RM Auctions, Auburn Fall, August 30-September 2, 2018

Even though it’s now styled “RM Auctions”, the present iteration of Auburn Fall is the creation of Donnie Gould and the team formerly known as Auctions America.

They have worked diligently to build Auburn Fall back to the must-attend event of legends.

Held on the weekend of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Festival, Donnie and his team have carefully structured Auburn Fall so it complements the Festival and doesn’t compete with it.

That they are achieving their objectives is seen not only in the $21.6 million total sale but also in the 73.5% sell-through (the best-ever for Auburn Fall). They assemble good cars, take them at good (or no) reserves and bring bidders.

That was an especially important accomplishment this year when Auburn Fall followed the orgy of auctions in Monterey by less than a week. That’s not a lot of time to recover, and I didn’t so these on-site observations are by Erik Nelson while I was grinding away at the computer grimly assembling stats from Monterey.

This isn’t Auburn Fall’s highest total. That came in 2013 at $27.6 million, but required 1,135 lots crossing the block to do it.

Here are the numbers:

Year Cars Sold/ Offered Sale % Sold < Low Est Sold > High Est Average Sale Median Sale Total $
2018 527/721 73.1% 73.5% 4.8% $41,076 $27,500

[67%]

$21,646,790
2017 530/728 72.8% 78.3% 6.2% $35,833 $19,250

[53.7%]

$19,991,443
2016 579/842 68.8% 80.5% 4% $36,252 $23,350

[64.4%]

$20,989,685
2015 553/870 63.6% 78.2% 5.1% $35,053 $20,900

[59.6%]

$19,384,445

The very complete and thorough on-site observations are by Erik Nelson. They’re edited by Rick Carey who is ultimately responsible for what you’re reading.

66 of the 721 lots are reported here. They’re arranged by Marque, Year and Model for easier search.


Lot # 2220 1969 AMC AMX Fastback; S/N A9M397T273101; Big Bad Blue, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $38,000 – $42,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $26,000. – Wide Oval tires, woodrim steering wheel, Hurst shifter, factory AM radio, dash clock. – Very good paint other than a few chips on the panel edges and a few small cracks. Scratches in the rear glass. Panel fit and gaps are a little uneven all around. The brightwork looks good other than some pitting near the side windows. New weather stripping. The interior looks great and recently redone. The engine compartment is very clean and well restored with few signs of wear. A lightly used older restoration. – This car sold for $28,050 at Mecum Anaheim in 2015 and for $24,200 at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas in the same year. AMXs and AMCs in general are still as underappreciated as they were three years ago, though, so for the consignor to expect any more than the perfectly appropriate reported high bid is a bit unrealistic.

Lot # 2070 1973 AMC Javelin Fastback; S/N A3C797P132765; Fairway Green, White stripes/Green, Gray vinyl; Estimate $24,000 – $28,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $8,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $9,350. – 401 engine, Radial T/A tires, spoilers, horseshoe shifter, pushbutton radio, power brakes. – A few chips in the nose and the stripes have some scratches, chips and cracks. The paint is otherwise quite good. The panel fit is actually very good, especially for an AMC. The brightwork is good with some scratches on the front of the hood and above the side windows. The interior is good with some light wear to the driver’s seat, and the console lid is warped. The carpet looks like it was replaced and cut incorrectly. Engine bay looks good, but could use a good cleaning. Underneath looks good with very little wear and tear. The original undercoating is still holding up well. Represented as an Arizona car, it’s never been restored but has gotten major attention when necessary. – It’s neat to see one of these later Javelins in almost any kind of condition, but seeing one this well-kept was a real treat. With lack of name recognition and the headache of finding parts, even the cool AMCs don’t command very much money. This one hammered not sold at a $15,500 high bid at Auburn Spring a few months back, and in the fall hammered at a bargain price. Its real value is arguably somewhere in the middle.

Lot # 2010 1973 AMC Javelin Fastback; S/N A3C797P309647; Burgundy, White stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $6,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,600. – Painted steel wheels, spoilers, Go Package, horseshoe shifter, MSD ignition, K&N air filter, aftermarket under dash gauges. – The paint has a lot of chips and scratches throughout. Panel gaps are uneven and rust is starting around the rear fenders and quarter panel corners. Brightwork is very dull and scratched. Interior looks ok. The console and door panels are showing wear. Engine compartment looks OK with some grime showing around gaskets. Underneath is pretty clean with only a little surface rust. A thoroughly used later Javelin that would make a decent restoration candidate. – Bought appropriately. It will never be worth very much, though, so hopefully it was bought by a real AMC fan who will be willing to put in the time and money.

Lot # 1179 1976 American Motors Pacer Hatchback; S/N A6A667A223691; Tan/Brown vinyl with Beige cloth inserts; Unrestored original, 4- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $3,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,300. – 232/90hp, automatic, Sanyo cassette stereo, power steering. – This Pacer has seen better days, as most probably have. The paint is dull with a lot of chips, scratches and touch ups. Dents in the hood. The side molding is taped on. Plastic lenses are cracked and faded. Weather stripping is dry and cracked. The brightwork is about the best thing going on this car. Panel gaps are uneven. The interior is faded and ripped in a few spots, and the dash pad is warped. The engine compartment has a lot of grease and grime. Underneath has some wear and tear, as well as signs of a fluid leak from the front. Impressive for a Pacer to have survived this long, but this one is barely hanging on. – Pacer ownership is more about the novelty of the thing than anything else. This one sold for about what it is worth in this rough condition, which is less than not much.

Lot # 4109 1956 Buick Super Riviera Hardtop; S/N 5C2022830; Light Blue, White/Light Blue vinyl with cloth inserts; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $23,750 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $26,125. – 322/255hp, Dynaflow, chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, power steering, power brakes, power windows, factory air conditioning, pushbutton radio, dash clock. – Very good paint. Slightly uneven gaps. The brightwork looks very good other than a small amount of pitting around the door windows. The interior looks good for the most part but it is missing the inside door grabs, plus the seat and carpet show some wear. Engine compartment looks good but could use a good cleaning. Underneath looks good with recent undercoating. Restored about 10 years ago and some things were missed on the interior. – The work this Buick needs is straightforward and mostly can be done by the new owner who paid an appropriate price for an under-appreciated vehicle.

Lot # 1053 1963 Buick Skylark Coupe; S/N 3J1580388; Light Metallic Green, White roof/Brown vinyl; Estimate $7,000 – $9,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $6,100 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,710. – 215/200hp, automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. – The paint looks good with a few small scratches throughout and general fading. Cracking in the paint on the driver’s door. Uneven panel fit. The front bumper is tweaked with a decent dent on one corner. The brightwork is showing some pitting. The interior looks very good with only some wear showing to the carpet. Engine bay looks good but used with some discoloration on the intake. Underneath looks good, with possible undercoating done a few years ago. A car you don’t often see any more with the famous aluminum V-8. Represented as a survivor, but it’s not too good to restore. – A good, sound car in reasonably attractive colors but even at that it won’t be worth any more than $25,000 (on a very good day) after a thorough restoration. It’s not going to get to that level on the $18,290 left and is best just maintained, enjoyed and kept clean to be passed on to a subsequent custodian for what’s in it.

Lot # 2024 1967 Buick Riviera 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 494877H900555; Sapphire Blue/Blue vinyl; Estimate $28,000 – $32,000; Recent restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $20,000. – 430/360hp, automatic, power steering, power brakes, etc., Red line tires. – Very good recent paint, but the panel gaps are a little uneven and this has caused a few chips around the edges. The brightwork looks excellent. The interior is very good with some slight warping to the dash pad. Engine compartment is very clean and still smells like fresh paint. Underneath looks very good with no real signs of wear. A well restored car that looks ready to hit the local shows. – The estimate range is realistic for the condition of this Riviera. The consignor’s decision not to take the reported bottom-feeder bid is also realistic.

Lot # 1014 1977 Buick Century Custom Coupe; S/N 4H57C7H216994; Orange/White vinyl; Estimate $12,000 – $14,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $8,000. – 231/105hp V-6, automatic, T-tops, Radial T/A tires. – The paint looks good other than a few touch ups throughout. The brightwork looks good with some pitting on the rear bumper. Rust is bubbling up on the rear quarters. Uneven gaps. The interior looks good and is showing very little wear. Seat belt holders on the seats are broken. Engine bay is showing some age. Underneath is showing some surface rust. You don’t see many of these around and that makes it somewhat noteworthy, but it’s not all that desirable and it has some significant flaws. – Plenty of money offered and it’s unlikely to get a higher bid than this after being shopped around for a while.

Lot # 1034 1987 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe; S/N 1G4GJ1177HP457416; Black/Black, Gray cloth; Estimate $30,000 – $35,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800. – Chromed wheels. – Paint looks very good with small scuffs on the bumper edges. Weather stripping is showing age and cracks. The interior looks excellent and is showing very little wear. The engine bay is very clean and doesn’t appear to have been fiddled with. Underneath is fairly clean, small amount of oxidation. In mostly great shape and well-kept, but with 37,323 miles showing, it’s a good car for someone who wants a GN to actually go out and enjoy rather than be a garage showpiece. – There isn’t anything glaringly wrong with this car, yet it sold for the kind of money that would usually buy a worn out and beat up example. This price is about what the car might have been worth 10 years ago, but in today’s market it was a serious bargain.

Lot # 2066 1959 Cadillac Series 62 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 59K001922; Black/White leather, Black cloth; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800. – 390/325hp, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, fender skirts, Autronic Eye, pushbutton radio, power windows, power seat. – Sold with proceeds going to a select charity. The paint has seen better days. It’s faded, has some chips on the panel edges, and there is some peeling on the front fender. The side windows have some delamination. The brightwork looks good, some pitting and scratches around the windows. Weather stripping is dry and cracked. The panel fit is uneven. The interior looks good with some discoloration to the front seat and door panels. The engine compartment could use a good cleaning, and there is paint flaking off the intake. Underneath there is some surface rust, but it also looks like undercoating was sprayed over it once before. A reasonably presentable driver as is, but a mostly solid candidate for a fairly straightforward restoration. – This would be a great “Black Car” that makes up in elegance and panache what it lacks in maneuverability and gas mileage. This is a realistic price for it to both the buyer and the seller.

Lot # 1052 1975 Cadillac DeVille Coupe; S/N 6047S5Q260890; Light Blue, White vinyl roof/White leather; Estimate $7,000 – $10,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,050. – 500/190hp, automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, column shift, pushbutton radio, climate control, power windows. – Paint looks good with a few chips throughout and light general fading. Fender extensions are faded, cracked and broken in a few spots. The vinyl roof is discolored, separating some on the passenger side. Panel fit is a little uneven. The interior looks OK with some wear on the driver’s seat. The vinyl on the driver’s door panel is cracked and discolored. Carpet is faded. Engine bay is showing age with paint flaking off, valve covers look to be leaking a little. Underneath looks to have been recently undercoated and there are more signs of fluid leaks. An unrestored 52,478-mile DeVille that would make a fine casual cruiser but likely won’t be trouble-free. – Physically speaking, this is tons of car and tons of displacement for the money, but this result is about what it’s worth. While malaise era luxury cars have gained some appreciation in recent years, they are still squarely in entry-level territory for the most part and expensive enough to maintain that they deserve to be.

Lot # 1082 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible; S/N 6L67S6Q158994; White/White leather; Black vinyl top; Estimate $40,000 – $45,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $33,000. – 500/190hp, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, parade boot cover, power windows, air conditioning. – The paint looks good with some chips on the panel edges and the fender extensions are slightly discolored. The brightwork looks very good. Convertible top fits well, but there is a large tear by the left rear quarter window. The interior is very good with some wear on the driver’s seat and door panel. Engine bay is very clean. Underneath looks very good, but there is fluid showing around the transmission pan. The 5,952 miles showing are represented as original, although the car isn’t quite like new. Plenty of things to pick on, but they are small and overall this is a neat driver. – Inherently a lot more collectible than most of the other big ’70s luxury cars in the sale, this Eldo convertible sold for $30,800 in Fort Lauderdale earlier this year. That was a modest result but not a steal, so the reported high bid here could have seen the car off to a new home. The consignors’ desire at least to make a few bucks is rational, but this result would have been close to if not a little about break even after commissions and expenses and the market for ’76 Eldos is not robust.

Lot # 1164 1979 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe; S/N 6L57B9E602799; Dark Bronze Firemist, Bronze vinyl roof/Brown leather; Estimate $12,000 – $14,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $11,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $12,650. – 350/170hp, automatic, wire wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, button tufted seats, armrest, column shift, power windows, air conditioning. – Represented as a 31,686-mile one-owner car. The paint looks good with some chips, scratches and touch ups. Brightwork looks very good. Vinyl roof looks excellent. The interior looks excellent and is showing very little wear. Engine bay is very clean other than some paint flaking on the valve covers. Underneath is very clean and showing very little wear. A remarkably maintained and well-kept Cadillac in good if not showroom condition. – There is little premium for originality in this result, nor should there have been. But it is a distinctive, stylish, car with eye-appeal, and that makes the price paid realistic.

Lot # 1064 1983 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe; S/N 1G6AL5786DE625163; Brown, Dark Brown cloth roof/Brown cloth; Estimate $5,000 – $8,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $3,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,850. – Wire wheels, narrow whitewalls, cloth roof, button tufted seats, power windows, cruise control, factory radio. – Good original paint with some chips at the panel edges. Fender extensions are all broken in some fashion. Bright work looks very good. The cloth soft top looks good. The interior looks good other than visible wear to the seats. Engine compartment is showing some wear and grime as well as signs of a fluid leak. Underneath has been recently undercoated. A reasonably well-kept but clearly used ’83 Eldorado. – Not to make too big a deal out of it, but this is a tired car used car that has little to gain from its originality. The Brown paint, roof and interior are typical of a dull era in American automobiles, not to mention the 135hp engine’s desultory performance. It brought what it deserved.

Lot # 3185 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible; S/N C54T36090; Roman Red/Red, White vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $24,000 – $28,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. – 235/115hp six, Powerglide, wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, dash clock, spotlight. – There are particles in the paint from poor prep work and some chips on the panel edges. The brightwork looks very good other than some pitting around the vent windows. Weather stripping is dried and cracked. Passenger’s side door glass is cracked. The top doesn’t fit very well. Some wear on the driver’s seat and chips in the steering wheel. Tidy but used engine bay. AACA National First Prize in 1987, which is impressive, but that was over 30 years ago. The restoration is definitely showing its age. – The Auburn Fall bidders paid all the money and then some for this seriously needy and badly aging Bel Air. It’s not that the result is unreasonable, it’s just that the car needs so much it will not be much fun to drive. It’s also Tarrytown-built indicating it started life in the snowy, salted-roads Northeast.

Lot # 2094 1956 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N E56S002548; Cascade Green/Beige vinyl; Estimate $65,000 – $75,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,800. – 283/225hp, 3-speed, dual quads, hardtop, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, radio delete. – The older repaint has a few cracks and touch ups but otherwise is holding up pretty well. Panel fit is a little uneven. Weather stripping looks good. The brightwork looks excellent. The interior looks good other than some cracks in the steering wheel and the dash padding a little discolored. Engine compartment looks good other than some signs of wear and flaking paint. Underneath shows some wear and a little surface rust on the frame rails. Restored, but done many years ago and starting to show its age just about everywhere. – Sold by RM at Meadow Brook in 2007, then not sold at a $56,000 high bid at Auburn Spring this year. It’s added 368 miles to the odometer since 2007. This is a modest result for a mostly good car, which might also be described as mediocre.

 

Lot # 3054 1957 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N VE57S103453; Onyx Black, Silver coves, Black hardtop/Red vinyl; Red top; Estimate $125,000 – $150,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $137,500. – 283/250hp fuel injection, 4-speed, both tops, spinner wheel covers, blackwall tires, radio delete. – Lots of light scratches throughout the paint. Brightwork looks very good and new. The panel fit and gaps look very good. The interior looks excellent, with the driver’s seat showing just a little wear. Engine compartment is very clean like it left the factory. Underneath is very clean and appears to have fresh undercoating. Very well restored car, the paint is the only thing holding this one back. – Scratches like those seen on this Corvette aren’t uncommon, are especially apparent on black, and are amenable to being minimized by attentive polishing. The bidders in Auburn looked past them at the quality and specifications of the underlying Corvette, paying a realistic price for it even in the absence of any Bloomington Gold or NCRS documents.

Lot # 4081 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194675S121942; Nassau Blue/Blue leather; White vinyl top; Estimate $80,000 – $90,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $81,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $89,100. – 396/425hp, 3-speed, centerlock alloy wheels, gold line tires, later cassette stereo. – Claimed to be numbers matching. The paint looks very good aside from a few minor scratches and chips on the panel edges. Slightly uneven gaps. The brightwork looks very good. The windshield has some delamination. The interior looks excellent and is showing very little wear. The engine compartment is very clean other than slight discoloration on the intake. The underbody is very clean as well. An older restoration that has been well-kept and still has no needs. – The ’65 396/425hp Corvette option is undervalued relative to its later 427 offspring and is an ideal way to get the Big Block Corvette experience. This result is fair to both parties.

Lot # 1134 1968 Chevrolet C10 Pickup; S/N CE148F133264; Gold, White/Gold, White vinyl; Estimate $24,000 – $28,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,250. – 327/240hp, automatic, stepside long bed with wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, dual mirrors, power brakes, factory radio, factory air conditioning. – Lots of scratches, chips and touch ups in an older repaint. The brightwork looks very good other than some pitting to the rear bumper. Inside of the bed shows some wear, but it is mostly holding up nicely. The interior is very good with some discoloration to the door panels and a small crack in the steering wheel. Engine compartment looks good with some grime around the valve covers and intake. Underneath looks good and solid. Unrestored and used, but kept remarkably well for an old pickup. – Not sold at Auburn Spring a few months ago at a $19,000 high bid. The seller got the message this time around.

Lot # 2122 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS 396 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136379B364937; Daytona Yellow, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $38,000. – 396/375hp, 4-speed, Wide Oval tires, Hurst T-handle shifter, dash-mounted tach. – Claimed to be a numbers matching 396/375. Paint looks good with some minor blemishes and touch ups on the front of the car. Paint peeling a little near the driver’s door handle. Factory gaps. Vinyl roof looks excellent and new. The brightwork looks very good. The interior looks to be new other than one small crack on the steering wheel center. Engine compartment is very clean, but some paint is coming off the block. The underbody looks great and freshly re-done other than a tiny bit of surface rust on the exhaust. Restored to reasonable but not over the top standards a while ago and holding up well. – Sold for $41,250 at Mecum Harrisburg in August, an advantageous purchase at the time and one the consignor has every right to think is worth more than it was then, not to mention being worth more than this parsimonious bid.

 

Lot # 3071 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Coupe; S/N 124870N539189; Daytona Yellow, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $41,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $45,650. – 350/360hp LT1, 4-speed, Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, SS style wheels, spoilers, power steering, power brakes, Hurst shifter. – Excellent paint with some very minor swirls in the black stripes. The brightwork looks amazing. Factory gaps. Some scratches in the rear glass. The interior all looks new. Engine compartment is very clean and not overly restored. Underneath is just as clean as the rest of the car. A high quality and recent restoration. – A modest result considering the freshness and quality of this like-new car, and considering the fact that the ’70 Z/28 is just about the most desirable second gen Camaro of them all. It could have brought the pre-sale low estimate without being expensive.

Lot # 2127 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Coupe; S/N 124870L514719; Hugger Orange, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Enthusiast restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $29,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $32,450. – 350/360hp LT1, 4-speed, Torq Thrust wheels, Radial T/A tires, rear spoiler, Hurst shifter, radio, power brakes. – A few small chips and touch ups on the front of the car but mostly good paint. Minor pitting on the rear bumper. The interior is very good other than some fading on the door panels. The engine bay is very clean with aftermarket headers installed. Underneath is clean with fresh undercoating. A very well presented Z/28, although there isn’t much history or matching numbers represented. – Reported sold at Mecum Harrisburg a month ago for $26,400 and sold here for a little bit more consistent with its condition, minor deviations from stock and the uncertainty that the lack of documentation and even a representation of the engine’s origin present.

Lot # 2150 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 1Z37K2S504252; Classic White/Black vinyl; Estimate $30,000 – $35,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $18,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $19,800. – 350/200hp, automatic, window sticker and Protect-O-Plate documented, Rally wheels with trim rings, Bloomington survivor paperwork. – Claimed to be an all original survivor. Paint is there, but every square inch is cracked and there are chips on the panel edges. The windshield has some delamination. Panel gaps and fit are uneven. The brightwork is dull, and the rear bumper has scratches and pitting. The interior actually looks very good and is showing very little wear consistent with the 47,611 miles on its odometer. The engine bay is very clean, although paint has peeled off the intake and then was painted over again. Undercarriage looks good, just dusty and some surface rust on cross braces. Holding up reasonably well, but the paint is quite bad. – Given a slight premium for its total originality, but the seller didn’t have any unrealistic expectations and let it go at this appropriate price. The originality is a plus, but is counteracted by the exterior appearance and mundane drivetrain.

 

Lot # 1011 1977 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 1Z37L7S425820; Green/Gray vinyl; Estimate $6,000 – $10,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $7,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,700. – 350/180hp, automatic, Rally wheels with trim rings and hubcaps, Continental tires, T-tops, power windows. – The paint looks decent, but the rear driver’s side has a poor blending job and there are quite a few touched up chips. It’s also a neat color, but not a factory one. Interior is good, with some wear showing on the driver’s side seat and sill plate. Weather stripping has seen better days. Engine bay is showing wear, with paint flaking from the block and intake. Grease and grime showing as well. Underneath has quite a bit of surface rust. A driver quality late C3 that is still presentable, but just barely. – Late C3s are neat and affordable cruisers. Parts and trim pieces are also so easy to find that tackling a basic project shouldn’t be too daunting. At this price, the new owner of this car has a few bucks left over to address this car’s more glaring needs and can enjoy driving it on the weekends in the meantime.

Lot # 1121 1977 Chevrolet LUV Pickup; S/N CLN1468229785; Red, Black/Red vinyl, Red and White plaid cloth; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $13,000. – Wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, floor shift, factory AM/FM radio, `Mighty Mike’ decal package. – The paint in the bed is a little faded, but the bed itself isn’t beat up. Good and only very lightly faded paint on the body. Long scratch in the graphic on the left side of the hood and touch ups at the back of it. Very good interior. Very good underneath. A charming little ’70s truck, the likes of which you hardly ever see. – Essentially a small Isuzu Faster truck underneath, this LUV sold for $15,125 ($13,750 hammer) at Worldwide’s Arlington, Texas auction a few months back. A strong premium was paid there for its charm and preservation, but it’s not likely to get much more than that at auction any time soon.

Lot # 2052 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Silver Anniversary Coupe; S/N 1Z8748S435529; Silver, Gray/White; Estimate $25,000 – $30,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $19,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $21,450. – 350/220hp, automatic transmission, power windows, tilt steering column, T-tops. – Showing 153 believable miles. The paint looks good with some chips on the panel edges and flat spots throughout. Panel fit and gaps are a little uneven. The interior looks brand new with no wear. Engine is clean like it left the factory. Underneath looks very good with the exception of the rear section of exhaust which has a lot of surface rust. Almost like-new, but it misses the mark a bit. – For a car like this to bring top dollar, it typically has to both have very low mileage and be in like-new condition. Not either or, but both. This one was showing some age and there are other, better low-mile Silver Anniversary cars out there to choose from, so it didn’t get much attention.

Lot # 1123 1990 Chevrolet C1500 454 SS Pickup; S/N 1GCDC14N2LZ199587; Black/Red cloth; Estimate $15,000 – $18,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $10,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $11,550. – 454/230hp, automatic, Mastercraft tires, bucket seats, console, floor shift, factory radio, power windows, air conditioning. – The paint looks good. Panel fit is OK, but there is a small dent in the driver’s door. Rhino lining on the bed. Headlight plastic is yellowed. Interior looks good with some light wear to the seats. The seat backs are faded at the top. Engine bay is very clean and showing very little wear other than slight surface rust on the exhaust. Underneath has some surface rust as well. A used early sport truck more suited to the driver than the collector. – This is a realistic result for a used 454 SS like this. 1990 was the model’s first year and it has no transmission cooler, a basic flaw that begins to pound out the engine’s thrust bearing after driving more than a few miles at a time. I know from expensive experience. With these miles this price makes sense.

Lot # 1171 1995 Chevrolet Corvette Indy Pace Car Coupe; S/N 1G1YY32P7S5111800; Purple, White/Black, Purple leather; White top; Estimate $18,000 – $22,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700. – 350/300hp, automatic, power seats, CD stereo. – Mileage not represented. The paint looks very good other than some very minor scratches and chips on the nose. The convertible top is very clean and fits well. The interior is very good other than some slight wear to the driver’s seat and steering wheel. Engine compartment is very clean and showing very little wear. Underneath looks very good, just dirty. A well-kept but nevertheless used Indy Pace Car ’95. – This is a fair result for a Pace Car that shows light but noticeable use. These can get expensive, but only if they’re like new, and this one doesn’t fit that description.

Lot # 2168 1959 Edsel Corsair 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N W9UW721859; Redwood Metallic/Brown vinyl with cloth inserts; Estimate $30,000 – $35,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $21,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,650. – 361/303hp, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, AM radio. – Decent older paint with some chips and touch ups throughout. Panel fit is very good. The brightwork looks very good other than some pitting by the vent windows and door handles. Vent window glass is delaminating. The interior looks excellent and is showing no wear. The engine compartment is very clean with some discoloration to the valve covers. Underbody looks good other than signs of some slight fluid leaks. Original other than an older repaint and quite good for an Edsel but not perfectly preserved. – This is a reasonably good car, with a reasonably good repaint and even surprising originality bought for a reasonable price.

Lot # 2165 1960 Edsel Ranger 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0U13W701083; Turquoise/Silver vinyl with Black cloth inserts; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $43,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $47,300. – 292/185hp, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, fender skirts, dual antenna, power steering, factory air conditioning. – Paint looks decent but there are some chips and flat spots throughout. Panel fit and gaps are a little uneven. Brightwork looks good with some scratches around the drip rail and kind of dull around the windows. Interior looks very good with the exception of the dash pad, in which the material seems to be separating from the pad. Engine compartment looks very good and clean. Underneath looks good with no real signs of wear and tear. An older restoration that is showing its age but is still thoroughly presentable. – It would seem from this result that there were two people in Auburn this weekend desperately seeking a ’60 Edsel hardtop, maybe to bookend an Edsel collection, because this is a seriously generous price for what is, in effect, a 1960 Ford Galaxie.

Lot # 3033 1985 Ferrari 308 GTS QV Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFLA13B000055363; Rosso Corsa/Black leather; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. – Power windows, air conditioning. – One family owned and showing 2,253 believable km. Paint looks good with a few touch ups, cracks and chips around the front. The interior is excellent and still looks new. Engine compartment is very clean with no signs of wear or leaks. Underneath looks like it would have from the factory, just with a few cobwebs from sitting. This is an excellent time capsule Ferrari, but it has been recently serviced to bring it up to running order. – If there is any originality premium in this result at all, it is very small and the new owner has a particularly well-preserved original car for a modest price.

Lot # 2069 1959 Fiat 600D Berlina 2-Dr. Sedan, Body by Viotti; S/N 100681085; Engine # 741203; White, Red roof and side stripes/Red and White pattern cloth; Estimate $30,000 – $35,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $21,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,650. – Wheel covers, bucket seats, floor shift. – The paint looks very good with only a few very minor blemishes. Panel fit is very good. The brightwork has some dulling, but the bumpers look very good. The interior looks excellent and shows very little wear. Engine compartment is very clean, as is the underbody. A very attractive and attention-grabbing car that was restored at some point to appropriately high standards. – One of a small number of 600s that got tasteful cosmetic tweaks by Carrozzeria Viotti, this car sold for $18,700 at Bonhams Greenwich last year. This result in Auburn is surprisingly quite a bit stronger, but given the relative rarity and the quality of its presentation, it’s still not a bad value. It was also one of the most charming cars of the sale.

Lot # 2153 1973 Fiat 124 Spider, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 124BS10062417; Red/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $10,000 – $14,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $4,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $4,950. – Wheel covers, luggage rack, woodrim steering wheel, factory radio. – Good looking little 124 Spider. Paint looks good with a few scuffs, chips and scratches. The front passenger’s side fender has a small crease in it. Panel fit is very good. Brightwork looks very good. The convertible top fits well, but there is some discoloration to the rear window. The interior is a little aged with wood that is dried and cracked, faded carpet and cracks in the dash pad. Engine compartment is showing some grease and grime. Underneath is showing age, with some surface rust and cobwebs. In used driver condition, as most old 124 Spiders are. – This is project car money paid for a decent driver, a solid deal for the new owner.

Lot # 4068 1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N P5FH168428; Thunderbird Blue/Light Blue, White vinyl; Estimate $30,000 – $35,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. – Originally a 292/193hp, now has a later 312 engine, automatic, wire wheel covers, whitewalls, fender skirts, later cassette stereo, dash clock, power seat, power steering. – Some chips on the panel edges and a few touch ups but mostly good older paint. The brightwork looks very good. Slightly uneven gaps all around. The interior looks good other than some wear to the driver’s seat and discoloration to the carpet. The engine compartment is very clean and showing very little wear. Underneath looks to have fresh paint. A well-kept older restoration. – A decent older restoration with some age but reasonable preservation, the later engine, even with its better performance, is the reason this isn’t a $30,000 T-bird.

Lot # 4087 1962 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadster; S/N 2Y89M142635; Raven Black/Black vinyl; Black top; Estimate $50,000 – $70,000; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $41,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $45,100. – M-Code 390/340hp engine with three deuces, automatic, wire wheels, narrow whitewalls, console, pushbutton radio, power windows. – Represented as one of only 119 Sports Roadsters with the `M’ code engine. Good paint with some light detail scratching. The brightwork looks very good other than some pitting on the vent windows. Slightly uneven gaps. The interior looks very good other than some wear on the driver’s seat and console. The engine compartment looks original with paint missing from the cylinder heads and discoloration to the intake. Underneath is showing some wear and tear. A driver quality Sport Roadster T-Bird that has never been fully restored but gotten major attention when it needed it. – Sold here five years ago for $51,150. This time around it got no credit in the price for the rare M code engine and is a sound value for the new owner.

Lot # 3085 1969 Ford Torino Talladega SportsRoof; S/N 9A46Q192221; Presidential Blue, Black hood/Black vinyl with cloth inserts; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $44,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $48,950. – 428/335hp Cobra Jet, automatic, hub caps, Firestone tires, bench seat, column shift, power brakes. – Claimed to be numbers matching. Paint looks very good other than some very minor swirls throughout. The brightwork looks very good with some slight pitting on the C-pillar vents. Panel fit is slightly uneven. The interior looks very good. Engine compartment is very clean and showing very little signs of wear. Underbody is very clean, the exhaust is showing a little bit of surface rust. This is a very nice Talladega, ready to hit the shows and enjoy. Remarkably well-kept original example of the rare Torino Talladega showing 78,898 believable miles. – Only 754 Talladegas were built and many were used up fairly quickly as befits their stimulating performance. This one’s survival in such clean and complete original condition is remarkable. The bidders priced it like a used car with no credit for preservation or originality, taking home an exceptional car at a near-bargain price.

Lot # 1172 1993 Ford Mustang 5.0 SVT Cobra Hatchback; S/N 1FALP42D4PF142123; Vibrant Red/Opal Gray leather; Estimate $36,000 – $40,000; Unrestored original, 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $36,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $39,600. – 302/230hp, 5-speed, alloy wheels, fog lights, rear spoiler, sunroof, power windows, air conditioning, factory CD stereo. – Represented with 3,038 miles and it’s a believable claim. The paint looks excellent with just a few tiny chips around the rear fenders. Panel fit and alignment are great. Weather stripping still looks new. Interior is excellent as well and showing no wear. Engine compartment is very clean, but looks like it hasn’t been run in a while. Underneath still looks as it would from the factory. This is an excellent low-mile Cobra, in the kind of preserved shape that collectors prefer. – It is very expensive for a ’93 Mustang, even an SVT, but there is plenty of demand for like-new Fox-bodies, as big sales keep happening over and over again for such cars at auctions all year. This is a curve-setting price.

Lot # 2121 1971 Jaguar XKE SII Coupe; S/N 2R28702; British Racing Green/Tan leather; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $59,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $64,900. – 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel, aftermarket exhaust, wood shift knob, later JVC stereo. – Excellent paint. Slightly uneven panel fit. The brightwork looks good other than some pitting around the windshield and door windows. Interior looks very good other than some slight wear to the original switchgear. The engine bay is very clean with no signs of wear. Underneath has been undercoated over old undercoating and is coming off in a few spots. An older restoration that is pretty good for an SII coupe but still quite far from perfect. – This car’s overall solid presentation is balanced by its numerous shortcomings and brought a fairly generous price.

Lot # 1061 1976 Lincoln Continental Mk IV Coupe; S/N 6Y89A829717; White, Black vinyl roof/Black; Estimate $5,000 – $9,000; Unrestored original, 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $5,500. – Wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, opera windows, power windows, air conditioning. – Paint looks decent with some discoloration, chips and scratches throughout. Panel fit is a little off. The brightwork has some pitting, but it’s light. The roof vinyl is pretty aged. Rust starting on the rear quarters. The interior looks good with only slight wear showing on the driver’s door panel. Brake and gas pedal pads are held on with electrical tape. Engine bay is showing a lot of grease and grime, and what looks to be a power steering fluid leak. The belt for the A/C is also missing. Underneath has all kinds of grime from the front to the rear. An unrestored Mk IV that you probably wouldn’t feel comfortable driving any farther than the end of your street. – The ’76 Continental came in no less than five special designer edition models. This car, though, was just a base model so it’s worth less but still has most of the style and luxury features. It’s also in far less than ideal condition, but at least at this price the new owner has money left for a basic mechanical sorting before diving deeper into this Continental’s needs.

Lot # 1066 1978 Lincoln Continental Mk V Bill Blass Edition Coupe; S/N 8Y89A809529; Dark Brown, Beige vinyl roof/Maroon leather; Estimate $5,000 – $8,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $3,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $3,300. – Narrow whitewalls, opera windows, pushbutton radio, power windows, air conditioning. – Bill Blass Edition Mark V. Lots of scratches and chips in the paint as well as a little rust near the rear window trim. The roof vinyl looks good but could use some cleaning. The brightwork looks OK, with quite a bit of pitting on the mirrors. Fender extensions are warped and cracking. The panel fit is good and even. The interior looks great with the exception of the wear on the driver’s seat and door panel. The engine bay shows wear and grime. Underneath shows a lot of wear as well, and the floors have some rust. Not a terrible old land yacht, but will need some major attention before doing anything serious with it. – It’s easy to imagine the auctioneer up there trolling desperately for a bid, any bid, on this tired and unattractive boat. At least he got one, and the car went away.

Lot # 4077 1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1809247503452; Maroon, Tan roof/Tan cloth; Estimate $22,000 – $28,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. – Automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, bucket seats, column shift, wood dash and window trim, Becker LeMans radio, dash clock. – The original paint looks OK with lots of chips, cracks and scratches. Weather stripping around the windshield is dried and cracked. The brightwork looks very good other than some pitting on the mirrors. The interior is holding up very well other than some wear on the driver’s seat. The engine compartment is showing its age. The underbody is showing age, wear, and tear. An unrestored 220 sedan, a rarely seen car in this country in any kind of condition. – The novelty value alone is worth the price paid here which represents a small but rational premium for originality and preservation.

Lot # 2047 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220SEb Coupe; S/N 11102110079804; Light Yellow, Black roof/Tan; Estimate $30,000 – $40,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $14,300. – Wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, Becker Europa stereo, Behr air conditioning, 4-speed, Euro headlights. – The paint looks good other than some dull spots and a few blemishes. The brightwork looks decent with a few dings and a decent amount of pitting. Weather stripping is dry and cracking in a few places. The interior looks fine other than a lot of wear and tear to the driver’s seat and a lot of small cracks in the steering wheel. Engine compartment is showing age and could use a good cleaning. The underbody is showing some wear, although the undercoating is holding up well. A solid driver quality car in good colors and with a rare 4-speed and represented with a recent mechanical sorting to the tune of 10 grand. – A handsome, well-built car with rare equipment, this Mercedes has nevertheless had bad luck at auction. It sold for $27,500 at RM’s Hershey auction in 2016, a result that was expensive for its condition and needs, then for $19,800 in Fort Lauderdale earlier this year, which was itself a serious bargain despite the shortcomings. This seems like practically a steal but the auction history suggests that every time someone gets close to it the problems start to mount, the cost of dealing with them becomes prohibitive and it becomes advantageous to get out of it at any price. At least the new owner has some comfort in the recent service.

Lot # 3029 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220SEb Cabriolet; S/N 11102312075305; Black/Tan; Tan top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $43,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $47,300. – Automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, boot cover, column shift, dash clock, Becker Europa stereo. – The paint has seen better days. There are chips and touch ups throughout. The brightwork is showing a lot of age, some surface rust, pitting and dullness in spots. Slight damage to the passenger’s side front bumper and headlight assembly. Panel fit is a little uneven. The interior looks pretty good, but there is some wear and discoloration to the driver’s seat and door panel. The wood on the dash looks great. Engine compartment looks original with lots of grease, grime and dust. Underneath actually has held up very well with the undercoating. Represented as an original single owner car, it is reasonably well maintained and presentable as it sits, but a restoration is arguably what would be most appropriate here. – This is project car money and this 220SEb has all the earmarks of a project car, a potentially rewarding one for a skilled restorer.

Lot # 3112 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible; S/N 11304412019601; Black/Red; Red top; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $88,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $96,800. – Automatic, wheel covers, Becker Europa stereo, Frigiking air conditioning. – The paint looks very good, but there are lots of fine swirl marks throughout. Panel fit is very good. The brightwork looks great other some scratches around the windshield. New convertible top fits very well. Interior looks excellent other than some slight wear showing on the steering wheel. Engine compartment is spotless. The underbody is excellent and clean. A very well-kept older restoration. – This is a very strong price for an older restored automatic-equipped car, even with A/C, and especially considering the modest results other Benzes were getting at this auction.

 

Lot # 1065 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 11603612005759; Blue/Blue; Estimate $40,000 – $45,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $10,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $11,000. – Chromed alloy wheels, power windows, sunroof, air conditioning. – The paint has a lot of chips and scratches. The brightwork is very dull and there is some rust on the front bumper. Panel fit is pretty good. The interior is good with some wear on the driver’s seat and cracking on the door panel. The weather stripping is cracked. The engine compartment has a lot of dust and dirt as well as some leaking around the valve covers. Underneath looks good with some wear and tear to the undercoating. A good river that will take some work to get cleaned up, but not a ton. – These 6.9s have been getting some attention lately, including a near pristine one that Gooding sold in Pebble Beach this year for a whopping $156,750. While this one isn’t pristine, it’s not too bad, either, and Mercedes built their cars like tanks during this era so it should be straightforward to put it right. This seems like a solid bargain even if the car itself is mediocre.

Lot # 3092 1955 Mercury Montclair Sun Valley 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 55ME32820M; Yellow/Yellow, Black vinyl; Estimate $90,000 – $120,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $75,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $82,500. – Wheel covers, whitewalls, fender skirts, Continental kit, pushbutton radio, dash clock, dual mirrors. – Excellent paint. Brightwork all looks amazing. The vent windows are delaminating a bit. Weather stripping looks very good. The interior looks excellent with no wear. The engine compartment is spotless. A gorgeous car essentially ready for a show field. – Back in 2009 RM offered this Sun Valley at Ft. Lauderdale where it was in essentially the same condition as it is here and was bid to $74,500, then at Auburn Spring this year it brought a $75,000 bid, the same hammer bid it sold for here and one which appropriately reflects its value and the preservation of its restoration.

Lot # 1142 1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0H17C528234; Medium Blue/Black vinyl; Estimate $45,000 – $55,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500. – 429/375hp Super Cobra Jet, 4-speed, Drag Pack, Hurst T-handle shifter, front and rear spoilers. – The paint looks very good with very few blemishes. The panel fit is very slightly uneven. The brightwork looks very good with some small scratches around the door windows. The interior is very good and showing very little wear. Engine compartment looks very good, with a little fluid showing near the heads. Underneath is very clean and showing very little wear and tear. Well restored to appropriate standards for what it is. – Only 1,631 Cyclone Spoilers were built. Mercurys typically fetch lower prices than their originally less-expensive Ford siblings. That’s a good value for Cyclone owners who get performance and rarity without having to pay a Ford price, as this transaction demonstrates.

Lot # 2209 1983 Mercury Capri Coupe; S/N 1MEBP79FXDF616777; Maroon/Black vinyl with cloth inserts; Estimate $18,000 – $24,000; Enthusiast restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $10,000. – 302/175hp, 5-speed, alloy wheels, Michelin TRX tires, hood scoop, AM/FM/cassette stereo. – Very good fresh paint and exterior bits. Has had extensive mechanical work but is solid underneath. Very light wear to the seats and faded gauges, but mostly good inside. A recent driver quality restoration done to high enough standards but nothing too special. – The reported high bid was pretty light considering the condition. Capris of this era are quite a bit rarer than the equivalent Fox-body Mustang but that doesn’t necessarily make them more valuable. The $12,000 that this car was bid to in Kissimmee at the beginning of the year could and should have been taken but the seller is still taking in what the bidders are saying.

 

Lot # 1090 1959 Metropolitan 1500 Series IV Convertible; S/N E62333; Yellow, White/Yellow, White vinyl; White top; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $13,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $14,850. – Wheel covers, whitewalls, rear-mounted spare, column shift. – Very good paint other than a few small cracks on the fenders. The convertible top has a few blemishes. The brightwork is very good with slight pitting around the side windows. Panel fit is slightly uneven. The interior is very good other than some paint chips on the steering column. The engine bay is very clean. Underneath is very clean and showing very little wear. A reasonably well restored Metropolitan, but used and enjoyed so not exactly a show car. – A modest but fair price for this late Metropolitan, and a lot of charm per dollar. It sold for $15,950 at Auburn Spring in 2012, then $15,515 at Mecum Indy in 2013 and $15,120 at Mecum Indy in 2015, showing a slow downward spiral that is continuing with this result.

Lot # 2055 1981 MG MGB Mk IV Roadster; S/N GVLDJ2BG521448; Black, Gold side stripes/Tan vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $6,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $6,600. – Bosch fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Blaupunkt cassette stereo. – Decent original paint with some chips on the nose and light general fading. The side stripes are fading quite a bit. New convertible top. The brightwork looks decent but could use a good polish. Even gaps. The interior looks very good with only slight wear on the console armrest. Engine compartment is very clean with very little signs of wear. A very good and well-kept rubber bumper MGB. Likely a Canadian market car, showing 19,049 km. – This is a much better car than the price here would suggest. This kind of price would ordinarily buy you a B with electric gremlins, leaks and at least some rust. This one, meanwhile, has no apparent needs and seems like a really solid bargain after selling at Auburn Spring in 2014 for $16,500.

Lot # 2095 1958 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Convertible; S/N 587M16406; Banff Blue/White, Blue; Estimate $78,000 – $88,000; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $65,000. – 371/265hp, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, fender skirts, white vinyl boot cover, power steering, power brakes, Trans-Portable radio. – Very good paint with a few chips on the panel edges and front of the hood. The brightwork looks excellent and has very few flaws. Very slightly uneven gaps. The vent windows have some delamination. The interior is very good with slight wear on the driver’s seat and door panel. Engine bay could use a good cleaning, as there is some discoloration to the intake. Underneath is very good with no signs of wear and tear. Body-off restored to high standards, just driven quite a bit since. – Sold at the Hershey Auction in 2005 for $88,000, fresh from restoration, then 10 years ago in 2008 at RM Hershey for $75,900 and at RM St. John’s in 2014 for $66,000. Its value has only gone down since there, not to mention the evident age of the restoration. It may be satisfying to keep looking for the one prospect who really, really wants it, but it is unlikely to come anywhere close to the pre-sale estimate.

Lot # 1147 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Hurst/Olds W-30 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3J57T5M297144; White, Gold pin stripes/White vinyl with Red cloth inserts; Estimate $25,000 – $30,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $15,000. – 455/190hp, automatic, T-tops, Cooper Cobra tires, bucket seats, console, dash clock, power windows, air conditioning. – Light cracking in otherwise good original paint. The plastic fender extensions have chips and cracks. The brightwork looks very good. The seats and console are showing some wear, and the door panels are a little discolored. The engine compartment is very clean. Underneath is very clean and showing very little wear and tear. A well-kept but imperfect Hurst/Olds, which by 1975 was more show than go. – Sold at Mecum’s Chicago auction in 2014 for $31,860, the result here is a reasonable present-day offer for what this is (a gimmicky dress-up package) and its condition.

Lot # 3184 1967 Plymouth Belvedere II 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RH23D71254858; Red, White vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $30,000 – $35,000; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $20,000. – 273/180hp, automatic, Magnum 500 wheels, narrow whitewalls, column shift, bench seat, pushbutton radio. – The paint looks very good. Brightwork looks very good other than some light scratches on some of the trim. Very good roof vinyl. The interior looks immaculate and shows no wear. Engine compartment is as clean as when it left the factory. The underbody looks excellent with no signs of wear. This is probably one of the best Belvederes out there. – While this is a very good car, Belvedere IIs aren’t at the top of very many must-have lists and this one’s base powertrain is mundane. It hammered not sold at a $22,500 high bid at Spring Auburn this year. Both that offer and this one have been fair and could have been taken.

Lot # 1031 1950 Pontiac Streamliner Silver Streak Coupe; S/N A8TS1533; Gray/Gray cloth; Estimate $10,000 – $15,000; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $6,750 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $7,425. – Wire wheels, whitewalls, fender skirts, hood ornament, column shift. – Lots of scratches in the paint from poor preparation work. Uneven gaps. Pitted brightwork and several dings in the bumpers. The front grille has a lot of rust that was just painted over. The vent windows are delaminating. The interior shows wear and patina. Engine bay is showing age and grime. Underneath has a lot of surface rust and signs of fluid leaks. Restorable, but lots of work ahead and it will never be worth very much. – This car was fully priced at the $8,000 bit it brought at Auburn Spring a few months back and it’s still fully priced at this result.

Lot # 2208 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Deluxe Convertible; S/N W856H12501; Amethyst, White/Black, White; Black vinyl top; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Older restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $37,400. – 317/227hp, automatic, wire wheel covers, column shift, curb feelers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio. – The paint looks great at first glance, but there are a few touch ups and particles in it. Vent window glass is delaminating. Uneven gaps. The brightwork looks good other than some light scratches and pitting throughout. The interior looks great other than small cracks in the steering wheel. The engine compartment is clean with some paint flaking from the engine. The underbody is showing some age and minor surface rust in spots. An older restoration with lots of eyeball that is probably showable on the local level, but not perfect. – A solid car in an unusual color combination, it has some issues but in a car collecting hobby awash in Tri-Five Chevys this is a good way to stand apart, and a cost-effective way, too. This is a good value.

Lot # 1026 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Coupe; S/N 2W87K9N165899; White, Red/Red cloth; Estimate $18,000 – $22,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $15,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $16,500. – 403/185hp, aftermarket wheels, automatic, power windows. – Touched up chips on the door edges but otherwise good original paint. Some cracking in the front bumper. The brightwork looks very good. The interior looks good other than wear on the driver’s seat and center console. Weather stripping is dried and cracked. The engine bay is showing age, with surface rust on various parts. Underneath looks to have been recently spray painted. A driver. – Bought for reasonable enough driver Trans Am money, too.

Lot # 2151 1985 Porsche 928 S Coupe; S/N WP0JB092XFS860407; Champagne/Gray leather; Estimate $18,000 – $24,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $12,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $13,750. – Automatic, power windows, power seats, sunroof. – Good paint with some chips in the nose. The rear spoiler is warped. The steering wheel and driver’s seat are worn, a small piece is broken from the console, and there are cracks in the dash. Engine compartment is showing some wear and tear. Underneath is showing some wear, with undercoating coming off. Showing 76,677 miles and a used car. – There is pretty strong demand for good low-mile 928s, but more heavily used examples are still on the lower end of the price spectrum as far as Porsches are concerned. This was a modest but fair result for one in this condition.

Lot # 3016 1987 Porsche 944 S Coupe; S/N WP0AA0944HN452281; Zermatt Silver Metallic/Black; Estimate $23,000 – $28,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $27,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $29,700. – Pirelli P215/60R15 four-season tires, phone dial wheels, rear wiper, removable sunroof, ABS, alarm system, cruise control, Blaupunkt stereo, owner’s manual, tool roll, air compressor – Lightly faded paint with some chips on the front bumper. The rear spoiler is a bit faded. Some delamination on the windshield but the glass is otherwise sound. A little dirty underneath. Nearly like new interior. Showing 15,051 miles but not quite like new. – This car just sold at RM Monterey for $22,400 after selling for $26,400 at Bonhams Scottsdale last year. It has done just 2 miles since Monterey. A very surprisingly successful turnaround given that more money and more Porsche people were likely around this car in August. Even given the strong interest in front engine cars, this was very expensive.

Lot # 4071 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet; S/N WP0EB091XKS171275; Guards Red/Tan leather; Black cloth top; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Unrestored original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $43,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $47,300. – Black painted Fuchs wheels, snorkely brake light, boot cover, power windows, air conditioning, cassette stereo. – Very good original paint. Plastic and rubber trim all look good. The convertible top looks good and fits well. The interior is in excellent condition and showing next to no wear. The engine compartment could use a good cleaning. Underneath is clean with very little wear and tear. A pampered 35,605-mile 911. – A spot-on result for an ’89 Cabriolet that is in very good condition but does have significant mileage.

Lot # 2017 1963 Studebaker Avanti Coupe; S/N R4787; Avanti Gray/Black vinyl; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $22,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $24,750. – 289/289 supercharged R1, automatic, Halibrand alloy wheels, pushbutton radio, console. – Old paint with numerous chips, scratches and touch ups. The brightwork looks very good. The interior looks good, although the front headliner is sagging. The engine compartment is clean and complete. Underneath is showing age with undercoating flaking off, some surface rust and signs of a fluid leak. Looks to have been restored quite some time ago, and now it’s time for another round. – One of several cars that sold at Spring Auburn a few months back only to come back in the fall for a similar result. This car went for 33 grand in the Spring, though, so the difference between those two transactions is enough to hurt, and this is the more reasonable transaction.

Photo courtesy RM Auctions

Lot # 3020 1957 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ25 Utility; S/N 7FJ253628L; Green/Brown vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Truck restoration, 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,550. – Spare tire, fall out straps, hub caps. – Excellent fresh paint. New tailgate hinges. Glass is spotless. Interior is all brand new without any wear. Engine compartment is spotless and probably better than when it left the factory. A freshly restored example of a super early Land Cruiser, the likes of which you almost never see. – The enthusiasm for Land Cruisers has died down significantly, but the market mostly knows the later FJ40s, not these early FJ25s that are more Jeep-like than later models. A turly superior restoration claimed to have used only OEM parts, it is a showpiece that will make its mark on any show field. If the basic FJ25 were free it would probably not be possible to restore it to this level for the price paid for this complete, finished, vehicle.

Lot # 1027 1967 Toyota Corona 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N RT4320903; Black/Gray vinyl with Blue cloth inserts; Estimate $14,000 – $17,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $16,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,150. – Automatic, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, bench seat, column shift. – A few chips and scratches on the nose, and fading around the door windows. Weather stripping is dry and cracked. Pitting on the door handles, and small scratches on the rear bumper. The interior looks very good other than a few cracks in the dash pad, and the plastic over the gauges is hazed a little. Engine compartment looks original, and there is some grease and grime at the bottom of the engine. Underneath looks to have fresh undercoating. A neat honest little driver, and it could be years before seeing another one. – It was remarkable to see a U.S. market early Corona like this in any kind of condition, and apparently the bidders were smitten with it because it brought an enormous price that was nearly up to RM’s presale high estimate.

Lot # 4086 1963 Triumph TR3B Roadster; S/N TCF2517L; Signal Red/Black piped in White; Black vinyl top; Estimate $27,500 – $32,500; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Reserve; Hammered Sold at $27,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,250. – Chrome centerlock wire wheels, Cooper tires. – Very well restored TR3B. The paint looks very good other than a few very small blemishes. The brightwork looks very good. The interior looks new and is showing no wear. The engine compartment is very clean. Underneath looks just as nice as the rest of the car. A high quality restoration done recently enough that it has no needs and could be casually shown. – The one-year-only TR3B is the best of the bunch with a more powerful engine and a syncromesh gearbox. This one is reasonably fresh and looks good to go, so it deserved every bit of the money it brought here.

Lot # 4091 1967 Triumph TR250 Convertible; S/N CD1103L0; British Racing Green, White nose stripe/Black vinyl; Black cloth top; Estimate $22,500 – $27,500; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $28,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $31,350. – Centerlock wire wheels, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, overdrive. – Good paint other than a few chips on some panel edges. Very uneven panel gaps. The brightwork looks very good. Fresh-looking restored interior. Very clean engine bay with fresh hoses and wires. Underneath is showing some age with surface rust on the exhaust. An older and used but reasonably well-kept restoration. – The TR250 is a relatively rare car in Triumph terms and pretty desirable in that it combines the torquey six of the TR6 with the prettier styling of the TR4. It’s therefore worth more than both. This was a spot on result for one in this condition.

Lot # 1151 1974 Volkswagen 181 Thing Acapulco Edition Convertible; S/N 1842544830; White, Blue/White, Blue vinyl; White, Blue top; Estimate $20,000 – $25,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $13,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $14,575. – Hub caps, narrow whitewalls, cup holders. – The paint looks very good for the most part other than chips and large touch ups on the top of the doors. Panel fit is very good, as is the brightwork. The interior looks good with wear showing on the driver’s seat and a crack in the steering wheel. The engine compartment is showing some grease and grime. Underneath looks to have fresh undercoating. Plenty of small things to pick on, but they are all straightforward and fixable. – Just like a Fiat Jolly, the Acapulco Thing has a lot of novelty and charm that resonates with collectors and/or their spouses. That said, it’s only the perfect examples that bring big money and this one falls short. It sold for $14,575 in Fort Lauderdale five years ago, and brought a similarly modest price in Auburn.

Lot # 1069 1978 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible; S/N 1582010455; White/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Estimate $25,000 – $35,000; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $27,000. – Steel wheels, radio. – Represented as a one-owner car that just came out of 40 years of dry, safe storage. Showing 1,253 believable miles. The paint looks excellent. The brightwork looks very good, but could use a good polishing. The panel fit is very good, and the top looks excellent. The interior looks excellent with some very slight wear on the driver’s seat. The engine bay is clean. Underneath is spotless. Even the original rust proofing looks good. Recently serviced. A time capsule. – Given collectors’ penchant for time-capsule cars lately and the strong prices that just about any kind of car with low enough mileage has been bringing at auction lately, the consignor can’t be blamed too much for expecting more out of this time capsule Beetle. Even so, the reported high bid was over the low estimate and it should have sold. More trips across the block are not going to improve it.

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Comments

    • Bob
    • September 20, 2018
    Reply

    Parsimonious?

      • rickcarey1
      • September 21, 2018
      Reply

      Not exactly “cheap” but careful with money.

    • Jason
    • October 10, 2018
    Reply

    The 1959 Edsel was NOT an older repainted car- it is an original preserved car entirely. Not sure where you got the info on the repaint but that is completely in error.

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