Mecum Auctions, Harrisburg, PA, July 26-29, 2023

Many auctions over the years have assayed the auction market in the Northeast. All but RM Sotheby’s annual auction at the AACA Hershey swap meet and Bonhams who persists with Greenwich and Newport, RI at Audrain have recognized defeat and tucked their tails between their legs and retreated to more rewarding settings.

That is, until Mecum Auctions ventured into Harrisburg, PA at the PA Farm Show Complex in 2014. Starting with a modest 875 lot offering, a 67.8% sell-through and a sale total of $19,268,250 Mecum’s visibility, promotion and marketing have cracked the code for a major Northeast auction, offering 1,304 lots this year, selling 897 of 1,304 lots (including scads of cheap little motorbikes and ATC/ATVs) a 68.8% sell-through and a total of $33,335,060 in a four-day auction that went from morning to night each day.

The key to this sale – as with many other Mecum auctions – is the consistency of consignments. The variation between the average transaction (influenced by big dollar cars) and the median (influenced by the majority of consignments) is particularly small.

Mecum’s Harrisburg consignments are consistently affordable, within the reach both financially and attainability of notoriously conservative Northeast collectors. It was impossible to walk through the many halls of the frequently sweltering hot Farm Show Complex and not find something that tickled the fancy of the scads of onlookers.

“I could own that! It would be cool!” Fog a mirror and Mecum Auctions will give you a bidder number (Dana Mecum told me that years ago). It’s up to you to bid within your resources … including the limits on your VISA card.

It’s a magic formula, filled with Muscle fantasies.

Here are the numbers:

Year	Cars Sold/ Offered	Sale %	Average Sale	Median Sale	Total $
2023	897/1304	68.8%	$37,163	$28,600 [77%]	$33,335,060
2022	805/1013	79.5%	$47,849	$33,000 [69%]	$38,518,425
No data
2019	877/1296	67.7%	$32,793	$20,900 [63.7%]	$28,759,225

On-site observations are by Rick Carey. Lots are sorted by lot number, Thursday-Saturday:

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Lot # T239 1971 Ford Ranchero GT Pickup; S/N 1A48H192416; Grabber Yellow, Black hood/Walnut vinyl; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $21,000. – 351/240hp 2-barrel, automatic, power steering and brakes, buckets and console. – Good recent repaint and graphics. Sound upholstery and interior trim. Good but aged engine compartment and underbody. An aging old restoration with fresh paint and new wheels and tires. – The car card describes “Replaced suspension, brake, fuel and exhaust systems” but without saying when it was done. It is shown in the online shots without its windshield, indicating how recently it was repainted. No one was taken with it, nor should they have been.

Lot # T240 1999 Pontiac Trans Am Convertible; S/N 2G2FV32G2X2220065; White, Blue stripes/White vinyl; Blue cloth top; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $25,000. – 346/320hp LS1, automatic, power steering, brakes and windows, blue tinted alloy wheels, Ram Air, WS6. – Very good original paint and interior. The paint is peeling off the red brake calipers. A well-preserved original TA showing 45,095 miles appropriate to its condition. – This is a $35,000 car, even with the automatic, and no surprise it didn’t sell at the reported high bid.

Lot # T241 1968 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 344878Z101063; Ice Blue, Blue vinyl roof/Blue vinyl; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $37,400. – 400/350hp, automatic, air conditioning, Limited Slip, buckets and console, power steering and brakes, SS wheels, Radial T/A tires. – Good but slightly orange peely paint. Good upholstery with aged original interior trim. Good engine compartment. The underbody and chassis have been restored but now are dusty. – Offered at Kissimmee six months ago where it was reported bid to $30,000, second time was the charm with the hammer bid $4,000 more and home it went with a new owner. It’s not a great car, but it will be a fun ride and this is appropriate money for it.

Lot # T242 1972 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible; S/N 3J67K2M251913; Matador Red, White stripes/Ivory vinyl; White vinyl top; Facsimile restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $55,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $60,500. – 350/190hp, automatic, Rally wheels, red line tires, power steering, brakes and top, air conditioning, original owner’s manual. – Good but orange peely paint. Very good upholstery, interior trim and top. Bright chrome. Clean, lightly aged engine compartment and underbody. Console shifter bezel is old and pitted. 2020 AACA National First Prize. – 4-4-2 badged, it’s a cosmetic clone, well done and attractive, but still a poseur with W-30 badging it doesn’t deserve. It is, however, a poseur that brought a superior price as if it had a 455/250hp under the hood. [Comment revised thanks to Bennett DiMeo’s observation.]

Lot # T245 1995 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 1G1YY32P3S5103290; Torch Red/Black leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $32,000. – 350/300hp, automatic, power steering and brakes, alloy wheels, power seats and windows, air conditioning. – Very good, bright paint. Unblemished original upholstery, interior trim, gauges and dashboard. The odometer shows 903 miles and the car is in surprisingly good conditioning. – Very clean and low odometer reading lead to an inference that it was carefully put away years ago, but nowhere does anyone claim that the mileage showing is all it has seen. The most logical explanation for the seller turning down the reported high bid is that he (or she) believes it is a miraculously preserved original car, but until the actual claim is made and backed up with records getting even this much is highly doubtful.

Lot # T246 1969 Chevrolet C10 1/2 Ton Pickup; S/N CE149A817249; Blue, White/Black leatherette; Truck restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $25,000. – 4-barrel, automatic, tube headers, Pioneer cassette stereo, Rally wheels with trim rings, General Grabber AT2 tires, dual outside mirrors, rubber bed mat, trailer hitch, heater. – Very good clearcoat exterior paint, some interior panels not repainted. Sound upholstery and carpets. The engine compartment is superficially redone and has oily grunge in some corners. The engine is repainted. Dirty old chassis. Superficial even for a truck restoration. – It’s pejorative to characterize an auction vehicle as “nasty” but this is a superficial restoration even to truck standards. It looks good a 10-feet, but don’t open the hood. It deserved to be rejected.

Lot # T247 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme S Convertible; S/N 1G3WT34T4ND339349; Bright Aqua/Black leather; White vinyl top; Unrestored original 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $5,250 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $5,775. – 191/140hp V-6, automatic, Kenwood CD stereo, alloy wheels, air conditioning, power driver’s seat, power windows. – Blemished and stone chipped original paint. Good original upholstery. Sound top but cracked edge binding and slightly shrunken. Good alloy wheels. Dirty original engine compartment. – Just an ordinary Cutlass S, but at this price when the top goes down who cares? This is fun car money, and this is a fun car.

Lot # T258 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Convertible; S/N 107675W261101; Seafoam Green/Beige vinyl; Cream vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $26,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $28,600. – 164/180hp turbocharged H6, 4-speed, pushbutton radio, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. – Very good clearcoat paint, good panel fits and gaps. Clean rebuilt engine but dirty engine compartment. Good chrome, upholstery and top. A good cosmetic and mechanical restoration to quality driver condition. – The car card reports an extensive list of restoration items suggesting that perhaps this was a derelict and neglected car. It isn’t today, however, and is presented in nearly pristine condition albeit with some oversights. It was appropriately handicapped by the bidders with this result and is fair to both the buyer and the seller.

Lot # T259 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL Convertible; S/N 11304312002176; Papyrus White/Blue; Blue cloth top; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $55,000. – 2,496/170hp, automatic, later M-B alloy wheels, blackwall tires, Blaupunkt Europa TR radio, chrome wheel well eyebrows. – Good clearcoat paint, bright chrome. Good upholstery and top. Aged engine compartment with some road dirt. Old undercoat in the wheel wells. A superficial but good looking driver. – Reasonably the seller could have let this mediocre 250SL go at the reported high bid, but equally as reasonably the seller could have made the decision to keep it in preference to the money. In any event this is a realistic offer for this car.

Lot #F12 1948 Lincoln Continental Coupe; S/N 8H175535; Valley Green/Green leather, light Green cloth; Older restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $18,700. – 292/125hp, 3-speed,overdrive, radio, skirts, continental kit, hubs, trim rings, whitewalls. – Good clearcoat paint. Peeling rear fender stoneguards. Good upholstery. Dusty and aged but orderly engine compartment. Excellent chrome. A quality old restoration now aged. – This isn’t a great Continental but it is a better Continental than the money it brought today in this early Friday sale. It was time for it to go, it was No Reserve, and the bidders were looking for muscle and sports cars. It flew under the radar to the buyer’s benefit even though it will take some money to bring it back to the condition it once was.

Lot #F26 1969 The Yankee and the Rebel No. 98 Sprint Car; S/N BILL OF SALE; White/Black; Competition restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $9,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $9,900. – 305 Chevy, Hilborn fuel injection, Ronco magneto, 4-wheel disc brakes, Bert 2-speed with reverse transmission, torsion bar suspension, tube shocks, centerlock alloy wheels, dirt tires. – Dirty and as-raced. No race history given. The consignor left us in the dark even about who built the chassis or how the alcohol fueled engine and fuel system had been preserved making it a cipher for anyone who didn’t understand Sprint Cars. – In such doubt it is amazing that someone even stepped up to pay this much for it however the Hilborn injection, Ronco magneto, disc brakes and transmission will part out to well more than the price paid here. It’s well worth the risk taken at this price.

Lot #F55 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Convertible; S/N 14HKE74714; Blue/Blue vinyl, White cloth; Dark Blue cloth top; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $38,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $41,800. – 216/92hp six, 3-speed, pushbutton radio, skirts, hubcaps, trim rings, wide whitewalls, grille and trunk guards, fog lights, turn signals, curb feelers. – Very good paint with one chip on the front of the passenger’s door. Good chrome, upholstery and tight fitting top. Older restored engine compartment has dust and some road dirt. There is paint loss on the engine and oily, dusty residue. A good-looking old Chevy that will benefit from a full detailing. – A nifty old Chevy even given its sedate 92hp performance and in decent older restored condition. A thorough cleaning would be augmented by some period speed equipment (but not a V-8, please). The price it brought is thoroughly justified, particularly this early on Friday morning’s docket.

Lot #F55.1 1976 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Coupe; S/N 2W87W6N517526; Cameo White/White vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $75,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. – 455/200hp, 4-speed, shaker hood, silver honeycomb wheels, Hercules tires, power steering and brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering column, AM-FM, 8-track. – Represented as the matching number engine. Good older repaint, cracked front bumper. Lightly stretched original upholstery. Dusty dashboard but clear gauges. The engine compartment is nearly like new but dusty. A good well-maintained car. – The brutal honesty of post-1972 net horsepower ratings is a wet blanket and it descended on this otherwise good Trans Am with this result. It’s no fun to say “my Firebird has 200hp” even if it has enough torque to liquify asphalt. This is appropriate money for it and it could be much more fun than the money it cost.

Lot #F65 1954 Ford Crestline Sunliner; S/N U4FC208820; Torch Red/Red, White vinyl; Black cloth top; Older restoration 2+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $34,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $37,400. – 239/130hp V-8, dual exhaust, 3-speed, overdrive added, skirts, wheel covers, wide whitewalls, pushbutton radio, heater. – Excellent paint, sharp gauges and dash. Excellent upholstery and top. Bright chrome and stainless trim. Flush fits and even gaps. 2013/2014 AACA National First Prize. This Sunliner is a great example even if it is starting to show the restoration’s age. – This is an appropriate result for a ’54 Crestline convertible with the first year overhead valve Ford V-8 but it bought an increasingly rare vehicle that stands out wherever it goes and will be a delightful summertime driver. Intrinsically it is a great value that most people today overlook but offers solid value for the money.

Lot #F68 1994 Pontiac Trans Am 25th Anniversary Convertible; S/N 2G2FV32P7R2246311; Bright White, Blue stripe/White leather; White vinyl top; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $29,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $31,900. – 350/275hp LT1, automatic, power brakes, steering, windows, top, mirrors, seats, White alloy wheels, CD stereo. – Shows 2,084 miles on the odometer and on the car. – There’s a modest but deserved originality premium for the low miles and condition of this 25th Anniversary Firebird Trans Am. It is a sound value in this transaction.

Lot #F90 1990 Ferrari 348ts Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFFG36A8L0086428; Black/Cream leather; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $57,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $62,700. – 3,405/300hp, 5-speed, Tubi exhaust, air conditioning, power windows, 18-inch aftermarket modular alloy wheels, Michelin tires, Kenwood CD stereo, power seats. – Scuffed and lightly soiled driver’s seat. Scratched targa-top panel. Mediocre repaint not buffed out in the quarter window scoops. Stone chipped nose. Dirty windows. Hard used even though the odometer shows only 18,828 miles. – This result accurately and astutely reflects the rather sorry condition of this 348ts. We’re accustomed to seeing Ferraris treated like holy relics instead of as cars to be driven and enjoyed. This 348ts is the latter, which doesn’t help its depreciation but indicates the previous owners have taken advantage of it.

Lot #F102 1979 Pontiac Trans Am T-top Coupe; S/N 2X87Z9N166275; Silver, Grey accent/Silver; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $110,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $121,000. – 400/220hp, 4-speed, limited slip, power steering, brakes and windows, alloy wheels, Polysteel Radial tires, AM/FM/8-track stereo. – A clean, original, undamaged TA with protective clearcoat. The seats are barely stretched at all. The odometer shows 33 believable miles. – This result is a major bump for the negligible mileage and superb preservation. It is on the order of a 50% originality premium but where will another one be found in such pristine condition with the Z-code 400/220hp engine and close ratio 4-speed? The answer is that there is pretty much always another one but it may not show up for years. This car was sold at Worldwide’s Auburn auction in 2018 for $77,000. In other words, it’s never been cheap.

Lot #F111.1 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370I551744; Forest Green/Black vinyl; Estimate $90,000 – $100,000; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. – 396/350hp L34, automatic, power brakes and steering, buckets and console, SS wheels, Polyglas tires, Protect-o-Plate and GM Canada documentation. – Good clearcoat paint with some clear overspray in the engine compartment. Good upholstery and chrome. Clear gauges and dash controls. The engine is cleaned up but the rest of the engine compartment and chassis are old and grimy. No one is claiming original and unrestored (except paint ) but if they did I wouldn’t argue. – For this much money the 375hp L78 would be a better value, but the preservation of this example goes a long way to filling in the gap. Both the seller and the buyer should be satisfied with this result.

Lot #F120.1 2017 Chevrolet SS 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N 6G3F25RW1HL311815; Orange Blast Metallic/Charcoal leather, suede; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $31,900. – 376/415hp LS3, 6-speed, sunroof, power seats, air conditioning, cruise, power steering and Brembo brakes, Magnetic ride control, alloy wheels, Continental tires. – Smells and looks like a new car. The engine compartment is spotless. There is just the slightest hint of some stretch in the front seat cushions. Brakes and wheels are spotless. Shows 81,212 miles on the odometer but the car looks brand new. – A Holden Commodore with lefthand drive that used to be a Pontiac G8, last year of production after GM’s decision to cease building cars at Holden. Lavishly equipped including the 6-speed manual transmission and all sorts of accessories and assists. The condition of this car is much too new and clean to match its odometer reading. The result is a healthy discount from the $50K or so it cost new but is appropriate for the disconnect between condition and mileage. With Holden out of business parts will soon become a problem, as I know from trying to keep a 2005 Pontiac GTO (Holden Monaro) on the road. The service manager at the Chevy dealer where it take it for service calls me “Mr. Discontinued”. Despite being fresh and clean the reported high bid here is realistically all that can be expected for it.

Lot #F127 1997 Ferrari F355 Spider, Body by Pininfarina-Scaglietti; S/N ZFFXR48A3V0108016; Giallo Modena/Nero Leather; Black cloth top; Estimate – $120,000; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $95,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $104,500. – 3,496/380hp, 6-speed, air conditioning, Michelin tires. Assembly number 24792. – Excellent original paint, interior and top. Very clean engine compartment and represented as having a recent engine out service. The odometer shows 27,255 believable miles. – Babied, unlike the 348ts sold earlier today, but like the 348ts it sold for a price appropriate to its mileage and condition. A Giallo/Black 355 Spider is an eye-catching, dream-weaving car that still commands a superior price even if its periodic major timing belt services are expensive.

Lot #F128 1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Coupe; S/N 1G5FW2177KL245452; White/Camel leather; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. – 231/250 Turbo V-6, automatic, power steering, brakes and windows, air conditioning, Gold basket center alloy wheels, Riken tires, cassette stereo, tinted T-tops. – 6,546 miles and nearly like new. Spotless but slightly aged engine compartment. – Pontiac borrowed the turbo V-6 engine from the Buick GNX for the Turbo Trans Am resulting in an unusual cross-breed and the most powerful drivetrain Pontiac offered in 1989. Usually overlooked, this is a rare combination when collectors usually look for 6.6 liter Trans Ams and Firebirds. Its price here is overlooked, too, although appropriate historically, an unusual car that has a story to tell even in a field of big block Trans Ams.

Lot # S19.1 1961 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 10867S100275; Engine # 1100275 FF0801CQ; Red, White coves/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Unrestored original 4 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. – 283/230hp, 3-speed, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls. – Dull, scratched, cracked paint, sound but old upholstery. Dirty, grimy engine compartment. Scratched, scuffed, peeling chrome. A neglected but complete barn find with proceeds to Curing Kids Cancer. – This result is a modest but informed premium for the donation of this car to Mecum’s favorite charity, Curing Kids Cancer. It’s a project but is complete and can be restored and still be worth the restoration cost and what was paid here.

Lot # S47.1 1969 Buick GS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 446379H209921; Black, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Estimate $35,000 – $45,000; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. – 455 Stage 1, automatic, power steering and brakes, AM-FM-8-track, air conditioning, chrome SS wheels, Douglas tires, Ram Air. – Weak grille, outside mirror and rear bumper chrome. Ripped right side roof vinyl. Good paint and upholstery. Clean engine compartment with fuel residue on the intake manifold. Chassis is restored but aged. – I’m confused (which isn’t uncommon). This GS is described as having a 455, yet every reference I have consulted says the ’69 GS, even Stage 1, is a 400. There is no representation that this is the original engine, either. So what to infer? Perhaps this is 455, sourced from a Pick’n’Pull and dropped into the space between the front wheels? If that’s the case, this is $15-20,000 more expensive than it deserved.

Lot # S50.1 1971 Plymouth Road Runner 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N RM23N1G235901; Orange/Black vinyl; Estimate $50,000 – $60,000; Older restoration 3+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $50,600. – 383/300hp, 4-speed, pistol grip shifter, steel wheels, hubcaps, Radial T/A tires, bench seat, power steering, AM-FM, wing. – Very good paint, chrome and interior. Good older engine compartment with some paint over old rust pits. Passenger’s door doesn’t close flush. Old frame and suspension. A pretty but older restoration now in good driver condition. – No one will win stoplight drags with this Road Runner, but today very, very few people stress their ’71 Road Runners with stoplight drags. The price it brought here is generous for its restoration and condition, but not enough to be truly “expensive”, just generous.

Lot # S52 2011 Lotus Evora S Coupe; S/N SCCLMDTU1BHA10825; White, Black roof and sills/Red leather; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original 2 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $42,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $46,200. – 3,456/345hp supercharged Toyota V-6, 6-speed, matte black alloy wheels, Nankang tires, air conditioning, power windows. – Stated to be 29,761 miles and looks even better than the miles imply. Clean and unblemished. – A true pocket rocket that will thrill on windy two-lanes but be a speed bump to trucks and SUVs on the freeway, this is an appropriate price. The cheap Chinese Nankang tires don’t speak of a particularly caring owner.

Lot # S63.1 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194677S107781; Silver Pearl, Black stinger/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Estimate $75,000 – $100,000; Modified restoration 3- condition; No Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $55,000. – 327/350hp 1967 L79 engine, 4-speed, AM-FM, side exhaust, Rally wheels with hubcaps and trim rings. – Left St. Louis with a 427/435 L71 engine but now has a 327/350hp replacement, a swap not seen every often. Dull old paint. Dirty, oxidized engine compartment. – Uh, OK? The 327/350hp is a desirable powerplant but a substitute for an L71? Not surprising the Harrisburg bidders turned their backs on it even though it will be an enjoyable driver. Could a salvage L71 be put back under the hood? Absolutely, but it will never measure up to Corvette collectors’ standards and that relegates it. At the reported high bid, though, it is a Corvette bargain even though an owner will never open its Big Block hood to show what’s underneath.

Lot # S78 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 136370K189493; Tuxedo Black, White stripes/Black vinyl; Estimate $125,000 – $135,000; Facsimile restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $73,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $80,300. – 454/450hp restamped ‘period correct” engine, cowl induction, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, power steering and brakes, buckets and console, pushbutton AM-FM radio, SS wheels, trim rings, Eagle GTII tires – Sound older paint buffed through on the deck lid. Orderly engine compartment showing age. Engine fan is too big and sits behind the shroud. Scuffed trim chrome. Good upholstery. “Equipped as a Super Sport” but not what it wants to be. – This “faux fifty-four” has a long auction history starting back in 2012 when it sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale for $45,100 and went on to no-sale at Mecum Monterey and Mecum Anaheim later that year on bids of $57,000 and $37,500 respectively. Leake then got it sold in February 2013 in Oklahoma City for $66,000. Earlier this year Mecum reported it sold for a generous $99,000 at Houston in April (where it was represented as an SS 396) making this result somewhat of a contraction as well as suggesting the Houston transaction was unsatisfying. Either way, this is a healthy result for a car that isn’t what it pretends to be, but nowhere near what a real Chevelle 454/450hp would cost.

Lot # S84 1994 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster; S/N 1B3BR65E8RV100743; Red/Gray leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $65,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $71,500. – 488/400hp V-10, 6-speed, polished alloy wheels, Michelin tires, black calipers, air conditioning, – 1,752 miles and original. Well-preserved paint, good lightly stretched upholstery. Put away when new and thoughtfully preserved. – Sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction a month ago for $51,700, an under the radar bargain made right with buyers here in Harrisburg with this top of the heap price that fully values the car, its preservation and minimal mileage.

Lot # S88 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194675S103750; Red/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $65,000. – 327/365hp, 4-speed, telescope steering column, AM-FM radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. – One owner, 30,916 miles. Protect-o-Plate, original title, bill of sale documented. Represented as the original drivetrain. Claimed to be original paint but if so it’s been clearcoated and shows age. Scratched left front fender and rear deck. Very good original upholstery and top. Dirty underbody. Generally good original chrome but pimpled right rear bumper. A quality survivor. – Much that happens at auctions escapes my appreciation. This documented one owner ’65 327/365hp Corvette with 30,916 miles brought a high bid barely half of S114, a 327/350hp Vette that sold for $154,000 all-in. This Vette has an “actual miles” Ohio title. What did I miss? It shoulda been a six-figure car.

Lot # S104.1 2002 Honda S2000 Convertible; S/N JHMAP114X2T010039; Sebring Silver/Black leather; Black vinyl top; Unrestored original 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $28,000. – 1,997/240hp, 6-speed, air conditioning, silver alloy wheels, Maxxis tires, AM/FM/CD stereo, power top. – Represented with 15,463 believable miles. Very good paint and body. The engine compartment is like new. The driver’s seat shows very little wear. Low miles and nearly like new condition. – This Honda sold for $23,650 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2020, then for $42,000 at Broad Arrow’s Amelia auction four months ago. It got no love at all in Harrisburg despite adding under 200 miles to its odometer since then and should have brought well over $30K, although nowhere enough to compensate for the excessive price paid in Amelia.

Lot # S105 1969 Chevrolet Camaro COPO Sport Coupe; S/N 124379N640518; Fathom Green/Black vinyl; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $190,000. – 427/425hp, A.I.R. equipment, M22 4-speed, Hurst shifter, radio delete, console with gauges, power brakes, steel wheels, hubcaps, Polyglas tires, cowl induction, GM Canada documentation. – Restored like new with better clearcoat paint. Spotless engine compartment, trunk and chassis. MCACN Concours Gold, Camaro High Performance verified. – A stunning Camaro, better than new in all respects and independently verified. It should have brought a bit more than the reported bid here, particularly with the definitive GM Canada documentation, but the whole COPO process and history is fraught with uncertainty.

Lot # S108 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N532273; Hugger Orange, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $177,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $195,250. – 396/375hp, M20 4-speed, Hurst shifter, console with gauges, power brakes, A.I.R. equipment, woodgrain steering wheel, spoiler, pushbutton radio, 3.73 axle. – Excellent clearcoat paint. Bright chrome, excellent interior. The engine compartment and chassis are like new. A factory RS/SS according to the trim tag. – It was Camaro week at Mecum Harrisburg. They were everywhere and they were bringing Big Money even though this ’69 RS/SS L78 might even be considered a good value in this transaction. It takes a truly superior Big Block ’69 Corvette to bring money like this. It is expensive in this transaction, but not without reason given its equipment and the quality of its restoration.

Lot # S109 1957 Chevrolet Corvette FI Convertible; S/N E57S101575; Engine # F1207EL; Inca Silver, White coves/Red; Black cloth top; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $170,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $187,000. – 283/283 fuel injection engine, 3-speed, spinner wheel covers, wide whitewalls, WonderBar radio. – Represented as the matching numbers engine. Good older clearcoat paint. Scuffed driver’s door cap chrome. Good upholstery. Good engine but road grime on the chassis. Repair visible below the right fender top vent. Good but starting to age. – Ah, the fascination with the first year of fuel injection in Corvette. This car sold for $70,400 two years ago at Mecum Dallas where it had dual quads on top of its EL code FI engine and didn’t have today’s White coves. We called it then “an interesting proposition since the dual quads atop the EL coded engine go to the heart of its value as a Fuelie and even putting a Rochester injection setup back will go only part way to satisfying serious Corvette collectors. Then, it’s further confused by the rare color and lack of contrasting coves. In the end this is a Fuelie Corvette bought for less than the value of a comparable condition 283/270hp dual quad ’57 and a sound value for the new owner.” It now has FI and white coves and while it’s still in essentially the same overall condition its value has added $100K. It turned out to be a good bet in Dallas and brought a concours condition price here in Harrisburg.

Lot # S109.1 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster; S/N E54S002759; Polo White/Red vinyl; No top; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000. – 235/150hp, Powerglide, WonderBar radio, wheel covers, wide whitewalls. – Fair old paint with small chips along the door cap trim. Good upholstery. Top missing but there is a top frame. Dirty, oxidized engine compartment. A 10-year old restoration that has been neglected. – Competently restored but now getting old and neglected under the hood, this was a realistic bid for this car.

Lot # S110.1 1997 Chevrolet Camaro SS 30th Anniversary Coupe; S/N 2G1FP22P6V2151872; Arctic White, Hugger Orange stripes/White leather, Houndstooth inserts; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. – 350/330hp LT4 engine, 6-speed, Hurst shifter, air conditioning, power brakes, steering, windows, mirrors and driver’s seat, white alloy wheels, Comp T/A tires. – One of 106 built by SLP. 2,304 miles and like new except for light soiling on the driver’s seat. – This is a fair price for both the seller and the buyer, and maybe even a little more fair to the new owner on the basis of its preservation and low miles.

Lot # S112 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 124379N532696; Carolina Blue, White stripes/Black vinyl; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $130,000. – 302/290hp, cross-ram dual quads, A.I.R. equipment, 4-speed, Hurst shifter, cowl induction hood, spoiler, console, gauges, later 4-wheel disc brakes, Rally wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, Wide Oval GT tires – Gorgeous paint, chrome and interior. Spotless engine compartment. – The specs may show 290hp but experience suggests the cross-ram DZ boasted close to 400hp and the 4-wheel disc brakes (although in this case not original) elevate it even more. Someone spent buckets of Benjamins on restoring and equipping this Z/28 and while it isn’t what it may have been when new it’s still a monumental car which the consignor declined to take for the reported high bid.

Lot # S113 1964 Pontiac LeMans GTO Convertible; S/N 824P56726; Engine #… 77J; Marimba Red/Parchment vinyl; Parchment vinyl top; Recent restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000. – 389/348hp Tri-Power, automatic, Saf-T-Track, steel wheels, hubcaps, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, power windows, power steering and brakes, tilt steering column, PHS documented. – Represented as the numbers-matching 77J Tri-Power engine. Excellent paint, chrome, interior and top. Lovely engine compartment showing little use or age. – It is easy to appreciate why no one would believe the claim this is a factory matching numbers 389/348 Tri-Power. Fakes are everywhere, but the PHS documentation alleviates the fake issue and this is on the face of it far more car than the money it attracted here in Harrisburg.

Lot # S114 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194675S122988; Engine # 5122988 R0710HT; Nassau Blue, Nassau Blue hardtop/Blue vinyl; White vinyl top; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $140,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $154,000. – 327/350hp, 4-speed, two tops, AM-FM radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, owner’s manual, Protect-o-Plate documented. – Represented as all matching numbers and unrestored with 16,506 miles and two owners from new, 37 years with the most recent owner. Clearcoated blotched original paint. Good original chrome, interior and top. Oily and slightly road grimy engine compartment. 2010 NCRS Top Flight. – How do cars like this survive, particularly in such good and well-preserved condition? How does the owner of 37 years not take out annually to blow out the carbon and boil the H2O out of the exhaust pipes and build up a bit more than 16,506 miles? It’s a prize, carefully preserved to send the owner’s grandkids to Penn State. This is an awesome price for an awesome Corvette and a huge preservation premium.

Lot # S115 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194377S116772; Engine # T0404IR 7116772; Tuxedo Black, Red stinger/Black vinyl; Older restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $290,000. – 427/390hp, Powerglide, air conditioning, A.I.R. equipment, alloy wheels, red line tires, telescopic steering column, power windows, AM-FM radio, power steering and brakes, power windows, 3.08 Positraction, original window sticker documented. – NCRS Top Flight and Bloomington Gold in the 00’s. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. Clean, orderly engine compartment. Not fresh but very good. – This is an intriguing car, combining a lazy 427/390hp engine and Powerglide with a high geared differential and all the creature comforts that were available at the time, a car for covering long distances in comfort and style. Its credentials are impressive even if over a decade old and it has been maintained to a high level. It also should have been sold long before reaching the reported high bid, a chance for the seller to say, “I turned down $290,000 at Mecum Harrisburg” while building a legend for it

Lot # S118 1979 Pontiac Trans Am Coupe; S/N 2X87K9L161090; Platinum Silver, Grey accent/Medium Gray leather; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $110,000. – 403/185hp, automatic, shaker hood, T-tops, air conditioning, power steering and brakes, power windows, tilt steering column, AM/FM/8-track, alloy wheels, Polysteel Radial tires, window sticker documented. – At least partially original paint. Good original upholstery. Bright, crisp gauges. Underbody and chassis quickly sprayed chassis black with shadows not covered. Partially damaged hood decal. The odometer may show 11 miles, but that’s likely only since the spotty cosmetic restoration was completed. – As expensive as the 400/220hp lot F102 was, this anemic 403/185hp with its erratic old cosmetic restoration is more expensive. It has no pretentions of being anything more than a partially preserved original car with cosmetic touches like a casually resprayed chassis. Firebirds were hot this weekend (like the Harrisburg weather) but the bidders got carried away with this one.

Lot # S120 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 31847S208669; Marina Aqua/Aqua vinyl; Recent restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $85,000. – 409/425hp, 4-speed, Positraction, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, pushbutton radio, buckets and console, factory dash-mounted tach. – Excellent clearcoat paint, brilliant chrome, excellent interior. Done better than new without going too far. – This is a gorgeous Impala SS 409/425, done to the highest standards but sensitive to correct appearance and finishes. Given that it has no representation of the original engine or drivetrain, it should have sold at the reported high bid.

Lot # S122 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe; S/N 194376S104739; Engine # T1005IP 6104739; Nassau Blue/Black vinyl; Older restoration 3- condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $85,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $93,500. – 427/425hp, M21 4-speed, radio delete, power brakes, centerlock alloy wheels, gold line tires, side exhaust, teakwood steering wheel, Positraction. – Represented as the matching numbers engine. Sound older paint and good interior but the engine compartment is old, dirty and losing the valve cover paint. NCRS Top Flight in 1996 and 1997, but not any more. It’s been driven and not just around the block. – Attractively restored but some years ago and has been enjoyed on the road since then. It might be a six-figure Corvette but it will take buckets of cleaner and hours of work to bring it to that level. This is a generous price from which to start and it leaves the new owner no headroom with which to work.

Lot # S123 1970 Ford Torino GT 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 0A35J118532; Medium Blue Metallic, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Older restoration 3 condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $45,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $49,500. – 429/375hp Ram Air Cobra Jet, automatic, power brakes and steering, air conditioning, factory tach, Rally wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, Wide Oval tires, buckets and console, pushbutton radio, Marti Report documented. – Lightly pitted bumper chrome, scuffed window trim chrome. Good older paint with hood corner chips. Dirty, oily engine compartment and chassis. Ugly dull, yellow gauges. – This lot has been pulled from the Mecum website.

Lot # S126 1969 Vanguard Motors Vetta Ventura 2 + 2, Body by Carrozzeria IM; S/N 196922GT; Red/Black cloth; Visually maintained, largely original 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $80,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $88,000. – 300/250hp Buick V-8, 4-speed, 3.08 limited slip, chrome wire wheels, Nardi woodrim steering wheel, air conditioning, Recaro seats. – Sound repaint starting to show some microblisters, stone chipped nose, cracked behind the right rear window. Fair side window frame chrome and scuffed rear bumpers. Road dirty chassis. – Even less well-proportioned than a Jaguar XKE 2+2 with a heavy, extended body that isn’t even barely balanced on the wheelbase. One of a believed 19 built during the fascination with U.S. V-8 powered European cars, and better forgotten.

Lot # S128 1968 Shelby EXP500 CSS Fastback; S/N 8R01C156337-CSS011; Green, Black vinyl roof/Gold/Black; Facsimile restoration 2+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $210,000. – 428/400hp, automatic, power steering and brakes, billet aluminum accessory drive, 10-spoke alloy wheels, Eagle GTII tires, pushbutton, Mallory Unilite ignition, radio car card – Excellent clearcoat paint, bright only lightly scuffed chrome. Excellent upholstery and interior trim. Done to high standards, but it is not the original EXP500 Green Hornet, it is a replica reportedly built to Carroll Shelby’s request and specifications. – The EXP Shelbys were famed Shelby experimental cars, usually driven until they fell apart and then consigned to nameless scrapyards. The Green Hornet was the prototype for the GT500 and Carroll wanted another one even though it’s a 4-barrel instead of the Conelec electronic port fuel injection, drum brake live rear axle instead of the Green Hornet’s independent with disc brakes and so many other things. That car was bid to $1.8 million at Barrett-Jackson 2013 but didn’t sell. This one looks good.

Lot # S129.1 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Station Wagon 4×4; S/N 1JCNJ15N5ET077531; Colorado Red/Beige vinyl; Cosmetic restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $38,000. – 360/175hp, automatic, air conditioning, power steering, brakes, seats and windows, alloy wheels, Firestone Destination tires, roof rack, aftermarket cassette stereo, Marchal fog lights. – Scuffed grille chrome, weak roof rail chrome. Dull bumper chrome. Good repaint and original upholstery. Dirty engine compartment covered in body shop primer sanding dust. Paint loss on the frame and suspension. Not great but better than most. – Sold at Kissimmee six months ago for $50,600 and no wonder the consignor didn’t let it go at this reported high bid. Based on seeing its condition here it was expensive at Kissimmee and this is a more reasonable offer.

Lot # S131 1969 Dodge Coronet Convertible; S/N WP27H9G134842; Yellow, Black tail band/Black vinyl; Black leatherette top; Modified restoration 3 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $60,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $66,000. – Built as a 383/330hp but now with 440 power, automatic, 3.23 Sure Grip, Rallye wheels, Radial T/A tires, hood scoops, AM 8-Track, buckets and console, power steering. – Good paint, interior and top but old, scratched door handles. Scuffed door caps. Older restored underbody and chassis. Dull gauges. Orderly engine compartment with erratic paint, some rusty surfaces and dull engine paint. The restoration was finished before it was done. – While this result is a bargain for a 440 Coronet convertible it is expensive for a 383/330hp and the workmanship and attention to detail are woefully lacking. The seller must be very happy getting this much for a flawed and suspect car with a swapped engine.

Lot # S132 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 SportsRoof; S/N 0T02G126043; Calypso Coral, Black hood accents/White vinyl; Recent restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $140,000. – 302/290hp, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, Magnum wheels, Polyglas GT tires, power steering and brakes, pushbutton radio, rear window slats, wing, original build sheets and Marti Report documented. – Represented as the original engine and transmission. Excellent paint, chrome and interior. The underbody, chassis and engine compartment are like new. – Sold by RM at Ft. Lauderdale in 2007 for $113,400 and by Mecum at Indy in 2016 for $84,700, the reported high bid here is sufficient to have bought even this gorgeous Boss 302 if there was money for it in the PA Farm Show Complex.

Lot # S148 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 21847L160663; Ermine White/Black vinyl; Older restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $47,000. – 409/380hp, 4-speed, buckets and console, radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, power steering and brakes, Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel, aluminum radiator, underdash gauges, heater delete. – Very good paint, excellent chrome, good interior. Orderly engine compartment with road dirt on the crossmember and chassis. Restored to mediocre standards with a “period correct 409”. – It is the nature of 60’s Chevys that we have no way of knowing from any overt evidence how they were originally built. The skeptical assumption is that every 409 was originally a 327, gaining “a period correct 409” pulled from a scrap yard. This car sold at Greensboro in 2018 for $28,355 in an unknown configuration and the bid it brought here is right for its uncertainty.

Lot # S149 2004 Honda S2000 Convertible; S/N JHMAP21424T001568; Silverstone Metallic/Black leather; Black cloth top; Unrestored original 2 condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $42,000. – 2,157/240hp, 6-speed, silver alloy wheels, Bridgestone tires. – Two owners, 9,640 miles, all original and like new. – One of two silver S2000s at Harrisburg, neither of them sold which illustrates a lack of understanding and appreciation of one of the finest production automobiles ever built among this crowd. The two high bids were consistent with each other, though, so the bidders knew what they were looking at, just didn’t rise to the bait.

Lot # S154 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible; S/N D7FH107487; Colonial White, Colonial White hardtop/Black, White vinyl; Black cloth top; Recent restoration 2 condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. – 312/245hp, automatic, two tops, Town & Country radio, wheel covers, whitewalls. – Brilliant fresh paint, chrome and interior. Gorgeous engine compartment with a later Holley 4-barrel. The chassis shows some age but no appreciable use. Lovely but it looks like the restoration took too long letting the chassis age before the cosmetics were done. – I’d argue that this is an excessive price given the age of the chassis restoration and the later carburetor, but it is gorgeous to look at as long as the looking doesn’t get too detailed.

Lot # S158 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 Sport Coupe; S/N VS29H28228081; Brown Metallic, White vinyl roof/White vinyl; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $54,000. – 340/240hp, 4-speed, floor shift, buckets, power steering, Rallye wheels with trim rings and hubcaps, Polyglas tires, underdash Sun tach, broadcast sheets and original invoice documented, original fender tag. – Represented as original with the original engine and transmission. Remarkably well-preserved and clean, even the aged engine compartment. Not a mainstream collector car, but too good to overlook. – It’s a rare car, but even rarity should not have meant declining this generous offer even taking its claimed originality and the 24,048 miles showing into account. It should have been loose and selling before reaching this best-in-the-world high bid.

Lot # S160 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 20867S105317; Engine # 2105317RE; Sateen Silver, Sateen Silver hardtop/Red vinyl; White vinyl top; Unrestored original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $130,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $143,000. – 327/340hp, 4-speed, 3.70 Positraction, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, jack. – Unrestored with 39,149 miles showing. Very good but dull original paint, good original upholstery. Good hardtop with clear glass. Good chrome. Dirty original engine compartment. – This is a whopping big originality premium, equivalent to a concours numbers-correct example. Alas, no one is representing this as the original engine, just a “327/340hp RE code”, which it is. The bidders were satisfied (apparently) and paid big bucks for it and its originality even though there’s no NCRS or Bloomington Gold judging to back it up. It is an expensive bet it will turn out to be what it appears to be.

Lot # S197 1956 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 5662076877; Black/Red leather; Black cloth top; Cosmetic restoration 4+ condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $50,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $55,000. – 365/285hp, automatic, power windows, steering, brakes and antenna, wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio, tilt steering column, skirts. – Sound but flawed and dulling old repaint. Good lightly used replaced upholstery but old door armrests. Tight fitting top. Tired old engine compartment and chassis. Oily residue. Pitted window frame chrome; major chrome is okay. An older superficial cosmetic restoration that shows its age. – Aged and neglected though it might be this isn’t a seriously bad car and I’m not gonna call it a “4”. Even a “4+” is on the edge. It brought “4” money, though and I didn’t Bondo check the body so maybe the bidders saw something I missed. Whatever it is, it will be expensive to rectify and not very satisfying to own and drive except with a load of grandkids on a summer Sunday.

Lot # S198 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G Hardtop Coupe; S/N 8F93S552348; Calypso Coral, Black vinyl roof/Black; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; No Reserve; Hammered Sold at $40,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $44,000. – 390/325hp, automatic, air conditioning, power steering and brakes, AM-FM-8-track, Magnum wheels with trim rings, Polyglas tires, sunroof. – Sound color change repaint with silicone spots. Poor, pitting chrome everywhere. Sound interior; driver’s seat appears to be redone. Foggy gauge lenses. Neglected old engine compartment with dust and oily residue. It might have mattered if the consignor had bothered to polish the dull, blistered bumpers, but not a lot. – One of 296 390/325hp automatics built out of 619 total XR7-Gs, a cosmetic upgrade meant to emulate the XR7s driven in the Trans Am but having little performance content. The “G” in the model earned it a modest premium and the new owner will enjoy explaining the difference and trying to link it to Trans Am driver Dan Gurney.

Lot # S207 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet; S/N WP0EB0916HS170617; Summer Yellow/Black vinyl, Red cloth inserts; Black cloth top; Modified restoration 3+ condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $50,000. – 3,164/214hp, 5-speed, red calipers, bolt in rollbar, Recaro seats, 5-point belts, Bilstein shocks, Porsche Cup alloy wheels, manual top and windows, performance engine management chip, high flow intake, headers, Brembo brakes. – Represented as the original engine. Good paint and upholstery. Crisp gauges. Clear glass. Oil misted engine compartment with some paint loss. Thoroughly modified for track day performance. – This highly modified Carrera prompts images of track day (or, worse yet, drifting) abuse and the bidders reasonably reserved both judgment and offers in anticipation of finding egregious use. It may be a perfectly fine car, honed to a high standard, but it is not apparent in its description or its appearance and caution is warranted.

Lot # S209 1957 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible; S/N 5762099909; Black/Black, White leather; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original 3- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $70,000. – 365/300hp, automatic, Autronic Eye, power steering, windows and brakes, wheel covers, whitewalls, WonderBar radio. – Originally owned by Jack Palance. Soiled and stretched upholstery. Scuffed old repaint and some weak chrome. A sound and usable old car that needs nothing to be driven and enjoyed. – Apparently the consignor felt that the Jack Palance provenance would add a meaningful increment to this Caddy’s value. It didn’t, not least because only old guys remember Academy Award winner Jack Palance and while the PA Farm Show Complex was full of old guys the movie star aura didn’t extend to this tired Caddy. Name a movie where Jack Palance was the bad guy? An answer (Palance was always the bad guy) is “Shane”.

Lot # S221 1954 Jaguar XK 120 Drophead Coupe; S/N 67801; Engine # VA1339-8; California Sage/Beige leather; Dark Green cloth top; Recent restoration 2- condition; With Reserve; Not sold at Hammer bid of $100,000. – 3,442/160hp, 4-speed, chrome wire wheels, wood dashboard. – Cylinder head and block numbers are different although the partially obscured block number appears to match the ID tag. Excellent paint, upholstery and gorgeous varnished interior woodwork. Clean, orderly engine compartment. Restored chassis and suspension. – Even taking the mismatched block and head numbers into account isn’t sufficient not to have seen this Jag bring much more than this. Perhaps as much as a third more.

Lot # S235 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JH23J0B291297; Plum Crazy, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; Unrestored original 4+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $90,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $99,000. – 340/290hp, Six Pack, automatic, buckets and console, power steering and brakes, hood scoop, Rallye wheels with trim rings and hubcaps, side outlet exhaust. – Chipped, scratched, scraped original paint. Dirty engine compartment and chassis. Good original interior. Appears to be solid but needs everything and shows 53,093 miles. – The best thing about this car is that it is an original Plum Crazy car. It’s a restoration project that will be worth no more than $150K when it is done to concours condition and with this much in it to start it is unlikely to reach concours condition on what’s left. It is probably better to clean it up, give it a thorough mechanical restoration and clearcoat the peeling paint before displaying it as an “original” car and enjoying it on the road.

Lot # S282.1 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix Coupe; S/N 2J57P7A159596; Mandarin Orange, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl, cloth; Visually maintained, largely original 3+ condition; With Reserve; Hammered Sold at $11,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $12,100. – 350/170hp, automatic, air conditioning, power steering and brakes, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, JVC CD stereo. – Described as one family owned from new. Good repaint and upholstery. The vinyl roof covering is split down the middle and silicone repaired. A lot of attention has been spent dressing up the engine auxiliaries but it doesn’t extend to areas that are hard to see. – A rough car, but not too rough that it can’t be enjoyed, particularly at this price.