GSM Dart

1959 GSM Dart

Offered by Russo & Steele | Newport Beach, California | June 8-10, 2018

Photo – Russo & Steele

This site has been around for about six and a half years. Not an eternity, but a decent amount of time. In that time, this is just the second GSM-branded car we’ve come across for sale that fit into our schedule. The first one? One week ago exactly.

This sudden flood of GSM cars to market is really strange as Glass Sport Motors of Cape Town, South Africa, didn’t really build that many cars in the six years they existed between 1958 and 1964. The GSM Dart was South Africa’s first production fiberglass automobile.

Power sources varied as donor cars were usually needed. This is one of just three Darts lucky enough to feature Alfa Romeo four-cylinder engines. The Dart was called the Delta when it was exported (thanks, Daimler). Just 122 examples of the Dart were sold and this one was once exhibited at the Petersen Museum. You can see more here and see more from this sale here.

Update: Not sold.

Update: Not sold, Russo & Steele, Monterey 2018.

Five Rare Mopars

Five Rare Mopars

Offered by Mecum | Kissimmee, Florida | January 6-15, 2017


1962 Dodge Dart 330 Max Wedge

Photo – Mecum

The second-generation of the Dodge Dart was downsized from a full-size car to a mid-size car. This generation was only built for 1962 before moving to a compact platform in 1963. Three trim levels were available: the base Dart, the mid-trim Dart 330, and the top-trim Dart 440.

1962 also happened to be the year that Chrysler released an engine dubbed the Max Wedge – a 6.8-liter V-8 making 410 horsepower. It was designed to make their cars monsters at the drag strip and in the early 1960s, American automakers were perfectly happy to build low-volume versions of their high-volume family cars to dominate the ¼-mile.

This two-door sedan – likely the only body style you could get this engine – has been fully restored and is an authentic Max Wedge car. Production numbers are hard to come by, but about 25,500 ’62 Dart 330s were built (total of all five body styles) and there were approximately 13,500 Two-Door Sedans built across all Dart trim levels. The closest estimate I have to the number of Max Wedge Darts is 210. This one should bring between $85,000-$110,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.


1963 Dodge 330 Max Wedge

Photo – Mecum

The “330” was a trim line introduced by Dodge in 1962 and in 1963, they separated it off and it became its own model. Between 1963 and 1964 it was a full size Dodge before it was replaced by the Dodge 880 for 1965.

1963 was a good year for the Max Wedge as it was virtually unbeatable at the drag strip. The 7.0-liter V-8 put out 425 horsepower and was geared to go a quarter of mile at a time. This example has been beautifully restored and it is one of about 64,100 330s built in 1963. Of those, only 162 were fitted with this engine and this one should bring between $90,000-$120,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Mecum.

Update: Sold $70,000.


1963 Dodge Polara 500 Max Wedge

Photo – Mecum

The Dodge Polara was a full-size Dodge and the second generation of the car was built between 1962 and 1964. For 1963, the Polara was available in two trim levels, the base Polara and the performance model dubbed the “500.” The Polara was essentially the same as the ’63 Dodge 440 except that it had backup lights. The 500 trim level added a base V-8, bucket seats and more interior niceties.

So what we have here is a 7.0-liter, 425 horsepower V-8 shoehorned into a well-appointed luxury two-door sedan. It was built as a customer order and never raced. It shows 36,000 miles and is one of about 39,800 Polaras produced in 1963. Of those, about 7,300 were Polara 500s and only five of those have the Max Wedge engine. This rarity will bring between $85,000-$115,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.


1964 Dodge 440 Max Wedge Lightweight

Photo – Mecum

The 440 was a trim-line on the 1962 Dodge Dart and for 1963 and 1964 it became its own full-size Dodge. Five body styles were offered and this two-door hardtop coupe will actually seat six. It was a step up from the Dodge 330 but a step below the Dodge Polara.

The engine is a 425 horsepower, 7.0-liter Max Wedge V-8 and it’s also a factory Lightweight. It’s had unnecessary weight stripped out and lightweight panels added where appropriate. Coupled with the big engine, this was a drag strip beast. It’s one of only 10 such cars built and should bring between $200,000-$250,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Not sold, high bid of $140,000.


1964 Plymouth Belvedere Max Wedge Lightweight

Photo – Mecum

The fifth generation Plymouth Belvedere was built between 1962 and 1964. For this generation the car got smaller and slotted in between the Savoy and the Fury. Offered in five body styles, this two-door hardtop could be had with a slew of engine choices.

But this example has a 7.0-liter Max Wedge V-8 making 425 horsepower. It was the final year for the Max Wedge engine before the “Hemi” made its debut. It’s a factory lightweight, so it has aluminium body panels in places. Fully restored to its correct color, this is one of just 14 Max Wedge Lightweights produced for the 1964 Belvedere. In all, 16,334 hardtop Belvederes were made in 1964. This one should bring between $125,000-$150,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Mecum.

Update: Sold $140,000.

Dodge Dart 330 Max Wedge

1962 Dodge Dart 330 Max Wedge

Offered by Mecum | Kissimmee, Florida | January 6-15, 2017

Photo – Mecum

The second-generation of the Dodge Dart was downsized from a full-size car to a mid-size car. This generation was only built for 1962 before moving to a compact platform in 1963. Three trim levels were available: the base Dart, the mid-trim Dart 330, and the top-trim Dart 440.

1962 also happened to be the year that Chrysler released an engine dubbed the Max Wedge – a 6.8-liter V-8 making 410 horsepower. It was designed to make their cars monsters at the drag strip and in the early 1960s, American automakers were perfectly happy to build low-volume versions of their high-volume family cars to dominate the ¼-mile.

This two-door sedan – likely the only body style you could get this engine – has been fully restored and is an authentic Max Wedge car. Production numbers are hard to come by, but about 25,500 ’62 Dart 330s were built (total of all five body styles) and there were approximately 13,500 Two-Door Sedans built across all Dart trim levels. The closest estimate I have to the number of Max Wedge Darts is 210. This one should bring between $85,000-$110,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Result unknown.

Daimler Dart Prototype

1960 Daimler SP250 AHC Retractable Hardtop Coupe

Offered by Bonhams | Goodwood, U.K. | September 10, 2016

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

The Daimler SP250 “Dart” was a sports car built by the British Daimler company between 1959 and 1964. It was a weird thing for Daimler to build, as they specialized in big sedans and limousines. Obviously, as this is a 1960, it is not one of the original SP250 prototypes. Instead, it is a one-off prototype car built by the Antony H Croucher Precision & Prototype Engineering Company to showcase their novel retractable hardtop system.

The car was also slightly enlarged – it features four seats and a larger trunk. The work was completed in 1963 and the car is still powered by the SP250’s 2.5-liter V-8 that puts out 140 horsepower. A hardtop was an available option on the SP250, but this car’s can disappear into the trunk. Amazingly, the hardtop can be raised or lowered while driving.

The car has recently been freshened and is operable – roof included. Originally orange, it was repainted this silver that looks great when wet. Only 2,654 Darts were produced in total and this is the only one with a retractable hardtop. It has been owned by the same family since it was built and should bring between $65,000-$92,000. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Not sold.

Dart Highwheeler

1909 Dart

Offered by Auctions America | Auburn, Indiana | September 4, 2016

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

The Dart Manufacturing Company was a very short-lived automobile marque from Anderson, Indiana. And by short-lived, we mean short: the Dart was available for about a year between 1909 and 1910.

Not only that, but the company didn’t actually sell complete cars. The specialized in building gasoline engines, but because every other company on earth was getting into the car business, they tried their hand at it too. A running chassis/engine combo was available to the public, but the owners had to find their own body. In this case, a Highwheeler-type carriage was mounted to the chassis. The 10 horsepower engine sports two cylinders and drives the rear wheels via twin chains.

It looks identical to many other highwheelers of the era and carries an older restoration that isn’t perfect, but good enough that you can both show and drive it. It may be the only remaining Dart in existence and it should bring between $15,000-$25,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Auctions America.

Update: Sold $14,300.

Microcar Mondays Part IV

The Bruce Weiner Microcar Collection

Offered by RM Auctions | Madison, Georgia | February 15-16, 2013

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1951 Reyonnah

1951 Reyonnah

Reyonnah (which comes from the name of company founder Robert Hannoyer spelled backwards), was a short-lived automaker from Paris. It was only around from 1951 through 1954 and this was the car that they built.

A single-cylinder engine was used, either of the 125cc or 175cc variety. The 175cc put out 8.5 horsepower. It will do 63 mph and can seat two people – the passenger directly behind the driver. You’ll probably notice the weird angle this thing is parked at – that’s because the front had a very wide track compared to the rear – but, when parked, the front wheels could be brought in closer – to make it easier to park. When this happens, it raises the front of the car up into the air. Weird. This should sell for between $75,000-$100,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $184,000.

 

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1985 Sinclair C5

1985 Sinclair C5

Most of the cars from this sale are from the 1940s through the 1960s. Not this one. Designed by Sir Clive Sinclair and built by the Hoover vacuum people, the C5 was built for 1985 only. It had pedals (like a sit-down bicycle) but was also powered by an electric motor making capable of 15 mph. But a street-legal 15 mph tricycle – that could be driven without a driver’s license – was dangerous. And the fact that it was built and marketed primarily in England and had no top, made it unsuitable for the general climate. It was a massive flop, even though 17,000 were sold in 1985. It should sell for between $3,000-$5,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $4,600.

 

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1968 Authi Mini 1275C

1968 Authi Mini 1275C

Wait, just a plain ol’ Mini Cooper after all these weird cars? Well, kind of. It isn’t a Morris or Austin or even a Mini-badged Cooper. It’s not even British-built. Authi – of Pamplona, Spain, – built the Mini under license from 1968 through 1975. This is from their first year of production and it has the 1275cc Mini engine (1.3 liters) making about 54 horsepower. Authi was an automotive production plant, primarily, and built cars for BMC under the Austin brand. But the Mini they branded themselves. The Authi plant became part of SEAT in 1976. They built about 140,000 Minis with their name on it, but you hardly ever see them. This one should sell for between $20,000-$30,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $28,750

 

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1956 VELAM Isetta

1956 VELAM Isetta

Another Isetta from another brand. In this case, this Isetta was built by VELAM – a French company that built them under license between 1955 and 1958. There were slight variations – the body was more rounded and there is a big, bold “VELAM” script across the front door. It uses a 236cc split-single-cylinder engine making about 9.5 horsepower. It could do 50 mph and only about 5,000 were built. It should bring between $30,000-$40,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $37,375.

 

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1959 Bond Minicar Mk F

1959 Bond Minicar Mk F

The Mark F iteration of the Bond Minicar was the second-to-last version offered for sale. Built from 1958-1963, the Mk F is differentiated from its immediate predecessor by its  larger engine – a 247cc single-cylinder making 12 horsepower. There were different body styles offered – this is a hardtop. It was capable of 55 mph and there was a four-seat version available (I honestly can’t tell if this has four seats or two). Only 6,493 were made in total. This one, with some of the tiniest looking wheels in comparison to overall car size I’ve ever seen, should sell for somewhere in the range of $15,000-$20,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $11,500.

 

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1959 Frisky Family Three

1959 Frisky Family Three

The Frisky was one of those cars that was produced by multiple companies – all of whom couldn’t help but go bankrupt at some point. The second company to use the Frisky trademark was Frisky Cars Ltd and they introduced the Family Three in late 1958. It was essentially a three-wheeled version of the Frisky Coupe that could be driven with a motorcycle license. The company was reorganized the following year (1959) and the model names were changed. This car uses a rear/mid-mounted 197cc single-cylinder making 9.5 horsepower. It could do 50 mph and should sell for between $15,000-$20,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $57,500.

 

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1959 PTV 250

1959 PTV 250

PTV sold their Spanish-built microcars from 1956-1961. Two models were offered, the 250 and the 400. Both were tiny two-door convertibles that differed only in engine size. The 250 used a rear-mounted 247cc single-cylinder making 11 horsepower. Top speed was around 45 mph. Most of the cars were sold in Spain, although same made it to Portugal. Between the two models, a total of around 11,000 were sold. This one will sell again for between $40,000-$50,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $46,000.

 

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1939 New-Map Baby

1939 New-Map Baby

This unrestored pre-war microcar from French motorcycle manufacturer New-Map is very rare. New-Map was founded in 1920 in Lyon and it built its first itty-bitty car in 1938. It was called the Baby and it used a 100cc single-cylinder Sachs engine – the same one from their motorcycles. Only about 1,000 were built. In 1946 they re-introduced the car with a 125cc engine but it only lasted one year. This one should bring between $15,000-$20,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $21,850.

 

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1957 Victoria 250

1957 Victoria 250

This little German fiberglass convertible was originally marketed as the Brütsch Spatz. Victoria was a motorcycle manufacturer in Nuremberg and they entered a joint venture with another company to form BAG (Bayerische Autowerke GmbH), to produce these cars under license as the BAG Spatz. But first, they re-engineered the car to make it stronger and safer – and added a fourth wheel from the original three-wheeled design – this got them out of paying licensing fees. Lastly, they pumped the displacement up to 250cc from 200cc. The single-cylinder made 14 horsepower. While BAG produced the Spatz, Victoria produced the car concurrently, from 1956 through 1958 as the Victoria 250. Only 729 of the Victoria-badged cars were sold. This one should sell for between $35,000-$45,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $37,375.

 

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1958 Goggomobil Dart

1958 Goggomobil Dart

Goggomobil was a German microcar company, but in 1959, Buckle Motors of Sydney, Australia designed a two-door roadster based on the small Goggomobil Coupe. Somehow, they were able to market the cars under the Goggomobil name and they called it the Dart. It used the same 293cc straight-two making 14 horsepower (with an optional upgrade to 392cc and 18 horsepower). The body was fiberglass and it was produced through 1961. Only about 700 were built. It’s an Australian car with a German name and it could be yours for $35,000-$45,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $54,050.

Goggomobil Dart

1958 Goggomobil Dart

Offered by RM Auctions | Madison, Georgia | February 15-16, 2013

1958 Goggomobil Dart
Photo – RM Auctions

Goggomobil was a German microcar company, but in 1959, Buckle Motors of Sydney, Australia designed a two-door roadster based on the small Goggomobil Coupe. Somehow, they were able to market the cars under the Goggomobil name and they called it the Dart. It used the same 293cc straight-two making 14 horsepower (with an optional upgrade to 392cc and 18 horsepower). The body was fiberglass and it was produced through 1961. Only about 700 were built. It’s an Australian car with a German name and it could be yours for $35,000-$45,000. Click here for more info.

Update: Sold $54,050.

1960 Dodge Phoenix

1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix Police Package

Offered by Auctions America | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | October 4-5, 2012

The Dodge Phoenix was not a stand alone model (at least not in the United States). It was a two-year only trim option on the Dart, which, upon its introduction, was not the compact car that most people remember. The Dart was an all-new model for 1960. It was a short-wheelbase (compared with the Polara), entry-level, full-sized Dodge. It undercut the Polara in price – but it’s still a pretty big car.

The Phoenix trim line was tops, above the entry-level Seneca and mid-range Pioneer. This car was spec’d as a Police Package car, even though it was ordered by a 20-year-old hot rodder in Pennsylvania. What the Police Package came with was a high-performance 383 V8 (6.3 liters), a 4.10:1 gear ratio and a heavy-duty three-speed Borg-Warner manual transmission.

The owner replaced the transmission with a four-speed Chevy unit immediately after taking delivery. It isn’t listed what transmission is in the car currently, but, according to the lot description, this was the only high-performance Dart built with a manual transmission – surely it would be more valuable with the three-speed.

Virgil Exner’s finned styling would disappear from the Dart after 1961 – and the car would never look this good again (okay, the muscle-car variant wasn’t so bad). But the Dart became a smaller and more compact, less stylish car with ever new iteration. You don’t see Mopars like this too often – yet there are three 1960 Dart Phoenix’s in this sale alone. And all have rare options.

You can read more about this car at Auctions America’s website here. Or check out the other two and the rest of the auction lineup, here.

Update: Not sold.