Tag Archives: 1963

Falcon Competition

Posted on by
1

1963 Falcon Competition Mk III

Offered by Russo & Steele | Scottsdale, Arizona | January 18-22, 2017

Photo - Russo & Steele

Photo – Russo & Steele

Peter Pellandine’s Falcon Shells (later, Falcon Cars) built kit cars and body shells for cars in England between 1956 and 1964. The first two models they offered were called the Mark 1 and Mark 2. The third car was called the Competition and the fourth car was introduced as the Mark III but sold as the Caribbean. What we have here is a Competition model, sometimes referred to as a Mark III because it was the third model the company built.

This sports racer was originally fitted with running gear from an MG A which has since been swapped out for a Ford Cortina’s 1.3-liter straight-four. The kit cost £560 when new and both a Ford engine and a chassis were included in that price. Or you could just buy the body shell.

This particular example has been active off and on in historic racing since 1994. It’s been recently prepped and is ready to run. It is described as the “last known” Falcon Competition “known to exist.” Either that means it is the only one left or it was the last one built… I’d lean toward the last one left. Either way, you can read more about it here and see more from Russo & Steele here.

Update: Not sold.

Deep Sanderson

Posted on by
Reply

1963 Deep Sanderson 301 Coupe

Offered by Coys | Paris, France | October 8, 2016

Photo - Coys

Photo – Coys

The strangely-named Deep Sanderson was a car designed and built by Chris Lawrence. A former racing driver for Morgan, he began by building Formula Junior cars before turning to sports cars. The 301 was the first such car the company offered and could be had fully assembled or a kit, as they were based around BMC mechanicals, namely from the Mini.

These rear-engined cars are powered by a 1.0-liter straight-four tuned to make enough power to push this tiny thing to over 150 mph down the Mulsanne at Le Mans. And Le Mans is an important part of the history of this particular car… it actually ran there in 1963 with Chris Lawrence and Chris Spender behind the wheel. The attempt DNF’d, coming in 26th.

The current owner bought this car in 2002 and restored it – with input from the original designer himself. Only 29 of these were built in total (both kits and turn-key cars). This one, a factory Le Mans entrant, will sell for between $78,500-$90,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Coys in Paris.

Ferrari 330 America

Posted on by
Reply

1963 Ferrari 330 America

Offered by Bonhams | Monaco | May 13, 2016

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

The 330 America was a Ferrari produced at a transitional time in Ferrari’s history. The brand was moving from its long-lived 250 line to the 275 and 330 lines. There was also an “America” line of cars. This is considered part of the 330 series and not part of the America series, despite its name.

In fact, the car actually shares its chassis with the earlier 250 GTE. But it has a newer, bigger engine, specifically a 4.0-liter V-12 making 300 horsepower (which was based on the engine from the 400 Superamerica, hence the name). It’s a four-seater with very pretty if not aggressive body work from Pininfarina. Top speed was 150 mph.

This was a one model year-only automobile, offered in 1963 only before being supplanted by the 330 GTC. And just 50 were built, with this being car #44. It was sold new (as a white car) in the U.S. and remained in North America until being shipped back to Europe in 1995, wearing a six-year-old coat of red paint from its restoration. A more recent restoration was carried out in 2001. As an exceptionally rare Ferrari road car, it should sell for between $330,000-$440,000. This is a Ferrari that still has some pretty good room for appreciation, a rare thing these days. Click here for more info and here for more from Bonhams.

Update: Sold $489,382.

The Original Z06

Posted on by
Reply

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Offered by Mecum | Indianapolis, Indiana | May 20, 2016

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

This car has a lot going for it. First of all, it’s a ’63 Corvette Coupe, meaning it carries the signature “split window” rear glass –  a one-year-only feature. Then we have the fact that it is a Z06. The modern Z06 was introduced in 2001 and is the Track Attack variant of the ‘Vette. But this was the first model to carry that letter and number combo.

In 1962, Zora Arkus-Duntov wanted to build a performance Corvette for sale after the factory ban on racing went into effect. So they created “RPO Z06” – a high-performance package that could be ordered. It included beefier brakes and suspension and could only be had with the 5.4-liter V-8 making 360 horsepower. It wasn’t cheap, adding over 40% of the base price onto the cost of the car.

Only 199 of them were built in 1963. This one features a nut and bolt restoration and is an award winner. It’s about a $250,000 car. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $210,000.

Lagonda Rapide

Posted on by
Reply

1963 Lagonda Rapide

Offered by Bonhams | London, U.K. | December 6, 2015

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

Lagonda was an automobile marque that was founded in 1906 by Wilbur Gunn and acquired by Aston Martin in 1947. It disappeared after 1958 and then re-appeared in 1961 for this four-door sedan called the Rapide. The model lasted through 1964 and the marque disappeared again. The name was then used on a few Aston Martin models up through the the 1980s. It appeared as a marque again in 2014.

This very British-looking sedan is powered by a 4.2-liter straight-six while the original engine was a 4.0-liter straight-six making 236 horsepower. This one was enlarged during restoration. The chassis is a stretched version of the one used under the Aston DB4. The body is aluminium and was designed by Touring.

These cars cost 25% more than a contemporary Aston Martin DB4. Perhaps this incredible price is why a mere 55 of these were built. Aston Martin bought this example at a Bonhams auction in 2010 and restored it themselves – so you really aren’t going to find one in better shape. It should bring between $530,000-$610,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Not sold.

Ferrari 250 GTO

Posted on by
1

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO

Offered by Bonhams | Carmel, California | August 14, 2014

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

Here it is. This is the car that everybody has been – and will be – talking about for some time. It’s the rarest, most desirable car on earth – and this is the first time one has come up for public auction in a long time. And it will sell, at no reserve. It will break every record on the book. Between private parties, 250 GTOs have reportedly sold for $50 million. Bonhams didn’t publish an estimate, but if you call the department for an estimate like they recommend, they’re well within their rights to laugh at you. You’re looking at a $30-$60 million car. The final price is anyone’s guess.

The GTO was a homologation model for the 250 to compete in the FIA Group 3 category. They were GT cars that put themselves on the podium at Le Mans in consecutive years, behind a single prototype entry (another Ferrari). The engine is a 300 horsepower 3.0-liter V-12. There were two types of 250 GTOs: those with the 3.0-liter engine, and those with the 4.0-liter engine (referred to as “330 GTOs”). This car was the 19th GTO built of 39 (this includes eight that have the re-designed 1964 body work and the three with the 4.0-liter engine). So 28 have this style body and a 3.0-liter V-12.

The original owner of this originally grey car was French racing driver Jo Schlesser. The competition history of this car is as follows:

  • 1962 Tour de France Automobile – 2nd (with Schlesser and Henri Oreiller)
  • 1962 Coupes du Salon – DNF (Henry Oreiller was killed when he crashed this car).

Schlesser took the car back to the factory and they rebuilt it for 1963 and sold it to a new owner, who used it in hillclimbs. That man sold it to another, who also raced it. Then, in 1965, he sold it to Fabrizio Violati for $4,000. It has been in Violati’s family since, and the centerpiece of his San Marino-based Maranello Rosso Collection. He used it regularly and the car has never really sat for that long. It’s great when someone acquires a car for a reasonable price and uses it, unafraid of the value at stake. Violati passed away in 2010 and the collection is, at least partially, being dispersed.

This is the 250 GTO that has been in one person’s possession the longest. These cars so rarely trade hands and when they do, the price is extraordinary. I just hope whoever buys it uses it and doesn’t lock it away hoping for a return on investment down the road. Sadly, that’s what the collector car market has almost become. Whatever the final price may be, Bonhams stands to make a killing on buyer’s premiums for this car alone. You can read more here and see more from Bonhams here.

Update: Sold $38,115,000.

Falcon Caribbean

Posted on by
Reply

1963 Falcon Caribbean

Offered by H&H Auctions | Buxton, U.K. | July 23, 2014

Photo - H&H Auctions

Photo – H&H Auctions

Peter Pellandine was involved in the design and manufacture of three separate automobile marques: Pelland/Pellandine, Ashley, and Falcon. The latter two were British special (or kit car) constructors. Essentially, the company built bodies to replace the less sporty bodies that their customers’ cars originally came with.

Pellandine founded Falcon Shells after he left Ashley Laminates in 1956. The company produced fiberglass cars – seven different models in all. The Caribbean was manufactured in kit (body-only) form between 1959 and 1963 with more than 2,000 sold. They were designed to fit on the pre-war chassis of the British Ford Ten. I’m unsure as to the chassis of this car, but the engine is a 1.3-liter straight-four.

The Caribbean was Falcon’s most popular model and it would be a fun, easy-to-maintain, and cheap-to-buy starter collector car. This one should sell for between $10,300-$13,700. Click here for more info and here for the rest of H&H’s Pavilion Gardens lineup.

Update: Not sold.

Five Additional Military Vehicles

Posted on by
Reply

The Littlefield Collection

Offered by Auctions America | Portola Valley, California | July 11-12, 2014

 1973 Alvis FV721 Fox Prototype

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

The Fox was Britain’s replacement for the Ferret armored scout car. It was designed and manufactured by Alvis, beginning in 1973. The final Foxes were withdrawn from service in 1994.

The Fox here is one of the original prototypes and remains in original condition. The engine is a 4.2-liter straight-six from Jaguar making 190 horsepower. It should sell for between $30,000-$40,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $57,500.

1942 Baldwin M3A5 Grant II

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

The M3 Lee was designed prior to America’s entry into WWII. They were operational around the time Pearl Harbor was attacked. In 1942, a new variant, the M3A5 was introduced. The “Grant II” – as it was called – used a GM engine and was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works.

This tank was shipped new to Australia and uses a 12-cylinder diesel making 375 horsepower. It will do 25 mph and cost the new owner between $300,000-$400,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $276,000.

ca.1963 Panhard EBR-90

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

The Panhard EBR (which is the French abbreviation for “Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle”) was designed prior to World War II but didn’t actually go into production until 1950. It was produced in three versions, with the 90-mm cannoned version you see here starting production in 1963.

It’s an impressive setup: eight-wheel drive. It’s powered by a 200 horsepower Fiat 6.0-liter flat-12. About 1,200 were built and the last ones left the French military in 1987. This one should cost between $100,000-$125,000. Click here for more.

Update: Sold $28,750.

ca.1960 ZiL BTR-152

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

The BTR-152 was built by ZiS (from 1950 until 1956) and later by ZiL (through 1962). In total, about 15,000 were built. It’s an armored personnel carrier from the Soviet Union. The engine is a 107 horsepower straight-six.

This example isn’t in the best of shape, but it does run and drive “very well,” according to the auction catalog. This one wears Egyptian Army markings and should sell for between $15,000-$25,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $34,500.

1945 ACF M37 105-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

This beautiful HMC (basically a motorized Howitzer… artillery on wheels) was built in late 1945 and therefore didn’t see action in WWII. It was built by the American Car and Foundry Company (ACF for short). It was based on the American M24 Chaffee tank.

The engine is actually two Cadillac 8-cylinder engines – making it a 16-cylinder monster putting out a combined total of 220 horsepower. Only 316 were delivered out of a total of 448 orders. Everything on this one still works – so if you’re celebrating the 4th of July today, here’s your firework machine. It’ll cost you between $200,000-$250,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of this amazing collection.

Update: Sold $195,500.

Panhard EBR-90

Posted on by
Reply

ca.1963 Panhard EBR-90

Offered by Auctions America | Portola Valley, California | July 11-12, 2014

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

The Panhard EBR (which is the French abbreviation for “Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle”) was designed prior to World War II but didn’t actually go into production until 1950. It was produced in three versions, with the 90-mm cannoned version you see here starting production in 1963.

It’s an impressive setup: eight-wheel drive. It’s powered by a 200 horsepower Fiat 6.0-liter flat-12. About 1,200 were built and the last ones left the French military in 1987. This one should cost between $100,000-$125,000. Click here for more.

Update: Sold $28,750.

Swiss Cheese Catalina

Posted on by
Reply

1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty Swiss Cheese

Offered by Mecum | Indianapolis, Indiana | May 17, 2014

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

The second-generation Pontiac Catalina was produced between 1961 and 1964. These were prime drag racing years and Pontiac got in on the action with its Catalinas. Especially with those equipped with the Super Duty engine packaged.

Not sold for street use, the Super Duty was a 6.9-liter V-8 making 405 horsepower. It also got a heavy duty transmission – and in this case, a special “Swiss Cheese” chassis where the company cut sections out the boxed frame and drilled holes in the frame rails, resembling the cheese for which it was nicknamed. This would be acceptable for drag cars that only need to go straight. Probably a bit of flex if you tried to take it around some corners though.

This particular example is said to be the “most famous” of the 14 Swiss Cheese Catalinas built. It was an NHRA record holder in C/Stock with a 1/4 mile pass of 12.27 at 114.64 mph. It’s a monster of a car with a monster of a reputation. And it will command a monster of a price: the pre-sale estimate being between $600,000-$800,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Mecum in Indy.

Update: Sold $530,000.