Leake Auctions, claiming to be the oldest established collector car auction in the U.S., arrived in Scottsdale in 2020 after years in Oklahoma and Texas.
But this is not the old Leake Auctions led by Richard and Nancy Sevenoaks.
This is the new Leake Auctions led by Gary and Muffy Bennett and backed by the “yellow iron” heavyweights at Ritchie Bros.
So let’s talk about Ritchie Bros., a NY/Toronto exchange listed company that in 2018 sold $4.9 billion in construction, transportation, oil field, mining, agricultural and material handling equipment. Ritchie Bros. is a behemoth.
Ritchie Bros. market value at the market’s close on February 21, 2020 was $4.7 billion.
That’s a largely irrelevant number without a reference point, which should be the value of Sotheby’s (RM Auctions partner) when it was taken private by Patrick Drahi in October of 2019: in that transaction BidFair USA, the acquirer, paid Sotheby’s shareholders $2.6 billion.
There are big gorillas in collector car auctions, and the gorillas have niches and business strategies. Ritchie Bros.’ positioning for Leake Auctions has yet to be realized but if their first foray into the January Arizona sunshine is an indication they don’t intend to be taken lightly.
Leake absorbed the former location of Russo & Steele at Salt River Fields just off the Phoenix Loop 101 freeway (not without controversy.) They erected multitudes of tents and brought some 684 automobile/truck lots to Scottsdale. There was a featured tent-load of No Reserve cars from serial collector John Staluppi including some that set record prices, particularly the Chrysler 300 Letter Cars.
Leake brought back to the Valley of the Sun the Tom “Spanky” and Amy Assiter team, who have been missed in recent years.
And at the end of the week Leake’s Scottsdale auction totted up $18.5 million in total transactions, ending up with the fourth highest total of the week after established players B-J, RM and Gooding and setting world record prices.
I spent an hour with Leake’s Muffy Bennett and Ritchie Bros.’ Kieran Holm (upon which I may elaborate later) and they have a vision and a plan for the venture. Make no mistake, the Leake Auctions/Ritchie Bros. Scottsdale entre is a game-changing shift.
Here are the numbers:
| Year | Cars Sold/ Offered | Sale % | Average Sale | Median Sale | Total $ |
| 2020 | 384/684 | 56.1% | $48,083 | $33,550
[69.8%] |
$18,463,952 |
52 of the 684 lots offered are reported here. They were viewed on site by Rick Carey, Andrew Newton, Greg Ingold and Jose Martinez.
This report is sorted by Marque, Model, Body Style and year.
Lot # 590 1991 Acura NSX Coupe; S/N JH4NA1159MT003047; Berlina Black/Cream leather; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $47,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $51,700 – Alloy wheels, Continental tires, factory cassette stereo. – Early NSX with 36,000 miles and unusual but clean cream leather interior. Light scratches on the wheels and light scrapes on the plastic lower lip, likely from navigating parking lots and driveways in a low-slung exotic. Chips at the back of the driver’s door but mostly good original paint. Good interior. The tires don’t have a ton of tread left. A driver-quality early NSX with reasonably low mileage, and a VTEC Honda engine will run forever. – The cream interior on this NSX looks weird (not to mention hard to keep clean) and a standard black one would be more appealing, but it didn’t hurt the car on the auction block and it brought a price both parties can be happy with.
Lot # 426 1970 AMC AMX Fastback; S/N A0M397X160316; Blue, White Stripes/Blue vinyl; Enthusiast restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,200 – 390/325hp, 4-speed, power steering, Edelbrock carb and intake, headers, Magnum 500 wheels, AM radio, tach, clock and vacuum gauge. From the John Staluppi collection. – Good paint and panel fit overall. The 390 fender badges are aged and the painted portions have faded. The rocker trim on both sides has scratches throughout. The engine compartment is clean overall, though the headers have expected oxidation from a car that is driven. The fuel line is homemade with a rubber piece going to the carb. The underbody is redone and clean with no signs of excessive use. The interior presents very well and is highly attractive in blue. A driver quality car which for the most part looks very good, although attention is needed on the details. – Relative to their style, performance and rarity, AMXs aren’t worth a ton of money so are more often seen in solid but flawed condition like this rather than as a gleaming showpiece. This is a spot-on result for one with this equipment and condition, and it sold for a similar $37,500 at Mecum Indy 2014 and $38,500 at Mecum Indy 2018. All in all, this is remarkably consistency over the last six years.
Lot # 644 1964 BTM of Arizona Cheetah Coupe; S/N AZ370309; Chrome Yellow/Black; Competition restoration, 2 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $350,000 – 327/360hp throttle body fuel injection, 4-speed, Torque Thrust wheels, Blue Streak tires, fiberglass body, white side outlet exhausts, spare wheel and tire, roll cage, “Certified by BTM of Arizona with a Letter of Authenticity”. – Freshly restored with nothing to nitpick condition-wise. Imperfect panel gaps but still better than when they were new. – There is, however, much to nitpick about its history, not least the description on its title as a “1964 Cheet SPCON” and its Arizona assigned VIN rather than the claimed Bill Thomas chassis number 003 which made it almost impossible to present realistically to bidders. The reported high bid reflects its excellent condition, scary performance and visceral appeal but little else.
Lot # 384.1 1970 Buick GS 455 Convertible; S/N 446670K114787; Brown/Brown; White top; Recent restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $49,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $53,900 – 455ci/350hp, automatic, air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, Polyglas tires, buckets and console, Sonomatic radio. – Freshly restored. The only flaws in the paint are imperfect door edges and a single door edge chip. The engine compartment is detailed, and the exterior brightwork and cloth top are like new. Gorgeous. – As it should be given this top-of-the-market price.
Lot # 668 1970 Buick GSX Sport Coupe; S/N 446370H288457; Saturn Yellow, Black/Black; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $72,000 – 455/350hp, automatic, power steering and brakes, air conditioning, Polyglas GT tires, hood tach, bucket seats, console with shifter, AM radio, documented by the GSX Historic Registry. – Excellent paint. The door gaps need adjustment for consistency. The brightwork is all new or restored. The engine is immaculate and has seen negligible use. The underbody has been restored and shows no driving use. The interior upholstery has seen no use since it was redone. The dash and console components appear original unrestored. A very good nearly like new GSX. – This is a relatively modest high bid for such a clean GSX, but then again it sold for $71,500 at Mecum Dallas last year so it’s not unrealistic.
Lot # 559 1987 Buick Regal Grand National Coupe; S/N 1G4GJ1177HP435111; Black/Grey cloth; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $35,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $38,500 – Original window sticker documented. – Showing 9,247 represented original and believable miles. The paint finish is very good other than two cracks on the driver’s side header panel by the hood that have been repaired. The engine compartment is clean and does not have significant aging. The underbody has some aging from sitting, but without significant oxidation. The original interior indicates almost no use and shows like new. A fairly well-preserved Grand National. – This is a very well kept Grand National, although there are better (or at least lower-mile) ones out there. This result takes that into account and should leave both parties happy.
Lot # 641 1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible; S/N 58E019190; Red/Black leather; Older restoration, 1- condition; Hammered Sold at $202,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $222,200 – 365/335hp, three deuces, Sabre wheels, Silvertown whitewalls, parade boot, power steering, power brakes, power windows, factory air conditioning, tinted glass, Autronic Eye, air suspension, power seat, pushbutton radio, rear seat speaker. – From the John Staluppi collection. One of 815 built. AACA Grand National Senior winner. Very good older paint and chrome with no noticeable flaws. Slightly imperfect fit on the doors. Very good restored interior with almost no wear. Gleaming underneath with minimal dirt. A former show car that still has a few appearances left in it. – A big price for even a car as rare, stylish and well-equipped as a ’58 Biarritz, but this is a top notch Cadillac. It also sold for $264,000 at Mecum Indy 2018 and held up here, a stunning car in red over black that will stop traffic wherever it appears, including at the bank.
Lot # 444 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 59F008382; Pink/Pink, White leather; White vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $64,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $70,400 – 390/325hp, Chrome wire wheels, whitewalls, fender skirts, power steering, power brakes, factory air conditioning, dash clock, power windows, Autronic Eye. – Good older paint and chrome, and there is a lot of it, but neither is fresh or stunning. Light pitting and light scratching on some of the brightwork. A few small touch ups on the right rear. Imperfect but decent panel fit. Clean newer top. Very good seats and partially restored dash, but the gauges and steering wheel are original. A gorgeous classic big fin pink Cadillac with only minor flaws to pick out. Needs nothing to enjoy a cruise. Will need all your skills to parallel park. – This a Series 62, not an Eldorado, and despite its generous list of optional equipment it will never be an Eldorado… except in the minds of the bidders here at Salt River Fields who gave it an Eldorado price.
Lot # 405 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Sport Coupe; S/N 124870L515388; Classic Copper, White stripes/Tan vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $46,818 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $51,500 – 350/360hp LT1, 4-speed, Wide Oval tires, spoilers, factory radio, Protect-O-Plate, original bill of sale. – Represented as matching numbers. Restored in 1991. A handful of chips and touch ups on the nose, but the paint and chrome look a lot newer than they are. Straight body. Even gaps. Light track scratches in the side windows, tidy underneath. Good seats and carpets with not much visible wear. The dash and gauges are original but good. It’s not fresh out of the shop, far from it, but it’s still a good `70 Z/28 with no serious needs. It’s an easy car to like. – This car sold at Russo and Steele Scottsdale 2008 for $50,600 and there again two years later at Barrett-Jackson for $47,300. Second gen Z/28 values have gone up since then but this car has also gotten older. Closed post-block at this all-in result that is fair to both parties.
Lot # 598 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 19437S103359; Blue/Blue leather; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000 – 327/365 L76, 4-speed, off road exhaust, Kelsey Hayes wheels, narrow whitewalls, AM/FM radio. – Represented with the original drivetrain and 67,049 miles. Good older chrome. The paint is a little tired with a few small blemishes throughout. Imperfect panel fit with some chips at the edges. Good interior, partially restored with newer leather upholstery and a few other bits. Maintained but slightly grimy engine bay. This car has nothing serious to apologize for, but it isn’t anything more serious than a good driver. – Even at that, though, the result is a solid value for the new owner taking into account the known mileage and desirable drivetrain.
Lot # 643 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe; S/N 194378S415053; Polar White/Red leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $250,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $275,000 – L88 427, power brakes, radio delete, rally wheels with redline tires, transistor ignition. Tank sticker still affixed to the fuel tank. – From the John Staluppi Collection. Represented as a “Period-correct drivetrain”, not the original. Very good paint. The door gaps are inconsistent and need some adjustment. The engine compartment presents well but could use a detailing to remove some mild grime. The underbody shows some but not excessive use with a few spots where oxidation is starting to show. The interior presents well overall with moderate use. The finish on the console shows some wear from use. An older restoration that has been maintained through occasional enjoyment. – Sold for $330,000 by B-J at Las Vegas in 2015, then bid to $325k at Mecum Monterey 2018 and $240,000 at Leake’s Dallas auction in 2018 before being sold for $291,500 at BJ Scottsdale 2019. The tank sticker leaves no doubt this Corvette was built as an L88 and with the original driveline it would be a half-million dollar Corvette but the “period-correct” drivetrain imposes a heavy penalty as this result and the sequence of prior auction appearances bears out.
Lot # 672 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coupe; S/N 1G1YR26R295800317; Cyber Gray Metallic/Ebony; Unrestored original, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $62,000 – Chromed wheels, 3ZR package. – Just 2,000 miles and like new. – The C6 ZR1 is still more used Corvette than collector car, and like other lesser Vettes has depreciated significantly as it’s no longer the hottest thing on the block (even if it is still very, very fast). This car isn’t worth much more than the reported high bid even though the MSRP was a little over 100 grand.
Lot # 638.1 1957 Chrysler 300C Convertible; S/N 3N571001; White/Tan leather; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $325,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $357,500 – 392/390hp, dual quads, pushbutton automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio, bucket seats, power windows, steering and brakes. – From the John Staluppi Collection. Serial no. 001. One of 484 built. Show awards about 10 years ago including AACA Grand National Senior. A few light scratches on the front bumper. The headlight bezels don’t quite fit evenly, and there’s a paint chip behind the right one. Paint chips around the left taillight as well. Good older paint otherwise. Excellent tight-fitting top. Very good interior and nearly showroom engine compartment and chassis. An eye-catching and rare open top banker’s hot rod, but starting to show its age and no longer the show car it once was. John Staluppi Cars of Dreams Collection. – Sold at Mecum’s Indianapolis auction in 2018 for $214,500 and today still essentially as it appeared then except with two more miles showing on the odometer. The 300C is the most famous of Chrysler’s letter cars and being the first convertible built adds some distinction, but not nearly enough to explain the sensational price it brought. By virtue of its Indy result it was already the most expensive 300C Convertible at auction, and it just surpassed that record result by two-thirds. This is a meaningful result only in the annals of paying too much.
Lot # 639 1958 Chrysler 300D Convertible; S/N LC41279; Aztec Turquoise/Beige leather; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $148,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $162,800 – 392/380hp dual quad Hemi, automatic, power windows, seat, steering and brakes, wheel covers, whitewalls, pushbutton radio. – From the John Staluppi Collection. Quick restoration, superficially detailled. Pitted grille, poor hood fit, dirty and untouched inside doors and fenders. Generally clean engine. Surface cracked original upholstery. Original undercoat in the wheelwells. A good driver, but no more than that. – Back in 1992 this 300D crossed the Christie’s Pebble Beach auction block where it was passed on a reported high bid of $55,000. It’s still pretty much the same cosmetically updated but inherently original car today but the Leake Scottsdale bidder thought it was concours restored. This is a generous, even magnanimous, price for it that defies perspective.
Lot # 640 1959 Chrysler 300E 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N M591100137; Black/Beige leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,500 – 413/380hp, dual quads, automatic, power steering, brakes, windows, antenna and seats, bucket seats, wheel covers, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, copy IBM card documented. – From the John Staluppi Collection. Excellent paint, brilliant chrome, good upholstery. The underbody is nearly like new. – Big, brutal, powerful, with a gaping small-car-eating grille, there was no mistaking Chrysler’s 300E Banker’s Hot Rod as anything other than an intimidating ride for the businessmen of the Fifties, and it still fills that role. This is a premium price for an aging 300E that sold for $92,400 at Mecum Kissimmee in 2016, then a bargain $60,500 at Barrett-Jackson WestWorld in 2019.
Lot # 639.1 1959 Chrysler 300E Convertible; S/N M591100459; Black/Beige leather; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $220,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $242,000 – 413/380hp, cross-ram dual quads, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, dual mirrors, factory air conditioning, power windows, power antenna, power swivel seats, power mirror, pushbutton automatic, pushbutton radio. – From the John Staluppi Collection. One of only 140 built, AACA Grand National Senior. Numerous show awards to its credit dating back to the early 2000s. Very good paint and brightwork. Perfect clean top. Light wrinkling to the seats but otherwise great interior. Mostly exquisite, but not super fresh and not quite the showstopper it once was. – In 2001 (call it two decades ago) this 300E Convertible sold at Barrett-Jackson for $71,280. At Mecum Indy in 2018 it brought $286,000. It’s still in exceptional (if not fresh) condition but this is a huge price for it even at a successful hammer bid $40,000 below what it brought two years ago at Indy. On the other hand, the long cross-ram high torque intake under the hood is an epic display that is hard tor resist.
Lot # 640.1 1960 Chrysler 300F Convertible; S/N 8403111063; Terracotta/Beige leather; Terracotta vinyl top; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $290,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $319,000 – Air conditioning, 6-way swivel power seats, power steering, power brakes and every other option known to man in 1960. 413/400hp Golden Lion wedge head dual quad engine, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, dual outside mirrors, buckets and console. – From the John Staluppi Collection. AACA Grand National. Comprehensively restored to better than new condition and flawlessly presented. The engine compartment and chassis are like new except for some storage dust. – Holey Moley! Just when we thought the 300C was a price guide ripper comes the 300F and blows it, at least in relative terms, into the weeds with this result. RM sold it here in Arizona in 2001 from Vince Granatelli’s collection for what was at the time a notable price balanced by its better-then-new restoration: $88,000. It showed up last May at Mecum’s Indianapolis auction and changed hands for $291,500 before setting this new benchmark result. It is still better-than-new but this is a huge price.
Lot # 625 1956 Chrysler New Yorker Convertible; S/N N562695; Regimental Red, White/Red, White leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $62,700 – 354/280hp Hemi, pushbutton automatic, wire wheels, whitewalls, boot cover, hood ornament, power steering, power brakes, power windows, Town and Country radio, dash clock, power seat. – From the John Staluppi collection. Very good chrome, but the grille trim looks wavy. Good paint, but the headlight bezels have a different finish. Good lightly worn interior. Tidy underneath. A straightforward, lightly aged older restoration of a rare, well-equipped and attractive `50s cruiser. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas in 2017 for $44,000 then at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale last year for $66,000. Fitting neatly in the middle of the two priors, this is a realistic result.
Lot # 616 1968 Datsun 1600 Convertible; S/N SPL31117895; Engine # R59801; Silver/Red vinyl; Black top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000 – 1,595/96hp, 5-speed, hub caps, narrow whitewalls, cloth boot cover, original radio. – From the John Staluppi collection. Represented as 43,041 miles from new. Good but older paint and chrome. Even gaps. Good interior with newer upholstery and door handles but original dash and gauges. You don’t often see these earlier Datsun roadsters in any kind of condition, let alone ones that have had serious money put into them like this. – The Datsun Roadster looks like an MGB but it’s more sophisticated, a lot rarer and significantly more valuable. But it’s not particularly expensive, and the quality of this one’s restoration means it is probably one of the best ones out there. The price here for it is massive, but it has brought this kind of money before. It sold for $50,600 at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island auction in 2014 and for $55,000 at Barrett-Jackson Northeast in 2018. In that context, even with an aging restoration, this is a solid value with one caveat: back in 2014 the odometer read exactly the same 43,041 miles as it shows today.
Lot # 556 1971 Datsun 240Z Coupe; S/N HLS3026820; Yellow/Black vinyl; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $48,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $52,800 – Wheel covers, Michelin Defender tires, original pushbutton radio. – Used but clean and maintained engine bay. Good repaint. Clean bumpers. Even gaps. Clean wheels and newer tires. Very good restored interior. Restoration work appropriate to the car’s value, resulting in a very attractive early Z. – The gap in prices between driver quality Z-cars and top notch examples is quite large, with the former still available at entry-level prices and the latter crossing the threshold into expensive classic sports car territory. Take this result, for example. 50 grand seems to be about what it takes to get a really, really good 240Z these days. Five years ago it might have brought half that.
Lot # 647 1957 DeSoto Adventurer Convertible; S/N 50419195; Gold, White accent/Gold vinyl, Black cloth; Beige vinyl top; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $275,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $302,500 – 345/345hp dual quad Hemi V-8, automatic, power windows, brakes, steering and top, gold vented wheel covers, whitewalls, power bench seat. – Excellent paint, chrome, upholstery, top and glass. Restored like new. Above reproach in all respects. One of 300 Adventurer convertibles built in 1957. – Sold almost ten years ago in November 2010 at RM’s auction of the Milt Robson collection for $341,000 and impressively maintained and preserved since then while adding just over 600 miles to its odometer. More rare than a Chrysler 300C convertible and visually striking in Gold and White. It is expensive, but in a good way on the strength of the obvious quality of the old restoration, and a car that should be more than satisfying to own and drive even at this generous price.
Lot # 368.1 1948 DeSoto Custom Convertible Coupe; S/N 5937886; Cream/Brown leather, Tan cloth; Tan cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $23,100 – 237/109hp six, hub caps and trim rings, General wide whitewalls, fender skirts, hood ornament, column shift 3-speed, pushbutton radio. – Sold on bonded title. Lightly dulled chrome and body trim with a few scratches on the bumpers, plus surface rust and stains on the rear bumper. Tired old repaint. Poor panel fit. Clean newer top with a repainted top frame. Original dash but new seats. Old tires. Light oxidation but mostly tidy underneath. Not a car you see often, but not an impressive example, just an average driver for a casual fair weather cruise around town. – This result is reasonable for the DeSoto’s mundane specifications and mediocre presentation but presents its new owner with a funky ride for summer ice cream runs with the kids.
Lot # 667 1970 Dodge Charger R/T SE Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N XS29R0G125170; Green, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $94,000 – 426/425hp Hemi, 4-speed, Super Track Pack, power steering and brakes, Rallye wheels with Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, bucket seats, pistol grip shifter, console, Rallye gauge pack, reported to be numbers matching. – Represented as matching numbers. The paint is mostly good with cracking on the filler panel just below the driver’s side of the windshield. The vinyl roof has several raised bumps on the driver’s side and black smudges on the passenger’s side. The side mirror is faded and pitted from age. The engine compartment has been restored and shows some deterioration from use. Underneath, the car is more aged with dirt and light oxidation on exposed metal parts. The driver’s seat has rips in the upholstery and overall shows aging and use. Lackluster presentation for such a desirable car. – Mediocrity, even with an intrinsically desirable automobile like this Charger R/T SE Hemi 4-speed, was the kiss of death at the January auctions. There was plenty of choice and little incentive to take a chance on a sketchy car. If there was money at the reported bid the seller would have been wise to accept the bidder’s judgment.
Lot # 642.1 1958 Dual-Ghia D/G Convertible, Body by Ghia; S/N 191; Metallic Eggplant/Dark Red, Beige leather; Beige cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $300,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $330,000 – 315/230hp Hemi, PowerFlite, dual antennas, wire wheels with spinner wheel covers, Goodyear whitewalls, power steering, power brakes, power windows, red leather boot cover, special delivery plaque on the dash, Benrus clock in the steering wheel hub. – Lightly run but tidy restored engine bay. Passenger’s side door doesn’t quite fit flush. Very good interior. Very good paint. Restored a while ago, but the work was quality and the car has been babied since. 107th of 117 built. John Staluppi Cars of Dreams Collection. – Sold by Auctions America at Ft. Lauderdale in 2015 for $225,500, by Bonhams at Quail Lodge in 2016 for a nearly breathtaking $368,500, then by Barrett-Jackson at Mohegan Sun in 2017 for a more realistic $269,500. Its restoration is holding up very well, which is not surprising in that it has covered only about nine miles in the past five years: 3 miles for each trip on and off a car transporter. Unusually for a Dual-Ghia there is only one reported celebrity owner, John Danko of The Band.
Lot # 620 1960 Edsel Ranger Convertible; S/N 0U15Y702534; Cloud Silver/Red, Silver; Black vinyl top; Older restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $125,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $137,500 – 352/300hp, automatic, wheel covers, Silvertown whitewalls, dual antenna, dual spotlight mirrors, boot cover, factory radio, heat and defrost, power steering, power brakes, power top, air conditioning. – From the John Staluppi collection. AACA Narional First Prize. One of 76 such cars built late in the run of the Edsel brand. On the last day of Edsel production, in fact. Originally white, then body-off restored in 2005 to top notch standards. Older but still excellent paint and chrome. Even gaps. Very good interior. Very clean underneath. Not done yesterday, but still presents like a much fresher car than it is and there’s nothing serious to criticize. Probably the best `60 Ranger convertible in the world, and king at any Edsel gathering. – Reported sold for $110,000 at Mecum Indy in 2018. That was a massive result for a car that was the butt of jokes when new and still isn’t all that well respected. And this price is even bigger, but this Edsel is the best of its kind. Collectors will pay a premium for that, but this is a premium that is impossible to justify.
Lot # 648.1 1967 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N 10181; Engine # 10181; Silver/Black leather; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $235,000 – 3,967cc/300hp, 5-speed, Becker Europa II radio, power windows, steering and brakes, air conditioning, chrome spoke Borrani wire wheels, Dunlop tires. – Quality recent repaint, bright chrome, very good upholstery and interior trim. Shiny polished wheels, new tires. Detailed engine compartment top, but oily below the exhaust heat shields from cam cover seepage. Unrestored underbody with old undercoat. A handsome cosmetically restored 330 GT 2+2. – This car should have gone away with satisfaction on both sides of the transaction at the reported high bid.
Lot # 472 1994 Ferrari 348tb Challenge Coupe, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFRG35A4R0098843; Red/Black leather; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $44,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $48,400 – SF shields, Ferrari 5-spoke alloy wheels, PZero tires, Assembly number 15707. – Good paint but as noted the right rear corner has been repainted with non-matching orange peel. Clean engine compartment. The driver’s seat bolster is scuffed appropriately to the 24,575 miles showing. Has some race markings, but no noted race history. The CarFax shows right side damage in 1995, which corresponds to the paint work. – Even though this 348tb was placed on the markdown counter due to the damage report, the seller didn’t do too badly with this result and was penalized only a few thousand dollars.
Lot # 561.1 1991 Ferrari 348ts Targa, Body by Pininfarina; S/N ZFFRG36A1M0090058; Rosso Corsa, Black Targa panel/Tan leather; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500 – 5-spoke Ferrari alloy wheels, Sumitomo tires, SF shields, power windows, tool kit, owner’s manual, original window sticker, Assembly number 06789. – Good original paint and interior with a typically scuffed driver’s seat bolsters. Stone chip on the left headlight door touched up with the wrong color. Small chips on the engine cover. Clean original underbody. Tidy but used and aged engine compartment. A credible Ferrari driver with a recent belt service showing 31,814 believable miles. – A good, solid, moderate mileage Ferrari bought for a realistic price without observable premium for the originality.
Lot # 381 1922 Ford Model TT Truck; S/N 5817754; Olive Green, Black hood and fenders/Black leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $20,000 – Black wood spoke wheels, worm drive, 4-pinion rear axle, high-arch rear spring and wide rim rear wheels. – Built up to look like Woodhead Motor Company’s service truck from 1922 using original and NOS parts. Cab and bed built from scratch. Turntable displayed in John Woodhead’s collection since it was completed and both accurate and handsome, but now aging with a few body joint paint cracks. – This was a standout lot at the Kruse auction of Fords at the Woodhead collection in 2004 where it sold for $49,500. It was sold at Barrett-Jackson WestWorld in 2015 for $60,500 and attracted no interest at all here. The reported bid is so low that it is meaningless.
Lot # 665 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 SportsRoof; S/N 1F02R176835; Grabber Yellow, Black/White vinyl; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000 – 351/330hp, 4-speed, 3.91 Traction-Lok, Magnum 500 wheels, Wide Oval tires, Hurst T-handle shifter, spoilers, rear window slats, pushbutton radio, added power steering and brakes. – Nearly spotless fresh engine bay. Very good paint other than two chips right below the windshield. Good chrome and brightwork. Factory gaps. Very good, lightly worn interior with new carpets and seat covers. Partially redone dash with original gauges. Cool colors on a cool Mustang, restored to nearly like new condition. – A good, well-equipped Boss 351 sold for exactly what it deserved. It previously sold at Barrett-Jackson West Palm Beach 10 years ago for $56,870.
Lot # 647.1 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 SportsRoof; S/N 0F02Z129405; Grabber Blue/White; Recent restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $255,000 – KK # 2346. 3.91 Traction Lok differential, power steering and brakes, Magnum 500 wheels with Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, deluxe steering wheel, console, AM radio, Deluxe Marti Report. – Excellent paint and straight bodywork. All brightwork has been restored or replaced. The engine compartment is immaculate and correct. The underbody is extremely clean and indicates negligible use. The interior has been restored and shows no significant signs of wear. – A lot of Boss 429s have come to auction, including a lot of very good ones and including several that have crossed the block more than once. This one, for instance, was offered by Barrett-Jackson at the 2017 Northeast auction with a reported high bid of $250,000, then sold at Mecum Indy in 2018 for $275,000 and sold again at Worldwide Scottsdale last year for $247,500. These prices reflect how many of these cars there are in the market to choose from recently, particularly since this one came here straight from Mecum Kissimmee a week ago where it was reported sold for $202,400. It is unlikely there was money at the reported high bid here, however, since it would take a seriously greedy car-flipper to turn down a 5-figure profit in a week.
Lot # 526 2005 Ford Taurus NASCAR; S/N RWI”TWO”; White, Black “duraflame”/Black cloth; Competition car, original as-raced, 3- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $13,000 – Automatic. – Display car repaint and cleaned up inside but otherwise as-raced and tired. A Busch Series car represented as driven by Greg Biffle, later used as a show car for demonstrations, explaining the automatic. – Little interest was shown, and little was deserved.
Lot # 638 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N E7FH278825; Thunderbird Bronze, White hardtop/Bronze vinyl; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000 – 312/270hp dual quads, automatic, power steering, Town & Country radio, two tops, skirts, wheel covers, whitewalls. – From the John Staluppi Collection. Represented as 22,378 miles from new. Good older paint with various chips. Good major chrome but weak cast trim pieces. Sound interior; squashed driver’s seat cushion. Good engine compartment. Once was a show quality restoration now driven and aged into a mellow driver. – Sold at B-J Palm Beach in 2014 for $79,500, a price that would still be reasonable today. The bidders overlooked this Staluppi T-Bird and quietly came away with a fine, if aged, example of an Thunderbird Bronze E-Bird for single-quad D-Bird money.
Lot # 532 1957 Fuldamobil S-7 Coupe; S/N 2472243; Blue/Blue vinyl, plaid cloth; Older restoration, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $14,500 – 198cc 2-stroke single, 4-speed (forward and reverse), fiberglass body, hub caps, suicide doors. – One of Fulda’s more popular models, although only 400 or so were built. Somewhat tired paint. Dull brightwork. The body trim has some small dents and the door handles are pitted. Lightly scratched and cloudy plastic rear window. Very good upholstery. Sound but used underneath. There is plenty to nitpick, but it takes little away from the cute factor, not to mention the rarity. It got more attention than almost any car here. – Among the first postwar microcars, Fuldamobils started puttering out of the factory in 1950, but they are rare and not very well known today. They hardly ever pop up for sale so putting a price on one is difficult, but RM sold two earlier S-6 models at the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum auction in 2013 for $34,500 and $51,750. The consignor surely had both of those numbers in mind, but the RM cars were very clean and they sold in a room full of people who knew and appreciated them. It’s more of a curiosity at this sale, and it isn’t surprising the bidding stalled where it did.
Lot # 616.1 1972 GMC C1500 Jimmy Open Top Utility; S/N TKE182F514997; Blue, Black hardtop/Blue vinyl; Truck restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000 – 355/175hp, Edelbrock Performer intake, 4-barrel, HEI ignition, racing pulleys, 4-speed, trim rings, power steering, power brakes, console, floor shift, factory radio, aftermarket suspension. – From the John Staluppi collection. Truck quality respray with a few runs, particles and chips in it. Incorrect, poor finish on the removable top, and the windows are lightly scratched. Good chrome. Light pitting on the GMC badge. Uneven door fit. Fully redone and lightly used underneath. Newer seats and carpets. Restored to truck standards and but still very attractive. Usable and cool, plus it stands out among Blazers and Broncos. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale last year for the exact same $44,000 total. Given the fees, registration and insurance, the seller didn’t exactly break even on this Jimmy, but this is what the truck is worth.
Lot # 624 1963 Imperial Crown Convertible; S/N 9233195906; Burgundy/Beige leather; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000 – 413/340hp, pushbutton automatic, wire wheels, Firestone whitewalls, dual mirrors, boot cover, power steering, power brakes, power windows, older added air conditioning. – From the John Staluppi collection. One of 531 built. Older repaint with a few chips and small touch up throughout and some orange peel in spots, particularly at the back of the tail. Very good chrome and brightwork. Significant wrinkling to the seats and lightly worn switchgear. A straightforward older restoration on a rare and still very appealing car. – A fair, straightforward result consistent with this Imperial’s previous trips across the block, here in Scottsdale and elsewhere. It sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2006 $62,640, at Bonhams Quail in 2010 for $67,860, at B-J WestWorld again in 2018 for $58,300. The result here is all the money for its condition and specifications today, with a $7,700 uptick since two years ago, probably enough to absord the seller’s commission (if there was any for John Staluppi) and make a modest profit.
Lot # 741 1978 International (IHC) Scout II Traveltop Utility; S/N H0062HGD34582; Green, White roof/Black; Truck restoration, 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $28,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $30,800 – 345/168hp, 4-speed, power steering, power brakes, modern Kenwood stereo, Grant steering wheel, custom front bucket seats, tow hitch. – Very clean mostly restored engine bay and underbody. Good truck quality repaint with a few masking errors. Long but light scratch in the right front quarter window. Lightly worn interior. Clean and impressive condition, especially for an old International, and a more interesting small off roader among all the Broncos and Blazers that crowd these auctions. – Scouts are gaining a following and as interest rises, so do prices, and that makes it easier to justify putting serious money into redoing one. Expect to see more clean Scouts like this in the near future, although probably without this unusual item described on this Scout’s car card: “New raptor installed in the rear tub.”
Lot # 418 1954 Kaiser Special Club Sedan; S/N K545012312; Cream, Green roof/White vinyl, Green cloth; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000 – Wire wheels, Firestone wide whitewalls, amber fog lights, three on the tree, pushbutton radio, dash clock. – From the John Staluppi collection. Good but old paint. Lightly scratched chrome and light pitting on a lot of the brightwork. Light cracks in the left taillight lens. Good tires and clean wheels. Discolored but sound upholstery. Good dash but yellowed, cracking steering wheel. Older restored underneath. Unusual and inherently interesting but in driver condition. Not to be confused with the even more unusual Kaiser Dragon. – This car sold for $31,860 at Mecum Kissimmee in 2014, then at a disappointing $17,050 at Mecum Kissimmee in 2016 before selling for the inexplicably high sum of $44,000 at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2018. This result in 2020 is closer to reality since old Kaisers, while interesting, are not particularly valuable although the real answer to the Kaiser-Value question is “no one knows, so it’s whatever happens at the moment.”
Lot # 368 1949 Kaiser Virginian Hardtop Sedan; S/N 808901; Indian Ceramic/Black leather; Black cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $15,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $17,050 – 226/112hp six, 3-speed, wheel covers, whitewalls, fender skirts, hood ornament, column shift, heater, pushbutton radio, dash clock. – Touch up on the right front fender, a few chips around the filler cap and a crack on the passenger’s front door, but mostly good eye-catching paint. Slightly erratic panel fit. The cloth roof is fraying a little at the edges. Original and aged but well-preserved dash, gauges and steering wheel. Good newer seats, carpets and headliner. Mostly unrestored and a little rough underneath. Cosmetically restored and far from perfect, but it’s really neat and where are you going to find another one? – No one knows how many Virginians were built but this one sold at Auburn Fall 2005 for $30,240, at Hershey two months later for $33,000, at RM Monterey 2007 for $38,500 and at Mecum Las Vegas 2018 for $34,100. The steep drop in price here isn’t down to any change in the car’s condition (it looks exactly the same), so the shrewd new owner now has a handsome, rare conversation starter at a bargain price.
Lot # 643.1 2012 Lexus LFA Coupe; S/N JTHHX8BH3C1000149; White/Black; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $395,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $434,500 – Red calipers, fitted luggage. – From the John Staluppi collection. Just 2,556 miles and like new. – Even well-heeled exotic car buyers had a hard time justifying the LFA’s $375,000 price in their heads, and there are even still a few unsold “new” LFAs sitting at dealers to this day. That said, the used ones haven’t really depreciated and a handful have crossed the block at collector car auctions over the years to prices very similar to this one although after paying the auction’s vigerish it’s expensive.
Lot # 642 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Convertible; S/N 121042109501067; Ice Blue/Dark Blue leather; Dark Blue cloth top; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $97,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $106,700 – Ivory steering wheel and shift knob, hubcaps, trim rings, dash clock, no radio. – From the John Staluppi Collection. Weber carbs. Indifferent quality paint, excellent upholstery and interior soft trim. Hazy gauge lenses, weak interior chrome and pitted windshield header. Original undercoat in the wheelwells. Serviceable engine compartment freely squirted with chassis black, then used. A 190SL driver. – The condition and presentation of this 190SL is disappointing but that made little impression on the buyers here who appear to have been overcome by the fumes of the Staluppi Collection and thought this 190SL was better than it in actuality was. The result isn’t outrageous, but it is expensive for an indifferent quality 190SL.
Lot # 603 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0F91Q507492; Competition Green, Black stripes/Black vinyl; Older restoration, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $63,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $69,300 – 428/335hp Cobra Jet, automatic, Radial T/A tires, spoilers, hood scoop, power steering, power brakes, Elite Marti Report, dash clock, AM radio, floor shift. – Represented as matching numbers and ordered by Ford Research Group as a factory test vehicle. Represented as matching numbers with original sheet metal and interior. Very good paint and chrome. Factory gaps. Original glass with light but forgivable scratching. Original interior but needs nothing and looks hardly aged at all. Great colors, desirable equipment and restored essentially to like new. Mercury muscle at just about its best. – It was at Mecum Kansas City in 2012 where it got bid to $80,000, then sold at Barrett-Jackson WestWorld in 2014 for $80,300. The most mundane, neglected, older restored Cougar Eliminator 428 should bring this much and this is a far better car than that. At this price, it’s a serious bargain.
Lot # 445 1960 MG A Twin Cam Roadster; S/N YD32181; Black/Red leatherette; Red leatherette tonneau cover top; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $65,000 – Centerlock alloy wheels, Dunlop RS5 tires, Radiomobile radio, cutdown windshield, woodrim steering wheel, fender mirrors. – Very good recent paint and interior, including the wheels. The underbody has been restored, then driven and doesn’t look nearly as good as the top of the car. Represented as the original engine. – With the cutdown windshield and no soft top this MG A Twin Cam becomes a fair weather only car, which probably is how it has been and will be used but has certain limitations in more temperate climes or even here in the Southwest where a top is a welcome relief in triple digit summer temperatures. It sold at Auburn Fall four months ago for $65,725, a generous price considering its limitations. The result here would have been $71,500 with commission and the consignor, having paid too much, shouldn’t expect to come out whole on the transaction sequence.
Lot # 366 1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R Coupe; S/N BNR32001560; Red Pearl Metallic/Black; Unrestored original, 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $24,000 – NISMO front bumper, Verus wheels with Goodyear Eagle Revspec RS-02 tires, aftermarket exhaust, Momo steering wheel, added turbo timer, CD player, custom seat upholstery. – The front bumper has a few minor stone chips near the ducting inlets. The front splitter has had paint damage repaired. Engine compartment and mechanicals are fully detailed and presents well. The underbody has been cleaned and presents well. The seats have been reupholstered with low quality material and fitment to match. A decent car for the 139,184 km (86,485 miles), but far from a great one. It’s used (and not carefully), and it’s modified, but this is the state of most R32 GTRs. – Even rougher GT-Rs aren’t cheap cars as demand for the original “Godzilla” seems to be as high as ever, but this one could have gone to a new home at the reported high bid, a lesson the consignor didn’t seem to take to heart when turning down an identical bid on Sunday.
Lot # 619.1 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 J-2 Convertible; S/N 588A06200; Surf Green/Green, White leather; Older restoration, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000 – 371/312hp J-2 engine with 3 deuces, column shift automatic, Fiesta spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, fender skirts, Continental kit, power steering, power brakes, radio, dash clock. – From the John Staluppi collection. Represented with a body-off restoration in 2017. Good but not exquisite or show quality paint and chrome. Touch up near the bottom right corner of the hood. Slightly uneven panel fit. Very clean underneath. Very good interior. A huge, flashy car that will grab attention and get thumbs up wherever it goes, but not quite the fresh new car it is represented as. – But sold for a fresh new car price, although not as expensive as the $110,000 it sold for at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale two years ago. The Oldsmobile J-2 intake is the stuff of legends and as these two results indicate can cause buyers to become unhinged from reality. Or, maybe not, and in fact these two generous prices may in fact reflect the prevalent, substantial, value difference between 4-barrel and J-2 intake cars.
Lot # 726 1972 Oldsmobile Toronado 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 3Y57W2M743298; Beige, Tan vinyl roof/Beige; Visually maintained, largely original, 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $13,000 – Wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, air conditioning, dash clock, Sony CD stereo under the dash, original radio still fitted. – Represented as a low mile car and looks clean, but the odometer reads 98,493. Large chip on the left front fender and mild blisters above the right headlight, but otherwise clean and shiny older repaint. Clean, tight roof vinyl. Clean and maintained underneath. Very good interior with fantastic original upholstery and only very lightly worn switchgear. Looks original other than the paint, but it has been consistently and extensively maintained by careful owners. You hardly see these late Toronados in any condition. – But that doesn’t mean it’s worth a lot of money. It could have gone to a new home at this high bid and is unlikely to get a much higher offer elsewhere.
Lot # 650 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda Hemi 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N BS23R0B184339; Tor Red, Black/Black; Older restoration, 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $145,000 – 426/425hp Hemi, 3.23 Sure Grip differential, shaker hood scoop, hockey stick stripes, Rally wheels with Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, bucket seats, console with slap shift, AM radio, Rally gauges. Documented by Galen Govier. – Represented as matching numbers. Very good paint overall with a few minor blemishes on the driver’s door. The engine compartment is very clean and has little use indicated. The same goes for the underbody. The interior shows well and indicates little use aside from the steering wheel which has some handling wear. A great looking Cuda with little to nitpick. – A repeat appearance at auctions over the past few years with mostly no-sales to its credit. It was reported sold at Russo and Steele Scottsdale in 2014 for $154,000, then sold for $129,250 at Mecum Glendale last year, no-saled again a few months later in Portland at a $185,000 high bid, then one more time at Mecum Monterey at a $185,000 high bid. The car is getting stale, the offers aren’t likely to get higher than they already have been and a futile search for an irrational buyer is getting expensive.
Lot # 623.1 1961 Plymouth Fury Convertible; S/N 3311154875; Bronze Metallic/Gold, White vinyl with pattern cloth; Tan cloth top; Older restoration, 2- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $82,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $90,200 – 383/330hp, crossram dual quads, automatic, power steering, power brakes, chrome wire wheels, Silvertown whitewalls, boot cover, metalflake steering wheel, pushbutton radio. – From the John Staluppi collection. Very good paint and chrome. Light scratches on the grille. Small scuff in front of the driver’s door. Big crunch in the left headlight bezel and a light scrape on the bumper right below it. Clean and restored underneath with light general age, gorgeous interior, and that metal flake steering wheel is one of the coolest things we’ve seen all week. Rare, well equipped and gorgeous but a little rough around the edges by the standards of this collection. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2001, fresh from restoration, for $54,000 then sold by RM at its John Staluppi collection sale in 2012 for $88,000. It since made it back into Staluppi’s collection, perhaps when it sold at Mecum Kissimmee last year in similar condition to today for $121,000. While this is a weaker price and not the same kind of home run as some of the Letter Cars out of this collection, it’s still a high price indicative of the Fury’s appeal and its Jetsons’ dashboard and steering wheel.
Lot # 435.1 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Deluxe Convertible; S/N K856H3957; White, Rose/Black, White; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $40,700 – 316/227hp, automatic, wire wheel covers, whitewalls, hood ornament, chrome fender skirts, boot cover, dash clock, pushbutton radio, dual mirrors, power steering, power brakes, power top, stainless skirts. – From the John Staluppi collection. Good, high quality older paint and chrome. Some wear on the hood trim. Imperfect panel gaps. Lightly worn seats but mostly good interior. Tidy underneath. The wheels and tires look a little older. A cool, seldom seen vintage Pontiac fair weather cruiser, and significantly better than an average driver. – This Star Chief sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2008 for $68,200 and at Palm Beach 2019 for $71,500. A modest price indicative of waning interest for big ’50s cars in anything less but show quality condition but even “waning interest” doesn’t make this anything other than a good value.
Lot # 644.1 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 RS Coupe; S/N WP0AE2A96BS778129; Red, “Pagid”/Black cloth; Competition car, original as-raced, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $225,000 – Porsche special intake and exhaust, upgraded turbos and ECU from Evolution Motorsports, 3,600cc/785hp, 6-speed manual, OMP race seats, fire system, roll cage, Dark Grey Porsche centerlock wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires, Yellow calipers, carbon fiber hood. – 2011 Nurburgring and Pikes Peak record holder, Porsche show car. Very good paint, orderly interior that looks race-ready and barely used. – This Porsche has probably sat on display since 2011 and offers some potential for being a fulfilling track day car but will need comprehensive inspection and updating before being exploited. The reported high bid for it here was realistic.
Lot # 659 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk I Convertible; S/N B9472230LRXFE; Dark Green, Black hardtop/Black leatherette; Recent restoration, 2- condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $75,000 – 260/164hp, 4-speed, polished centerlock alloy wheels, Yokohama tires, woodrim steering wheel. – Excellent paint, new interior except for a torn seam in the driver’s carpet. Clean, orderly underbody. Bright chrome. Represented as the original engine. – This bid is in line with the other Tigers (fourteen of them) offered this January in Florida and Arizona although the car itself might be a little better than many of the others.
Lot # 357.1 1964 Triumph TR4 Roadster; S/N CT31092L0; Red/Black leather piped in White; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $25,000 – Painted wire wheels, Michelin XZX tires, factory radio. – Represented as a two-owner car with 82,971 miles. Good older paint with a few light chips and blemishes. Tight-fitting older replacement top with light discoloration and dull windows. Original interior with a small rip in the passenger’s seat. Numerous cracks in the wood dash and the steering wheel cap, neither of which are unusual on an old Triumph. Some paint chipping off the wheels. Older undercoated chassis and generally maintained underneath. Good older rechromed bumpers and original brightwork. A clean, never restored but well-maintained TR4 that looks like a good time. – This car’s originality is commendable, but the consignor seems to expect restored car money and is in no rush to sell. It was a no-sale at $31,000 at Russo and Steele Scottsdale last year and a no-sale again at a $20,000 bid at Mecum Portland. The consignor took another shot on Sunday and came up even shorter at $18,000. The message should have sunk in by now.