Tag Archives: ford

Mecum Des Moines Highlights (7/21)

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If you’re in the market for an affordable classic car – one that you can drive and, in many cases, show nicely – then auctions like this are for you. The top sale was $80,000, but over 100 cars sold for under $13,000. That $80,000 car was this 1969 Shelby GT350.

The best-bought car of the auction goes to this 1968 Ford Torino GT Convertible. For only $7,500, I would have, quite literally, purchased it (I seriously wonder where this new love for Ford Torinos is coming from. Just all of a sudden I’m head-over-heels for them. Who knows). There is a lot of crap you can buy get stuck with for $7,500 – but this car looks great, making this price an absolute steal. I’m kicking myself.

Easily the most unusual (and rare) car of the sale was this 1985 Zimmer Quicksilver that sold for $9,250. It’s a Fiero-based re-body, but it won’t be mistaken for a Fiero, that’s for sure.

For complete results, check out Mecum’s website here.

Gulf GT40

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1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight

Offered by RM Auctions | Monterey California | August 17, 2012

The genesis of the Ford GT40 is a well-known story. Henry Ford II wanted Ferrari. Enzo said no. Ford set out to destroy them on the track – and succeeded brilliantly. The Gulf-Mirage story isn’t quite as popular, but it’s just as interesting.

While the GT40 was conceived and designed in Dearborn, it was built in England by Ford Advanced Vehicles (FAV). After the 1967 season, Ford cancelled the project, effectively ending FAV. A number of road-going models (as well as race cars) had already been produced.

The head of FAV was John Wyer, a former race engineer and team manager. He was actually the team owner of the winning 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans team – when Carroll Shelby, head of the GT40 race team, was driving. Anyway, when FAV was scuttled, Wyer stepped up and reformed it as John Wyer Automotive Engineering (JWAE).

One of the customers of the road-going cars happened to be Grady Davis, Vice-President of Gulf Oil. He liked the car and thought it might be a good platform to carry the Gulf Oil name in competition. He funded JWAE to build race cars specifically for the purpose. These cars were badged as “Mirage”s.

Wyer based the first Mirage prototype (the M1) very closely on the, unsuccessful in competition, Mk I GT40. The car you see here was the third of three lightweight Mirage M1 race cars built. The Mirage M1 was competing against the very successful Ford’s Mk II and Mk IV GT40s in 1967. When the 1968 rules were announced, Ford pulled out of the GT40 project and it was left to privateer teams. Wyer found a curious loophole: prototypes would be limited to 3.0-liters while sportscars (with at least 50 road version having been constructed) were allowed 5.0-liters. Wyer took the Mirage M1 cars back to Slough, where JWAE was based, and converted two of them to GT40s.

Now Wyer had quite a car on his hands. These “Mk I” GT40s (built after the Mk II, III and IVs) won the 1968 and 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans. The competition history of this car, Mirage M.10003/Ford GT40 P/1074, is as follows:

  • 1967 1000km Spa (as a Mirage M1) – 1st (with Jacky Ickx and Dick Thompson)
  • 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans – 47th, DNF (with Ickx and Brian Muir)
  • 1967 BOAC 500 (Brands Hatch) – DNF (with Thompson and Pedro Rodríguez)
  • 1967 1000km Paris at Montlhéry – 1st (with Ickx and Thompson)
  • 1968 Daytona 24 Hours (as GT40) – 33rd, DNF (with Paul Hawkins and David Hobbs)
  • 1968 12 Hours of Sebring – 28th (with Hawkins and Hobbs)
  • 1968 1000km Monza – 1st (with Hawkins and Hobbs)
  • 1968 1000km Nürburgring – 6th (with Hobbs and Brian Redman)
  • 1968 Six Hours of Watkins Glen – 2nd (with Hawkins and Hobbs)
  • 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans – 34th, DNF (with Hawkins and Hobbs)
  • 1968 1000km of Paris at Montlhéry – 8th (with Jean Blaton & Hughes de Fierlandt)
  • 1969 BOAC 500 (Brands Hatch) – 5th (with Hobbs and Mike Hailwood)

Perhaps, one of this car’s more interesting assignments was that of camera car for the 1971 film Le Mans starring Steve McQueen. The roof was cut away and heavy 1960s-era 35mm cameras were installed. The car was driven at speeds up to 150 mph with a daring camera operator in the passenger seat. The car made runs of the pit lane prior to the start of the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans for filming. Whether or not it ran during the race, however, is unknown.

The car passed through a few hands, being reconstructed as a GT40 in the 1970s and restored again in 1983. The most recent restoration was completed in 2002. Behind the driver sits a 440 horsepower Ford 289 V8. And all around the driver shines the brilliant blue/marigold Gulf colors that gives this car away as something truly special. The original Mirage M1 bodywork is included with the car.

If a Ford GT40 is a car you feel you must own, there is perhaps no other example, save for the Le Mans-winning Mk IV sitting in the Henry Ford Museum, that you should rather have than this. RM listed the estimate as “available upon request” – hinting that if you need even inquire, it is out of your reach. Expect it to go for millions. For the complete description, click here. And for more from RM in Monterey, click here.

Update: Sold $11,000,000.

Barrett-Jackson Orange County Highlights

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Barrett-Jackson’s 2012 Orange County sale had some big numbers, but nothing quite as big as they had back in Scottsdale in January. We didn’t feature anything from this sale either, for various reasons, but top sale went to this 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback.

It sold for $253,000. Other muscle cars included a pair of cool Mopars, starting with this 1966 Plymouth Hemi Satellite. This thing is a sleeper – it looks really boring car your grandmother might drive, but it packs a punch with the Hemi underhood. It brought $64,900.

The other Mopar looks a little meaner, but it lacks that “Hemi” tag. It’s a 1968 Dodge Super Bee, which sold for $51,150.

Interesting is something Barrett-Jackson usually excels at and there were a few interesting  choices at this sale, starting with this pair of pickups. This 1955 Chevrolet 5-Window NAPCO Pickup brought $23,650. NAPCO is an acronym for Northwestern Auto Parts Company, a company that began producing 4×4 conversion kits for GM vehicles around 1950. So this custom truck was actually customized back when it was new, thus making it far more interesting than something done last week.

The other truck is another Dodge, a 1953 M37 Power Wagon. While automakers tout their latest creations as “tough trucks,” I’d bet that this thing could take more abuse than anything you can go get off the lot. It sold for $24,750.

While muscle cars and customs usually rule the show, there were classics to be had – and cheap. This 1918 Paige Six-55 Series 4 Touring Essex Limousine (long enough name for you?) sold for only $12,650. I’m assuming the seller was hoping for more, as it was listed as having had President John F. Kennedy ride in it in 1960.

And finally, when was the last time you passed one of these on the interstate? It’s a 1973 Volkswagen 412. The two-door wagon bodystyle (some say three-door wagon, but who has ever used the rear hatch as an actual door?) was only produced from 1972-1974. This one sold for $5,500.

For complete results, click here.

Mecum St. Paul Highlights

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We recap a lot of auctions where the top selling car is well into the millions of dollars and the least-expensive car sold is just barely less than $100,000. Well, there are auctions out there where affordable cars cross the block. Mecum’s 2012 auction held in St. Paul, Minnesota, had many such cars. There was even fun to be had for less than $10,000 – such as this 1947 Chevrolet Stylemaster that sold for $8,000.

Another well-bought car was this restored 1958 Buick Riviera that sold for only $11,000. At that price, you’re pretty much just paying for the chrome.

Or what about this 1955 Ford Victoria? It had a frame-off restoration in 2007 and was bought by its lucky new owner for $12,750.

The top sale was slightly more, at $85,000. It was a 1941 Willys Coupe – slightly modified to more of a Pro Street car than a hot rod. Either way, it looks pretty fierce. For complete results, check out Mecum’s wesbite.

Salmon Brothers Collection Highlights

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Mecum Auctions recently sold off the Salmon Brothers Collection in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The top sale was the second of three 1934 Cadillac Fleetwood V12 All-Weather Phaetons built. A big, stately, American convertible, it sold for an even $200,000.

Interesting sales included this rare (less than 1,500 built) 1954 Willys Aero Deluxe Coupe for $11,500.

Our feature cars, the 1951 Henry J and the 1993 Ford SVT Lightning, came in at the lower-end of things, selling for $16,000 and $8,500 respectively. This 1956 Chevrolet Del Ray Sedan was the only Del Ray in a sale that included many Bel Airs. The Del Ray was an upscale trim line on the 210. It sold for $36,500.

And finally, this rare 1948 International KB Woody Wagon is an interesting alternative to the plethora of Ford & Chrysler woodies that you see so often. It could’ve been yours for $57,500.

For complete results, click here.

Dingman Collection Highlights

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RM Auctions recently held a reserve-less auction of the Dingman Collection in Hampton, New Hampshire. There were a lot of 1940s-era Ford’s – a lot of woodies too. Our feature car, the 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman Convertible sold for $253,000. The top sale was a 1936 Ford Custom Cabriolet with a coachbuilt body by Glaser. It bettered the upper end of its reserve by more than $100,000, selling for $396,000.

The next biggest sale was also the top-selling Lincoln – a 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr Coupe. As one of the all-time great automotive designs, it commanded a premium at $330,000.

The top selling Mercury was $187,000 for this 1942 Model 29A Station Wagon.

And finally, on a brighter note, this 1940 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet in a brilliant shade of blue sold for $93,500. For complete results, click here.

Ford Lightning

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1993 Ford SVT Lightning

Offered by Mecum | North Little Rock, Arkansas | June 16, 2012

Until the early 1990s, pickup trucks were utilitarian vehicles used by people to haul things and drive through less-than-glamorous areas. But then Ford and GM decided they could be sporty as well. GM introduced the 454SS in 1990 and the GMC Syclone followed the next year. Dodge offered a Shelby Dakota. Not wanting to be left out of this strange new game, Ford’s Special Vehicle Team stepped up to the plate in 1993 with the Lightning.

The first generation of the Lightning was made between 1993 and 1995 with 11,563 built. It has a 5.8-liter V8 making 240 horsepower. And it looked pretty much like a standard F-150, but with a few giveaway touches like sporty wheels, painted grille, and, on this particular truck, an exhaust exit in front of the rear tires.

The second generation Lightning would be even more extreme and sporty and you see them quite a bit more than these. Chevy 454SS trucks show up at auction almost regularly – but they always seem like just another used pickup. However, this Lightning looks pretty nice and it is rarer than its bow-tie competitor. It would be a lot of fun, just don’t ruin it by hauling stuff. For more information click here and to see the rest of the Salmon Brothers Collection, click here.

Update: Sold $8,500.

Ford Sportsman Convertible

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1947 Ford Super Deluxe Sportsman Convertible

Offered by RM Auctions | Hampton, New Hampshire | June 9-10, 2012

There were a number of popular American “woodies” built shortly after World War II. The Chrysler Town & Country is among the very best – as are Ford Sportsman Convertibles. You’ll notice many of these cars are painted in some shade of maroon or green. Something about those colors really sets off the woodwork running down the sides.

This Model 79A Super Deluxe has a 100 horsepower 3.9-liter V8 and red leather interior. The wood-bodied Sportsman ran about $500 more than its metal equivalent and was available from either Ford or Mercury. From reading the description of the restoration, it sounds like restoring the wood took longer than the original build time of the car.

This car was part of the Nick Alexander woodie collection that was auctioned off in 2009 and is being offered from the Dingman Collection this weekend. It sold for $220,000 in 2009 and is expected to bring somewhere between $240,000 and $280,000. For the complete lot description, click here and for the rest of the expansive Dingman Collection, click here.

Update: Sold $253,000.

Ford Model N

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1906 Ford Model N

Offered by RM Auctions | Nysted, Denmark | August 12, 2012

The Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903 and the Model N was introduced in 1906, making it one of the first handful of models built by the company. It features a 15 horsepower straight-four engine mounted at the front, driving the rear wheels to speeds up to 40 mph. It was Ford’s entry level offering until the introduction of the Model T in 1908. This was also Ford’s final right-hand drive automobile built in America.

The Model N retailed for $500, about $150 less than its competition – a curved-dash Oldsmobile. Listed equipment consisted of twin side oil lamps and a horn. A leather top was a $50 option. The 10 gallon fuel tank was good for a 200 mile range on rough, early roads.

There were upgraded versions of the Model N called the Model R and Model S ($600 and $700, respectively). With 7,000 Model Ns built over a three year span, the model was quite successful – although it was dwarfed immensely by its successor, the Model T. The car seen here is listed as a Model N (the catalog description has yet to be written) but it seems to have a few of the Model S extras on it, including full running boards and the mother-in-law seat behind the front bench. The Model S was rarer than a Model N (only 3,750 Model Ss were built) and the Model R was the rarest of the bunch with only 2,500 sold.

These are very rare, very early Fords and they don’t sell often – especially ones that are coming straight out of a museum as is the case here. Look for it to bring somewhere between $20,000 and $40,000. The Aalholm Automobile Collection in Denmark is being liquidated at this sale and there is an immense amount of fascinating early cars coming up for sale. We’re going to feature as many as possible, but will likely fall short of what we want to feature. But we’re sure going to try.

For the complete catalog description, click here and to see more of the cars from this sale, click here.

Update: Sold $37,000.

Ford RS200

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1988 Ford RS200

Offered by Silverstone Auctions | Silverstone, U.K. | May 16, 2012

Photo – Silverstone Auctions

Ford was a little late to the Group B Rally party in the mid-1980s. Audi and Peugeot had been dominating the series for years by the time Ford rolled in with their RS200. By the time it was introduced in 1984, it had been 20 years since Ford built a vehicle as awesome and performance-capable as the RS200 (the GT40). This car has a space frame chassis, four-wheel drive and a mid-mounted 1.8-liter turbocharged straight-four making 250 horsepower on the road and somewhere between 350 and 450 in race trim. Later, the displacement would be bumped up to 2.1-liters and horsepower would go upwards of 650!

Unfortunately for Ford, shortly after their arrival on the scene, things would go horribly wrong. At the 1986 Portuguese Rally, an RS200 would go careening into the crowd, killing three spectators. Another RS200 would crash at a later event, killing the co-driver. So after only one year of serious competition, the RS200 – and Group B Rallying in general – were finished.

However, fortune shines on the enthusiast as Group B rules dictated that the cars must be homologated for the road with construction of 200 road-going versions of whatever outlandish car the manufacturers decided to race. Sources differ on how many actually were sold as street models but it seems to range from 140 to 220. It is known that 24 of these cars were upgraded to “Evo” specs, which are a bit more powerful (580 horsepower, and 0-60 mph in about 3.0 seconds).

This is one of the road cars, chassis 118, and it has a few rally-inspired extras on it. When it was freshened in 2010, the engine was upgraded to 2.0-liters and 550 horsepower, closer to the Evo’s specs of 580. It only has 1,850 original miles. These are rare and awesome cars – dare I say Ford has not built a car this awesome since – the GT included. The pre-sale estimate is between $185,000-$210,000. For the complete catalog description, click here. And for more of Silverstone’s Spring Sale, click here.

Update: Not sold.