Tag Archives: 1965

Excalibur 35X

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1965 Excalibur 35X

Offered by Oldtimer Galerie | Zurich, Switzerland | June 13-14, 2015

Photo - Oldtimer Galerie

Photo – Oldtimer Galerie

Excalibur is a name that shouldn’t be wholly unfamiliar to car guy types as it was the brand of car that sort of founded the Neoclassic movement. The original car was designed by Brooks Stevens and was a Mercedes SSK replica built for Studebaker. But Studebaker went under and Stevens set out on his own to build the Excalibur – for more than 10 years.

But this isn’t the SSK replica. It should look vaguely Bugatti-ish as it was designed by Stevens and Guy Storr to resemble the Bugatti Type 35. They built a handful (27 to be exact) of these based on Opel Commodore running gear. That means it has a 2.5-liter straight-six under the hood making somewhere from 113-148 horsepower. The cars were actually assembled by Michelotti in Turin.

The first Opel Commodore wasn’t introduced until 1967 and various sources list various dates for the limited production Excalibur 35X (ranging from the mid-1960s to the late-1970s but in all likelihood from 1965-1969). In any case, these Bugatti-esque Excaliburs are dwarfed in number by the SSK models – many more of those were built over a longer period of time. So it’s not hard to believe that there is very little info out there on these. At any rate, this is expected to bring between $65,000-$75,000 at auction. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

“Shorty” Mustang

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1964½ Ford Mustang “Shorty” Concept

Offered by Auctions America | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | March 27-29, 2014

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

This may be a car you are not familiar with. It looks like a normal 1965 – or, 1964½, my apologies – Mustang that got struck in a trash compactor. Believe it or not, this was actually a Ford factory concept car, its construction having been outsourced to Dearborn Steel Tubing Industries. This car was originally the 10th Mustang Prototype, but designer Vincent Gardner cut 16 inches out of the wheelbase and re-designed the entire body behind the firewall.

Ford had no intentions of ever building a two-seat-only Mustang because a car with four seats has broader appeal than does one with room only for two. But just for the hell of it, Ford decided to have this concept built anyway. After a few shows and magazine covers, Ford decided enough was enough and planned to have the car scrapped.

But Gardner had other plans. He stole the car and hid it in a warehouse… but he failed to continue to pay his rent and the warehouse’s owner found the car and called the cops. When the Mustang went missing, Ford’s insurance paid them for it, fearing it lost. So now the insurance had the car and Ford already had their money. So they sold it to one of their employees who kept it until 1968 when the current owner acquired it.

It was kept hidden away until the past 15 years, when it was restored and shown at various shows. In fact, here’s a video I took of it driving around last summer. The engine is a 4.9-liter V-8 and the body is fiberglass. Obviously, this is the only Mustang quite like this and it should sell for between $400,000-$600,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $511,500.

Here’s video of this actual car:

Iso Grifo A3/C

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1965 Iso Grifo A3/C Stradale

Offered by RM Auctions | Paris, France | February 4, 2015

Photo - RM Auctions

Photo – RM Auctions

Does this look like a Bizzarrini to you? It is. Kind of. Let’s start at the beginning: Giotto Bizzarrini left Ferrari after designing cars like the 250 GTO. He teamed up with Renzo Rivolta to design a followup to the Iso Rivolta GT. The car he came up with was the Iso Grifo A3/C. But at the same time, Rivolta was working with Bertone, who came up with the Grifo A3/L – which would become the Iso Grifo road car.

But Bizzarrini was designing his Grifo as a race car. And when Mr. Rivolta was trying to sell Grifo road cars, Bizzarrini was trying to drum up support for the race cars, which didn’t sit well with Rivolta. So they split. And Bizzarrini took his design and sold some as the Bizzarrini 5300 GT.

The car you see here was actually sold as an Iso Grifo A3/C in 1965. A few years later, after the two Italian men had parted ways, this car returned to Bizzarrini for updates and it was rebuilt to look more like a Bizzarrini 5300 GT (and given Bizzarrini badging). The engine is a 5.4-liter V-8 from a Corvette making more than 350 horsepower. It is mounted behind the driver, making this one of the first mid-engined cars.

Bizzarrini managed the construction of A3/Cs at Piero Drogo’s Carrozzeria Sports Cars where the early cars had riveted bodies. This is one of 20 riveted-aluminium cars. Combined production of the Iso A3/C and the Bizzarrini 5300 GT totaled to something between 100 and 150 cars, with Bizzarrinis making up the majority of them. This car was restored in 2010 and should sell for between $1,250,000-$1,850,000. Click here for more info and here for more from RM in Paris.

Update: Sold $1,186,220.

GT40 Roadster

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1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype

Offered by RM Auctions | Monterey, California | August 15-16, 2014

Photo - RM Auctions

Photo – RM Auctions

We’ve already featured a Ford GT40 Prototype, but what we haven’t featured is a Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype. That’s right, back in the 60s, Ford was adventurous and decided a GT40 with the roof chopped off might be a good idea. I can’t vouch for how good of an idea it was at the time, but it is certainly pretty awesome now.

Ford actually built a few of them, but this is the only one that has maintained its identity over all the years. The other three roadsters were converted to coupes or used as spares (at least one has been converted back to a roadster). This is the eighth GT40 Prototype built (of the twelve, total) and one of four roadsters.

This one uses a 4.7-liter Ford 289 V-8. It was a test car, mostly, and was never entered in competition. The most on-track action it ever saw was in the vintage racing circuit over the past 25 years. During testing, it was driven by Carroll Shelby, Jim Clark, and Ken Miles. It’s a once in a lifetime chance to get an as-built GT40 Roadster and it will likely cost you around $5 million. Click here for more info and here for more from RM in Monterey.

Update: Sold $6,930,000.

Update: Sold $7,650,000.

Two Mercury Factory Drag Cars

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1964 Mercury Comet A/FX Caliente

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

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

What was awesome about drag racing in the 1960s is that major automobile manufacturers were getting involved, building ridiculous specials utilizing everything they knew about how to make cars go fast. And they looked just like the stuff you could buy off the showroom floor.

In this case, the second generation Mercury Comet in top-trim Caliente form. Not that trim levels matter when the car is stripped bare and has numerous special bits bolted on. The engine is a 7.0-liter 427 “High Riser” V-8 rated at 425 horsepower.

This car competed in Southern Drag (as NASCAR-sponsored series) racing events. There are examples with better pedigree, but it is estimated that only 15 out the 21 A/FX Comets built in 1964 remain. This one should sell for between $275,000-$325,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Not sold, high bid of $200,000.

1965 Mercury Comet B/FX Cyclone

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

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

The A/FX class had been dominated in 1964 by the likes of the Comets seen at the top of this post. So in 1965, Mercury dropped down a level to see if they could broaden their dominance. Enter, the B/FX Comet.

The engines were smaller in this class, and this car has a 4.7-liter 289 with Weber carbs, putting out nearly 400 horsepower. That’s right, the Cobra engine.

Competition history on this particular example is unknown, but it is known that only nine of the original 15 B/FX Comets built still exist. This one should bring between $220,000-$300,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Mecum in Indy.

Update: Not sold, high bid of $170,000.

Mercury Comet B/FX

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1965 Mercury Comet B/FX Cyclone

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

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

The A/FX class had been dominated in 1964 by the likes of the Comets seen at the top of this post. So in 1965, Mercury dropped down a level to see if they could broaden their dominance. Enter, the B/FX Comet.

The engines were smaller in this class, and this car has a 4.7-liter 289 with Weber carbs, putting out nearly 400 horsepower. That’s right, the Cobra engine.

Competition history on this particular example is unknown, but it is known that only nine of the original 15 B/FX Comets built still exist. This one should bring between $220,000-$300,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Mecum in Indy.

Update: Not sold, high bid of $170,000.

ZTS Martin T-54

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ca.1965 ZTS Martin T-54AR

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

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

ZTS Martin has built locomotives, tractors, and apparently tanks since their formation in 1949. The factory is now located in Slovakia, but was located in Czechoslovakia when this Soviet tank was built. The T-54 series of tanks is the most widely-used in the world and they are stalwarts of the Cold War. They entered service in 1946 and will likely remain there for another 50 years. The engine is a 520 horsepower V-12 that can push this 40-ton behemoth to 31 mph. This tank has appeared in a few movies and can be yours for between $75,000-$100,000. Click here for more.

Update: Sold $86,250.

Five More Military Vehicles

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The Littlefield Collection

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

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1985 FMC CCV-L

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

FMC Corporation tried to get into the defense industry in the 1980s when the Army went looking for a new light tank. They built a small run of these CCV-L – Close Combat Vehicle Light – between 1983 and 1985. They were all prototypes, but they were all functional. This is powered by a 550 horsepower Detroit Diesel 9.0-liter V-6. It’s capable of a brisk 43 mph and could bring between $200,000-$300,000. Read more here.

Update: Sold $120,750.

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1997 Rheinmetall Marder 1A3 IFV

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

This is a rather new infantry fighting vehicle produced by German defense contractor Rheinmetall AG. The Marder IFV has been in service since 1971, when most of them were built. Beginning in the late-1980s, many of the early Marders were upgraded to the specification you see here. While it’s listed a a 1997, it’s likely much older, but was upgraded in the 90s. The engine is a 22.4-liter six-cylinder making 600 horsepower. You can buy this for between $150,000-$175,000. Read more here.

Update: Sold $172,500.

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1942 Karrier Humber Mk IV

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

Humber is a relatively well-known British automobile manufacturer. But it did not build this armored car. In fact, it was built by Karrier, a brand that was part of the Rootes Group during the Second World War when the Humbers saw action all over the world. The engine is a 90 horsepower six-cylinder and it can do 50 mph. About 2,000 Mk IVs were built and they are differentiated from earlier versions by a larger gun and turret changes. This should bring between $75,000-$100,000. Click here to read more.

Update: Sold $97,750.

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ca.1965 ZTS Martin T-54AR

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

ZTS Martin has built locomotives, tractors, and apparently tanks since their formation in 1949. The factory is now located in Slovakia, but was located in Czechoslovakia when this Soviet tank was built. The T-54 series of tanks is the most widely-used in the world and they are stalwarts of the Cold War. They entered service in 1946 and will likely remain there for another 50 years. The engine is a 520 horsepower V-12 that can push this 40-ton behemoth to 31 mph. This tank has appeared in a few movies and can be yours for between $75,000-$100,000. Click here for more.

Update: Sold $86,250.

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ca.1943 Ford M20

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

The Ford M8 Greyhound was an armored car built during World War II. The M20 was a version of the M8 – but instead of a turret, it had an open top with a mount for an anti-aircraft gun. It was used as a scout car and command vehicle. Between 1943 and 1945, Ford built 3,791 of these and this one has been well-restored. It’s powered by a 110 horsepower 6-cylinder engine and should sell for between $50,000-$60,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this really cool sale.

Update: Sold $80,500.

Alfa Romeo TZ

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1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

Offered by Artcurial | Paris, France | February 8, 2014

1965 Alfa Romeo Guilia TZ

Photo – Artcurial

The Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ was new for 1963 and it was built to replace the Giulietta SZ. The TZ was developed with Autodelta – Alfa’s dedicated competition arm. It features a tubular chassis and sleek wagon-esque bodywork from Zagato – thus the “TZ” for “tubolare Zagato.”

The car uses a 1.6-liter straight-four making 160 horsepower. The car was very light and could do 130+ mph. TZs won their class at all of the big races including Le Mans, the Targa Florio, Sebring and more. The competition history of this car is unknown – if it was used in competition at all.

Only 112 Giulia TZs (sometimes referred to as the TZ1) were built between 1963 and 1965. This one has undergone a comprehensive restoration and is ready for classic car rallies or vintage racing events, depending on what your preference is. This car should sell for between $1,025,000-$1,365,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $1,289,366

Five Rare Alfas

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1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

Offered by Artcurial | Paris, France | February 8, 2014

1965 Alfa Romeo Guilia TZ

The Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ was new for 1963 and it was built to replace the Giulietta SZ. The TZ was developed with Autodelta – Alfa’s dedicated competition arm. It features a tubular chassis and sleek wagon-esque bodywork from Zagato – thus the “TZ” for “tubolare Zagato.”

The car uses a 1.6-liter straight-four making 160 horsepower. The car was very light and could do 130+ mph. TZs won their class at all of the big races including Le Mans, the Targa Florio, Sebring and more. The competition history of this car is unknown – if it was used in competition at all.

Only 112 Giulia TZs (sometimes referred to as the TZ1) were built between 1963 and 1965. This one has undergone a comprehensive restoration and is ready for classic car rallies or vintage racing events, depending on what your preference is. This car should sell for between $1,025,000-$1,365,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $1,289,366

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1966 Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroroute

Offered by Artcurial | Paris, France | February 8, 2014

1966 Alfa Romeo Gran Sport Quattroroute

Consider that the car you see here is one year newer than the car above. It is essentially a factory-made replica of one of their own cars. It is styled much like the 1750 Gran Sport by Zagato that Alfa built in the 1930s.

It uses the mechanicals from the Giulia 1600 – a 1.6-liter straight-four making 106 horsepower. The body is aluminium (which it wasn’t in the 1930s). There are also likely some creature comforts that the earlier cars lacked as well.

Between 1965 and 1967, only 92 examples of this very rare Alfa Romeo were built (it was not a success in its day). You almost never see them. While not as valuable as a real 1930s 1750 Gran Sport, this car should still likely bring between $47,000-$75,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Artcurial’s special second-day all-Alfa sale at Retromobile.

Update: Sold $75,604.

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1986 Alfa Romeo 75 1.8 i.e. Turbo Evoluzione

Offered by Artcurial | Paris, France | February 8, 2014

1986 Alfa Romeo 75 1.8 i.e. Turbo Evoluzione

The Alfa Romeo 75 was a plaid, boring ol’ mid-size sedan built between 1985 and 1992. A standard 75 – or even some of their upscale, limited-edition trims aren’t collectible. But this Turbo Evoluzione certainly is. In order to meet FIA Group A regulations, Alfa had to build road-going versions of their 75 Group A Touring Car.

This is the result. The engine is a turbocharged 1.8-liter fuel-injected straight-four making 155 horsepower. Top speed was 130 mph and it could hit 60 in 7.5 seconds. This was a pretty badass sedan for 1986.

The cars were only built for a year and only 500 were made – which makes this a very limited edition model considering over 375,000 Alfa 75s were built in total. This car should bring between $20,000-$27,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $38,606

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1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV Turbodelta Coupe

Offered by Artcurial | Paris, France | February 8, 2014

1979 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV Turbodelta Coupe

Next up we have a pair of Alfetta GTVs. This one is a limited-edition model from 1979 called the “Turbodelta” which was developed by Autodelta, Alfa’s motorsport division. It is a homologation special so Alfa could compete in Group 4 Rally.

It starts with an Alfetta GTV. The engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter straight-four tuned to make 150 horsepower. Top speed was around 130 mph (I’m noticing a pattern among these cars). This is an all-original, low-miles example with known history.

Only 400 examples of the Turbodelta were built. This should sell for between $35,000-$38,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Artcurial.

Update: Sold $49,867

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1981 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV Grand Prix

Offered by Artcurial | Paris, France | February 8, 2014

1981 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV Grand Prix

Here’s the other limited edition Alfetta GTV we’re featuring. It’s a “Grand Prix” special edition. It was built to commemorate Alfa Romeo’s return to Formula One, which occurred in 1981.

Underneath, it’s all Alfetta GTV. The engine is a 2.0-liter straight-four making 128 horsepower. Between 1981 and 1982, only 650 examples were made and this one has low miles. It should sell for between $11,000-$16,000. Click here for more info and here for the rest of Artcurial’s lineup.

Update: Sold $14,477.