Barker-esque
style. Exellent all around, with new paint and
leather. Has a few details to finish. Cond: 2.
weather gear (stored in doors) all okay. Cond:
3+. SOLD AT $25,284. In this ownership 20
years, prior to that sold by Coys in 1990. This
time, fetched not a lot more than a Bullnose
Morris and a third of the price of a 2-liter
Lagonda.
#351-1928 AUSTIN 12/4 Heavy Clifton
tourer convertible. S/N 51827. Blue/black
cloth/gray vinyl. RHD. 1,861-cc I4, 4-sp. Also
called a Gumdrop, after the similar car that
featured in Val Biro’s children’s books. Due to
U.K.’s tax laws at the time, these have a very
long (115 mm) stroke compared with the narrow
74-mm bores, so with lots of torque
they’re not as feeble as 27 hp sounds. In fair
order after previous (’50s) restoration, although
canvas top is becoming unravelled.
Now on coil ignition, but original magneto
comes with car. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $56,186. Last sold by Sotheby’s in
1998 as a rolling chassis for $10,173. Quite
strong money for a 20HP when the 20/25 is
more usable, but you are getting the restoration
works for basically half price. I doubt
either party here felt aggrieved.
#358-1934 LAGONDA M45 T7 tourer.
S/N Z11038. Gray/black leather. RHD. Odo:
17,254 miles. 4,453-cc I6, 4-sp. T7 still with
its factory coachwork and much of its original
leather all in good usable order (lots of grease
and lube around swivels and pivots). Surprisingly
shiny paint with decent bright plating.
Old scrutineer’s sticker from Brooklands in
windscreen. Unused for 10 years but ran for
photographs. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $1,405. Anything is possible. This
was offered at no reserve, and at the price
paid, we could see a Landie with this identity
on the road for within its finished market value
of $20k–$25k. What a lot of fun!
BEST
BUY
#334-1958 AUSTIN-HEALEY 100-6
roadster. S/N BN63170. Ice Blue and
white/blue leather. RHD. Odo: 62,376
miles. 2,639-cc I4, 4-sp. Okay from 20 paces
but older repaint shows plenty of marks and
blemishes. Chrome okay, except side flashes
are on backwards. Original leather now distressed
in place. A very usable car, with various
new-looking parts including front dampers
and H4 lights. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $230,362. Dry-stored for decades.
In this family ownership since 1991. High sale
of the day. T7 is one of the most desirable
variants because it’s handsome and relatively
light. Went well over the £120k ($150k) estimate,
but that looked a little low at around the
price of an M45 saloon while the best droptops
are over $300k. At the time, a U.K. dealer
had an identical car (Z10800) on offer at
£225k ($282k).
#300-1957 LAND ROVER SERIES I
SOLD AT $14,046. Featured in the film
“Rockets Galore!” (1957) starring Donald
Sinden, sequel to “Whisky Galore!” Not sure
that did much for its value, as it didn’t fetch
much more than an Austin Seven, and less
than a Bullnose Morris.
#339-1928 ROLLS-ROYCE 20HP
tourer. S/N GFN24. Blue and black/black
114 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
88-inch utility. S/N 116800095. Blue. RHD.
Odo: 20,118 miles. 2.0-L I4, 4-sp. Very early
diesel. Basket-case project with hard top. So
rotten the spring hangers have broken off the
chassis ends, but probably almost enough
there for restoration provided you start with a
replacement chassis and bulkhead—which are
included and only slightly rusted. Catalog
helpfully points out that it needs to leave the
Peak District field it’s marooned in in pieces,
as it’s too rotten to tow. Bring a trailer—and
maybe a dustpan and brush. Cond: 5.
SOLD AT $33,712. Though 100-6s are always
less money than 3000s, cosmetics keep
this one even cheaper, but a nice price for a
driver. A Big Healey for not much more than
the price of a small one.
#329-1963 MORGAN 4/4 Series V road-
ster. S/N B882. Blue/cream vinyl/black vinyl.
RHD. 1.6-L I4, 5-sp. Rebuilt on a new galvanized
chassis. Type 9 5-speed fitted, along
with electronic ignition, an alternator and an
electric fan. Engine features a Lotus TwinCam
crankshaft, A2 Fast Road camshaft, upgrade
valvesprings and a 28/36 Weber
carburetor. Hood modified to allow both sides
to be elevated. Moto-Lita wheel. Cond: 3+.
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The boldest description of a pile of bits I’ve ever seen, but it was
at least realistically offered at no reserve. Essentially, the buyer is
paying for an identity that just needs a new car sliding
under it.
1965 MGB project convertible
SOLD AT $22,474. Fair price—around the
same as a quick De Dion Caterham, and about
75% of the price of an early Plus 8.
#311-1964 MORRIS MINI MOKE util-
ity. S/N MAB1636877. Blue/black vinyl/black
vinyl. RHD. Odo: 50,000 miles. 848-cc I4,
4-sp. Repainted blue from original green, including
the wiper motor. Some weld repairs to
inner sills and pans. Painted black inside, but
floors still look pretty crusty. Some welded
body repairs evident in front fenders. Lots of
underseal underneath. Original roof a bit
ripped. Bucket seats. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$16,856. This was just one of 9,096 Morris
versions built, and only a small portion of
those stayed in the home market. This one had
lowish mileage, tidy original condition and a
nice history gave this one a special appeal.
#332-1965 MGB project convertible. S/N
GHN364689. RHD. “Restoration project.”
Well, it most certainly is—and the first time I
have been able to bestow an SCM rating of 6-.
Pallet of bits comprises most of a rusty motor,
gearbox, steering column, dashboard, empty
axle casing and a transmission tunnel cut out
of rotten shell. Crucially, it also has a chassis
plate, V5C and Heritage Certificate. Build
your own MGB. Cond: 6-.
single-family ownership to 2015. At the price
paid, this was strong money for condition,
although it’s eminently usable.
#302-1964 TRIUMPH HERALD 1200
2-dr sedan. S/N GA162085DL. Maroon &
white/red vinyl. RHD. Odo: 39,246 miles.
1147-cc I4, 4-sp. Spine-chassis Triumph, good
all around and mostly original, although must
have been painted at some point. Interior vinyl,
headlining and carpets good, with some
wrinkling to door cards. Some wear, cracking
and fading to wood dash. Newish exhaust.
Good history file including original invoice.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $702. The boldest description of a
pile of bits I’ve ever seen, but it was at least
realistically offered at no reserve. Essentially,
the buyer is paying for an identity that just
needs a new car sliding under it. For someone
who happens to have a new Heritage body
shell knocking about, this was probably worth
it. Later in the auction there was on offer a
rolling-shell B roadster restoration project
estimated at £2,000–£3,000, but it was too
young (1976) and didn’t sell.
#305-1966 MGB convertible. S/N
GHN384292. Red/black vinyl/black leather.
RHD. Odo: 29,924 miles. 1.8-L I4, 4-sp. Tidy
and original RHD home-market car. Older
repaint, panel fit rather variable, as usual. Decent
chrome; seat leather probably replacement,
newish top. Still fitted with its original
steering wheel. Oselli-tuned original engine.
Comes with BMIHT Heritage certificate and a
history file that dates back to 1990. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $7,866. This car had one owner
from 1964 to 1992. It sold for more than its
2-seater cousin the Spitfire did here, but the
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SOLD AT $11,939. A nice driver-level B. All
things considered, this was correct money for
a steel-bumper car with its original shell in
today’s market. A decent deal.
#360-1968 LAND ROVER SERIES IIA
109 utility. S/N 276084186. Blue. RHD.
miles. 2286-cc I4, 4-sp. Another project
Landie... This one was at least running when
parked in 2016, although most of its fuses are
missing. Stained and grimy and paint flaking
off, but not as bad underneath as it looks.
Chassis looks solid. Checker plates on fender
tops; side windows cut in van sides. Cond: 4+.
4-sp. Clean and straight, with unsually good
door/sill fit for a B/C. Shows plenty of green
overspray under the front. Original steering
wheel, wood dash and extra instruments in center
console. Seat vinyl probably original, with
some piping becoming detached. Doors seals
missing. Newish stainless exhaust. Cond: 3+.
ing. Well-creased original leather. Chassis
number wrongly noted in catalog. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $9,833. One-family owned from
new until 2019, stored since 1995. At a similar
price to a tired Silver Shadow, but slightly
more involving to drive. A fair buy for one of
these luxobarges—provided it’s not rotten.
SOLD AT $11,939. Sold for the price of a
steel-bumper B roadster. You pays your money
and you takes your chances...
SOLD AT $2,669. For a running (or potentially
running: bring own fuses) Series Landie,
this was very, very cheap.
BEST
BUY
#325-1968 MGC GT coupe. S/N
GCD13183G. Green/black vinyl.
RHD. Odo: 67,299 miles. 2.9-L I6,
#317-1970 JAGUAR 420G sedan. S/N
G1D56698BW. Maroon/gray leather. RHD.
Odo: 79,061 miles. 4.2-L I6, auto. Recently
recommissioned following long-term storage,
including new exhaust. Sits on various makes
of tire. Looks fairly straight and okay underneath.
Older repaint slightly orange-peeled in
places; chrome okay but lightly pitted. Dash
veneers slightly dried out and cracking/craz-
#345-1974 FORD ESCORT RS2000 2-dr
sedan. S/N BFATND00191. Silver/black cloth
and vinyl. RHD. Odo: 32,100 miles. 2.0-L I4,
4-sp. Freshly restored in original color, although
paint is thick and it sits rather high,
epecially at front. Said to run a 205 block,
which means engine is later than the car. Nonstandard
chrome K&N air filter, although period-style
black battery is a nice touch.
Redone interior all good except for side trim
missing from driver’s seat. Vented front discs.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $50,567. On the money for a sharpish
Mk 1 RS in today’s market. Mexicos are a
little less, RS1600s and Twin Cams understandably
more.
#310-1975 MGB GT V8 coupe. S/N
GD2D12477G. Black/gray leather. RHD.
Odo: 62,413 miles. 3.9-L V8, 5-sp. Modified
GT with engine punched out to 3.9 liters and
alleged 200 hp at the wheels. Rover 5-speed
gearbox. Unmarked Minilite-like Minator
wheels. Wood-rim steering wheel, high-back
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This was less than you might spend on a nice Peugeot 205 GTI, its
rival in period. Fair—but no bargain.
1989 Volkswagen Golf GTI coupe
bucket seats and matching gray door trims.
Fitted with harnesses and rally tripmeter, plus
lots of event stickers and various other shiny
tat. Rather unfortunate bonnet bulge is to clear
more ambitious Edelbrock carburetion than
standard. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $20,367. In
Germany from 2006 to 2015, where it was
modified. Sold for a bit less than an RV8,
which uses a similar drivetrain. The bonnet
mod and color scheme can’t have helped it
much here.
#323-2007 MG SV-R Xpower coupe. S/N
MGXSREWJR00030153. Maroon/Magnolia
leather. RHD. Odo: 15,000 miles. 4.6-L V8,
auto. XPower was an abortive MG “halo car”
plot born out of the Qvale Mangusta project. It
used a Roush-tuned version of Ford’s modular
V8. It was unveiled to an underwhelmed press
in 2002: Only an estimated 82 were made in
2004 and 2005 in both SV and SV-R forms.
Good all around, except for lightly scuffed
wheel rims. Good service history. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $42,139. This is one of the cars
completed from parts after the collapse of MG.
In the vendor’s hands since 2010. Sold for a
bit more than a new Mustang. At £83k
($165k), these cost more than a 911 when new,
and are now about the price of a decent Gseries.
A historical curiosity.
GERMAN
#330-1965 MERCEDES-BENZ 250SL
convertible. S/N 11304312001063.
White/black cloth/red leather. Odo: 39,043
miles. 2.5-L I6, auto. Federal spec, although
now with Euro taillights. Restored throughout,
SOLD AT $9,885. Two owners. Compared to
a Mk 1, these are slower and more stodgy due
to extra weight, but they are more comfortable.
Then again, these also cost much less
money than a Mk 1. This was less than you
might spend on a nice Peugeot 205 GTI, its
rival in period. Fair—but no bargain.
#346-1994 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO
with new interior and redone timber. Add-on
a/c. Reflective plates look all wrong when it
could/should have black ones. No mention of
hard top. Cond: 2-. SOLD AT $78,660. Was in
Texas, and after that the London Motor Museum.
Strong price for model, spec and color.
VR6 coupe. S/N WVWZZZ50ZRK005759.
Aqua blue/gray leather. RHD. Odo: 175,460
miles. 2.8-L V6, 5-sp. Future classic with the
usual boy-racer extras, but largely unmolested.
Milltek exhaust, K&N filter, Koni adjustables
and silly “eyebrow” kit are fairly standard fare
in Dubworld. Some new paint, tidy except for
small bubbles on a rear arch lip. Inside, small
tear in driver’s seat, slight creasing to leather
and some wear to bolsters. Although with
fairly steep mileage, also has decent service
history, recent chains, tensioners and driveshafts.
Alloys mostly unscuffed, but usual mismatch
of tires on a cheapish performance car.
Cond: 3+.
#320-1989 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI
coupe. S/N WVWZZZ1GZKW701715.
White/gray leather. RHD. Odo: 59,831 miles.
1.7-L I4, 5-sp. Mk2 GTi. BBS alloys, ANSA
exhaust. Leather and a/c both quite rare on
these. Original paint with a few small touchedin
blemishes. Unused jack and space-saver
spare. Replacement subframe, cam belt, water
pump. Reconditioned steering rack. Last service
in 2015, so evidently not used much since.
Original first-aid kit, books and invoice. Cond:
3+.
SOLD AT $6,320. Though not yet regarded as
quite as “classic” as the Golf GTI (Lot 320)
that uses the same A2 platform, this sold for a
lot less. Even with the high mileage, that’s
food for thought...
ITALIAN
#370-1999 FERRARI F355 GTS F1 Spi-
der. S/N ZFFXR42C000114885. Red/cream
leather. RHD. Odo: 24,217 miles. 3.5-L V8,
auto. One of 78 U.K. versions with paddle
shift. Low mileage and very tidy. Stick-on
Scuderia shields. Aftermarket steering wheel,
120 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
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H&H AUCTIONEERS ONLINE
with original included. Full service history,
with last stamp at 24,106 miles. Cond: 2-.
Classic Japanese 4x4s are coming of collector age in the U.K. With
so few nice, straight ones about, the market is small, but hardening.
Much cheaper than a Series Landie and almost as capable.
1991 Mitsubishi L200 pickup
JAPANESE
#322-1991 MITSUBISHI L200 pickup.
SOLD AT $87,088. On the money for condition
and mileage. Might have taken a smidge
more as a manual, but this matters less on the
open-top than the coupe.
#361-2007 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER 3.2
V6 JTS Q4 convertible. S/N ZAR93900005003845.
Red/black cloth/black leather.
RHD. Odo: 53,769 miles. 3.2-L V6, 6-sp. Last
blast for the Spider, with all the trimmings
including 4-wheel drive. Well kept, leather
looks unworn, no scratches to dash plastics.
Jack and spare unused. Full main dealer service
history, although last stamp was in 2017.
Cond: 2-.
S/N JMA0NK240MP000216. Blue/gray and
blue cloth and vinyl. RHD. Odo: 86,842 miles.
2.5-L I4, 5-sp. Second-gen (K20) 4x4. Repainted,
refurbished wheels, fitted with cargo
bars and lights. Load bed not knocked about,
bumper plastics okay. Interior holding up quite
well (apart from a big hole in the side of the
driver’s seat) with only slightly baggy velour,
but it looks as though there are a few leaks.
Mechanically not as indestructible as a Toyota
Hilux (see Lot 331) but should be few worries
at under 90k miles. Cond: 3.
#331-1996 TOYOTA HILUX pickup.
S/N JT131LNA409042023. White/gray velour.
RHD. Odo: 129,959 miles. 2.4-L I4, 5-sp.
Facelifted, fifth-gen Japanese-produced (October
’95) diesel. Tidy, not knocked about and
clearly looked after. Dash plastics and seat
velour in good nick—they’re usually threadbare
on a pickup this age. With sunroof, a/c
and fiberglass hard top, plus handbook and
service book. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $18,260. This felt like a lot of money
for this late Spider, as retail on these is usually
either side of £10k ($13k). Very well sold.
SOLD AT $4,917. Was in long-term storage,
waiting for its moment. Classic Japanese 4x4s
are coming of collector age in the U.K. With
so few nice, straight ones about, the market is
small, but hardening. Much cheaper than a
Series Landie and almost as capable.
SOLD AT $7,726. The collector market for
early Japanese utes is becoming established in
the U.K., with two at this sale. Well sold at
50% more than the L200 (Lot 322), but rare in
this condition. Interestingly, a 1992 Ford P100
pickup, only available in 2wd, sold for $6,742
later in the auction.
SWEDISH
#342-1967 SAAB SONETT coupe. S/N
000503. Blue/black vinyl. Odo: 9,227 miles.
1.5-L V4, 4-sp. One of 1,610 made with the
Ford V4. Tidy, refurbed after old (1998) repaint
in original color. Interior okay, rare
Tuneverken alloy wheels in good nick. Said to
have had a number of improvements in 2008,
but without much detail beyond that. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $18,260. Last sold, at Barons in
Surrey in 2010, for $15,271 (SCM# 2080244).
Came to the U.K. via Connecticut in 1997.
Good money for a weirdie: You could get a
driver-quality 240Z for this. ♦
122 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
Page 124
VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS STILLWATER, MN
The Ken “Pinky” Seefert Collection
Pinky had a little of everything, from foreign sports cars to steam engines
Company
VanDerBrink Auctions
Date
June 7, 2020
Location
Stillwater, MN
Automotive lots sold/offered
61/61
Sales rate
100%
Sales total
$377,779
High sale
1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL
convertible, sold at $61,600
Buyer’s premium
10%, included in sold prices
High seller: 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL convertible, sold at $61,600
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
Market opinions in italics
more eclectic collections of vehicles that this reporter
has seen in a long time. From foreign sports cars to domestic
parts trucks, with a few steam engines and even
a rail car tossed in the mix to keep it interesting, there
was literally something for everyone up for bid from his
estate.
Having bought nearly 90 acres in 1969, when
W
Stillwater, MN, was considered far enough from the
Twin Cities to be considered “the sticks,” he had half a
century to gather and park his treasures. Now in the 21st
century, the wooded and secluded property — within
sight of the scenic St. Croix River — is a developer’s
dream. As such, his three children will be selling it
once they clear out all the vehicles and ephemera. To
sell the vehicles, they commissioned auctioneer Yvette
VanDerBrink to sell them at auction at no reserve.
hile Ken “Pinky” Seefert considered himself
a “Ford man,” his interest in motorized transportation
cut a very wide swath. At the time
of his passing, he had gathered one of the
Originally, this was planned to be a traditional auction held on June 6, with Proxibid
handling online sales. Yet like just about everything else since March, the COVID-19
pandemic and subsequent maelstrom of social-interaction changes forced the sale to
be entirely online. To accommodate another online-only auction VanDerBrink was
conducting in the area, public inspection of lots was held on the weekend before closing,
with social-distancing requirements in place.
I was able to review and photograph the collection before the public inspection, so
all my observations are based on personally inspecting all lots included in this report.
As the individual auction lots began closing on the evening of June 7, most of them
saw extended bidding, Proxibid’s procedures being that any bid within two minutes of
closing automatically extends the bidding for another two minutes. This was the case
with the high sale here, the 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL.
If there’s two things that the “Pinky” Seefert sale confirmed, it’s that the whole
“barn find” thing has not abated and that after nearly three months of captive bidding
on online-only auctions, interest has remained very strong.
Would the results have been weaker, stronger or the same if there were bidders on
site interacting with a live auctioneer (socially distanced, of course)? One can’t say for
sure, yet I feel that it certainly would not have hurt the results. We’ll find out for certain
when Yvette has her next auction — with both online and live onsite bidders — of the
Gesswein Collection in Milbank, SD, in July. ♦
124 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
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VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS STILLWATER, MN
ENGLISH
#14P-1958 MGA coupe. S/N
HDT431 41038. Red/black vinyl. Odo: 22,732
miles. 1.5-L I4, 2x1-bbl, 4-sp. Old repaint has
started to flake off on most upper surfaces.
Good door fit on passenger’s side, not so great
on driver’s. Dry-rotted windshield gasket.
Chrome plating ranges from “it might polish
out and look decent” to dull and pitted.
Painted knockoff wire wheels on older radials.
Stock but greasy engine bay, aside from adhoc
wiring to a few components. Does not run,
but not seized. Tired and torn original upholstery.
Differential access panel taken out of the
floor, just behind the seats. Dashboard redone
in woodgrain vinyl decal. 1970s-era AM/
FM/8-track stereo. Electrical tape wrapped
around door pulls. Cond: 5+.
base of rear quarter panels under the car. Dent
in left rear corner of trunk lid. Dull and pitted
original chrome, dry-rotted and crumbling
rubber seals throughout, heavily soiled and
discolored top. Moderate wear on the seats;
poorly redone door panels. Carpet has been
removed, with some of the backing still on the
floor. Gauges in good shape. Cond: 5+. SOLD
AT $3,410. You won’t be able to get by on the
cheap to even get this to the point of being
self-propelled—even with a period or modern
engine swap. Alpines and Tigers were notorious
for rusting out, so once you start digging
into this, you may end up with just the original
cowl and a pile of rusty dust on the shop floor.
On top of that, by the time you get done, it’ll
be a loss leader. Even making it into a fakeydoo
Tiger is sketchy, as it might even snap in
half. Best to step aside and give it a wide
berth, leaving it to someone daft enough to
think it can be saved and at least come out
even on the deal. Well sold.
GERMAN
SOLD AT $4,290. 1958 was the second year
that a fixed-head coupe was available. Today,
regardless of condition, they’re a pretty tough
sell—especially to anyone over five-feet-ten in
stature or over age 50. That’s two strikes
against me, as I’m too tall and no longer nimble
enough to pack my carcass into this. The
few folks who are younger and small enough
to fit would rather have the roadster (like the
rest of us), so it’s becoming a smaller demographic
for anyone who’s seriously interested
in these coupes. This was a full-blown restoration
project waiting to happen. As such, well
sold.
#15P-1964 SUNBEAM ALPINE convert-
ible. S/N 89201117. Yellow/black vinyl/black
vinyl. Odo: 22,535 miles. 1.6-L I4, 2x2-bbl,
4-sp. Aftermarket intake with a pair of 1970sera
Weber/Holley progressive 2-barrel carburetors.
Grubby engine froze up as solid as
McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Sloppy masking
around cowl tags and some overspray
from old low-budget repaint. Rust blisters
popping out below all four fenders and rocker
panels. Bondo smeared over rust at the
#1P-1961 MERCEDES-BENZ 190SL
convertible. S/N 104210015592. Pastel blue/
black vinyl/off-white leather. Odo: 75,221
miles. 1.9-L I4, 2x2-bbl, 4-sp. Older repaint,
obvious bodywork on front fenders, overspray
on windshield and door-glass rubber. Sloppy
door-handle masking. Light blistering present
over rear attachment points on front fenders,
and less-than-skillful body filler application on
“eyebrows” over wheelwells. Chrome polished
by consigning family shortly before inspection
day, and presents well despite some
light pitting. Door fit odd, as it sits inside the
front fender and the first six inches of the
rockers. 1990s-era economy-grade radial tires;
paint flaking off hubcaps on stock steel rims.
Good top. Interior is heavily yellowed anywhere
it was in contact with skin oils. Moderate
steering-wheel cracking. Optional
Blaupunkt AM radio. Dry-rotted flooring.
Complete but dingy under the hood. Runs, but
has brake issues. Cond: 4+.
closed at this very well-sold bid. Somehow I
get the feeling we’ll see this again either at a
concours, purporting to be a barn-find original
that it isn’t, or at a higher-tier auction
house with the same claims.
ITALIAN
#16P-1982 FIAT SPIDER 2000 Turbo
convertible. S/N ZFAAS00BXC5002126.
Red/tan vinyl/tan vinyl. Odo: 54,855 miles.
2.0-L turbocharged I4, 5-sp. Okay original
paint and graphics, with some moderate edge
and nose chipping. Decent original
brightwork. Dealer-accessory plastic mudguards.
Heavily banged-up front license plate,
last renewed in 2013. Moderate soiling and
discoloration of original soft top. Dull, faded
blackout plastic trim, good door fit; copy of
factory shop manual sitting on the hood—
waiting at the ready. Original seats and door
panels are still pretty nice, yet the sides of the
center console are splitting. HVAC controls
gutted out of dash. Some of the carpet has
been pulled out. Period Alpine AM/FM/cassette
deck. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $6,050. Pinky bought this a few
years ago off the previous owner, who was out
cruising around with it. Pinky flagged him
down and made an offer that sold it on the
spot. I’ve seen a couple of these Turbo Spiders
cross the auction block, but never paid that
much attention to notice that the turbo was a
conversion done here in the States by Legend
Industries. Not the worst example from the
final year of official importation by Fiat to the
U.S., but don’t think that you’re going to just
jump in it and go cruising. Well enough sold,
considering that it’ll need some sorting out (if
just for a brake job and tidying up the wiring).
AMERICAN
#8P-1915 OVERLAND MODEL 81
SOLD AT $61,600. This was bought new by
the parents of a gal Pinky knew from high
school, so she could drive it to college at UC
Berkley. After she returned, Pinky bought the
car from her and has had it ever since. Online
bidding hung for weeks at $39,500, going to
$41,500 by the day before the auction closed.
With six minutes left in the bidding, it took off,
with bidding extended three times before it
126 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
pickup. S/N 16780. Blue and black/black
leatherette/ gray vinyl. Odo: 1,294 miles. No
title, bill of sale. Auction house calls this a
Model 75, but that wasn’t introduced until
1916. Done up several decades ago as a promotional
vehicle for The Rusty Duck Antiques.
Rather average old repaint, but still
looks decent enough. Heavier chipping on
fender edges. Leatherette roof sections are
good. Canadian car-club decal in the windshield,
year-of-mfg. California porcelain plate
and far newer British Columbia tin license
plate out back. All trim done in black. Only
VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS STILLWATER, MN
refuse inside them. Does free-wheel—easily
towed with a Bobcat, with several chains
slung around the back of the frame to facilitate
that. Cond: 4-. SOLD AT $26,400. To correct
assumptions that this name was dreamed up
by some hippy-dippy pop group in the 1960s,
Buffalo Springfield was created by the merger
of Buffalo Pitts and the Kelly-Springfield Road
Roller Company (not to be confused with the
like-named tire and truck companies—all
three different entities). By the early 1920s,
they were the nation’s leading maker of steampowered
road-bed compactors. Buying any
steam engine in the 21st century is like buying
a Formula One car; the purchase price is the
cheapest expense you’ll have. If the new
owner has any hope of firing this up, expect at
least another $24k of expenses—and in most
states, he or she will need a boiler inspection
and certification. New owner must be really
committed.
#7P-1924 MAXWELL MODEL 25 2-dr
sedan. S/N C444801. Yellow and black/black
leatherette/dark gray cloth. Odo: 51,543 miles.
186-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Odometer difficult to
read due to paint peeling on last three segments.
Wears Michigan license plate with
1989 tabs, but stated that it has a good title.
Very old and very low-budget repaint. Woodspoke
wheels and steering-wheel rim in need
of varnish and may already be loose. You’re
not seeing things—all-white 5.00x20 bias-ply
tires. Dull and pitted plating throughout. Decent
leatherette on the roof. Very dingy under
hood. Motor is loose but does not run. Seats
were most likely redone in the 1980s and were
done quite well, even if they’re now rather
dirty. Cond: 4-.
Radiator shell spray-painted gold. Homemade
wood body, mostly from 2x12 planks. Modified
electrical system with a long-dead 6-volt
battery relocated to driver’s side of the cowl
under hood. Engine rusty, crusty and stuck.
Very dirty interior. Seat jagged, with rusty coil
springs and stinky mottled padding. Original
door panels are shot. Mismatched tires won’t
hold air; old gold-painted wire wheels. No
title. Cond: 6+.
of the “60” having plenty of aftermarket performance
parts due to period sprint-car racing—this
is more show than go. The assigned
VIN does nothing for anyone wanting to reset
the car back to stock, or was a decent buy for
someone wanting to go any way they want for
any definition of street rod.
SOLD AT $2,640. There’s probably nasty stuff
in this truck that’ll make coronavirus go
screaming to its mommy in fear. Provided that
the high bidder gets what’s on the truck, the
1957 T-bird hood and trunk lid are the highest-value
items in this lot. As such, they must
be worth about $2k of the final bid.
#12P-1937 FORD STANDARD modified
coupe. S/N DPS732755MN. Dark brown/
brown Naugahyde. Odo: 35,378 miles. 136-ci
V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Minnesota-assigned VIN,
with tag on driver’s door pillar. Average repaint
done four to five decades ago. Masking
lines on dry-rotted and crumbling window
seals. A good share of running-board rubber
has cracked and fallen off base metal. Both
rear windows heavily delaminating. Bumper
plating peeling off, leaving heavier surface
rust. Grille trim pretty decent, but clamp-on
door-edge mirror is very dull. 1970s-era mag
wheels, Polyglas tires. Oh-so-1970s diamondpleated
seats and door panels all dirty. Hood
sides sitting in passenger’s footwell and seat
bottom. Stock but unkempt engine bay. Runs,
but juice brakes don’t work. Cobwebs all over
undercarriage. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $5,170. Pinky’s family clams that
he purchased this from a movie-rental company
and it was used in at least one Laurel
and Hardy film. In 2020 that doesn’t count for
too much (show of hands for those under 40
who know who Laurel and Hardy were). Anything
you put into it from here on out will at
best be a dollar in for each dollar out. More
likely, it’ll be a losing proposition.
#23P-1928 FORD MODEL AA 1-ton
stake-bed pickup. S/N AA388022. Eng. #
AA388022. Black/black leatherette/gray cloth.
Odo: 38,650 miles. 200-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp.
Homemade fabricated tin roof and windshield
assembly sourced from elsewhere. Very old
repaint, now heavily faded and peeling. Very
rusty cowl fuel tank won’t hold any liquid.
130 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
#3P-1939 FORD Type 83 pickup. S/N
184076649. Dark green and black/green vinyl.
Odo: 11,578 miles. 221-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp.
Vintage speed parts include Thickstun finned
aluminum heads, dual Stromberg 97s with air
cleaner that matches the heads, and Columbia
2-speed rear end. Engine bay could stand a
good detailing—especially the carburetors.
Never really got going while I was on site, so
there’s more to a cleanup than just cosmetics.
Older, average-quality repaint and replated
bumpers. A pair of hood side badges added
below the tailgate. Aftermarket wheel covers
and dealer-accessory fog lamps. Dingy old
bias-ply tires. Pretty much stock inside the
cab, with older seat redo and replacement
headliner. Greasy, dingy undercarriage. Aftermarket
low-buck dual exhaust system is now
rusty. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $13,750. The last of the two years
of the “barrel-nose” Ford trucks, this was one
of my favorite vehicles here. Generally stock
on the outside, yet the Caddy-like blade wheel
cover hints that the flathead may be tweaked.
This was also the first year that Ol’ Henry
acquiesced to juice brakes company-wide.
Best of all is the Columbia rear, making it a lot
easier to keep up with 2020 traffic. I figured
this was going to at least crack $15k, but this
result apparently means that the bidders
seemed to have a sense that they’ll need to
deal with issues from it sitting.
SOLD AT $11,275. The diminutive 136-ci
60-hp engine debuted in 1937 and was offered
until 1940 in North America. Originally intended
for European-production Fords, it was
offered as an economical choice here, but it
was underpowered in the American Fords. It
was replaced by Ford’s first inline 6-cylinder
engine since the Model T in 1941. Despite
being billed as a hot rod—and a long history
#4P-1939 LINCOLN ZEPHYR sedan.
S/N 96H731903. Silver/beige cloth. Odo:
39,074 miles. 267-ci V12, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Was
originally light gray, but repainted on the
cheap long ago. Lousy masking around dryrotted
window seals. Dealer-accessory ventwing
glass (although the glass is missing from
the driver’s side). Aftermarket clamp-on door
mirror and fog lamps, which aren’t aimed.
Brush-painted green door jambs, with pieces
of door paneling missing. Seats and door panels
reupholstered decades ago on the cheap,
the latter being markedly more yellowed.
Original headliner heavily discolored. Electrical
tape wrapped around steering-wheel rim.
Speedometer almost looks new. Bone-stock
Page 132
VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS STILLWATER, MN
under the hood, looking like it hasn’t seen
regular maintenance in years. Runs, but the
brakes are out. Cond: 4-.
ous holes and dents in the roof. Ancient repaint,
with moss intermittently and an Itasca
Equipment Co. of Savage, MN, dealer decal
on driver’s side of cowl. Stainless grille surround
is okay, chrome is nonexistent. Complete
engine under the hood, but somewhat
anticlimactic considering the rest of the truck.
Cond: 5-.
with no provision for a top. Originally sold
new to the Hopkins, MN, fire department. Retains
all ladder sections and several sections of
hard (suction) hose. Powered by a Hercules
flathead 6-cylinder motor with dual ignition
under butterfly hood. Fuel line disconnected at
carburetor. Even with that, it just isn’t running.
Paint doesn’t look all that awful at 20 feet,
even if it’s dusty, faded and flaking in places.
Most lights and sirens still in place. Most tires
still hold air, and may even be original. Seats
reupholstered multiple times over the years.
Cond: 5.
SOLD AT $9,350. Anyone thinking that they’d
buy this to put the V12 into Lot 9P, the 1948
Continental coupe that was also here, was in
for several surprises. First, the 1939 and 1948
flathead V12s are two different animals. Second,
this actually brought more money than
that Continental (which made $6,875). This
sedan needs about $50k of work, and after
that, on its best day on a mass-market auction
block, it will be about a $40k to $45k car.
Nothing adds up on this final bid.
BEST
BUY
#29P-1939 FORD MODEL 99T
Marmon-Herrington 4x4 conversion
pickup. S/N KSFF5485121.
Highway Yellow/brown leatherette. Odo:
18,958 miles. 221-ci V6, 2-bbl, 4-sp. Retains
all parts installed by Marmon-Herrington, to
include hood side badges (even if they’re
pretty rough) and serial number/shift tags in
cab. Getting into said cab is a real bear, as
fabricated raw metal door “handles” and damaged
cab (from dents and rust) make opening a
door a cardiovascular workout. Once inside,
you’re greeted by a solo bucket seat, rusty
floors and a general assortment of junk. Vari-
SOLD AT $2,310. A Marmon-Herrington
conversion is almost magical to Ford truck
folks, since this was the most common way to
get a 4x4 Ford from 1935 to 1958—yet was far
from common, even in this case, where the
value is essentially in the unique pieces to
convert or upfit another 4x2 Ford truck. You
either find these as over-the-top restorations
that command huge money or used-andabused
nearly dead salty parts like this. Odd
as it may seem to some, this was actually a
pretty good buy if you know what you’re dealing
with, as all of the Unobtanium hard parts
are here. It just depends how much they’re
worn.
#32P-1941 BUFFALO PATHFINDER
aerial-ladder fire truck. S/N A1782. Red/red
vinyl. Odo: 8,449 miles. Fitted with a Pirsch
rotating aerial-ladder unit, along with a
500-gpm-rated pump. Open-cab configuration,
SOLD AT $1,540. The Buffalo Fire Appliance
Corporation built both fire trucks and fire extinguishers
in Buffalo, NY, from 1922 until it
was bought out by Fyr-Fyter Company in
1948. Since they wanted the fire-extinguisher
division, and spec-built fire trucks were figured
to be a low-profit margin item, they discontinued
making trucks. A pretty rare unit (about
2,000 units were made over all years of production),
but restoring near-to-death fire
trucks is not a hobby for the weak of wallet
and light in logistical support. Worst-case
scenario, it might even be an even-money deal
to part it out and put the rest across the scale.
#2P-1947 HUDSON MODEL 58 pickup.
S/N 18635556. Red/green cloth. Odo: 2,369
miles. 212-ci I6, 1-bbl, auto. Very old colorchange
repaint (originally dark green), now
with heavy fading, scratching, surface rust and
flaking. Broken-out rear window. Trim elements
and hood taken from a Commodore series,
to include the front seat and door panels.
Aftermarket wheels on mostly flat tires. 1980s
vintage plastic rear turn-signal housings hanging
off Hudson pickup box sides. Window seals
dry-rotted and rock-hard. Vent-window glass
delaminating. Windshield has a solid coating of
cement-like dust over it. Fitted with a HydraMatic
transmission (with GM shift quadrant)
but still has three pedals. Filthy interior. Greasy,
filthy engine—likely from a later-model Hudson,
due to the radiator necks and engine coolant
necks not lining up. Cond: 5+.
132 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
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VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS STILLWATER, MN
SOLD AT $18,975. One of 3,104 made this
second—and highest—production year of the
Hudson pickup. While some early commenters
online thought this was a put-together based
on a Commodore sedan, it’s based on a realdeal
pickup, but has a bunch of other parts
thrown into it. A pretty rare pickup to sell for
almost twenty grand, yet at best is the starting
point for a complete tear-down.
#9P-1948 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
2-dr coupe. S/N 8768571606. Seafoam
Green/dark green leather and light green cloth.
Odo: 31,064 miles. 331-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Per
the brass plaque mounted on the cowl under
the hood, repowered with a 1954 Cadillac engine
by Wade R. Smith. He also fitted custom
Lincoln-script brass plates to the chrome valve
covers. Also fitted with an overdrive unit, the
control knob being from the 1950s. Light
green engine paint now rather dingy. No air
cleaner over grubby carburetor. Air conditioning
likely added after engine swap. Runs, but
don’t trust the brakes. Okay repaint back in the
day, now with some fading and overall light
cracking, plus lifting from dings on front fenders.
All brightwork pitted to some extent. Seat
leather and door panels appear original, with
reupholstered seat inserts. Spare-tire cover
sitting on back seat. Cond: 4.
cumulations on back of transfer case and
around rear differential pumpkin. Four tires on
the ground are civilian bias-ply snows, the
spare is a mil-spec NDT. Cond: 5.
SOLD AT $6,875. Yvette didn’t specify if a
title was available or not. This is the starting
point for a credit-card restoration, as the body
is rougher than it looks. By the time the new
owner gets done, there won’t be much 1948
Willys left. It would’ve been well enough sold
a day before the bidding closed when it was at
$3,600. However, the Red Mist kicked into
overdrive (the only thing about this that will
be in overdrive) and it was heavily bid back
and forth into extra innings beyond closing.
Cue the Vince Guaraldi Trio soundtrack, as
Pinky’s family members and Mrs. VanDerBrink
should be doing the Snoopy happy
dance over this sale.
SOLD AT $6,875. V8 conversions were all the
rage with these first-generation Continentals,
mostly due to folks not understanding the original
flathead V12. Most swaps were for postwar
OHV Caddies or Oldsmobiles, yet I’ve
seen all sorts of other engines used—including
a pre-war 85-hp Ford flathead in one case.
Acquired by Mr. Seefert several decades ago
“at one of the Reno auctions,” per family
members, and unfortunately it looks like he
did little or nothing to preserve the car aside
from park it inside. A decent buy if you know
these cars and have a V12 ready to drop in. A
bit more dear if you want to leave as-is and
flesh out the annoying “Which part did they
use?” issues that come with old engine swaps
gone feral.
#19P-1948 WILLYS CJ-2A utility. S/N
1722021. Red/green canvas. Odo: 5,840 miles.
134-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Originally green, repainted
several times, now red. Paint heavily
faded, nicked and peeling off on some panel
edges. Rust blistering at bottom of body. Floor
has had patch work. Homemade rear drawbar;
modern-era plastic brake/turn-signal housings
faded. Engine dirty yet complete, but air
cleaner lifted off carburetor venturi. Universalfit
flexible coolant hoses. Heavier grease ac-
134 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
#28P-1948 WILLYS CJ-2A utility. S/N
176454. Olive Drab/Olive Drab/green canvas.
Odo: 173 miles. 134-ci I4, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Fitted
with an ex-military hard top (originally intended
for M38 jeeps, made by Willys-Overland)
and a period Schenker snowplow.
Originally painted maroon, later given an
Army-wannabe green repaint a couple of
times. Rust at bottom of body tub, mossy most
everywhere else. Air filter canister sitting in
the back of the body, but otherwise complete
under hood. Engine fitted with a belt-driven
Hy-Lo-Jeep hydraulic pump to work the
snowplow. Like any used old hydraulic pump,
is coated with about a foot of grease and
grime. Combine that with years of dead leaves
and acorns—the top of the engine is a right
mess. Title status ambiguous, so assume none.
Cond: 5-.
#10P-1950 PACKARD EIGHT series
2382 sedan. S/N 2382517003. Maroon/gray
and maroon broadcloth. Odo: 77,002 miles.
288-ci I8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Optional overdrive unit
and cormorant hood ornament. Old repaint
looks like it has sanding scratches beneath it,
but it’s really the dried paint starting to crack.
Sloppy masking around dry-rotted window
seals. Backlight has multiple cracks radiating
up from bottom edge—like old, fractured
Plexiglas. Solid door fit, even if gaps vary. All
chrome dull and pitting. Porta-walls disintegrating
off old radial tires. Seats reupholstered
and are now markedly lighter than original
door panels and headliner. Missing air cleaner
(like so many cars here) but otherwise complete
yet dingy under the hood. Stated that it
will run but is fussy to start. Brakes are out.
Cond: 4-.
SOLD AT $4,730. Purchased by Mr. Seefert
at the ACS International auction in Minneapolis
in May 1993 for $1,950, per the lot release
slip still in the glovebox. At that point it was
probably a pretty decent car. Since then, it
looks like it was driven the 25-odd miles here,
parked in a dirt-floor building or under an
overhang and left to rot. Logical bid of $2,400
on the final morning of the auction, and from
there silly money until it closed. Somehow I
get the feeling that the final bidders were not
even in the same time zone as the car, or
they’d have stopped. Very well sold indeed.
#26P-1951 KAISER DELUXE 4-dr
sedan. S/N K512140888. Mariner
Gray/Caribbean Coral cloth. Odo: 50,039
miles. 226-ci I6, 1-bbl, auto. Factory optional
GM Hydra-Matic transmission. Period-accessory
windshield visor. Has sat here long
enough to sink down into the ground. Any
bodywork that doesn’t have moss has surface
rust. Bumpers don’t look too bad—if they
clean up. Most of the stainless ranges from
pretty decent to restorable in a pinch. Seats
have era-correct seat covers, but I’m not man
enough to pull them off to see if they are either
hiding good original upholstery or are a
chemical-weapons petri dish. Shredded headliner.
Complete under the hood—with an ancient,
flaking, non-stock repaint on the very
dead engine. Cond: 5-.
SOLD AT $1,540. The best buy of a Jeep
here. Not only didn’t this get bid to stupid
money, but if you parcel out the snowplow and
the hard top (the trick piece here), their sales
should cover what you paid for the whole lot.
Even if it will become a heavily involved restoration,
this was a decent buy.
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VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS STILLWATER, MN
SOLD AT $495. Sad thing is that this was
probably a decent restoration candidate when
it was parked here. Problem was, it was
parked here. And left. One of the few reasonably
selling vehicles here, even if it ends up as
a parts car or a yard ornament somewhere
else.
#44P-1955 MERCURY MONTCLAIR
custom 2-dr hard top. S/N 55SL80149M.
Black/red vinyl and nylon. Odo: 19,295 miles.
312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Customizing touches
include Lake pipes, grille, shaving the lettering
off the hood and trunk, plus spinner wheel
covers up front (and plain covers beneath the
rear fender skirts). Flower etchings on edges
of rear window. Driver’s door mirror removed—holes
are filled with pop rivets.
Lightly scuffed stainless trim, heavily pitted
vent-window frames. Orange-painted 1970sera
Ford small-block V8 air cleaner fitted to
stock engine. Modern orange spark-plug
wires, but just as greasy and dirty as rest of
motor. Older on-the-cheap seat upholstery
re-do, but really doesn’t look too out of place
for the era. Original but discolored door panels.
Gauge-cluster internals not aligned with
external trim. Cond: 3.
did close, things went crazy. You’ll be hearing
this phrase a lot from here: well sold.
SOLD AT $13,475. The relocated body tag
shows that this was built at the Twin Cities
Assembly Plant with special-order paint, so it
was likely a fleet truck. The truck’s now at the
point where one’s better off leaving it configured
as-is. The only question is whether to just
do enough to make it functional or go all out
for the new owner to personalize it. There
wasn’t much of a horse race for bidding on
this. In fact, the final bid was placed weeks
before the scheduled ending. That in itself
gives some idea of the market—and more so,
of the level of interest—in old modified pickups.
Bear in mind that for decades, the 1956
was THE year to have for an ’Effie Ford, due
mostly to the wraparound windshield.
#17P-1958 FORD FAIRLANE 500 Sky-
SOLD AT $16,280. While most car-attuned
Millennials gotta have a Supra, ever-increasing
numbers (guys and gals) are finding interest
in 1950s Rockabilly retro-style rods and
Kustoms—and dressing the part to boot (although
I’d dare say overdressing and inking
up with tats to the point of almost being a parody
of the era). So I wasn’t too surprised that
the bidding on this Merc went into extra innings.
The youngest of Pinky’s sons told me
when inspecting the cars that this was the one
he was hoping to bid on and end up with, and
it looked pretty good for him up until an hour
before closing. Yet his $10k max was beaten
out shortly after, with bidding extended several
times to end on a high note. Who says
’50s cars are a dying old man’s hobby?
#45P-1956 FORD F-100 custom pickup.
S/N F10D6P18706. White/tan velour. Odo: 56
miles. 460-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Fiberglass tilting
front clip. Originally a 223-ci inline 6 with a
4-speed, now a 460/auto. Decent paint job,
aftermarket chrome and trim lightly pitted
from being in a dirt-floor shed. The only thing
done to the powertrain since it got yanked out
of Grandpa’s Continental was a repaint and an
aftermarket air cleaner. Homemade wood cabinet
and inner box liners to go with the wood
floor. Power bench seats from a 1980s full-size
Ford, with heavier soiling on the bottoms.
Household shag carpeting. Mopar tilt steering
column and aftermarket steering wheel. Aftermarket
gauges fitted into the dash. Cond: 3-.
136 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
liner retractable hard top. S/N
H8XW101215. Yellow and white/black and
white vinyl and nylon. Odo: 71,044 miles.
352-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Optional power steering,
power brakes, power windows, full tinted
glass, and Town and Country AM radio. Body
tag reattached with modern pop rivets after it
was lifted as part of a pretty good trim-off
repaint a couple of decades ago. Alloy trim
still rather bright and generally blemish-free.
Wears 1957 Ford wheel covers and dingy old
bias-ply tires. Rear quarter-panel emblems
broken on both sides. Cracked driver’s door
glass. Dingy engine bay. Good fit of reproduction
seat and door-panel upholstery. Dash trim
missing from around radio. Plenty of surface
rust and grime on engine and ancillaries. Moderate
surface rust on underbelly, but nothing
structural. Aftermarket rear coil-over shocks.
Cond: 3-.
#25P-1959 IMPERIAL CROWN sedan.
S/N M617107711. Gray/white vinyl and gray
nylon. Odo: 58,313 miles. 413-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Factory optional swivel power front
bucket seats. Originally Aqua Metallic under
primer applied years back. Generally, what
bodywork doesn’t have surface rust has moss.
Most stainless ranges from pretty decent to
restorable. Bumper chrome dull. Heavier pitting
on all pot-metal trim. Most interior upholstery
is seam-splitting and falling apart, all
with light to moderate dust and cobwebs. And
it smells really wonderful, too. Top of engine
disassembled, with heads sitting on top of the
now short-block—all of it a big rust ball from
being in the elements. I’ve seen rustier undercarriages,
but I’ve mostly seen better. Cond:
6+.
SOLD AT $1,650. I can all but guarantee that
this was bought solely for the swivel front
bucket seats for someone’s Plymouth Sport
Fury project (real or fakey-doo), with a bigblock
413 and Torque-Flop automatic cores to
make it worth the trip to haul it home. The
buyer can probably use the bumpers and the
stainless if in a pinch (and can put the 4-doorunique
pieces to use), as these pieces were
fairly straight. Beyond that, weigh up the rest
for scrap.
#11P-1965 FORD MUSTANG convert-
SOLD AT $20,075. Yes, power windows were
an option on the Skyliner retractables. You’d
think that they’d have them standard, but the
top mechanism safely clears the side glass if
it’s up when the top is lowered. 1958 automotive
technology wasn’t there yet to lower both
the windows and the top. Granted, I wouldn’t
leave the glass up and trust 62-year-old automotive
technology—I’d still crank the windows
down just to be safe. Like most cars
here, it was at a sane, reasonable bid the day
before the auction closed, but shortly before it
ible. S/N 5F08C800579. Dark green
metallic/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 86,470
miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional power
top, remote-control driver’s door mirror, center
console, power steering and AM radio.
Fitted with 1968–69 GT-styled steel wheels
and older radials. Originally Ivy Green; given
a far darker cheap repaint about three decades
ago. Painter used double-wide masking tape,
as there’s overspray after that width on the
sides of the doors, in the door jambs, on the
aftermarket dual exhaust system and under the
hood. Moderate scuffing on all plating and
stainless trim. Period-accessory stainless mudguards.
Ill-fitted replacement top. Decent interior,
with seam splits on the front seat bottoms.
Aftermarket wrapped steering-wheel rim
cover. Unkempt engine bay. Cond: 3-.
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VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS STILLWATER, MN
SOLD AT $17,600. A late-1965 Mustang with
an Argent-colored body tag to indicate that the
R-code paint was new-for-Ford Acrylic
Enamel. In addition, the date code has a
scheduled build date of July 28, 1965—just
before the 1966 change-over in August. Also
fitted with a period accessory that you rarely
see anymore: a trailer hitch. Even on unrestored
examples, most Mustang hitches have
now been removed. I have a cousin who
bought a ’66 fastback in college during the
early 1970s and I distinctly remember it had a
hitch because I bashed my shin on it. No need
to bash the new owner, because whoever it
was paid market value for it on the hammer. If
the new owner isn’t local and needs this car
shipped, consider it well sold.
#36P-1967 FORD GALAXIE 500 con-
vertible. S/N 7G57C218078. Maroon/black
vinyl/maroon and white vinyl. Odo: 81,664
miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Old, low-budget
repaint covers several cubic yards of body
filler, with sloppy masking. Door seams essentially
troweled over with Bondo, with excess
filler curled under the car from shaping the
lower quarter panels. Every body panel has
some sort of light-to-heavy scrape or chip in
paint. Bumpers foggy, dull and pitting; rest of
the chrome only gets worse. Dull alloy
trim and grille. Fitted with rusty and pitted
Keystones and old radial tires. Aftermarket
window-tint film on all glass except windshield.
Seats redone before being parked and
clean up pretty well. Original carpet shot. Very
dingy engine bay. Cond: 5+. SOLD AT
$9,350. None of Pinky’s offspring remember
the car running at any time past when the license
tabs expired—in 1989. Based on the
silly money this brought, I wonder if anyone
actually looked at it, let alone ran a magnet
along the bottom of the fenders or doors. If it
wasn’t for the folding top, this Ford would’ve
been scrap iron by the time a Ford was in the
White House. Even if the family members don’t
realize how lucky they got with this car, I’ll bet
Yvette did.
#46P-1967 GMC 1500 Custom 3/4-ton
pickup. S/N CM2590DPC3446B. Aqua/beige
vinyl. Odo: 15,569 miles. 305-ci V6, 2-bbl,
3-sp. All original paint. Structurally rust-free,
due to it having been Ziebarted when new.
Pinstriping flourishes added a long time ago.
Light overall scuffing on body-side moldings
and chrome front bumper; moderately dented
grille. Period aftermarket painted rear step
bumper, modern aftermarket fake aluminum
big-rig wheel covers over stock split rims.
Newer economy-grade stock exhaust system.
Original seat vinyl, but damaged on the sides
when someone tried restuffing the seat bottom.
Aftermarket small-diameter wood-rim steering
wheel and triple-gauge pod below center of
the dash. Heavy surface rust taking over the
original paint on the otherwise-dingy engine.
Cond: 3. SOLD AT $6,325. What it was lacking
for options it made up for in solid originality.
This was nice enough that I was
bidding on it up to $3k. A ’67 GMC with the
original 305 V6 has kind of been on my wish
list for some time, and while I’d have preferred
a granny-low 4-speed over the threeon-the-tree,
below three grand, I’d have been
a fool not to chase it. Beyond that, all I’ve got
to say is that I hope that it wasn’t bought by
someone planning on yanking the perfectly
good V6 (it ran like a top) and LS’ing it, since
1967–69 GMCs with the V6 still in it are getting
rarer by the day. Had this been a Chevy
with an inline 6, this would’ve been cheap. As
a Jimmy that few people love, call it marketcorrect.
#49P-1969 FORD BRONCO custom
SUV. S/N U15GLE99083. Black and
orange/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 91,355
miles. Originally Reef Aqua with a 302 V8,
now vacant under the loose hood. C4 automatic
still in the truck. Aftermarket door cut-outs and
wheelwell flares. Bumpers crooked, chrome
shot. Aftermarket painted wagon wheels on
Radial T/As—the right rear flat as a pancake.
Optional dual fuel tanks. Rudimentary remains
of a bikini top that would tie to the roll bars, but
draped over the windshield. Moldy non-stock
bucket seats, bare-steel floor. Rudimentary floor
shifter. Aftermarket small-diameter steering
wheel. Ad-hoc stainless gauge panel cut into
rusty dashboard. Cond: 6+.
SOLD AT $5,500. If there was an award for
the vehicle that had the most time spent on
extended bidding that didn’t deserve it, this
would get it. With 40 minutes to the scheduled
end of bidding, it ratcheted up from a reasonable
$2,000 to $4,200. With less than two minutes
left, it was bid to $4,400, extending
bidding for another two minutes. Yet the under-bidder
only bumped up the bid by $100
with less than five seconds to go at each increment,
and the eventual buyer immediately
bumped it up by the minimum $100 too. This
continued for another 12 minutes, making for
some exciting bid watching, but it ultimately
became clear in the end that all they did was
further convince everyone that first-gen Broncos
are nowhere near cooling in interest—or
values.
138 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
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VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS STILLWATER, MN
#5P-1971 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL
MARK III 2-dr hard top. S/N
1YU89A824096. Light green/white
vinyl/green nylon & vinyl. Odo: 83,310 miles.
460-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Said to have been
bought new by Pinky’s parents. Last registered
in 1985, and the interior and fuel smell like it.
Okay older repaint may buff out; dent in right
front fender. Lesser-grade masking around
rear quarter window seals and door-lock trim
plates. Good door fit. Light pitting on door
handles, good alloy trim. Vinyl roof redone—
probably in the early 1980s—with a cheap and
poorly fitted version of a faux convertible Carriage
Roof. Half the stock wheel covers are on
the back of the car, half are on the passenger’s
floorboard. Seats in good shape, if somewhat
soiled and dusty. Dingy, unkempt engine bay.
Old aftermarket orange spark-plug wires.
Stock air cleaner in the pole shed, not protecting
wide-open carburetor venturis. Cond: 4.
SOLD AT $7,975. One of Pinky’s sons said
this was “factory Crème de Menthe” paint.
The body-code sticker was removed, but if I
were a betting man, I’d say it was code H,
“light green,” since “Crème de Menthe” isn’t
listed in Lincoln-Mercury’s paint codes for
1971. Granted, one could still special-order a
paint color at this time (at a significant upcharge),
but you all but needed Lee Iacocca to
sign off on it (since he allegedly said, “Put a
Rolls-Royce grille and Continental trunk lid
on that T-bird, and we’ll make a fortune on
it”). Within 12 hours of the close of bidding, it
was at a realistic $2,700, but went nuts in the
last 10 minutes of bidding. See what happens
when you have a Rolls-Royce grille and Continental
trunk lid on a moldering T-bird?
#13P-1975 FORD BRONCO Explorer
4x4 SUV. S/N U15GLV73343. Ivy Green Metallic
and white/white/white vinyl. Odo: 2,791
miles. 302-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Dealer’s decal
on tailgate: Roen Ford of River Falls, WI.
Older topical repaint over patch-and-fill rocker
panels. Rust blowing out the bottom of the
tailgate. Rust percolating from body seams in
door jambs. Iffy door fit. White pinstriping
added. Rusty spare-tire bracket. Decent original
brightwork, but nothing to brag about.
Heavy surface rust on undercarriage. Bias-ply
rear snow tires, older all-season radials up
front. Original interior, but front seats have
wear-through on bottom edges. Heavier yellowing
on door armrests; very heavy paint
chipping on dashboard. Shoddy older engine
repaint in lighter-than-stock blue. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $25,300. The Explorer package
was a mid-year sales-incentive trim package
that was available primarily in the upper Midwest.
Originally offered on 1968 F-100s, by
1970 it could be had on Rancheros and Broncos.
Twenty-four hours before bidding ended,
this was at a reasonable $18,750. Within 18
minutes of the original timed ending, it moved
up by a grand. From there on in, it became a
bidders’ battle all the way past the ending
time, extended once to this final bid. This is
proof that first-gen Bronco mania continues
unhinged, as this rusty-under-the-paint—and
not as original as some would think—example
sold well, even if it does stop and go well
enough. ♦
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 139
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Big-Money Mayhem
Sam Stockham wades through BaT results in search of cars that sold big —
deservedly or not
Finally breaking the six-figure mark: 1988 Lamborghini Jalpa, sold for $140k
Report by Sam Stockham; photos courtesy of Bring a Trailer
Market opinions in italics
C
OVID-19 — and everything it has brought
with it — sucks. There, I said it.
I’m not sure anyone can really disagree
with me, except the guys over at Bring a
Trailer, who find themselves the default players in the
auction arena right now.
I like finding the silver lining, though, and we can
Company
Bring a Trailer
Date Range
June 23–July 20, 2020
Buyer’s premium
all agree that BaT was in the right place at the right
time with the right format when COVID stopped the
auction world in its tracks. While auction houses are
scrambling to get their online presence up, BaT are the old pros serving up the fix for
us junkies.
I have been a follower of BaT for a few years now and love the simple format and
5%; $250 minimum, $5,000
maximum, included in sold prices
the notifications I get when my favorite cars are going to sell in 30 minutes. It often
occupies more time in my day than it should and has me doing the math in my head to
GERMAN
#34031-1986 PORSCHE 928 S coupe.
S/N WP0JB0920GS861633. Guards
Red/brown leather. Odo: 123,358 miles. 5.0-L
fuel-injected V8, 5-sp. Worn original paint
showing chips and fading. Front bumper is
slightly different color. Rubber breaking
down; small dent on left front fender. Aggressively
bolstered driver’s seat shows wear.
Steering-wheel stitching coming apart.
Cracked windshield with replacement provided
in sale. Severely cracked dash. Fivespeed
shifter boot squeaks when engaging
gears. A video was shot specifically to address
this bespoke quirk. Brake service, park-brake
and anti-lock and coolant lamps on. Also said
to have a slow battery drain. What’s not to
like? Toolkit still present. Cond: 3-.
140 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
justify floating a bid. That sort of entertainment value is
taking the place of the Hawaiian-shirt-and-bidders’-bar
runs in front of thousands.
Sales on BaT have been healthy. The money is com-
ing out for good cars and sometimes for not-so-good
cars. This tells me that many more people in the automotive
world are, in fact, turning online to get their carjunkie
fixes.
This month we decided to focus on the outliers of BaT
sales. These are cars that sold for big money (and one not
so big). Some are perfectly rational when taken in the
context of the big Saturday-night, five-mixed-drinks-in
bidding war of the big arena auctions. Sales on BaT are
just happening without the cameras, but don’t think we
aren’t watching. ♦
SOLD AT $9,345. These were highly advanced
cars in the ’80s and cost a ton to fix.
Deferred maintenance seems to be what this
poor car suffers from currently, and the depreciation
curve of these put them in the hands of
people that couldn’t really afford them. Call
me a sucker, though. I love cars, especially
expensive ones, that sell for four digits. If you
are patient, handy and have a high tolerance
for expensive parts, this could be a fun car to
finish beating up on. The miles are too high
for restoration, but the condition is too good
to part it out or to leave it sit. The fact that the
selling dealer is willing to let it go with the
brake-related dash lamps all lit up might indicate
the relative cost of fixing the issue, or it
could be a $100 relay. On the plus side, the
dog-leg 5-speed is more rare than the automatic
gearbox and will drive the desirability.
At this price, the parts are worth more than
the sum. I like it.
#33694-1988 PORSCHE 944 Turbo
coupe. S/N WP0AA2956JN150081. Eng. #
45J00078. Guards Red/black leather. Odo:
2,402 miles. 2.5-L turbocharged I4, 5-sp. Un
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marked Guards Red exterior with electric sunroof
removable panel and 16-inch phone-dial
wheels. Interior is in perfect shape and is accompanied
by a Blaupunkt Charleston cassette
stereo and a fire extinguisher below the driver’s
knees. Nice three-minute video of the
undercarriage shows it to be as it left the factory,
with the exceptions of a mysterious patch
on the muffler that looks haphazardly done.
Said to have been with the original owner until
2012. Only 40 miles added since 2017. Timing
belt in 2014 and a Certificate of Authenticity.
Cond: 1-.
The biggest problem Fiat had with these was that at 90 hp, the car
had a hard time outrunning rust.
1972 Fiat 124 Spider
guess, since the tires were claimed to be original.
Maybe someone tried to balance out the
flat spots from sitting so long. Recent comp
was 18 months ago for a 5k-mile 1986 version
that sold for $75,000. This is a record for BaT
on a 944 Turbo. Low miles wins!
SOLD AT $84,525. To drive or not to drive?
That is the question. While some cars are garage
art these days with miles like this, is the
944 really automotive art? They weren’t badlooking,
but it’s no 935 or 904. Plus, at $80k,
it might actually depreciate slower than a
2020 Porsche, if you did decide to drive it.
Hard to fault this one. Aside from the weird
muffler patch, the only fault came from an
eagle-eyed commenter pointing out that the
crests on the wheel center caps were not
pointed toward the valve stem. Suspect, I
#33917-2003 BMW M5 sedan. S/N WBSDE93413CF93713.
Imola Red/black leather.
Odo: 102,109 miles. 4.9-L fuel-injected V8,
6-sp. Original paint in good shape for having
over 100k on the odometer. Rub mark on the
rear bumper and normal road rash on nose.
Fantastic color combo not often seen on these,
as most were sold in black or silver. Interior
shows almost no wear, flying in the face of the
odometer. Engine bay is clean, and nothing to
note on the CARFAX. Not much to say about
a well-kept car for over 100k miles with a
rock-solid history. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $51,450. The E39 M5 has gained a
real following lately. While they were fantastic
cars to drive, they had a German-car depreciation
curve just like the rest of them. Sub$20k
has been the standard for some time now
on anything that was used as an appliance.
Remember, these were rather advanced cars at
the time and came with parts-price sticker
shock that set in once paying for the car was
done. Today, they are considered technologically
simple and almost analog by comparison
with today’s semi-autonomous drivers. On
May 29, a 19k-mile example in black sold for
$51,000. On the other end of the scale, on July
8, a nice example with 134k miles sold for
$17,250. That car was silver, and condition
was close but not as obviously well cared for
as the subject car. Is Imola Red worth the premium?
By comparison, the $51,000 car looks
like a bargain.
ITALIAN
#34072-1972 FIAT 124 Spider. S/N
124BS10058888. Red/black vinyl/ black vinyl.
Odo: 51,221 miles. 1.6-L I4, 5-sp. Clean
red repaint that shows a few chips around
edges and some rust blistering on underside of
nose. Decent interior. Said to have new vinyl
upholstery. Carpet is sun-faded in spots. Typical
crack in dash by defrost vent. Dash wood
in good shape and recently sourced on eBay.
Mid-’80s no-name tape player could find a
new home. Period-correct Michelin XZX tires
on factory steel wheels. Engine bay is orderly
with some new bits and some old. Radiator
could use a repaint and apron wiring cleaned
up a bit with removal of crimp-on connectors.
Aftermarket air cleaner over a Weber carb.
Underside shows factory undercoat but is not
detailed. Overspray on front suspension components
and oil pan detracts. ANSA exhaust
hanging off the back looks new. Comes with a
new shift boot, clock glass and five Cromodora
wheels that are not installed. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $17,063. I had a ’79 2000 in Arizona
that had rust in the trunk lid behind the
badge, of all places. This example looks to be
pretty solid, with no mention or indication of
142 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
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rust or previous repair. Door gaps even look
good, as these had a tendency to wear out
door hinges and sag. Paint job looks to be
showing a little age around the edges, but otherwise
is holding up to nice driver standard.
The tailpipe kinda says, “When I grow up, I
want to be a Ferrari.” Original carb, air
cleaner and all the spare parts are included in
the sale as well. Some nice documentation,
with many receipts going back to the mid-’70s.
These typically sell at around $10k, which is
credit-card money, so this result is big.
#33728-1988 LAMBORGHINI JALPA
Targa. S/N ZA9JB00A2JLA12389. Siviglia
Red/Champagne leather. Odo: 13,355 miles.
3.5-L V8, 5-sp. Number 381 of only 410 examples
built by Lambo and this is the final
year. 1988 MSRP at over $75,000 with options.
Questionable-taste gold Tecnomagnesio
rims are said to be period-optioned. Unpainted
factory wing included with the sale, along
with a binder of service records, a toolkit and
dinky-doughnut spare tire. Recent compression
check instills confidence, and the digital
paint gauge indicates no wrecks. Paint looks
imperfect in the close-up pics, possibly due to
age and ’80s build quality. Heavy buffing not
recommended. Cond: 2+. SOLD AT
$140,000. Criticized at the time for being too
conservative, it is said that this was the most
successful V8 Lambo in terms of sales. That’s
not saying much when almost all other Lambos
are V10 and V12s. These cars have always
been on my radar, and I feel they have aged
well considering the design era. They would
also outperform the V8 Ferrari Mondial of the
time. Personally, I think it was much betterlooking
as well, thanks to Bertone. Once the
buyout of Lambo by Chrysler was final, Chrysler
took the Jalpa out behind the barn and
then focused exclusively on the Countach. This
looks like a nice example, with only some light
creasing of the leather in line with mileage.
Final sale number was impressive. The SCM
cover car in August got a respectable
$99,000—but that car was older and with
more miles. Prices continue to slowly rise, but
until now haven’t broken six figures in the auction
market. Since the mental barrier is now
down, expect to see more prices like this.
#33571-1989 FERRARI 328 GTS Spider.
S/N ZFFXA20A7K0080501. Eng. # 01747.
Black/black leather. Odo: 694 miles. 3.2-L
fuel-injected V8, 5-sp. Unusual black-overblack
combination is a nice departure from the
red-and-tan Ferrari norm, but personally, I like
some contrast. The car really shows no wear
anywhere, with the exception of the plastic
door edge guard, which did its job. Service
records and manuals included. 37.5k-mile service
completed in 2009. Tool roll with jack,
bulbs and belts included. Temp-use spare tire
is unused, as expected. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $233,250. This sale is a perfect
example of how miles can exponentially increase
or devalue your car depending on what
side of the equation you’re on. This is by far
the lowest-mileage 328 I have seen in a
while—and ever on BaT. The next-closest car
in miles was 5,600 miles and sold for $130k
back in 2018. I would be willing to bet that if
you put them side by side, you would be hardpressed
to find fault with either, so mileage
wins. This car sold at roughly three times what
the average 328 is getting today. At this point
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it is garage art. You can’t drive it without getting
punched in the trunks on value. Personally,
I like driving my cars, but not everyone
buys art for the ability to drive it.
#33960-1992 FERRARI 348 TB coupe.
S/N ZFFRG35A7N0093212. Rosso Corsa/tan
leather. Odo: 1,954 miles. 3.4-L fuel-injected
V8, 5-sp. Garage art from the start—original
owner states the car has never been washed.
Car appears flawless in the auction photos. No
rash or scrapes on the nose, and the undercarriage
is free of any dirt or road grime. Aluminum
drivetrain components untarnished.
Interior looks factory-fresh, with no leather
shrinkage on seat or dash, no sticky buttons or
wear to the driver’s seat. Car cover, toolkit and
manuals are all still present. Engine-out service
12 years and a hundred miles ago. Based
on age, though, the cam belts are good for
seven to 10 years before rubber starts to degrade.
I don’t think mile accumulation is in
this car’s future. Cond: 1-.
while some found the side vents too ’80s cliché
by the 1990s, I think it makes the car. Some
complained of twitchy handling on the track,
and Ferrari addressed that with the 355 redesign
while softening the look as well. Those
two elements may prove the downfall of the
348 in comparison to the 355, but to each his
own. If you are in the market for a brand-new
28-year-old Ferrari, here it is. I am not sure
you are going to find a nicer example. Once
again, low miles and no stories are king, and
this one went for a 35% premium over a typical
348 in excellent shape.
#34093-1997 FERRARI 550 Maranello
SOLD AT $107,000. The 348 took styling
from the Testarossa, which grew a fan base
akin to salmon T-shirts under white linen suits
and boat shoes. I am sure by this time Ferrari
understood the value of product placement.
These days the styling is delightfully ’80s, and
coupe. S/N ZFFZR49A2V0109665. Rosso
Corsa/tan leather. Odo: 5,652 miles. 5.5-L
fuel-injected V12, 6-sp. Exterior of this car
presents well, with the only sign of real use
being the bugs in the a/c condenser. Interior
shows only minimal wear consistent with
mileage. Couple of small scratches on side of
driver’s seat. CD changer in trunk is oh-so’90s.
Some minor tarnish to the underside, but
nothing out of the ordinary. Strange drips
coming off sides of the mufflers—could be
undercoating. Brake dust on brakes and suspension
consistent with use but again, not detailed.
All manuals, extra keys, tools, car cover
and tire inflator included in the sale. Timing
belt in 2012 at 5,387 miles. Cond: 2+. SOLD
AT $161,000. I wanted a 550 and later a
575M when they were released. I really felt
like they were a clean, traditional design that
looked as classy as a conservative Armani
suit. I love the now-defunct chrome shifter
gate. Moving quickly in this car is a no-drama
experience as designed. This sale was a record
on BaT for a 550, but the result is not really
raising eyebrows. These were still depreciating
until a few years ago. They have bottomed
out and are sure to be on the rise again. The
12-cylinder, front-engine GT car is becoming
an item of the past, and if you want a shifter,
that time is gone. Get them while they are
cheap, relatively speaking.
JAPANESE
#33164-1981 TOYOTA HILUX pickup.
S/N JT4RN38D8B0007556. Red/tan vinyl.
Odo: 52,531 km. 2.4-L I4, 5-sp. Canadianmarket
truck with the bulletproof 22R motor,
power steering and an AM radio. Slightly
modified with a three-inch lift kit, modern
wheels and 33-inch Goodyear tires. Repainted
in an attractive metallic red with period stripes
on front fenders. Interior redone in tan vinyl to
a good standard. Dash looks to be somewhat
sun-faded, typical of these trucks over time,
but it’s complete. Dashpad may have been
redone, but nothing stated in the auction. Rattle-can
resto underneath—combo of surface
rust and undercoating sprayed with semi-gloss
black on chassis components and aluminum
on transmission/transfer case. Bed beat up and
sprayed over with bed-liner. Said to need front
driveshaft U-joints. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $23,888. I get that this is a
40-year-old truck and there was no mention of
a restoration, only a “refurbishment.” Still, I
would like to have seen better attention to detail.
I “refurbish” components and systems on
my cars in my garage all the time. When I am
done, though, you can tell it was taken apart,
cleaned and reassembled. That’s missing here.
It’s not bad, just not detailed and definitely
driver-quality. Newer, better trucks are going
for less money, but this one had mileage on its
side for sure. Good money considering the
flaws. On the flip side, the Marty McFly-black
’85 sold back in April for $58,000. That is big
money and that truck has 129k miles, but it
had great “Back to the Future” presentation,
so I guess it’s all relative.
#33820-1993 TOYOTA MR2 coupe. S/N
JT2SW22N1P0079323. White/black vinyl.
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Odo: 34,403 miles. 2.0-L fuel-injected I4,
5-sp. Looks to be a fully optioned turbo with
leather-ish upholstery and T-tops. Unmarked
paint with only a couple small chips disclosed
by the seller. VIN stickers on body panels look
to be accounted for and the CARFAX is clean.
Interior shows almost no wear and is bonestock.
Under-body photos show a stock
27-year-old car that was taken care of but not
redone. Looks honest. Cond: 2.
They look like a junior 355 Ferrari if you squint, and the engine was
in the right place before Corvette made it cool again. They weren’t
winning the horsepower wars, but they would out-handle any
V8 pig of the era.
1993 Toyota MR2 coupe
these fun. This sales result was impressive, but
this is quickly becoming the new norm. Well
sold, but get used to it. Classic Japanese is
where it’s at right now.
AMERICAN
SOLD AT $31,763. It’s so funny when Kelley
Blue Book pegs these at under $5,000 and
leaves the door wide open for unscrupulous
arbitrage. Even with that, the market has been
over $10k for anything under 150k miles for a
while, and why not? They look like a junior
355 Ferrari if you squint, and the engine was
in the right place before Corvette made it cool
again. They weren’t winning the horsepower
wars, but they would out-handle any V8 pig of
the era, such as my 5.0 Mustang. Straight line
was not where this car was meant to shine—
but high RPMs in an autocross slalom made
#34085-1969 FORD BRONCO SUV. S/N
U14GLF11273. Light blue/white/black vinyl.
Odo: 73,874 miles. 302-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp.
Long-term ownership since 2003. Owner
changed the color from teal to light blue. New
floor pans welded in at time of painting. Paint
starting to show its age from use, which instills
driveability confidence. Stainless trim on
sides shows dents and dings. Large front bumper
with winch, powered by PTO, is tarnished
and far from new. Engine bay clean but not
redone. Some bunched-up wiring near the battery
should be cleaned up. Aftermarket chrome
air cleaner. Factory white steel wheels. Underside
looks clean but used, like the rest of the
truck. Dual exhaust. Interior shows newer upholstery
with contrasting piping that is slightly
wavy. Dash said to have been redone, but keys
have worn the paint off under ignition switch.
Door panels are raggedy. Centech wiring harness
with fuse box in glovebox. Cond: 3.
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According to the buyer, it will be used at the villa in Corsica. I kinda
like the visual of this thing doing island duty, dodging Vespas and a
max island speed limit of 60 km/h.
1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV
SOLD AT $60,867. Bronco fever has struck,
especially over the past five years. The prices
on these things just keep going up and up.
Heavily modified trucks with fuel injection and
lots of aftermarket parts can push over $100k.
Not long ago, the best fully restored and uncut
examples brought this sort of money—but this
is far from being a full restoration or even a
refurb. This truck is honest and completely
usable, but it was not pampered during its life.
It obviously saw inclement weather due to the
need to replace the floor pans and lives in the
Pacific Northwest, where rain is constant.
Only two pictures of the undercarriage in the
auction lends to uncertainty of the weld job on
the pans. The honesty of this truck is nice, but
with lack of original paint and pans and the
general tarnish from use, this feels expensive.
Two years ago this was a $25,000 truck. It’s a
good time be a seller right now.
#33225-1979 INTERNATIONAL
SCOUT II SUV. S/N J0062JGD49833. Baltic
Blue/white/blue plaid cloth. Odo: 60,565
miles. 345-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Repaint with flat
black rockers and cracking vinyl body stripes.
Patches in the rockers ahead of the rear wheels
look shade-tree and obvious. Stainless tarnished,
scratched windshield from wipers.
Clean engine bay shows repaint of engine, but
no indication of the engine having been out.
SOLD AT $37,800. “Step right up, folks.
These are the new Broncos and you should get
’em while they’re cheap.” Well, I would have
said that a year ago, but now they are 75% of
what a Bronco would cost, according to this
sale. The money isn’t shocking, but I think this
sale is a bit of an outlier based on condition.
This truck has some needs. The current rusted
Conspicuously missing a/c compressor with
a/c lines left open to the elements. New Edelbrock
carb. Factory underhood stickers remain.
Sixteen-year-old tires with oddball
spare. Deluxe fabric interior redone by the
selling dealer and looks snazzy. Blue rubber
floor mat cracking. Rest of the interior looks
original, including heavily sun-faded horn
button. Rust hole in the floor pan shown in the
photos. Recent fluid service, U-joints and new
Rancho shocks all around. Cond: 3.
pans are for starters and the sloppy rocker
fixes just give a bit of uncertainty to what else
you are going to find once you open Pandora’s
box. This money should have gotten the buyer
a better example—and a better example sold
in May for almost the same money with no
rust issues. That should tell you something.
#33054-1988 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER
SUV. S/N 1JCNJ15U1JT033236.
Brown/tan leather. Odo: 45,604 miles. 360-ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Probably-original brown paint
holding up, even though clearcoat generally
failed. Woodgrain is also in good shape and
not sun-faded. Interior is in great shape with
only character creases in the leather. Original
Jeep/Jensen radio in the dash with an XM satellite
tuner in the glovebox, riding next to
original owner’s manuals. Rear defrost button
on dash is suspiciously faded, and trim screws
at the bottom of door panels are the only
downers. Engine bay is clean, with a few replacement
hoses noted and an R134 a/c conversion
done, but they left the original
boat-anchor York compressor. The undercarriage
looks original and free of undercoating
and any pre-sale spray-can touch-ups. Dealer
badge from South Carolina. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $54,600. This is a great survivor
truck that doesn’t appear to have had any level
of restoration. I am amazed that the original
clearcoat is still on this truck. If it has been
repainted, nothing is mentioned in the description.
I say this because at the time these were
built, water-based clearcoats were becoming
mandated, and time proved that the formula
wasn’t long-lasting. With only 46k on the
clock, the mileage is the value driver here. I
see a few small muffs in the pics, but in general
this looked like an honest truck and a
great value at $25,000; however, it sold at
$52,000. Holy cow! According to the buyer, it
will be used at the villa in Corsica. I kinda like
the visual of this thing doing island duty,
dodging Vespas and a max island speed limit
of 60 km/h. Hope it doesn’t foul the plugs.
#33436-1989 PONTIAC TRANS AM
Pace Car coupe. S/N 1G5FW2177KL240283.
White/tan leather. Odo: 694 miles. 3.8-L turbocharged
V6, auto. T-tops. Paint unmarked
and clearcoat is not delaminating as typical on
’80s cars. No noted distortion of the plastic
bumper covers. Gold basket-weave wheels are
unmarked, still show a good polish and wear
the original Goodyear Gatorback tires. Monroney
sticker still present on passenger’s window.
Interior is almost perfect. I think maybe I
146 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
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can see where a foot rested once on the driver’s
floor mat, and the sun visors look like
they might actually be degrading somewhat,
which is hard to believe. Gold cardboard box
included that held manuals, a key fob and
other Pace Car goodies. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$45,150. V8s be damned. In the day, the GM
turbo V6 was the plant to have. It was basically
the same mill that made the Grand National
popular. They were rated at a
conservative 250 horsepower, but most people
were measuring more on the dyno—a
upward potential in years to come. This one
was obviously mothballed, and the investment
fell flat for the first 31 years. Only now is the
owner getting his MSRP back and then a little.
One would still be underwater considering
three decades of insurance payments. Now
what? More art for the garage? I wonder if
the air in the tires is OEM...
little knob-turning was all it took. This was the
top of the pecking order for Trans Am in 1989,
and at a $31,000 sticker price, this was about
double what a 5.0 Mustang of the day cost. I
have included this in my BaT outliers because
it is the high-water mark and reinforced a
market trend on these cars, not because it was
crazy money. I think this car actually has some
#33878-1990 JEEP GRAND WAGONEER
SUV. S/N 1J4GS5874LP504483.
Dark blue/tan leather. Odo: 36,730 miles. 360ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Refurbishment included a
repaint in the original dark metallic blue and
new woodgrain on the sides. Paint rather orange-peeled
and should have been wet-sanded
prior to reassembly. Missing rear wiper arm.
Small rub marks in front bumper corner plastic.
Original fog-light plastic covers look slightly
faded but are present. Original wheels showing
some clearcoat failure and rust on wheel
weights, but wheels are clean. Aftermarket
wiper blades look dopey. Nice interior assumed
original, with the original stereo and floor mats,
but carpet looks to have been replaced, as the
pile doesn’t match factory and fit is suspect.
Clean engine bay, but undercarriage shows corrosion
consistent with salty winter driving and
oil moisture from leaking drivetrain. No mention
of any new engine gaskets. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $60,900. Reported to be in the
care of a New York dealership as a showroom
car until 2012. The condition was rough for a
37k-mile truck prior to the refurb. Almost like it
sat under a tree its whole life, getting severely
weathered in a harsh climate. Had it been garaged,
I don’t think it would have needed new
wood and “4x4” badges as stated. The aluminum
transfer case and engine components show
significant salt corrosion. The sway bars,
springs and steering linkages all show rust corrosion
from under the paint that the oil leaks
couldn’t prevent. All corrosion is superficial,
though, and floor pans are clean. Despite the
lower miles here, Lot 33054 was a better truck.
As a BaT record-setter for an original (not LSconverted)
Wagoneer, I would expect a better
example. This is the new market on Waggys,
though. Get your wallet out. ♦
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 147
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Photo courtesy of Jaguar
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 149
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DRIVEN TO ASK
The Science of Classic-Car Love
Dr. Cecilia Muldoon — Cici to her friends — takes a break from the lab to talk cars,
car parts, car life and concours
by Elana Scherr
Dr. Cecilia Muldoon and some of the cars she adores
all arm waving and finger-wiggling in an attempt to
illustrate how molecules can act on each other.
The grace likely comes from her early days study-
D
ing ballet. The comedy is just because she’s fun, and of
course, the fact that we’re talking about wavelengths and
atoms at all is because Muldoon is a physicist and entrepreneur
who has put her Ph.D in experimental atomic
and laser physics from Oxford University to work by
developing a process for analyzing wine using lasers.
That’s the part she’s trying to explain. It’s fascinating,
and she’s clearly very excited to help me understand it.
Since she’s tried in English, and I don’t speak French,
Italian, Spanish, or German like she does, she’s been
reduced to interpretive dance. I think it’s working.
Muldoon grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico. Her par-
ents encouraged her interest in both arts and science,
although when her love of dance led to her considering
a career as a professional ballet dancer, her folks gently
suggested that she might find more career longevity
along another path. She took their advice and studied
physics and finance at Princeton University, before
moving to England for her Ph.D, which led to work
with lasers, and finally, the inspiration for her own
company. Later, when we finally remember to talk about
cars, Muldoon is equally enthusiastic to teach me about
Ferraris and concours judging. To borrow the language
150 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
r. Cecilia “Cici” Muldoon is explaining
spectroscopy over Zoom. She’s acting out the
movement of a molecule using her whole body
in a way that is both comical and graceful,
of her science, Dr. Muldoon is an excited particle, and she’s hoping to excite everyone
around her about classic cars, good wine and the joy of well-done research.
Cici, your dad is a car collector; have you always followed in his footsteps?
Yes and no. I did go to concours and events with my father when I was young, and
he would tell me about the different cars, but I don’t think I really started listening
until much later. At that time I wanted to be a ballet dancer, not a car collector. It
wasn’t until I was in college and joined the car club there that I came to love cars not
as my parents’ thing, but as my own.
Was there an aha! moment for you in the car club?
I remember being annoyed at first because they didn’t hand me a tool right away
— they gave me some plastic bags and a Sharpie, and told me to label parts that came
off. I said, “I know how to take things apart,” and they said, “Yeah, but you need to
know what the parts you take off are,” and the thing is, they were right. I had to learn
what the parts were and what they did.
You’re known for Ferraris, but what was your first car? What did you learn to drive in?
A VW Bug. A rusty old thing. Everyone else had a cool car, everyone else had a
modern car, and I had a rusted VW Bug. You’re thinking, “Oh, cool, ‘60s.” But in
Mexico they’re called Vochos, and they’re not cool. They’re the crappy car you see
everywhere on the road.
What do you drive now?
I have several cars, but the one I’ve worked on the most is my Triumph TR3 —
Froglet — and in some ways I feel the closest to that car more than any of my other
cars or my dad’s because I worked on it myself, and when you own something and
take it apart and put it back together, you really internalize a connection to it.
Page 151
You have a fairly new-to-you classic too, right?
Voila! I have a 1974 Ferrari Dino. And to be very honest with you, it wasn’t
originally a car I wanted. I thought it was a nice car, but Dinos were kind of an
afterthought in the Ferrari world. They were not really appreciated. It was my dad
who suggested it for me, so bless his soul. As soon as I got the car, I went out and got
books about it. A friend gave me one called The Little Ferrari, by Doug Nye, who
is an amazing car historian. It’s a fantastic history of the Dino engine, and that’s
probably the bit that has really bonded me to the car more than anything else because
it’s the life and soul of it. I remember being on an airplane reading it and tagging all
the pages with little bits of my airplane ticket. I think they’re still in there. This was
before Wi-Fi in the air, and I couldn’t look up all the interesting things, so I had to
mark them, like, “Oh, I want to know about that race or I want to know more about
that constructor, I want to know more about ...” and then you’re gone for three days.
It’s one of the aspects that I enjoy the most about the cars, the history. Learning about
the car absolutely bonded me to it. Funnily, since then, people have really come
around on the Dino. Now you’ll hear someone say, “Oh, I much prefer the Dino. The
Dino has beautiful lines.”
If somebody wants to get into car collecting, what are a few cars that you think are good
cars to look at for newbies?
Oh dear, for newbies. If I was here in the U.K., I’d look at something like a
Midget, a Mini, a Sprite. I would get an MGA. There’s a lot of lovely, little British
cars that are not going to break the bank.
How about on a higher level, for someone interested in concours shows?
In terms of showing, there are some cars that are always wanted. If you’re going
post-war, if you’re speaking about Ferraris, for instance, general Italian cars, you’ll
never see a Miura turned down. You’ll never see a
Daytona turned down. I’d love to own an E-type, but
E-types probably wouldn’t make it into a concours.
I’d say some of the Mercedes, like the 300S, stuff like
that obviously will do well. 300SL, you’ll get into any
concours with a 300SL. Especially a Gullwing.
Any up-and-comers? We’re seeing a lot of ’80s and ’90s
cars here in the States.
Yeah, this is absolutely true. People now want the
Countach. Things like an F40 are now almost old hat.
If you see an F40 at a concours, you’re like, “Yeah,
obviously.”
You’re a wine expert as well as a car expert. Obviously,
people should never drink and drive, but after you’ve had
a nice drive and you’re done, and you’re going to have a
glass, which wine would you pair with your Dino?
Amazing question! That’s so funny. I think of the
Dino as quite pimp, so what is a really pimp drink?
She’s going to be a more female wine, isn’t she? If
you’re thinking about her punchiness and the fact
that she’s Italian, I would say an Amarone. Because
Amarone is very much in your face. It’s very high alcohol.
It’s big tannins, very raisin-y and powerful. She’s
not powerful, but she’s in your face. But I think she’s
more of a cocktail. Not gin and tonic. That’s too prim
and proper. Oh, she’s a Negroni. ♦
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 151
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DRIVING WITH ELANA
2021 JAGUAR F-TYPE R-DYNAMIC CONVERTIBLE
A Tamer F-Type
This Jaguar looks a little plump — but it delivers a luxurious purr on the road
By Elana Scherr
L
et’s get the bad part out of the way first — I don’t like the F-type’s redesigned
body. It’s somehow both too flat and too round at the same time.
If you imagine the previous F-type carved in soap, the 2021 car looks like
someone used that soap, and now it is just a little smoother and less detailed than
it was before. I’m sure the goal was a more-aggressive front fascia and wider-looking
stance — everyone wants their cars to look angry these days — but the end result is
that the new Jag looks a bit plump and sleepy.
For those of you who prefer to stare dreamily at your car while it’s parked in
your garage, there are prettier machines out there. Have you seen the Aston Martin
Vantage? Swoon.
On the other hand, the F-type’s interior strikes exactly the right note, neither gaudy
nor dull. It’s got the smell and feel of glamorous high-end leather goods, especially
in the Mars Windsor Red that was in our test car. The red-and-black combo was like
driving a chocolate-covered strawberry — just delicious. With the roof down, as is
proper in any convertible, the sun poured in and glinted off the pinstriped aluminum
veneer — you can have textured or carbon fiber if you prefer.
It takes just 12 seconds to drop the top in the Jag, and once you do, it’s transformed
from a little cramped — and hard to see out of — into a sleek breeze on wheels. The
6-cylinder engine lacks the carnivorous growl of the V8, but it revs smoothly and
endlessly; it is almost electric in its uninterrupted delivery.
There’s also a 4-cylinder option for the F-type — although, sadly, no manual trans-
mission. Once you accept the automatic, there are endless combinations of powerplant,
color and trim, from classic green-and-tan to wild metallic orange and carbon fiber.
Configuring an F-type is almost as fun as driving one. Almost.
It’s never too loud or too rough. It’s hard to beat a sunny day along the coast in a car
as lithe and purring as its name promises. ♦
152 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
ELANA’S GRADEBOOK
Fun to drive:
Eye appeal:
Overall experience:
Price as tested: $94,345
Equipment: 3.0-L supercharged V6, 8-speed automatic transmission,
Active exhaust, all-wheel drive, limited-slip differential with torque
vectoring. Twenty-inch wheels, red brake calipers, LED headlights,
deployable deck-lid spoiler, convertible roof, rear camera, cruise
control, leather-covered performance bucket seats, two-zone climate
control, Blind Spot Assist Pack, 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument
cluster, 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Mileage: 18/26
Likes: Smooth acceleration, multiple engine options, highly
customizable
Dislikes: Bland exterior design, blind-spot monitoring not standard,
doesn’t sound as incredible as the V8
Verdict: This is a tamer cat than previous F-types. It may not be king
of the jungle, but it’s still in line for the throne.
Page 154
DOUBLE TAKE
A Budget-Busting Bronco and a Needy 240Z
SCM writers face off on six recent Bring a Trailer sales
By Nick Jaynes and Jay Harden
Lot 33779. 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser LJ70. 4X4.
S/N JT1VOLJ7009025707. Resprayed silver. 2.4-liter,
4-cylinder turbo diesel, 5-speed manual. 103,000 miles.
Sold at $30,450. Bring a Trailer, 7/9/2020. 49 bids.
Condition: 2+
JAYNES Despite this 2-door Cruiser’s turbocharger,
its 2.4-liter diesel en-
gine churned out a mere 86 horsepower from
the factory.
Let’s deduct 12 ponies off for its age and assumed parasitic loss from the drivetrain. When
all’s said and done, you’re looking at around 18 horses at each wheel. So, yeah, this thing is slow.
No matter how dependable it may once have been, that was 33 years ago and an ocean away.
I defy you to get parts for this thing in hand in fewer than two weeks.
What’s more, its condition is way too nice to risk panel damage on the trail. Since it’s a twee
2-door, it is also too small to be a useful overlanding rig.
Was it well-bought? I don’t think so.
HARDEN Awkward-looking off-roaders like the Suzuki Samurai and Jimny, the Dodge Raider
and Isuzu VehiCross have long been cult favorites, so much so that Suzuki has rein-
troduced the Jimny to much fanfare, despite packing only 101 horsepower under the hood.
Once you factor the Toyota Land Cruiser legacy into the equation, which, admittedly, verges
on ludicrous at times, you have yourself a recipe for a surprising sale — but only if you’re not
paying attention.
With FJ60s and FJ80s routinely trading in the $50k–$80k range, this sale starts to make a lot
of sense. My guess is there are quite a few collectors out there who would take half the space for
half the price all day long. Decent deal.
Lot 33616. 1988 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 IROC-Z coupe.
S/N 1G1FP21FOJL151725. White with blue lower surfaces.
5.0-liter V8, auto. 65,000 miles. Sold at $8,190. Bring a
Trailer, 7/6/2020. 20 bids. Condition: 2
JAYNES BRB while I see if the “WHT SNK”
license plate is still available.
I really can’t believe how little this thing
fetched. It’s absolutely insane.
Yes, I know that this Camaro is an automatic. So what? This thing rocks. It makes me want to
play White Snake way too loud and make out at stoplights with my imaginary IROC girlfriend
Kimberly.
Why aren’t these worth more? They outshined the Fox-body Mustang GTs in every way —
except in tooling-around-town manners. But who cares? White over blue two-tone, gray interior,
T-tops. This thing has it all.
Rarely do I wish I had a time machine. But having missed this auction is giving me Doc
Brown envy.
HARDEN I like to believe the mullet and rattail are two of my all-time best looks, but I’m not
sure these are the T-tops I’d like fluttering my return to glory. We’re currently seeing
a lot of really nice examples of third-gen Camaros trading hands in the $8k–$10k range, with
ultra-low-mile examples doubling and even tripling those figures. That’s why an $8k car with
floor-pan rust repair and a repaint has me wondering if this thing is going to need more work than
Vince Neil’s hotel room.
If I thought we were going to continue to watch these cars gobble up market share as if they
were hungry like the wolf, I’d probably shrug off any potential overreach. Unfortunately, I don’t
think sweet dreams are made of these. You might argue and say, “Jay, don’t stop believin’,” but
I’m afraid we’ll start to see these third-gens free-fallin’ before you can say, “Pour some sugar
on me.”
154 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
Lot 33723. 1970 Datsun 240Z. S/N HLS3002207.
Yellow over black vinyl. 2.4-liter inline 6-cylinder, 4-speed
manual. 100,000 miles. Sold at $45,665. Bring a Trailer,
7/8/2020. 42 bids. Condition: 4+
JAYNES I have never understood the draw
of these cars. Admittedly, I’ve not
driven one. I hear they’re fun, but I can’t get
behind their looks — especially not for
(checks auction result) $45,665? Good god!
When I was a child, these cars seemed
to be driven almost exclusively by part-time
drug dealers — dudes too shady to hold down
real jobs but too lazy to do crimes full time.
Every time I see one, I imagine the owner
is a guy named Brent who sells weed to teens.
Plus, the Datsun brand has no luster for me.
I guess someday I’ll feel about the Scion FR-S
the same way guys in their 50s feel about these
cars.
“Oh, man, this was the primo era of sports
car,” I’ll say. And the Generation Alpha kids
will just roll their eyes at me as they whiz by
in their Teslas with their feet up on the dash.
Well sold.
HARDEN For those of us unlucky enough to
have been born without a silver
spoon nestled against our gums, the 240 is the
car that changed the way the public perceived
affordable performance. Quick, nimble and a
blast to drive hard, the 240Zs only seem to
translate poorly to those who haven’t actually
experienced one.
Although Z-car values have been surging
over the past five years or so, the price paid
here is typically enough to buy yourself a nice
1-/2+ condition car.
I’d consider this an excellent restoration
candidate, what with the rusty rocker, the
shade-tree wiring and non-working gauges
and such. The new owner is all in on the
money. Hopefully, a little elbow grease will
get it back on track. Until then, well sold.
Page 155
Lot 33690. 1968 Ford Bronco 4X4. S/N U15NLD40029. Blue over white vinyl. 347-ci V8 Stroker, auto, 600
miles. Sold at $87,150. Bring a Trailer, 7/8/2020. 52 bids. Condition: 2+
HARDEN I’ve spent the past couple of years preparing for, reporting on, and eventually
resigning myself to the outlandish surge in vintage-SUV values, but
this might just be the straw that breaks my back. This Bronco is a mish-mash of styles
and components that just doesn’t make any cohesive sense to me. On top of that, it was
built as a promotional giveaway car that then ended up as a corporate promotional tool
(because we all know those promotional vehicles are well cared for) and it still pulled
$87,150.
At $30k, I get it. At $40k, I’m skeptical. At $87k, well, I’m cooked.
The only explanation that makes any sense to me here is that someone got a little
too caught up in the new Bronco marketing.
JAYNES
Jay is right. This price is coo-coo bananas. It’s a mish-mash indeed; I
couldn’t have put it better myself.
Anyone who has spent any meaningful amount of time with the first-gen Bronco
knows how disappointing these trucks were — even when they were $11,000 in primo
condition 15 years ago. They have the styling and build quality of the Ford Falcon and
the driving characteristics of a tractor.
If you really want a rig that should be worth this
much, go find a Toyota FJ40. Those were designed
and assembled by people who were not mostly drunk.
What’s more, it’ll be better off road and its chassis can
handle more horsepower.
But, yes, the new Bronco is going to sell like hot-
cakes and lull a bunch of folks into thinking these rigs
were ever good.
Lot 33701. 7-Mile 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. S/N
1FALP47V1TF158484. Mystic Clearcoat Metallic over black leather.
4.6-liter DOHC V8, 5-speed manual. 7 miles. Sold at $42,263. Bring a
Trailer, 7/18/2020. 15 bids. Condition: 1-
HARDEN Mystic paint really did seem like a good idea,
didn’t it? You would think we would’ve
learned our lesson after surviving the disappointment of
the Hypercolor line of apparel, which left us all covered
in awkward armpit splotches. The Cobras were about as
tough a car as a high-schooler like me could’ve dreamed
of owning back in the mid-’90s, but the Mystic Cobras
were on another level. It had us all asking ourselves,
“Can I, too, be strong yet also pretty?” Turns out the
answer is no, no you cannot.
Where were all my high-school bros when the ham-
mer was dropping here? The only thing I don’t understand
is how this much awesomeness was allowed to sit
in storage for a quarter century. Well bought.
JAYNES Finally, we’ve found it. If Kid Rock were a
car, it’d be this ’96 Mystic Cobra. I loved the
lines of this generation of ’Stang. But this color — a
color only Tim Allen fans would think is cool — just
ruins whatever attraction it had for me. Then we turn to
the interior, which is a sea of dismal gray accented by
incongruent panel gaps. Ford, have you no shame?
You can’t drive a car with 7 miles on the odometer.
It’ll need all the rubber bits and maybe more. So you’re
left with a car you can only look at — and this ain’t much
to look at.
I never understood how a rare color — especially an
awful one like this — increases value. Well sold.
Lot 33774. 1969 Jaguar XKE 2+2. S/N 1R41038. Metallic Blue over blue leather. 4.9-liter inline 6 cylinder,
4-speed manual. 99,000 miles. Sold at $38,325. Bring a Trailer, 7/9/2020. 34 bids. Condition: 3+
HARDEN Austin Powers ruined the XKE for me, but in a good way, I think. Seeing
the International Man of Mystery parade around London in one made me
see how groovy those lines really are.
This one looks good, sounds good, and seems like the perfect mixture of “nice
enough” at the right price point to be a good buy. I appreciate solid drivers that have
some room for improvement, and as a dad, I see value in that second row of seats.
Maybe I’m growing more sophisticated with age, but I really like this car. I hope the
new owner starts racking up the miles emeegiately.
JAYNES Can we talk about that speedometer for a second? In the test-drive video,
the speedo lazily flopped around between 38 mph and, say, 80 mph. That
alone makes me chuckle.
Do you really want to know how fast you’re going? The actual speed would either
disappoint you or frighten you.
That trembling speedo is prophetic, if you think about it. On the dial of human emo-
tions, from complete elation to severe depression, this driver-level 100k-mile Jag is
going to send its buyer’s emotional dial wobbling just like that during their ownership.
Jay’s right. The new owner should put down as many miles and have as many
laughs as they can right away. Why? Because this car will inevitably make its new
owner cry. Not a bad deal — for now. ♦
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 155
Page 156
UNLOCKING A CAR
11996688–-71 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
1 Jaguar E-type Series II
by Pierre Hedary
Why a 280SL?
There were three variants of the Mercedes W113 — the
230SL, the 250SL and, of course, the 280SL. The 280SL has
long been the market leader, with a market advantage for
1970 and especially 1971 versions.
However, information in this article should be useful for
purchasing any W113.
The 280SL was introduced in 1968, with most units
being sold stateside in 1969 and 1970. The 280SL featured
some important improvements over earlier W113s,
including increased safety equipment, better hot-starting
characteristics and an additional 20 horsepower. While many
cars of the time had to sacrifice drivability and good looks
to meet U.S. regulations, the 280SL seemed to evade those
wretched circumstances.
The W113’s greatest virtue — its reliability — is what
makes these such great cars to own. Like many cars from this
era, cosmetic issues can be a problem: Watch out for poorly
repaired accident damage.
Poorly repaired accident damage is more common with the W113 than any other
Mercedes. The front fenders and nose were spot-welded on to increase cowl strength,
prevent rust and absorb collision impact. Many cars available on the market have
ill-repaired accident damage. Fenders are often poorly welded on, with rust inside
the seam between inner and outer fender. Rust can be present around the rear
wheelhouse, the rockers and the tail panel as well.
Check for overlap panels at the left and right side of the nose cone, as well as a string
of little spot welds on the fender joint when the hood is open. Last, run your paint
meter over the cowl, checking for excessive body filler where the hidden fender seam
is. And keep in mind that sometimes original spot welds were slathered over with
filler — in a time where these sorts of imperfections were not treasured. Check for
body-number stamps, although these are not always visible.
The mechanical fuel-injected M130
engine used in these cars was almost
the same as the one used in the sedan,
but there are some key differences no
one can see. Make sure that the first
six digits read “130.983.” The 280SL
cylinder head was unique and somewhat
confusing, as many of the correct
heads were stamped “280SE/A.” The
correct head-casting numbers end with
00 01 and 07 01 for early heads (engines
made up to roughly May 1969)
and 08 01, 11 01 and 32 01 thereafter.
Incorrect cylinder-head machine work,
overheating and high oil usage are
common issues with these engines.
Most engine-bay details, such as hose
clamps, plug wires and other small
details, are frequently improvised, even
on some expensive cars, so plan on
doing your own engine-bay sorting.
156 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
The front subframe mounts should be inspected for separation, as well as engine mounts
and grease fittings. Upper control-arm mounting bolts must be checked for looseness.
ROUNDTABLE
Not I in the Ie Instruction Manual
Car-transport company leaders talk about how they had to adjust to the
COVID-19 world on the fly
Dave Tomaro
A scene from Monterey when the world wasn’t so crazy
What has changed in the auto-transport business since COVID-19 enveloped the world?
ED WATTS
Chief Transport Officer
Passport Transport
In the initial stages of the pandemic, we hit pause and reevaluated
our current approach to day-to-day operations. First and foremost,
the objective was to protect our frontline workers as well as our
customers.
Many of the components were already in place, such as steering-
wheel covers, seat covers, floor mats, gloves and paperless delivery.
Additionally, masks and hand sanitizer were added to complete the
package. An increased emphasis on safety processes and procedures
— along with contactless pickup and delivery — were implemented
with our drivers as well.
Once we were comfortable with the processes that had been put
in place, the question became, how can we come out of this thing on
the other side stronger and better than before? With all the auction
houses going online, it made sense to follow suit by increasing our
digital presence as well, and it has already begun to yield positive
results. Another silver lining was that the disruption created an opportunity
to improve our assets.
The entire fleet underwent safety checks and presentation im-
provements. We even felt confident enough in the long-term success
of the organization to add several new trucks and trailers as well.
This year we proudly celebrate 50 years in business, and while
we have mixed emotions as we learn about concours, rallies and
auctions having to cancel, we know that when it’s safe again, those
events will return. And when they do, we will be poised and ready
with open arms.
160 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
BOB SELLERS
Vice President/COO
Reliable Carriers
Certainly, these are unprecedented times to be in any business!
Our business has been impacted like so many others. We took a
pretty good hit when the pandemic really started in March and into
April. Since that time, we have seen a steady increase in business. As
an essential supplier for the auto companies, we continued to operate
throughout this time. In addition to our auto-transport business, we
supplied equipment to transport much-needed PPE and ventilators
from suppliers to front-line medical facilities, and we are very proud
of our ability to assist in this vital area.
With regard to operating in the current environment, we have
made many changes and accommodations to operate safely and
protect our customers and employees in the normal course of business.
We have, as a company standard, always provided seat covers
and floor mats in every vehicle we transport. Additionally, we now
provide steering-wheel covers and shifter covers in the vehicles as
well. ALL of our drivers wear protective face masks and gloves. We
also do not require signatures for pickup and delivery, so there is no
exchange of pens.
Routing has become much more challenging as the lower volume
of vehicles available makes putting trips that make sense together
much more difficult. We also have to deal with the stress of the
uncertain picture of “when will this end” for our employees and
contractors. For many, this is uncharted territory. Part of our job
is to remain positive and assure everyone that we will get through
this — together.
Page 161
What has changed in the auto-transport business since COVID-19 enveloped the world?
DEAN WILSON
Vice President
Intercity Lines
As COVID-19 closed the country down, auto transport was deemed essential, and we had
to keep on trucking.
As a family-owned business, our staff and customers are not numbers; they are part of our
Intercity Lines family. Nothing mattered more to us than ensuring their safety. We swiftly
implemented new policies for our office and drivers. From developing new touchless delivery
software to implementing strict safety and sanitization procedures, safety was our top priority.
Once we were confident we had adequate safety measures in place, we focused on support-
ing our clients as their plans and business models changed. Snowbirds were forced to change
their travel plans, as flights canceled. Manufacturers and businesses had to adapt as states
closed dealerships, and as we all know, most collector-car events were canceled. We worked
closely with our clients to meet their changing schedules and needs.
We also focused on new trends in the market. As stores closed and events canceled, online
car buying increased, forcing dealerships and auction houses to shift their focus to online
sales. We were proud to provide partners, such as Bring a Trailer and Gooding & Company,
our nationwide services to help meet this rise in demand.
As we focused on safety and our clients, we still faced everyday challenges, from work-
ing remotely to our drivers finding food and supplies on the road. But as one of our drivers,
a proud Marine, always says, “Improvise, adapt and overcome,” and our team has done a
remarkable job doing just that.
DAN MCCOLLISTER
President
McCollister’s Transportation
Every day in the logistics industry is
rewarding and interesting — all while
presenting challenges and obstacles along
the way.
Our company mantra is “Excellence
Delivered Every Day,” and we hold all of
our folks accountable to ensure a smooth,
efficient and memorable experience for our
customers!
The Auto Transport division stresses
two key components that help our team
navigate through the sea of changes, challenges
and obstacles that logistics presents
but more so now during the pandemic
crisis: communications and flexibility.
Daily communication with our drivers and
customers ensured that McCollister’s Auto
was fully operational and that our clients
and manufacturer OEM accounts received
the same level of service they had come to
expect prior to COVID-19.
Our top priorities are our drivers’
safety — and the safety of their cargo. In
addition to encouraging everyone to follow
all the recommended safety protocols, we
developed a hands-free delivery system and
provided our drivers with masks, gloves
and hand sanitizer. Daily updates were provided
to everyone, and our operations staff
used Zoom meetings to provide our drivers
information about the areas they were
traveling through, regarding the COVID-19
pandemic and any unsafe conditions that
existed.
This communication kept everyone
safe and allowed our team the flexibility to
accommodate changes. We have multiple
systems to know where our drivers are at
all times. A Rand McNally system tracks
the tractor, SkyBitz provides coordinates
for our trailers, and our order and delivery
management system gives us real-time
updates for pickup and delivery. These
systems help us to be efficient.
The best and most comprehensive
emergency plans did not have a chapter on
how to navigate a worldwide pandemic. Our
leaders throughout every division within
McCollister’s Transportation Group have
helped us to communicate and be flexible
throughout these unprecedented times, allowing
us to meet and exceed our company
commitment of “Excellence Delivered
Every Day”! ♦
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 161
Page 162
SHOOTOUT! SCM EXPERTS DUEL IT OUT
Best Bargain Bimmers
Alec Cartio
Founder and director of Cartiology Films
www.cartiologyfilms.com
That Elegant 1980s M6
As a super-passionate and longtime BMW
owner of various models over the years, for
me, the beautiful and stunning 1987–89 E24
M6 grand tourer is the best 1980s BMW for
$25,000.
Your M6 should be a well-sorted car with
moderate mileage and a good history of service
and ownership.
The elegant design, the “never-ending”
shark-nose hood and headlights, the miniature
grilles and the sloping tail are heart-stopping.
Leather, luxury and elegance are everywhere
inside the cabin — including a beverage
chiller. The 5-speed manual transmission and
the S38 engine with 256 horsepower — and
243 ft-lb of torque at 4,500 rpm — will get
you from coast to coast easily without back
pain if you wish to take a road trip.
Beware of any prior accidents and body-
work in the past, and make sure the mechanical
aspects are in good order. Then you can
enjoy the car for many years to come.
1990s Series-8 cars
Oh, 1990s, do I love you.
That is when I was in my mid-teens, and I
fell head over heels in love with the BMW 8
Series. This love hasn’t died to this day.
M6 — a beautiful, elegant design
The successor to the E24, this incredibly
beautiful and elegant coupe had it all: pop-up
headlights, no B-pillar between the windows,
the wedge-shaped form, the V8 and V12 engines
with plenty of smooth horsepower and
the manual and Steptronic transmissions.
These cars were packed with the best
technology offered by any car company at
the time. Much of this tech consisted of firsts,
such as the onboard computer and internal
network, fly-by-wire throttle system and the
seat belts integrated into the seat itself.
These cars are my top recommendation
for a 1990s $25,000-budget BMW.
This amount of money can get you a car
with 70,000 to 90,000 miles on the clock, a
manual or Steptronic V12 M73–850 Ci and/
or Steptronic V8 M62 840Ci. The CSi version
of the 8 Series is far beyond our price range at
this point, with prices ranging from $60,000
up to $250,000.
I have owned 15 8-Series cars, and it is my
own top personal choice to buy.
The 2000–03 M5
The mighty 2000s brought us the amazing
2000–03 E39 M5, which amazes me with its
dual nature.
The M5 is a raw sports car with plenty of
horsepower, torque and a manual transmission
— yet it’s also a family car that can fit five
people and their luggage with ease. This is the
family father’s dream-come-true car, which
the wife won’t object to as long as she doesn’t
know about the beast hiding under the hood.
This beast rumbles with 4.9 liters of
naturally aspirated BMW S62 engine with 394
horsepower, a 6-speed manual transmission
and a luxury interior as far as the eye can see.
A well-sorted car with moderate miles can be
yours for a mere $25,000 — and it checks all
the BMW enthusiast boxes.
of the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s
Two hardcore BMW experts, B. Mitchell Carlson and Alec Cartio,
take their shots at the best $25,000 BMWs from a three-decade span
840 Ci — $25k can get you one with 70k–90k miles
162 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
M5 — a raw sports car for the whole family
Page 163
B. Mitchell Carlson
Longtime SCM writer, auction reporter and honorary
staffer when we’re all on the road
The 1980–81 E12 528i rocks
Many BMW enthusiasts have forgotten
the 1972–81 E12 5 Series, but there is a small
cadre who feels the first is still the best.
The 5-Series cars are light, tossable and
tastefully styled. The zenith for U.S.-market
examples (first imported in 1975) were the
1980 and 1981 528i.
While this fuel-injected model was
introduced for 1977, for 1979 the troublesome
thermal-reactor emissions system was
ditched for a more conventional catalytic converter
with O2 sensor. For 1980, the standard
gearbox was upgraded to a 5-speed overdrive
unit. While $25,000 may get you — at best
— a driver-grade, European-market-only
M535i if you’re lucky (the first of the BMW
Motorsport cars on standard bodywork), even
if you’re not lucky, that same $25k should get
you a stellar, well-cared-for 528i.
The 1994–99 M3
Here, I’m going for the 1994–99 M3
coupe (E36).
This is the U.S.-spec M3 — not the first-
gen VANOS engine rest-of-the-world M3 —
as BMW was on the “bleeding edge” of that
technology, and those VANOS cars are now a
bear to work on.
The “dumbed-down” U.S.-spec cars have
proven to be more reliable and maintenance
friendly, even with the plastic cooling components
that should be considered regular
maintenance items now. Yes, performance
on these U.S.-market M3 cars was down a
E12 528i — mostly forgotten, but a favorite for those in the know
click, yet the U.S. cars had more bottom-end
torque. This was also the M3 that became a
household word among U.S. performance
enthusiasts, so it’s somewhat iconic, which
helps future values. For your $25k, you
should be able to score a lower-mileage, wellmaintained,
bone-stock example. Don’t save
money with a dedicated track rat or tuner
wannabe. Stress cracking on the rear suspension
mounts is just the tip of the iceberg, so
run, run, run away if you see this gremlin.
The last real BMW?
Some feel that the 2000–02 540i Touring
(wagon) E39 with 6-speed is the last real
BMW, and I tend to believe them.
Sure, you still have to deal with plastic
cooling-system components and ancient
electronics, yet on the plus side these are well
supported in the aftermarket and are the last
BMWs with tasteful traditional styling.
The E39 M5 is now punching a hole
through the stratosphere for pricing, but
well-sorted, lower-mileage 540i cars with
three pedals on the floor can still be found
for under $25k.
Plus, no M5 wagons were made for U.S.
consumption. The 540i offers a well-rounded
performance package and enough of an exhaust
burble and grunt to make bystanders
wonder if you stuffed a Ford 5.0-L Coyote V8
under the hood.
Add the cult following of a long roof to
the mix, and if you’re lucky enough to find a
near-unicorn with the Sport package, this is a
car that will go nowhere but up in value (especially
since they already hit bottom a few
years ago). Even if a stick shift does nothing
for you or you prefer BMW’s velvet-smooth
6-cylinder engines, the automatic version of
any E39 wagon is still a great way to thumb
your nose at the SUV crowd.
Summary: While the traditionalist in me
likes the E12 sedans, if I had to pick one car
and use it as a fun event vehicle, to get there
and back — in all weather apart from when
the roads are salted in the winter — I’d pick
the E39 wagon. ♦
E36 M3 — somewhat iconic among performance enthusiasts
E39 540i wagon — a great all-around choice
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 163
Page 164
READER FORUM
Are Trucks Collectible?
In the September issue, Jim Pickering peeled apart the $88,725 sale of a 1985 Chevrolet K20 on Bring a Trailer (“American Car Collector”
column, p. 56). We got a lot of great letters about that column, and we’re opening it up for discussion here. Do you think some American trucks
are now collectible? Why or why not?
To be honest, I have been thinking about truck collectibility
for a while now.
Trucks are mechanically simple and durable. No one
expects dynamic performance from a vintage truck — period.
They are slow and no one cares. Thanks to trucks being
analog, before modern technology dulled their senses, they
are involving in their own special way. As I look back on
my own truck experiences, there was really nothing better
than mastering my brother’s 1979 Chevy C10 with a threeon-the-tree
and a straight 6. How many kids today get that
experience?
What attracts us to trucks is a complex combination of
memories and the perception of a simpler life. How many of
us rode to the DQ in the back of an old pickup? How about
borrowing Granddad’s old Ford to cut down the family
Christmas trees? I don’t know about you, but for some reason,
the only time country music sounds right to me is in an old
pickup. It just fits.
And then comes perception: The slower pace of a gentle
country/rural lifestyle from days gone by. I think of the old
color ads from the 1930s through the 1960s and they are all
the same, in many ways. Truck on a farm, dad smoking a
pipe, his son sitting on the bales of hay, wearing matching red
flannel jackets. The message being that a cold day is made
right by family, a little work and a pickup truck.
Those images still float through the collective
consciousness of our society, and these images are not limited
to the collecting hobby. I can easily see a nice pickup ending
up in a family garage simply because Mom thinks it’s cute,
and her cute is fed by those same images. By the way, the
pickup was green.
Collecting old trucks has another upside — the truck
doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, if it has a patina, that
proves the truck worked for a living and is now gently retired.
Is there a more idealistic view possible? And there is nothing
right or wrong with what one collects; the expectations are
totally different. Some are rare, sure, but in general, the lack
of preconceived notions will drive the truck market for quite
some time, and I would not be surprised to see that same
mindset trickle down into the car markets, too.
So yes, trucks are very collectible. And I am glad they are
being preserved. They have earned this privilege much more
than most cars. — Andy Bogus, San Pedro, CA
I think a well-selected truck can be a great complement to a collection. We use our ‘58 Apache Fleetside
as a semi-working vehicle but also show it as well. It gets more heads to turn and thumbs-up than my
Chevelle SS 396! — Joe Shubitowski, San Luis Obispo, CA
Not to me. They’re appliances like a washing machine.
Sure, you could resto-mod them, but for the price to do that,
you could buy a sports car that accelerates faster, handles
better, is more comfortable, and better-looking. — John
Hoshstrasser, Orlando, FL
No.
— Ronald Reynolds,
via email
164 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
I have a Porsche 914-6 (original owner), Series 1 XKE roadster, Triumph
TR-3B, Ferrari 355 Spyder with a gated 6-speed — and a 1957 Chevy pickup.
I consider them all collectible, although the pickup gets more thumbs-up on
the road than the others. — Ray Hendricks, via email
Page 165
Pickup trucks are absolutely collectible.
No difference between cars and trucks
when it comes to emotions and memories.
High production numbers are
meaningless because most trucks were
worked into the ground and are now
again one with the earth. — Glen
Getchell, via email
Yes.
— Hugh Rogers, via email
Tough question. Sellable at auction,
yes. Collectible — only if it’s a unique/
special model. Typhoon/Syclone and the
Dodge Li’l Red Express come to mind
quickly. Or if it’s a 1950s F1 restored, for
example. I can’t call a 1960–90 truck a
collectible given the large number made.
Yes, big bucks are spent on these
trucks, but I view those buys as getting a
refurbished or resto-modded truck as a
want-to-drive purchase — not a buy and
hold for future collectibility. — Stephen
Prior, via email
Irresistible subject!
I read that the 2019 U.S. sales leader is a truck, not a car. So doesn’t it follow that some of those buyers are collectors, and
wouldn’t they want a truck?
I had never owned a personal truck before, but I couldn’t resist this 80-year-old Ford pickup. It’s much quicker than my MG TC,
handles as well, and has about the same market value. Like the TC, its market value seems steady right now, but younger kids seem
to really “get it,” so who knows?
When you buy an old car (truck) the real cost is what you paid plus what it takes to sort it. In the case of my flathead Ford (“It’s a
girl, my lord! In a flathead Ford…”) the only thing it wanted was a fuel pump. It cost $90 — with next-day delivery. There’s a nice
surprise. The guy in the gas station really wants to work on it — the MG, not so much.
This collectible goes with me to my volunteer job with the Kittery Land Trust; the brush hog doesn’t fit in the SL or the MG.
Can’t wait to read what other readers say. — Alex Dearborn, Kittery Point, ME
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 165
Page 166
MYSTERY PHOTO ANSWERS
ChiaNash! — Andrew Barrow, Albuquerque, NM
RUNNER-UP: A Bush-era
classic? I think not. — Bruce
Jenett, via email
When I said, “You should go
green with your next car,” this is
not exactly what I meant. — Billy
Hufnagel, Placentia, CA
A tree grows in Nashville —
Barbara Walters, via email
Nash Metrodendron. — Tom
Luft, via email
A Mary Kay study on drop-
ping the Pink Cadillac and going
for FASTER growth! — Paulo L.
Teixeira, Memphis, TN
This evocative winner’s
float was found after the 2005
Inaugural Parade. — Gary
Francis, Chico, CA
At last, the Nash Metropolitan
is beginning to emerge from the
shadows of collector-car obscurity.
— Jan Jurnecka, via email
Nice electric car you got there.
Mine’s powered by photosynthesis.
Your move. — Leslie Dreist,
Lachine, MI
KIDS & CARS
I was going to embrace the
Green New Deal, but this isn’t
what I had in mind. — David
Libby, West Des Moines, IA
The Stealth Metropolitan Nash
Project was one of the unsung
heroes of the Cold War — Robert
O’Sullivan, Beverly Hills, CA
“Honey, where did you put
those plants we got for Mom’s
birthday?” — Warren D. Blatz
Jr., Culpepper, VA
The rare camo option for the
Nash Metropolitan is as relevant
today as it was in period. — Rob
Cart, Saluda, NC
Growing in a metropolitan
area guarantees the fruit of the
Nash tree (Microdisplacementae
Unsychromium) will not be
picked before rotting. — Rob
Karr, Cupertino, CA
The nerve! He insulted my
good looks. So can I help it if
I didn’t make friends with the
gardener? — William Brunner,
Santa Barbara, CA
Everybody kept telling me
I needed a haircut, but I just
wouldn’t listen. — David Rein,
Janesville, WI
This month’s Mystery Photo
seethed and bubbled with witty
takes on a very green Nash
Metropolitan. Still, simple is
often best, and our winner,
Andrew Barrow, found humor in
one mashed-up word. For this,
he gets — you guessed it — the
first-ever SCM Chia Hat. The
foliage is looking a little raggedy,
but it’s a very collectible one-off
project from Publisher Martin’s
evergreen mind. ♦
This Month’s Mystery Photo Response deadline: September 25, 2020
COBRA KIDS: Tanner, Ava, Alexa, and Ryan Facella all lined up for a ride in Papa’s 1964 Cobra
CSX2329. — Paul Facella, Long Beach, NY
SEND YOUR PHOTOS of your next-generation gearheads to SCM. If your photo is selected, you’ll win an
official SCM cap. Send your high-res photos to kids@sportscarmarket.com. Please include your contact info, the
name of the child in the photo, the make and model of the car and any descriptive information you would like.
Subscription Renewals Comment of the Month
“Thanks to SCM for helping me with stay-at-home orders. I’m reading current and past issues multiple times!” — Frederic Tiplady, Bend, OR (SCMer since 2008)
166 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
OUR PHOTO, YOUR CAPTION
Email your caption to us at mysteryphoto@sportscarmarket.com, or fax to 503.253.2234. Ties will be arbitrarily
and capriciously decided.
Do you have a mystery photo? Email it to mysteryphoto@sportscarmarket.com at 300 dpi in JPEG format. Please
include your name and contact information. If we use your photo, you’ll get an official SCM cap.
Terry Ballard
Page 168
SCM SHOWCASE GALLERY
Sell Your Car Here! Includes SCM website listing.
Showcase Gallery Full-Color Photo Ad Just $66/month ($88 non-subscribers)
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4 ways to submit your ad:
Web: Visit www.sportscarmarket.com/classifieds/place-ad to upload your photo (300 dpi jpg) and text, or
text only. Secure online Visa/MC payments.
Email: Send photo (300 dpi jpg) and text, or text only, to classifieds@sportscarmarket.com.
We will call for your VISA/MC.
Fax: Attention Showcase, to 503.253.2234 with VISA/MC.
Snail mail: Showcase, PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208-4797, with VISA/MC or check.
50 words max, subject to editing. Deadline: 1st of each month, one month prior to publication.
Advertisers assume all liability for the content of their advertisements. The publisher of Sports Car Market
Magazine is not responsible for any omissions, erroneous, false and/or misleading statements of its advertisers.
an impressive 607 hp. Zero–60 in 2.8 seconds,
top speed of 205 mph. Porsche Doppelkupplung
(PDK) dual transmission. Only 155 miles, like
new. Several extra options. $269,000. Grand Prix
Classics. Contact Mark, Ph: 8584593500, email:
info@grandprixclassics.com. Website: https://
grandprixclassics.com/2019-porsche-911-turbo-sexclusive/.
(CA)
ITALIAN
1974 Alfa Romeo GTV
increased dramatically of the first-generation NSX.
The mid-mounted 3.0-liter V6 with all-aluminum
body is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
PS, ABS braking, Bose, a/c, tilt/tele wheel, cruise,
and theft deterrent. Verified mileage of only 18,867
covered since new and remarkably kept in pristine
condition. The red/tan color combination shows
virtually no wear, defects or blemishes. Comes with
original window sticker, clean CARFAX showing two
previous owners with no record of paint or damage
history, owner’s manual, various tools, tire inflator
and extra key. Runs and drives as it should, and
as expected. A nicer example will not be found on
today’s market. Priced to sell. $79,500. Contact Don,
Ph: 520.349.0940, email: dmack@donmackey.com.
AMERICAN
1957 Chevrolet 210 LS3 V8 custom 2-door
hard top
ENGLISH
1948 MG TC roadster
1965 Elva McLaren M1A
101,000 miles. Blue with tan interior, 101,000 miles.
Great driving example. $39,500. Forza Motorsports.
Ph: 203.770.8062, email: forzamot@aol.com.
Website: https://www.forzamotorsports.com/1974alfa-romeo-gtv-blue-101000-miles/.
Seek to buy Elva McLaren, reward for help. Contact
Frank, email: p538@yahoo.com.
GERMAN
1968 Volkswagen Beetle sedan
S/N TC4867. Red/tan. Inline 4, 4-spd manual.
TC4867 has been family owned since 1951.
Painted Ivory in 1956, it was returned to original
British Racing Red in 1978, but the interior,
engine, and transmission are original. This is a
wonderful opportunity to own sports-car history,
and discover the aura and character of true patina.
$30,000 OBO. South Shore Autoworks. Contact
Sean, Ph: 78158555873 ext.3, email: sean@
southshoreautoworks.com. Website: https://www.
curatedbyssa.com/1948-mg-tc. (MA)
1954 Jaguar XK 120 coupe
Black on black, super nice. $99,500. Forza
Motorsports. Ph: 860.350.1140, email: forzamot@
aol.com. Website: https://www.forzamotorsports.
com/1954-jaguar-xk-120-coupe-black/.
1963 Lotus Elan S1 convertible
With a reported $140,000 spent on this exquisite
concours-quality restoration, it was a labor of love
and not an exercise in economics. The 1968 Beetle
carried many upgrades from the predecessor,
including 1,493-cc engine with a massive 53 hp,
dual-circuit brakes, locking door buttons, back-up
lights, and the new 12-volt electrical system. This
original Arizona example was the subject of a
no-expense-spared restoration commissioned by the
car’s original owner for a rebirth of nostalgic history.
Mechanically and cosmetically restored and rebuilt
to perfection with no lack of attention to the smallest
detail. A spectacular restoration; undercarriage, floor
pan and suspension detailed to the absolute same
quality and character as the body and interior of this
very special vehicle. ($21,000 spent on floor-pan
labor alone). Properly stored with only test miles
driven since completion, it is a true testimonial to
furnish your collection with cars that have been
completed, and not ones that need completion. A
bargain-basement price for a truly concours-quality
restored collectible. Seeing this one is believing!
$39,500. Contact Don, Ph: 520.349.0940, email:
dmack@donmackey.com.
2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Cabriolet
S/N 26/0111. Yellow/Black. 90,000 miles. Inline
4, 4-spd manual. 1963 Elan S1 in fabulous shape.
Frame-off restoration. Engine professionally rebuilt
fewer than 5,000 miles ago. Superb example.
$36,000. Contact Michael, Ph: 8044324109, email:
MDFATSI@COMCAST.NET. (VA)
S/N WP0CD2A98KS144574. Golden Yellow
Metallic/Black. 155 miles. This exceedingly rare
car is number 014 out of 200 examples produced
for the U.S. 3.8-liter twin-turbo engine cranks out
168 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
Red/tan. 18,867 miles. 3.0-L V6, 5-speed manual.
One of the most exceptional Japanese sports cars
ever produced and stands today as a tribute to
the forward thinking of the era. Collectibility has
1980 Alfa Romeo Spider
S/N AR115410008712. Beige/beige. 72,066 miles.
Inline 4, 5-spd manual. A fun-to-drive, rust-free
California sports car, powered by a fuel-injected
2.0-liter engine paired with a 5-speed manual
transmission. Has been shown at Concorso Italiano
in Monterey. Drives and runs smooth. Never been in
an accident, well taken care of baby Italian driving
machine. $8,500. Contact John, Ph: 650-966-8231,
email: kelemenjk@yahoo.com. (California)
2018 Ferrari 488 GTB coupe
S/N VB57L179202. Green/green. 625 miles. V8,
automatic. An absolutely exceptional example of
this customized with no-expense-spared rotisserie
frame-off restored 2-door hard top custom hot rod
with added Bel Air trim. Only some 625 miles since
the build in a beautiful Turquoise &Pearl White color
base/clearcoat show-quality repaint on a razorstraight
body and with a striking custom Turquoise &
black leather & cloth interior. With a new crate LS3
6.2-L 450-hp V8 Corvette engine matched to a 6L80E
6-speed automatic transmission, Moser Ford 9-inch
rear end, etc. $99,500 OBO. West Coast Classics LLC.
Contact Larry, Ph: 4243765151, email: wcclassics@
aol.com. (CA)
1957 Ford Thunderbird 312 V8 convertible
S/N ZFF7ALA5J0230134. Blu Tour de France/Cuoio.
487 miles. V8, full front nose and hood clear wrap
as well as rocker panels. Full warranty until 10/20
is extendable. Maintenance warranty until 10/24.
Original owner, 487 miles. Call for full option
list. None better, $259,000. Contact Natale, Ph:
6318487674, email: nlanza@fly-efi.com. (NY)
JAPANESE
1995 Acura NSX Targa
S/N D7FH267878. White/Willow. V8, automatic. An
absolutely beautifully concours restored show-ready
example. Original Colonial White factory color paint
(code E), original pleated willow vinyl (trim code
XM) color interior and factory ordered with the hard
top and soft top and loaded with desirable factory
specifications and options including Ford-O-Matic
automatic transmission ($257), power brakes ($38),
power steering ($69), power windows ($70), engine
dress kit, Magic air heater and defroster ($85),
original Town & Country radio ($100), electric
clock ($15), full wheel covers, white sidewall tires
($30), rear fender skirts, dual horns, dual exhausts,
removable fiberglass hard top, safety belts and its
original 312 V8 engine. $54,500 OBO. West Coast
Classics, LLC. Contact Larry, Ph: 4243765151, email:
wcclassics@aol.com. (CA)
Page 169
1962 Chevrolet Corvette
1978 Chevrolet Corvette coupe
stripe. The vehicle is a no-excuse example of a true
American muscle-car classic. A collector’s dream
and reasonably priced below market. $445,000.
Contact Don, Ph: 520.349.0940, email: dmack@
donmackey.com.
2008 Dodge Viper ACR coupe
2006 Porsche 996 GT3 RSR
Monterey x6/Torrey Pines/Pittsburgh/Philadelphia
x4/Memphis/San Diego/Copperstate/Sebring vintage
race history. For sale by owner. Dealer display
engine and transmission on stand also available.
$175,000. Contact Anatoly, Ph: 918-743-0888,
email: tolyarutunoff1@gmail.com. (Oklahoma)
Ermine White/black. 327-ci 360-hp V8, 4-spd.
Duntov Mark of Excellence Award winner. An
original and authentic collector vehicle with a dozen
NCRS, AACA, Bloomington Gold, Bloomington
Gold 24K and Gold Spinner Awards. Duntov Award
and Performance Valuation Award in addition to
numerous Top Flight judging awards (Joplin, Kansas
City, Saint Paul, Bowling Green), with scoring from
96.5 to 99.1. This classic previously has undergone
a complete frame-off nut-and-bolt, no-expensespared
total restoration. Documented with pages
of authenticating numbers: engine, transmission,
Posi-track rear end, tail shaft, side case, differential,
fuel injector, heads, block, glass, tires, head lamps,
radiator, distributor, etc., and a host of other
documented parts and accessories. One of only
350 Corvettes in 1962 produced with the power
convertible top in perfect working condition. Ermine
White/black interior/auxiliary hard top/white power
soft top. $165,000. Contact Don, Ph: 520.349.0940,
email: dmack@donmackey.com.
1965 Shelby Cobra roadster CSX2445
2,901 miles. An original unmolested survivor with
2,901 verified and documented original miles.
This example spent the majority of its entire life
in uninterrupted hibernation, which results in this
unbelievably low-mile collectible vehicle. Sold
new January 17, 1978, in Union Town, OH, with
three subsequent owners. Car comes with original
window sticker, (unbelievably) the original tires,
past ownership history, delivery documents, and
is presented as an incredible true survivor. Past
NCRS judging sheets: two chapter events, two
regional events, and two national events included.
All Top-Flight scores between 97 to 98.2. Judging
sheets including the coveted NCRS (PV) Performance
Verification Judging Certification Award. All award
certificates, extensive documentation, ribbons and
plaques are included. Automatic, air conditioning,
350 V8, ps, tilt-tele steering wheel, AM-FM, power
brakes, shoulder harness seat belts, aluminum
wheels, Classic White (10L), red leather buckets
(722). Documented absolute mileage verification on
each title transaction. The best part is, it is basically
NO money to invest in such an extraordinary
example. Truly one of a kind! $27,500. Contact Don,
Ph: 520.349.0940, email: dmack@donmackey.com.
2005 Cadillac XLR
S/N 1B3JZ69ZX8V200933. Black/black. 42,000 miles.
V10, 6-spd manual. Real ACR, serviced by Chuck
Tator, renowned Viper wizard, who’s available for
consult. New tires, all fluids, oil lines. Runs perfectly,
over 600 hp, one of 58 black ACRs produced in 2008.
Custom interior dash panels. $72,000. Contact
Vincent, Ph: 914.912.0526, email: vmarrone@
publicstrategiesllc.net. (NY)
RACE
1959 Lancia Appia Zagato GTE coupe
The latest evolution of Porsche’s most successful 996
GT3 R(S)R-lineage. One of only 37 996 RSRs built
by Porsche Motorsport. Retains its original bodyshell
and equipped with all 2006 factory updates.
Excellent race history including two Le Mans 24Hour
finishes. State-of-the-art preparation, 100%
race-ready with very extensive spares. RMD. Contact
Marc, Ph: 011/32475422790, email: salesinfo@
rmd.be. Website: https://rmd.be/cars-for-sale/car/
view/1/206/porsche-996-gt3-rsr.
AUTOMOBILIA
S/N 812.01-2533. White/white/blue. 32,825 miles.
V4, 4-spd manual. Toly Arutunoff’s 45-year-owned
Lancia Appia GTE. ‘78 respray, otherwise original.
Engine by Jack Beck/Orion Engineering, same year.
Princess Blue/red leather. The legacy of Carroll
Shelby in stunningly restored condition. Billed to
Shelby American on May 26, 1964, and invoiced
to Broadway Motors, Los Angeles, April 28, 1965.
Restored in 1970 by Pat Crowley in red/black livery.
After years in that configuration, it was purchased in
2019 from its previous owner, who had shepherded
the classic for two decades. The vehicle was sent
immediately to Don Dickinson, an experienced and
well-known Cobra restorer, for a complete nut-andbolt
rotisserie restoration. No detail overlooked.
Cosmetic and mechanical aspects were taken to a
degree of originality without peer. Listed in the
Cobra Registry with full details of its five-decade
history. Stunningly restored in the original color
combination, Princess Blue/red leather. The classic
still possessing the original chassis, CSX2445,
and original engine #5902, designated on the
original trim tag. Priced well below market for a
classic collectible of magnificent caliber. $895,000.
Contact Don, Ph: 520.349.0940, email: dmack@
donmackey.com.
1970 Plymouth AAR ’Cuda
Concours swag
Pebble Beach Concours judge’s swag 1984–2019:
messenger bags, totes, dash plaques, binders,
badges; Rolls-Royce and Bentley items; Forest Grove
Concours dash plaques, car models, 1980 BMW 730i
unopened first-aid kit; Harley-Davidson collector
items, Vintage oil cans, polish, R-R/Bentley dealer
sales kits. Contact Diane, email: thebrandonindex@
gmail.com. ♦
3,680 miles. V8, automatic. Same owner since
December 13, 2005. Fully-documented owner history
and serviced within the last 100 miles. Collector-car
quality and quite possibly the lowest-mileage XLR
on the planet. New Michelin P235-50-ZR18 tires.
Complete Cadillac Motor Car Service history and
equipment build. The fully automated retractable
convertible hard top works flawlessly and fits like a
glove. Striking color combination of Raven Black/
Shale Leather Trim, plus loaded with Cadillac’s
finest equipment package including navigation,
power windows, seats, ride handling package,
Satellite radio, OnStar System, etc. Owned for the
past 15 years by the widow of a prominent Kansas
new-car dealer. Detailed and presented in flawless
condition. Clean CARFAX and Auto Check. Powerful
Northstar V8, 5-speed automatic transmission, and
much more. Near perfect. $39,500. Contact Don, Ph:
520.349.0940, email: dmack@donmackey.com.
2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition
S/N BS23JOB305224. In violet/black. V8, 3-spd
automatic. 1970 Plymouth AAR ’Cuda (VIN
BS23JOB305224). In violet, 58,500 miles, all original
(even the mufflers), original owner, 340 Six-Pack,
Hemi automatic transmission, p/b, radio, rallye
instrument cluster. Interior like new, always garaged,
superb condition, runs great, all records since new.
$85,000. (814) 466-6115. bav1140@comcast.net for
photos. $85,000. Contact Albert, Ph: 8144666115,
email: bav1140@comcast.net. (PA)
1,146 miles. One owner, original verified miles.
One of only 343 Ford GT Heritage Editions ever
produced. Fully optioned, Bose, painted calipers, BBS
wheels, Heritage paint. Never damaged, verified
with clean CARFAX history. Serviced within the last
50 miles with both air bag recalls completed. In
pristine condition with one-owner care evident upon
examination. Gulf Blue/Orange Heritage paint
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 169
Page 170
RESOURCE DIRECTORY Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information; e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
ADVERTISING / MARKETING
Barrett-Jackson Auction. 480.421.6694.
Motorwerks Marketing.
1-833-4-MWERKS. Founded on a passion
for the special interest, classic and collector
automotive marketplace, Motorwerks is a fullservice
marketing and creative agency. With a
focus on crafting a high impact, highly effective,
budget- and time-sensitive message, Motorwerks
brings a level of industry expertise that is tailor
made to meet your brand’s objectives. We only
service clients in the Specialty Automotive arena
and like you, our team are first and foremost true
automotive enthusiasts. Ask us what we can do for
you! Info@MotorwerksMarketing.com
www.MotorwerksMarketing.com (AZ)
ADVISOR SERVICES
480.421.6697. For over four decades, the BarrettJackson
Auction Company has been recognized
throughout the world for offering only the finest
selection of quality collector vehicles, outstanding
professional service and an unrivaled sales success.
From classic and one-of-a-kind cars to exotics and
muscle cars, Barrett-Jackson attracts only the best.
Our auctions have captured the true essence of
a passionate obsession with cars that extends to
collectors and enthusiasts throughout the world.
A television audience of millions watches unique
and select vehicles while attendees enjoy a lifestyle
experience featuring fine art, fashion and gourmet
cuisine. In every way, the legend is unsurpassed.
3020 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
info@barrett-jackson.com.
www.barrett-jackson.com (AZ)
Premier Auction Group. 844-5WE-SELL.
GAA Classic Cars Auction, Greensboro,
NC. 1.855.862.2257. A classic, muscle and unique
vehicle auction experience. Offering 650-plus
vehicles three times per year: spring, summer and
fall. All presented in a climate-controlled, enclosed,
permanent, dedicated facility affectionately
called “The Palace”. GAA Classic Cars brings
you a customer-oriented team full of southern
hospitality, a floor team with many years of classic
auction experience and a selection of vehicles that
continues to evolve and grow with each sale. www.
gaaclassiccars.com, 1.855.862.2257 (NC)
Leake Auctions. 800.722.9942. Leake
Bonhams is the largest auction house to hold
Valenti 360 LLC. 414.421.6300. Valenti 360
LLC is a premier global automotive consulting firm
offering specialty procurement, auction assistance,
value assessment, estate planning, collection
management, and expert testimony on collector
and special interest automobiles and automobilia.
We ensure that your buying, selling, or investing
decisions are well-informed. Valenti 360’s practice
spans thirty years in the industry with extensive
hands-on experience performing concours level
restorations, custom one-off builds, service, sales,
valuations, and more. Our goal is simple. We want
to help you navigate the curves with ease, so you
can fully enjoy the road. www.valenti360.com
AUCTION COMPANIES
scheduled sales of classic and vintage motorcars,
motorcycles and car memorabilia, with auctions
held globally in conjunction with internationally
renowned motoring events. Bonhams holds the
world-record price for any motorcar sold at auction,
as well as for many premier marques.
San Francisco: (415) 391-4000
New York: (212) 644-9001
Los Angeles: (323) 850-7500
London: +44 20 7447-7447
Paris: +33 1 42 61 10 10
www.bonhams.com/motors
Auction Company was established in 1972 as
one of the first car auctions in the country. More
than 40 years later, Leake has sold over 34,000
cars and currently operates auctions in Tulsa,
Oklahoma City and Dallas. Recently they have
been featured on several episodes of three
different reality TV series — “Fast N Loud” on
Discovery, “Dallas Car Sharks” on Velocity and
“The Car Chasers” on CNBC Prime.
www.leakecar.com (OK)
The auction professionals that have been taking
care of you for the last two decades have partnered
together to create a team that is dedicated to
providing the utmost customer service and auction
experience. We applied our 83 years of auction
experience to build a platform ensuring that every
aspect of our company exceeds your expectations.
Join us for the Gulf Coast Classic March 17 & 18, in
Punta Gorda, FL. 844-5WE-SELL / 844-593-7355
www.premierauctiongroup.com
info@premierauctiongroup.com
Raleigh Classic Car Auctions.
919.269.5271. BUY — SELL — SPECTATE
We are proud to offer some of the most desirable,
low mileage, original and collectible vintage
automobiles nationwide. Offering 300-plus
vehicles twice each year in June and December —
all within modern, well ventilated, temperature
controlled and very comfortable facilities. The
Raleigh Classic Car Auctions offers honesty and
unmatched customer service for everyone involved
to make the buying or selling process fun and
stress-free. WWW.RALEIGHCLASSIC.COM
INFO@RALEIGHCLASSIC.COM
New England Auto Auction. 207.594.4418.
Branson Auction. 800.335.3063. The
Branson Auction is now in it’s fourth decade
of “service to the collector”. Jim and Kathy Cox
have made a career out of helping the newest
enthusiast to the hobby and the veterans
who have been coming to Branson twice a
year for over forty years. They help arrange
transportation, reservations, appraisals, detailing
and maintenance for one or fifty cars. Dedicated
to the hobby and collectors as well. Ask what they
can do for you! www.bransonauction.com
Artcurial Motorcars.
33 (0)1 42 99 2056. 33 (0)1 42 99 1639.
7, Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris,
France. Email: motorcars@artcurial.com.
www.artcurial.com/motorcars. (FR)
Gooding & Company. 310.899.1960.
310.526.6594. Gooding & Company offers
its international clientele the rarest, awardwinning
examples of collector vehicles at the
most prestigious auction venues. Our team of
well-qualified experts will advise you on current
market values. Gooding & Company presents
the official auction of the famed Pebble Beach
Concours d’Elegance in August, the record-setting
Scottsdale Auction in January and a world-class
auction at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation in
Florida in March. www.goodingco.com. (CA)
Presented by the Owls Head Transportation
Museum, the New England Auto Auction™ is the
nation’s largest and longest-running event in its
class that operates solely to preserve the legacy
of transportation’s earliest pioneers. Over more
than four decades, NEAA™ has continuously raised
the bar by connecting discerning enthusiasts and
collectors with rare and sought-after automobiles.
Web: owlshead.org; Email: auction@ohtm.org
RM Sotheby’s. 800.211.4371.
RM Sotheby’s is the world’s largest auction
house for investment-quality automobiles.
With 35 years’ experience in the collector car
industry, RM’s vertically integrated range of
services, coupled with an expert team of car
specialists and an international footprint, provide
an unsurpassed level of service to the global
collector car market. For further information, visit
www.RMSothebys.com (CAN)
Palm Springs Auctions Inc. Keith
McCormick. 760.320.3290. 760.323.7031. 244
N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. A
family-run auction house producing two large classic
cars auctions per year. McCormick’s Palm Springs
Auctions has been in business for over 25 years, and
each auction features over 500 classics and exotics.
www.classic-carauction.com (CA)
Russo and Steele Collector Automobile
Petersen Auction Group of Oregon.
541.689.6824. Hosting car auctions in Oregon since
1962. We have three annual Auctions: February,
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, OR; July, Douglas
County Fairgrounds, Roseburg, OR; September,
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, OR. On the I-5
Corridor. We offer knowledgeable, fast, friendly,
hassle-free transactions. Oregon’s #1 Collector Car
Auction. www.petersencollectorcars.com
170 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
Auctions. 602.252.2697. Specializing in the
finest American muscle, hot rods and custom
automobiles and European sports; Russo and
Steele hosts three record-breaking auctions per
year; Newport Beach in June; Monterey, CA, every
August; and Scottsdale, AZ, every January. As one
of the premier auction events in the United States,
Russo and Steele has developed a reputation for its
superior customer service and for having the most
experienced and informed experts in the industry.
Fax: 602.252.6260. 7722 East Gray Road, Suite C,
Scottsdale, AZ 85260. info@russoandsteele.com,
www.russoandsteele.com (AZ)
Page 171
AUTOMOBILIA
Steve Austin’s Automobilia & Great
Vacations. 800.452.8434. European
Car Collector tours including Monaco &
Goodwood Historics, private collections, and
car manufacturers. Automobile Art importer of
legendary artists Alfredo de la Maria and Nicholas
Watts. www.steveaustinsgreatvacations.com
Saratoga Motorcar Auctions. Located in
Saratoga Springs, NY, the fourth annual Saratoga
Motorcar Auctions returns September 18 & 19,
2020. Proceeds help to fund the educational
programs of the Saratoga Automobile Museum.
To consign a vehicle, register to bid, or to learn
more about the Saratoga Motorcar Auctions, visit
www.saratogamotorcarauction.org
AutoMobilia Resource magazine is a
Worldwide Auctioneers. 800.990.6789
or 1.260.925.6789. Worldwide Auctioneers was
formed over a decade ago by vintage-motorcar
specialists Rod Egan and John Kruse. The sale
and acquisition of classic automobiles is our core
business, and no one is better qualified. Worldwide
is unique in having owners who are also our
chief auctioneers, so you deal directly with the
auctioneer, and we are wholly invested in achieving
the best result for you. Our auctions are catalogbased,
offering a limited number of higher-end
consignments, with an emphasis on quality rather
than volume. (We don’t limit ourselves to only
selling the most expensive cars in the world, but do
ensure that every car we consign is the very best
of its type.)
We also offer specialist-appraisal, estate-
management and collection-consultancy services.
Our dedicated private sales division serves the
needs of individual collectors who seek privacy or
to acquire vehicles that may not be available on
the open market.
www.worldwide-auctioneers.com (IN)
ALFA ROMEO
dedicated resource for anyone who collects
automobilia — from serious collectors, to the car
guy (or girl) who occasionally collects. Each issue
provides a wealth of unique editorial content from
industry experts, covering most aspects of the often
“increasing-in-value” automobilia market. PRINT
subscriptions (U.S.): 6 issues for $36 or 12 issues
for $59. DIGITAL subscription: 1 year for $29 or
1 month for $10. All print subscribers may add
digital for only $10/year extra. Call Lynn at 224558-8955
or go to AutoMobiliaResource.com/
subscribe. Or send check to: AutoMobilia Resource,
1217 Cape Coral Pkwy E, #178, Cape Coral, FL
33904. Advertising inquiries; contact Sharon at
954-579-5280 or Sharon.Spurlin@classicads.us
Editorial inquiries; contact Marshall at 631-5632876
or Editor@AutoMobiliaResource.com
BUY / SELL / GENERAL
Vintage Auto Posters. Since 1980, Everett
Anton Singer has been supplying international
collectors with the most diverse selection of authentic
vintage automotive posters. The vast inventory runs
from the late 1890s through the 1960s; featuring
marque, event and product advertising. Please visit
us at: www.VintageAutoPosters.com
AUTOMOTIVE LUGGAGE
Automotive Restorations. 203.377.6745.
Collector car sales, both road and race, have
been a key activity for over 35 years. Our sales
professionals actively seek consignments on a
global basis. We also offer vehicle “search and
find” for rare models. We undertake pre-purchase
inspections worldwide. We provide auction
support, including in-person or telephone bidding
for absentee buyers. Restoration management
and special-event assistance are also included in
our services. Our aim is to make sure that your
collector car passion is as enjoyable and worry-free
as possible. www.automotiverestorations.com
Alan Taylor Co. accounting@
Coachbuilt Press. 215.925.4233. Coachbuilt
Press creates limited-edition automotive titles for
the discriminating motoring enthusiast. We present
exceptional material on the most significant
collections, museums and marques with a balance
of authoritative writing, precise research, unique
historical documents and the modern photography
of Michael Furman. Please visit our website to view
our latest titles and order. www.CoachbuiltPress.
com (PA)
Centerline International. (888) 750-ALFA
(2532). Exclusively Alfa Romeo for over 35 years.
You can rely on our experience and the largest
inventory of parts in North America to build and
maintain your dream Alfa. We carry restoration,
maintenance and exclusive performance parts for
Giulietta through the new 4C. Newly developed
parts introduced regularly. Check our website or
social media for new arrivals, tech tips and special
offers. www.centerlinealfa.com (CO)
APPRAISALS
Passion for automobiles made visible
Created from over 100 components, this highly
detailed 3 dimensional artist’s model of the
iconic five dials is inspired by the early 911
dash, complete with functioning clock. Each dial
is hand crafted and assembled by the artist.
Customization is available. Limited edition, signed
and numbered. Many more unique motoring gifts
Gooding & Company. 310.899.1960.
Gooding & Company’s experts are well-qualified
to appraise individual automobiles as well as
collections and estates. Whether it is the creation
of a foundation, living trust or arrangement of
a charitable donation, we are able to assist you.
www.goodingco.com (CA)
available at www.motorology.com. Motorology,
LLC, Williston, VT; 617.209.9902
The Werk Shop. 847.295.3200. BMW full
and partial restorations has been our main focus for
over 20 years. We build show winners and awesome
daily drivers. Our shop is located 30 minutes north
of O’Hare Airport in Libertyville, Illinois. We also
provide our clients with collection management,
temperature/humidity-controlled storage, show
assistance and private treaty sales. We’ve built
an international reputation on our rich history of
restoring both pre- and post-war BMWs and are
honored to be recognized for the care and quality
of our work. Our collectors have won numerous
prestigious awards at Pebble Beach, Hilton Head
and many other concours. Contact us by phone or via
our website: www.thewerkshop.com (IL)
alantaylorcompany.com. Alan Taylor Co. of
Temecula, CA introduces Taylor Made Automotive
Luggage for any and all cars, new and old. Arrive in
style with Taylor Made Automotive Luggage custom
made for you in your choice of matched leather
or vinyl, or upgrade to one of our exotic leathers.
Contact us at accounting@alantaylorcompany.com
BMW
Beverly Hills Car Club is one of the largest
European classic car dealerships in the nation, with
an extensive inventory spanning over 135,000 sf.
We can meet all your classic car needs with our
unprecedented selection; from top-of-the-line
models to project cars. We buy classic cars in any
shape or condition & provide the quickest payment
& pick-up anywhere in the U.S. 310.975.0272.
www.beverlyhillscarclub.com (CA)
Blackhawk Collection, Inc. 925.736.3444.
One of the world’s foremost companies specializing
in buying and selling classic cars for clients around
the globe for over 45 years. Over the years, many
of the greatest cars in the world have passed
through the doors of the Blackhawk Collection.
Visit our website at www.blackhawkcollection.com
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 171
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RESOURCE DIRECTORY Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information; e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
BUY / SELL / GENERAL (CONTINUED)
DriverSource. 281.497.1000.
Classic Investments Inc. 303.388.9788.
California Car Cover Company. More
than just custom-fit car covers, California Car
Cover is the home of complete car care and
automotive lifestyle products. Offering the best in
car accessories, garage items, detailing products,
nostalgic collectibles, apparel and more! Call
1.800.423.5525 or visit Calcarcover.com for a
free catalog.
Barn find. Redefined. Since 1989 our company
specializes in the restoration, sales and service of
1950s–1970s Classic European sports cars: Ferrari,
Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Aston Martin, Jaguar,
Austin Healey, Porsche and Mercedes. Colorado’s
premier one-stop shop for all of a collector’s needs.
Friendly, knowledgeable, passionate staff welcomes
you to call for all inquiries; our in-house factorytrained
Ferrari mechanic has 40 years’ experience.
www.ClassicInvest.com (CO)
Pursuing & Preserving Fine Automobiles Since
2005, DriverSource is a leading specialist in
the classic collector car market. Our concept of
sales, service and storage is tailor made to the
automotive enthusiast lifestyle. To learn more
about our services or inventory, please give as a
call or contact us via email. sales@driversource.
com. www.driversource.com
Legendary Motorcar Company.
Girardo & Co. +44 (0) 203 621 2923.
Charles Prince Classic Cars. Based in
London, we are specialists in the finest historic
motorcars and in contact with dealers and
collectors from around the world. We offer
the best advice and service in the collector car
field. Int T: (0)798 5988070 or email: sales@
charlesprinceclassiccars.com
www.charlesprinceclassiccars.com
Girardo & Co. provide clients with a specialist
service offering expert advice in buying, selling
and sourcing classic cars at the very top end of
the collector’s market, whilst delivering the best
possible service to clients. info@girardo.com
www.girardo.com
905.875.4700. Since 1985, Legendary Motorcar
Company has specialized in buying, selling and
restoring some of the rarest cars in existence.
For sale, in our 150-car showroom you’ll find,
ultra-rare muscle cars, European sports cars and
modern performance cars. In our 75,000 squarefoot
facility, our highly-skilled craftsmen perform
complete award-winning restorations. Whether
you are buying one special car or building a
museum, our collection management services will
help you make the right decisions. Over 30 years
in business, we have grown to become the nation’s
premier collector and performance car facility.
www.legendarymotorcar.com (ON)
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6100. For over
35 years, we’ve been restoring automotive history
and helping collectors obtain, restore and sell
classic vehicles. Our world-class facility houses
three showrooms of cars and department specialty
areas to perform all facets of restoration under one
roof. Let our team of professional craftsmen and
specialists make your classic car vision a reality.
www.classicshowcase.com (CA)
Chequered Flag. 310.827.8665.
Chequered Flag is Los Angeles’ best known classic
car dealer. We specialize in European classic and
sports cars, particularly air-cooled Porsches. We
have over 100 classics in inventory including over
25 Porsches. We appreciate our many repeat
customers with over 15,000 cars bought and sold
since 1986. www.ChequeredFlag.com
sales@chequeredflag.com (CA)
Copley Motorcars. 781.444.4646.
Copley Motorcars has been trading in sports and
classics for over 20 years out of its suburban
Boston showroom, specializing in vintage Ferrari,
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Land Rover Defender.
And now a second showroom — CopleyWest —
has opened in Newport Beach, California.
www.copleymotorcars.com
copleycars@gmail.com (MA)
www.copleywest.com
pat@copleywest.com (CA)
Hyman Ltd Classic Cars. 314.524.6000.
Classic Auto Mall — One of the largest
Classic Car Facility’s in the world, with nearly eight
acres under one roof in a climate controlled, secure,
indoor showroom. Over 800 vehicles on display/
for sale. The Ultimate Destination for Classic and
Specialty Cars, located one hour west of Philadelphia
on the Turnpike in Morgantown, Pennsylvania.
Consignments invited, single car or entire collections.
Worldwide marketing coverage. Call 888.227.0914
or visit us at www.ClassicAutoMall.com
Daniel Schmitt & Co. 314.291.7000. A
family tradition of more than 50 years, at Daniel
Schmitt & Co. we specialize in procuring and selling
investment-level classic and exotic motorcars! In
over 30 years of business we have sent thousands
of cars across the globe and we pride ourselves
on our extremely loyal clientele. Located in St.
Louis, Missouri our facility spans four acres and is
minutes from Lambert International Airport. Let us
introduce you to your next automotive investment!
www.schmitt.com | info@schmitt.com (MO)
After more than 30 years in business, Hyman Ltd
stands proudly as one of the most respected names
in the global collector-car trade. Whether your
interests focus on concours champions, brass-era
powerhouses or new-millennium icons, Hyman
Ltd’s unique approach and unrivaled experience
helps you navigate a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Our highly successful consignment program placed
some of the world’s most significant motorcars with
new owners, and our showrooms house a diverse
inventory of nearly 200 vehicles. If you are buying,
selling or exploring your options to manage your
collection, choose Hyman Ltd to serve your needs.
2310 Chaffee Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146.
314-524-6000. sales@hymanltd.com
Motor Classic & Competition Corp.
914.997.9133. Since 1979, we have been racing,
restoring, servicing, buying and selling highquality
sports, racing and GT cars. Motor Classic &
Competition is where enthusiasts find their dream.
We specialize in Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo,
Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lotus, Aston
Martin, Ford GT40, Cobras and all European sports
and vintage racing cars.
www.motorclassiccorp.com
Luxury Brokers International.
Gullwing Motor Cars stocks more than
100 cars at our warehouse location, 27 years
of experience; visited by customers across the
country and overseas. We specialize in European
and American cars and we are always looking to
buy classic cars in any condition. We pick up from
anywhere in the U.S. Quick payment and pickup.
718.545.0500. www.gullwingmotorcars.com
215.459.1606. Specializing in the sales, purchase
and brokerage of classic automobiles for the astute
collector, with a new-age, contemporary approach.
Focusing on original, high-quality examples
as enjoyable, tangible investments. Classic car
storage, classic car consignment, brokerage, and
other consulting services are available as well.
We actively pursue the purchase and sales of
any investment-grade classic car. Since 2009, we
have offered a unique opportunity for collectors,
enthusiasts and other industry professionals.
www.lbilimited.com, sales@lbilimited.com (PA)
Paramount Automotive Group/Foreign
Cars Italia. 888.929.7202. Since 1989, we have
offered all the exclusive brands that you have ever
dreamed about. Offering new and used Ferrari,
Maserati, Aston Martin and Porsche in Greensboro,
NC, Aston Martin, Bentley and Maserati in
Charlotte, NC and Porsche in Hickory, NC. We sell,
buy and trade. Visit us at www.Paramountauto.com
or www.ForeignCarsItalia.com (NC)
172 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
Page 173
CAR STORAGE
Paul Russell and Company. 978.768.6919.
www.paulrussell.com. Specializing in the sales of
1970s and earlier great European classics since
1978. You can rely on our decades of knowledge and
experience with Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche,
Bugatti, Alfa Romeo and other fine collectibles.
Guidance is given with an emphasis on building
long-term relationships. Contact our Classic Car
Sales team via email at: sales@paulrussell.com
(MA)
CARS. 310.695.6403. For more than two
Precious Metals: Fine Motorcars of
San Diego. 619.515.2220. We are one of the
Premier Classic Exotic Dealerships in Southern
California since 2004. Owned by Dr. Perry and
Judith Mansfield, we buy, sell, consign and
provide auction management. American Classics,
Vintage European, Modern Performance. Help
with exhibiting client vehicles at car shows. Our
showroom hosts private events, art shows and club
meetings. Precious Metals is passionate about
making your car experience first class. Contact
David Young 619.515.2220, sales@pmautos.com,
www.pmautos.com (CA)
decades, CARS (Classic Automotive Relocation
Services) has looked after some of the most
irreplaceable motorcars in the world. CARS are now
able to offer secure indoor vehicle storage solutions
at its new state-of-the-art warehouse facility in
Los Angeles. Contact CARS directly to discuss your
vehicle storage requirements and find out more
about the many services that we offer. History has
proven that CARS are the team to trust. Do not take
any chances with your pride and joy — hand it to
the people that will care for it as their own. Fax:
+1 (310) 695 6584. Email: info@carsusa.com;
www.carsusa.com
CLASSIC CAR TRANSPORT
Barrett-Jackson is proud to endorse a new
breed of insurance for classic, antique, exotic,
special-interest, contemporary classic and limitededition
cars. To get a quote is even easier with our
new online improvements. Go to
www.barrett-jackson.com/insurance/, select
“Get a quote,” enter in a couple of key pieces
of information about your vehicle, and get an
estimated quote within seconds! It’s that easy.
Don’t be caught without the right insurance
for your vehicle. In the unfortunate aftermath
of damage to your vehicle, learning that your
insurance won’t restore your prized possession to
its former glory, or appropriately compensate you
for your loss, is the last thing you want to hear. To
get a quote by phone, call 877.545.2522.
AUTOSPORT DESIGNS, INC. 631.425.1555.
All Aston Martin models welcome regardless
of age, as new inevitably become old! Routine
servicing-complete mechanical restorations/
rebuilds — cosmetic repair/paintwork to complete
frame-off restoration. Large inventory of parts.
All services as well as our current unventory of
automobiles for sale can be seen at
www.autosportdesigns.com (NY)
COLLECTOR CAR INSURANCE
ENGLISH
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6100. Classic
Intercity Lines, Inc. 800.221.3936. Gripping
Vintage Motors of Sarasota.
941.355.6500. Established in 1989, offering
high-quality collector cars to the most discerning
collectors. Vintage’s specialized services include
sales, acquisitions and consignment of high-quality
European and American collector and sports cars.
Always buying individual cars or entire collections.
Visit our large showroom with 75-plus examples in
the beautiful museum district of tropical Sarasota,
FL. www.vintagemotorssarasota.com (FL)
the wheel of your dream car and starting the engine
for the first time is a high point for any enthusiast.
We are the premier enclosed auto transport company
that will ensure your car arrives safely for that
experience. For over 35 years, our standards for
excellence have had clients returning time and time
again. Trust the Best. Trust Intercity Lines.
www.Intercitylines.com
Grundy Insurance. 888.647.8639. James A.
Grundy invented Agreed Value Insurance in 1947;
no one knows more about insuring collector cars
than Grundy! With no mileage limitations, zero
deductible*, low rates, and high liability limits, our
coverages are specifically designed for collector car
owners. Grundy can also insure your daily drivers,
pickup trucks, trailers, motorhomes, and more —
all on one policy and all at their Agreed Value.
www.grundy.com (PA)
Showcase has been an industry leader in the
restoration, service and sale of classic Jaguars, and
most other fine British automobiles. From sports cars
to luxury sedans, our world-class restoration facility
and highly skilled team are ready to assist your
needs with acquiring the perfect British classic today!
760.758.6100. www.classicshowcase.com (CA)
Fourintune Garage Inc. 262.375.0876.
Hagerty. 800.922.4050. is not just the
Passport Transport. 800.736.0575. Since
West Coast Classics. 424.376.5151. West
Coast Classics are internationally renowned
California Classic Car Dealers who specialize in
buying and selling of rare and classic European and
American classic cars. Southern California location at
1205 Bow Avenue in Torrance. We ship throughout
the world and will provide you with unparalleled
service of your rare, sports, exotic, luxury, collector or
classic car needs. www.WestCoastClassics.com
info@WestCoastClassics.com (CA)
our founding in 1970, we have shipped thousands
of treasured vehicles door-to-door with our fully
enclosed auto transporters. Whether your prized
possession is your daily driver, a vintage race car,
a Classic, a ’60s muscle car or a modern exotic,
you can depend on Passport Transport to give you
the premium service it deserves. We share your
appreciation for fine automobiles, and it shows.
www.PassportTransport.com
world’s largest provider of specialty insurance
for enthusiast vehicles: they are all-in on the
automotive lifestyle dedicated to the love of
driving. Hagerty is home to Hagerty Drivers Club,
DriveShare, Car Values, Hagerty magazine and
MotorsportReg. Hagerty also helps keep the car
culture alive for future generations through youth
programs, support for Historic Vehicle Association
and the RPM Foundation. For more information,
call or visit www.hagerty.com (MI)
www.fourintune.com. Complete ground-up
restoration on British marques — specializing
in Austin-Healeys since 1976. Experience you can
trust, satisfied customers nationwide. Visit our
website for details on our restoration process,
which includes a complete quotation on Healeys.
Located in historic Cedarburg — just minutes
north of Milwaukee, WI.
JWF Restorations Inc. Specializing in AC
Reliable Carriers Inc. 800-521-6393. As the
country’s largest enclosed-auto transport company,
Reliable Carriers faithfully serves all 48 contiguous
United States and Canada. Whether you’ve
entered a concours event, need a relocation, are
attending a corporate event or are shipping the car
of your dreams from one location to another, one
American transportation company does it all.
www.reliablecarriers.com
J.C. Taylor Insurance. 800.345.8290.
Antique, classic, muscle or modified — J.C. Taylor
Insurance has provided dependable, dynamic,
affordable protection for your collector vehicle
for over 50 years. Agreed Value Coverage in the
continental U.S., and Alaska. Drive Through Time
With Peace of Mind with J.C. Taylor Insurance. Get
a FREE instant quote online at www.JCTaylor.com
restoration from street to concours, U.S. Registrar AC
Owners Club (U.K.). Now selling AC parts and tires,
including inventory from Ron Leonard. Jim Feldman.
503.706.8250, Fax 503.646.4009.Email: jim@
jwfrestoration.com (OR)
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 173
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RESOURCE DIRECTORY Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information; e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
ENGLISH (CONTINUED)
FINANCE
Bud’s Benz. 800.942.8444. At Bud’s, we sell
Classic Car Capital 310.254.9704,
Kevin Kay Restorations. 530.241.8337.
1530 Charles Drive, Redding, CA 96003. Aston
Martin parts, service, repair and restoration. From
an oil change to a concours-winning restoration,
we do it all. Modern upgrades for power steering,
window motors, fuel systems and more. Feltham
Fast performance parts in stock. We also cater to all
British and European cars and motorcycles.
www.kevinkayrestorations.net (CA)
ESTATE PLANNING ADVISORY
La Jolla Concours d’Elegance
619.233.5008. Earning the reputation as one
of the finest internationally renowned classic
automobile showcases in the United States, The
La Jolla Concours d’Elegance continues to attract
discerning car enthusiasts from around the globe.
La Jolla California is proud to welcome the La
Jolla Concours d’Elegance presented by LPL
Financial and Pacific Sotheby’s International
Realty back to the jewel of the West Coast on
April 16 through 18, 2021 to celebrate its 16th
year of automotive excellence. Register and
purchase tickets at lajollaconcours.com
Ext. 1. Maximize the return on your passion by
recapitalizing the equity in your vintage cars.
Whether to expand your collection, invest or for
personal use, you decide how to use the funds. With
unparalleled experience, service and expertise in
this highly specialized lending, we understand the
market and needs of the collector. Whether using
one car or multiple cars as collateral, we offer lines
of credit with no origination fees or prepayment
penalties.
a full line of Mercedes-Benz parts for cars from the
1950s through the 1980s. We do minor and major
service work on most Mercedes. Restoration work;
including paint, interior, mechanical and other
services are available. We pride ourselves in doing
work that is tailored to our customers’ needs and
budgets. We also (locally) work on later-model
Mercedes, BMW, and Mini Coopers. Computer
diagnostics and work related to keeping your daily
driver on the road are all available at Bud’s.
www.budsbenz.com (GA)
Ferrari Financial Services. 201.816.2670.
Chrome Strategies Management LLC.
Trust and Estate/Wealth Advisory Services
focuses on meeting the increasingly complex
financial planning needs and interests of classic
car collectors, investors, trust, estate, wealth
professionals, and family offices. We are a
completely independent advisory that develops
best practice strategies to fit your objectives.
Please contact us to discuss our scope of services.
www.chromestrategies.com
Email to: info@chromestrategies.com
EVENTS–CONCOURS, CAR SHOWS
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.
831.620.8879. A prominent component of
Monterey Car Week, The Quail is a world-renowned
motorsports event featuring one of the world’s
finest and rarest collections of vintage automobiles
and motorcycles. The Quail maintains its intimacy
and exclusivity by limiting admission through
lottery ticket allocations. Admission is inclusive of
six gourmet culinary pavilions, caviar, oysters, fine
wines, specialty cocktails, champagne, and more.
Web: signatureevents.peninsula.com (CA)
As the world’s only Ferrari-owned finance company,
no one understands a Ferrari customer’s unique
perspective better than the company that designed
these iconic sports cars. Whether it’s a line of
credit for owners interested in utilizing the equity
in their collection, or a simple interest loan, we
stand committed to help our clients enhance
their collection — without origination or early
termination fees. “FFS” offers a level of expertise
that cannot be matched by other lenders.
European Collectibles Inc. 949.650.4718.
European Collectibles has been buying, consigning,
selling and restoring classic European sports cars
since 1986. We specialize in Porsche (356 and
911) 1950s to early 1970s, along with other marks
including Mercedes, Aston Martin, Ferrari, MG,
Austin Healey and Jaguar, with 40 vehicles in stock
to choose from. European Collectibles also offers
complete mechanical and cosmetic restorations to
concours level, along with routine service. Located in
Orange County, CA, between Los Angeles and San
Diego. Sales@europeancollectibles.com or visit our
website www.europeancollectibles.com (CA)
J.J. BEST BANC & CO. is the largest lender
Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, October
16 - 18. Benefiting Erlanger Neuroscience
Institute, the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival will
bring hundreds of classic cars and thousands of
automotive enthusiasts to Chattanooga for a threeday,
family-friendly event. Three components will
anchor the festival schedule: High Jinks Rallye,
Time Trials and the Concours d’Elegance. Visit
www.chattanoogamotorcar.com to learn more
about how you can get involved.
of its type in the country – providing financing
on collector cars ranging from 1900 to today.
Whether you have your eye on a 1903 Curved Dash
Oldsmobile or a 2010 Ferrari – we’re here to make
your dream car a reality. Offering low rates, long
terms, and no prepayment penalties. Our programs
start at $6,000 and exceed $2 million with terms up
to 96 months. Visit our website at jjbest.com or call
800-USA-1965 to receive an approval in minutes.
Our team of experts is here to find the program that
fits all of your needs. Your dream car will be in your
garage in no time!
SCCA’s San Francisco Region (SFR)
Concours Chapter has been sanctioning concours
d’elegance since 1952. SCCA provides judges,
field crew and scorers at each SCCA-sanctioned
concours. To exhibit your motorcar, contact the
event organizers listed on each event’s own web
page. SCCA SFR Concours d’Elegance Chapter is
honored to sanction the following concours:
Coyote Creek June 28, 2020
www.coyotecreekconcours.com
Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival.
The South: a place where tea is sweet, people are
darlin’, moss is Spanish and, come autumn, cars are
plentiful. This fall, HHI Motoring Festival returns to
the towns of Savannah, GA, and Hilton Head Island,
SC. Join us this fall — October 30–November 1,
2020 — in the land of Southern hospitality. To
purchase tickets or for more information, visit
www.HHIMotoringFestival.com
Hillsborough July 12, 2020
www.hillsboroughconcours.org
Ferndale September 13, 2020
www.ferndaleconcours.org
Danville September 20, 2020
www.danville-delegance.org
Niello October 4, 2020
www.theconcours.net
SFR-SCCA seeks new judges and field crew. Contact
Jim Perell at japerell@icloud.com or 916-765-9739.
concourscca.org
174 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
Art’s Star Classics. 800.644.STAR
(1.800.644.7827). 30 years of expertise in
new and hard to find parts, as well as component
restoration for all Mercedes from 1931–1971.
Servicing owners and restorers worldwide. Star
Classics also offers: Sales and Acquisitions of all
’50s and ’60s Mercedes and restoration project
management for car owners so they realize the
car of their dreams. Contact us today: info@
artsstarclassics.com; www.artsstarclassics.com
International Phone #: 1.602.397.5300
GERMAN
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.
1.866.MB.CLASSIC. 1.866.622.5277). The trusted
center of competence for all classic Mercedes-Benz
enthusiasts. Located in Irvine, CA, the Classic Center
is the only sales and restoration facility in the
U.S. exclusively operated by Mercedes-Benz. Over
50,000 Genuine Mercedes-Benz Classic Parts in its
assortment. From small services to full ground-up
restorations, work is always true to original. Everchanging
showcase of for-sale vehicles. We are your
trusted source. www.mbclassiccenter.com (CA)
Scott Grundfor Company. 805.474.6477.
Since the 1970s, Scott Grundfor Company has
set the bar with best of show cars. Four decades
later, we continue our long and rich tradition of
excellence in the collectible car and restoration
market. As trusted and respected MercedesBenz
experts, we strive to not only continue the
restoration and sales excellence we’ve worked so
hard to develop, but to also bring awareness to
the appreciation, preservation and history of the
automobile.scott@scottgrundfor.com
www.scottgrundfor.com (CA)
Page 175
IMPORT / EXPORT
LEASING
MULTIMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
MetroVac. MetroVac’s car vacs and car dryers
CARS. 310.695.6403. For more than two
decades, CARS (Classic Automotive Relocation
Services) has looked after some of the most
irreplaceable motorcars in the world. If you need
your vehicle transported, CARS have the expertise
and knowledge to ensure it arrives in perfect
condition, on time, and with no unexpected costs.
CARS are able to action any shipping request
through its own offices in the U.K., New York,
Los Angeles and Japan, and via its network of
global agents. Whether your vehicle needs to be
transported by road, sea or air freight, please get in
touch and allow CARS to take the worry and stress
out of your shipment needs. History has proven that
CARS are the team to trust. Do not take any chances
with your pride and joy — hand it to the people
that will care for it as their own. Fax: +1 (310) 695
6584; Email: info@carsusa.com; www.carsusa.com
ITALIAN
Luxury Lease Partners LLC. 201.822.4870.
LLP is a self-funded exotic car lessor that does not
follow conventional lending rules, such as scores,
debt-to-income ratios or comparable borrowing
requirements. LLP can provide lease financing on
any exotic car from $50,000 to $5 million, regardless
of your credit history. If you own a car and need cash,
LLP provides sale/lease-back financing so you can
keep driving your car!
Contact us at info@luxuryleasepartners.com
Turtle Garage provides readers with unique
Premier Financial Services. 877.973.7700.
Hamann Classic Cars. 203.918.8300. With
more than 30 years in the industry and worldwide
clientele in dealing in European race and sports cars,
specializing in classic Ferraris of the ’50s and ’60s.
www.ferrari4you.com
As a serious sports car enthusiast, you’re always
seeking a better driving experience. Your high
standards should also apply to car financing.
Since 1997, Premier Financial Services has been
recognized by countless owners for our integrity,
deep understanding of the sports car market, high
level of customer service and ability to tailor flexible
leasing solutions. If you’ve never considered leasing,
let us explain how it could be your best financing
alternative. If you’ve leased from others in the past,
let us show you how we’re different. Either way,
you’ll benefit from starting or ending your search for
a better financing experience by contacting us at
877.973.7700. Learn more at
www.premierfinancialservices.com (CT)
insights into the collector vehicle market and
the broader automotive industry. Our exclusive
content focuses on vintage motorcycles, modern
classics, and the exciting future of the automobile
— including developments in ride-hailing,
electrification and autonomous driving. We
produce diverse articles on travel, restoration
projects, book reviews, auction analysis, vehicle
summaries and relevant automotive industry news.
“Turtle Garage is a must-read. Subscribe today.”
— Keith Martin, Sports Car Market
www.turtlegarage.com
MUSEUMS
are the top choice of professional detailers and
passionate car enthusiasts worldwide, like Wayne
Carini. Our products are proudly made by American
workers using only U.S. steel. These powerful
machines are built to be virtually indestructible
and last decades. MetroVac products are the classic
way to care for classic cars. www.metrovac.com
National Parts Depot. 800-874-7595.
We stock huge inventories of concours-correct
restoration parts for:
1965–73 and 1979–93 Mustang
1967–81 Camaro & Firebird
1964–72 GTO, Tempest & LeMans
1964–87 Chevelle, Malibu and El Camino
1948–96 F-Series Ford Truck
1947–98 C/K 1/2-ton Chevy Truck
1966–96 Bronco
1955–57 Thunderbird
1967–73 Cougar
www.nationalpartsdepot.com
LeMay—America’s Car Museum celebrates
The Lamborghini Club America is the
world’s largest organization of Lamborghini
owners and enthusiasts. Inclusive to both vintage
and modern Lamborghini owners, the Lamborghini
Club America is a critical asset to the Lamborghini
ownership experience. Membership includes
La Vita Lamborghini magazine, a carbon fiber
member card, special pricing at most authorized
dealers for parts and service, and much more. Join
today at: www.LamborghiniClubAmerica.com
Putnam Leasing. 866.90.LEASE. For over
30 years, Putnam Leasing has been the leader in
exotic, luxury, and collector car leasing. This honor
comes from Putnam’s unique ability to match the car
of your dreams with a lease designed just for you.
Every Putnam Lease is written to provide maximum
flexibility while conserving capital, lowering monthly
payments, and maximizing tax advantages. Its
Putnam’s way of letting you drive more car for less
money. For leases ranging from $50,000 to more
than $1 million, with terms extending up to 84
months, contact the oldest and most experienced
leasing company in the country by calling 1.866.90.
LEASE. Or just visit www.putnamleasing.com
LEGAL
David North LLC. 862.823.1182.
Magneti Marelli distributor service and
restoration for Ferrari, Maserati and
Lamborghini. Service includes complete
documentation before and after work. Distributors
are disassembled, cleaned with all worn, missing
and incorrect parts replaced. Advance curves, points
and all adjustments are set to factory specifications.
All distributors are extensively tested and checked
before delivery. Fast service turnaround to meet any
schedule. Most of these distributors are found to be
in need of maintenance and many have incorrect or
non-functioning advance mechanisms. This is just
one part of a complete tune up that is necessary for
a well running engine. davenorth73@gmail.com
Dr Beasley’s. Using better products to care
Vintage Car Law. 717.884.9010.
Bryan W. Shook, Esquire, acts for and represents
leading antique and collector car dealers, brokers,
restoration houses, and private individuals
Internationally. He has been responsible for
innumerable and prominent cases, distinguishing
himself with his unparalleled knowledge of
automobiles and network of contacts, experts and
clients. He is redefining automotive law.
www.vintagecarlaw.com (PA)
for your vehicle can make all the difference in
the world. So start with quality products like Dr.
Beasley’s. Located in Chicago, IL, Dr. Beasley’s
manufactures detailing products that have
amazing ease of use and the performance that
professional detailers require. All of our products
have a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so try them
for yourself. Or if you’d rather, hire one of our
Authorized Detailers for the ultimate in car care
and protection. Visit www.drbeasleys.com or call
us at 773.404.1600. Let us know SCM sent you.
America’s love affair with the automobile. Named
the Best Museum in Western Washington, the
four-level, 165,000-square-foot museum features
12 rotating exhibits and 300 cars, trucks and
motorcycles on display. ACM includes a 3.5-acre
show field, State Farm Theatre, Classics Café,
banquet hall and meeting facilities and offers a
majestic view above Commencement Bay. For more
information, visit www.lemaymuseum.org.
LeMay—America’s Car Museum
2702 E D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421
877.902.8490 (toll free); info@lemaymuseum.org,
www.lemaymuseum.org (WA)
PARTS, ACCESORIES & CAR CARE
Original Parts Group Inc. 800-243-8355. At
Original Parts Group, we are proud to be the largest
USA supplier of in-stock restoration parts for your
classic GM A, B, C, E and G-body vehicle, including
newly released Cadillac CTS, ATS, STS, Escalade,
EXT and XLR. 100% privately owned to serve you
better, since 1982. We are devoted to quality parts
and customer service. Visit OPGI.com today or call
today to order your free parts catalog. (CA)
QuickSilver Exhaust Systems. 011 44
AmericanMuscle 877.887.1105. Starting out
in 2003, AmericanMuscle quickly rose to be one of
the leading aftermarket Mustang parts providers in
the business. With the addition of Challenger parts
in 2018, AmericanMuscle provides the most soughtafter
products, accessories and fast shipping.
AmericanMuscle.com
1428 687722. Our customers are sophisticated
enthusiasts who choose our exhaust systems for
various reasons — originality, durability, weight
reduction and enhanced sound. We’re the default
choice for many of the most important classics.
Originality is important, but there’s no reason
why subtle improvements cannot be introduced.
QuickSilver use superior materials and modern
manufacturing techniques unavailable when the
cars were new. quicksilver-exhausts.myshopify.com
Sports Car Market OCTOBER 2020 175
Page 176
RESOURCE DIRECTORY Advertise in the SCM Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218 for information; e-mail: scmadvert@sportscarmarket.com.
RACING SERVICES
D. L. George Historic Motorcars.
Vintage Racing Services. 203.377.6745.
Our full-service shop facility and experienced staff
provide all aspects of racecar construction, setup and
repair for production-based cars to purpose-built
sports racers to formula cars. We can build a racecar
from the ground up, restore your historic vintage
racer to its former glory or maintain your racecar, all
to ensure your maximum enjoyment. Our trackside
support, transportation, racecar rental and coaching
can round out your experience. Our sister company,
Automotive Restorations Inc., offers high-quality
upholstery, body and paint and panel fabrication
services. www.automotiverestorations.com/vrs/home
RESTORATION – GENERAL
Brightworks. 937.773.5127. Brightworks
has partnered with Ruote Borrani to be the only
authorized restorer of Ruote Borrani wheels in the
world, and to be a distributor for any new Ruote
Borrani products in North America. We use the
original Ruote Borrani drawings and blueprints to
restore your wheels to exact factory standards and
offset. Additionally, we use the correct font letter/
number stamps to re-create all of the original
markings to restore your Borrani wheels to be
factory original, correct and certified.
www.brightworkrestoration.com (OH)
610.593.7423. We stand at the crossroads
between you and historic European motorcars of
the pre-war and early post-war era. We provide
full-service restoration, maintenance and support
of the finest cars driven extensively by the most
refined collectors. Find us at concours from Amelia
Island to Pebble Beach, venues from Lime Rock to
Goodwood, and events including the Mille Miglia,
Peking to Paris, and The Colorado Grand.
www.DLGEORGE.com (PA)
Hjeltness Restoration. 760.746.9966.
What began as attention to detail developed into
love. We benefit from 34 years of disassembling
original cars with the intent to restore yet also
with an eye on the future, other restorers will need
benchmarks to copy. If your own personal piece of
history needs doing for the first time or the second
please contact us. www.HjeltnessRestoration.com
Fantasy Junction. 510.653.7555. For
35 years, Owner/Enthusiast Bruce Trenery has
operated Fantasy Junction from the San Francisco
Bay Area. The dealership enjoys an outstanding
worldwide reputation for integrity and knowledge in
the collector car field. Many of the world’s greatest
sports cars have passed through the doors, with both
buyers and sellers enjoying expert representation.
Email Sales@FantasyJunction.com,
www.FantasyJunction.com (CA)
TOURANIL Leather by AERISTO +1 (817)
624-8400. A deep passion for classic automobiles
has led AERISTO’s founder Christian Schmidt to
develop an authentic line of classic, vegetable
tanned leathers. AERISTO, the market leader for
high end, technical aviation leathers is now proud
to offer their TOURANIL article to the restoration
community. All raw materials are sourced from
premium South German bull hides, available in
stock in a wide array of colors. Please reach out to
AERISTO to learn more. info@aeristo.com;
www.aeristo.com
Branson Collector Cars. 417.336.1155.
“The Shop” at Branson Collector Cars began in
the late eighties for the sole purpose to maintain
and restore the owner’s personal collection and
that of a few close friends. Beginning in 2010
“The Shop” was opened to all collectors for the
maintenance, repair and full ground up
restorations. The technicians have an envious
amount of skills, experience and dedication to the
art of preserving your favorite ride. Ask for
Jason! https://bransonauction.com/the-shop/
Farland Classic Restoration.
303.761.1245. A complete facility offering
concours-level restorations, repair and fabrication
services. We work on all makes, and specialize in
Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche. Highly organized
and fiscally responsible, we provide biweekly
detailed billing to keep you abreast of the rapid
progress of your project in every way. Check out
our site for details. Email: info@farlandcars.com.
www.farlandcarscom
Jeff’s Resurrections has been bringing
some of the world’s finest cars back to life in a
quiet corner of Central Texas for almost three
decades. Founded in 1990, we are a full-service
auto restoration facility specializing in classic,
exotic and antique vehicles, whose work has won
many awards. With a full-time team of ten skilled
mechanics, metal craftsmen, specialist re-finishers
and detailers, we offer complete mechanical and
coachwork services. Our premises encompass
36,000 square feet of historic property that once
housed a pre-war Dodge dealership in Taylor,
Texas, just a short drive from downtown Austin,
Austin Bergstrom International Airport and the
Circuit of the Americas. 512.365.5346.
www.jeffsresurrections.com (TX)
On the Road Again Classics.
Hahn Auto Restoration. 724.452.4329.
Classic Showcase. 760.758.6100. For
Automotive Restorations. 203.377.6745.
Founded in 1978, we are well-established
practitioners of the art and craft of vehicle
restoration, preservation and service. Nearly
40 experienced craftspeople focused on the art
and entertainment to be enjoyed with great cars
describes our culture. Our staff and expertise
encompasses a broad range of skills and specific
vehicle experience. Proper project management
and control produces the quality and attention
to detail we have come to be known for in all we
produce. See much more on the web at
www.automotiverestorations.com
over 35 years, we’ve been restoring automotive
history by creating driver-, show/driver-, show- and
preservation-level restorations for collectors
worldwide. Our world-class facilities consist of a
team of passionate and dedicated craftsmen who
are ready to perform either factory standards or
performance/modified upgrades. Visit our website or
call us to discuss your project today.
www.classicshowcase.com (CA)
We take pride in offering concours-level collector
car restoration, recommissioning, custom builds
and repair services. With our experienced staff
and cutting-edge technology, we can restore your
car back to its original beauty and help it perform
better than when it was first driven off the lot! We
understand how much your classic car means to you
and we will treat your restoration or repair with
the quality care and respect it deserves — getting
the job done right the first time. We believe that
a restoration should last a lifetime and beyond,
so we strive to provide our clients with quality
restoration services that will last for generations.
www.hahnautorestoration.com
408.782.1100. Northern California’s largest
Classic British & American auto restoration &
repair shop is an 18,000 square foot facility under
one roof! We opened our doors in 2008 and have
restored over 20 Concours 1st place winners! Our
team of craftsman with over 140 years experience
have risen to the top, becoming a Certified Hagerty
Expert Collision Repair Facility and in-house
Certified Glasurit paint shop.
www.ontheroadagainclassics.com
176 OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
eW CHCARL BOMSTEAD
PAGE HEADER
AT
Be Like Mike
One pair of Michael Jordan’s game-worn kicks brings enough money to fund some
serious car shopping
M
ichael Jordan was drafted third, behind Sam Bowie, in the 1984 NBA draft by the Chicago
Bulls, and he ushered in a new era of aerial basketball and marketing. His contract with Nike
was worth millions to Jordan and much, much more to Nike. His Air Jordans were — and still
are — the sneaker to wear.
Goldin Auctions, at their July 18 sale, sold a pair of his rookie-season, game-worn Air
ans, after 24 bids, for an astonishing $369,000. Both shoes were signed. The left shoe
as size 13 and the right 13.5 as they were built to his unusual specifications.
Here are a few more treasures we found while hunkered down — that have
absolutely nothing to do with sneakers:
MATTHEWS AUCTIONS LOT 339—STANOCOLA SINGLE-SIDED
PORCELAIN 18-INCH SIGN. SOLD AT: $2,000 INCLUDING 20% VIG. Date
sold: 7/18/2020. The Standard Oil Company of Louisiana was formed in 1909 as
part of the New Jersey parent company, and they retained the Stanocola name until
1924. Their logo was colorful and is very collectible. This example was in decent
condition, with large chips at the mounting holes. It sold for a fair price, but beware,
as fakey-doos abound on the Internet.
AUTOMOBILIA AUCTIONS
EBAY #34324217547251—
1950s JAPANESE TIN
FRICTION TV “SPACE
PATROL” ROBOT CAR.
Number of bids: 60. SOLD AT:
$1,600. Date sold: 7/12/2020.
This cool TV “Space Patrol”
tin car was about 9½ inches in
length and the TV camera operator’s
head rotated when the car
moved. The “Dagmar” bumper
tips had been replaced and the
box was a reproduction. A very
original example with the correct
packaging sold a few years back
for close to $20k, so this was a
relative bargain.
LLC—1908 SAVANNAH GRAND PRIX
PROGRAM. Estimate: $200–$400. SOLD
AT: $1,400. Date sold: 6/27/2020. The
Savannah Grand Prix took place on November
28, 1908. Louis Wagner drove a Fiat to victory.
In fact, Fiat swept the podium. The program,
with great graphics, had a loose binding and
minor fading. Price exceeded the estimate, but
it was still acquired for a fair amount.
RM SOTHEBY’S LIFETIME OF
PORSCHE MEMORABILIA PART
II, LOT 3068—”MCQUEEN DRIVES
PORSCHE” POSTER. Estimate: $4,000–
$5,000. SOLD AT: $3,600, INCLUDING
20% VIG. Date: 7/29/2020. Steve McQueen
began his racing career rather late in life, but
he quickly found success. This poster references
his 1970 triumphs driving a 908 to victory
at the 24 Hours of Sebring, Phoenix and
Holtville. Anything McQueen touched is now
very desirable, and this poster is no exception.
RM SOTHEBY’S LIFETIME OF PORSCHE MEMORABILIA PART I, LOT
1078—PORSCHE DEALERSHIP BANNER WITH HOFFMAN LETTER. SOLD
AT: $2,820. Date sold: 6/30/2020. This fabric banner, featuring the Porsche logo,
measured 40 inches by 28 inches and was in excellent condition. It included a letter from
Hoffman Porsche Corporation to their dealers offering the banner for their display rooms
or all of $2.50. Okay, I’ll take three.
at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices.
Subscription rates are $75 for 12 monthly issues in the U.S., $105 Canada, $135 Mexico, Europe, Asia/Africa/Middle East. Subscriptions are payable in advance in U.S. currency.
Make checks to: Sports Car Market. Visa/MC accepted. For instant subscription, call 877.219.2605, 503.261.0555; fax 503.253.2234; www.sportscarmarket.com.
178
SEPTEMBER 2020 Sports Car Market
OCTOBER 2020 Sports Car Market
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Sports Car Market (ISSN #1527859X) is published monthly by Automotive Investor Media Group, 401 NE 19th Ave, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232. Periodicals postage paid
RM SOTHEBY’S
LIFETIME OF PORSCHE
MEMORABILIA PART
I, LOT 1033—PORSCHE
356 PRE-A RESTORED
BANJO STEERING WHEEL.
SOLD AT: $4,320. Date sold:
6/30/2020. The 356 Pre-A was
produced from 1948 until 1958,
and this 24-spline steering wheel
had been professionally restored.
It had a Bakelite-backed original
horn button and was 15.75 inches
in diameter. If you have the car
and need the steering wheel, then
this was a real find and cheap at
most any price. ♦
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to:
Sports Car Market
PO Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208
CPC IPM Sales Agreement No. 1296205
RM PEDAL POWER
AUCTION. LOT 152—1941
LINCON ZEPHYR
STEELCRAFT PEDAL CAR.
SOLD AT $8,700. Date sold:
6/24/2020. The Lincoln Zephyr
was manufactured from 1936
until the beginning of World
War II. This striking pedal car
was made by Steelcraft and was
fully restored in maroon and
silver livery. A rare example
and a cool go-with for display
in the car barn.