Tag Archives: mecum

GS Stage 1 Convertible

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1970 Buick GS Stage 1 Convertible

Offered by Mecum | Indianapolis, Indiana | May 17-21, 2016

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

The GS – or Grand Sport – began life as an option package on the Buick Skylark in 1965. It was essentially an engine upgrade and it became its own model in 1967 as the GS. In 1973, once the muscle car era had abruptly ended, the name was lengthened to Grand Sport.

The “Stage 1” was the king engine for the GS line and it was introduced in 1969. The 455 Stage 1 is a 7.5-liter V-8 rated at 360 horsepower and an awesome 510 lb-ft of torque. These cars were well-equipped from the factory with just about every bit of GM know-how built into them. That said, this is a relatively low-option car, as it was outfitted for performance and not necessarily luxury.

This car was restored just prior to 2011 and is one of only 67 4-speed Stage 1 Convertibles built in 1970. Only 19 are known to still exist, with this being the lowest-option model thought to have been built. It’s the biggest, baddest Buick of the muscle car era and it should bring between $200,000-$250,000. Click here for more info and here for more from Mecum in Indy.

Update: Sold $185,000.

April 2016 Auction Highlights

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Before we get to April, here’s another one from March: Bonhams’ Goodwood Members’ Meeting sale. The top seller was a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe for $1,219,096.

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

Our featured DFP brought $66,641 and the La Buire $13,328. The rest of the results can be found here. And the final March sale we covered was that of Osenat. We featured a 1913 Mors that sold for $28,135. The top sale was this 1936 Delage D8 Convertible by de Villars for $355,000. Click here for complete results.

Photo - Osenat

Photo – Osenat

Next up, Auctions America’s Ft. Lauderdale sale. The two cars we featured from this sale (besides a previously-featured Renault that failed to sell at a high bid of $290,000) were, bizarrely, both Brazilian. The Bianco sold for $24,750 and the Puma $19,250. The top sale was this 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona for $649,000. Full results can be found here.

Photo - Auctions America

Photo – Auctions America

Fourth in this rundown is Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach sale. We featured a car that was removed from the run order well in advance of the auction (but not well enough out that we didn’t catch it, get excited, and feature it). Otherwise, the top sale was this 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 for $550,000 and you can look at the rest of the results here.

Photo - Barrett-Jackson

Photo – Barrett-Jackson

And on to Mecum in Houston where the predictable top sale was this 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition for $425,000. Our featured Dodge WD15 brought $18,000 and complete results can be found online here.

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

The Original Z06

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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.

Stoddard-Dayton Runabout

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1907 Stoddard-Dayton Model K Runabout

Offered by Mecum | Indianapolis, Indiana | May 21, 2016

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

I’m trying to think of a good comparison… what company from today is the modern equivalent of Stoddard-Dayton? They were sporty, luxurious cars but not extraordinarily extravagant. If they were still around they would probably compete against the likes of Maserati or Cadillac. Somewhere in there.

In 1908, Stoddard-Dayton would move to a number/letter model name combination (think the last number of the year in front of the model letter, like Model 8-H, for a 1908 Model H). But in 1907, the models were standalone, and the Model K was the top of the range. It was only offered in this three-passenger Runabout form.

The engine is a 30 horsepower 5.5-liter straight-four. The Model K, new for 1907, would continue on through 1911 (albeit, with a numerical prefix). This example was discovered in a barn in South Dakota and the engine was overhauled in 2015. It’s a quick, rare early sporting machine (with white tires!) and is one of three known to exist. Click here for more info and here for more from Mecum.

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

Update: Sold, Worldwide Auctioneers, Auburn 2017, $118,800.

Update: Sold, RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island 2017, $190,400.

Dodge WD15

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1947 Dodge WD15 Pickup

Offered by Mecum | Houston, Texas | April 14-16, 2016

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

The Dodge WD15 was ¾-ton light truck built by Dodge between 1941 and 1947. The truck was also actually built during the war years of 1942 and 1943 (primarily for the government. No ’44 or ’45 models were made). The 1941 model was essentially the same as the 1940 VD15 truck.

Original equipment here was a 3.6-liter straight-six making 95 horsepower. The WD was offered in five styles with the pickup being the base “complete” truck (two chassis versions were available). The original list price was $1,096 in 1947.

Only 9,992 of these were delivered for this year. Most trucks like this were used heavily and probably scrapped. They were utility vehicles that were run into the ground, meaning: not many remain. This one is really nice and has some modern mechanical bits (think: brakes) and 10-year-old paint. Click here for more info and here for more from this sale.

Update: Sold $18,000.

March 2016 Auction Highlights

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March 2016? Sort of. Let’s start with some leftovers from last month. First, Auctionata’s classic car sale from February where this 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL was the top sale for $113,150. Click here for more.

Photo - Auctionata

Photo – Auctionata

The next piece of coverage is also from the end of February: it’s Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro sale – the road car half. The top sale was this 2004 Porsche Carrera GT for $595,500.

Photo - Silverstone Auctions

Photo – Silverstone Auctions

Our only feature car, the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 Evo II, sold for an outstanding $407,500 – more than the lightning-hot Countach that was also offered here. Click here for more results.

Onward to Brightwells’ first sale of the year. The featured Bedford CA sold for $5,975. Two cars tied for the top sale at $105,325. They were this 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.7 Coupe…

Photo - Brightwells

Photo – Brightwells

…and this 1934 Bentley 3½-Litre Tourer.

Photo - Brightwells

Photo – Brightwells

The other feature car was the FSO Kombi that sold for $1,700. Click here for complete results. Now we are on to Amelia Island and the first sale held down there was that of Bonhams. The top sale was our featured Bugatti 57SC for $9,735,000. The Maserati Biposto was another big seller, bringing $1,001,000. The Thomas Flyer was close to the million dollar mark, bringing $825,000. Interesting cars include this beautiful 1939 Lagonda V12 Drophead Coupe for $458,700.

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

A previously-featured pre-1900 Armstrong sold for $483,400. And the Sabra GT brought $93,500 while the Cunningham went to a new home for $275,000. Click here for complete results. And finally, Mecum’s Kansas City sale. We didn’t feature anything from it, but this 1968 Shelby GT500KR Fastback was the top sale at $210,000. Click here for the rest of their results.

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

December 2015 Auction Highlights, Pt. II

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Rounding out 2015, we have an all-Porsche sale from Auctionata. The top sale was this 1970 Porsche 911 2.3 ST Group IV for $1,167,800. Click here for the full rundown.

Photo - Auctionata

Photo – Auctionata

Bonhams held a special sale of the two millionth Land Rover – a 2015 Land Rover Defender 90 that brought $596,404.

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

And to finish off 2015, Coys’ London sale. The top seller was this 1969 Mercedes-Benz SSK Count Trossi re-creation (based around the mechanical bits of a 1953 MB 300). It brought $502,625.

Photo - Coys

Photo – Coys

Both of our featured cars, the Delin and SLR Stirling Moss, failed to sell. Check here for complete results.

Now we move into January and that means Mecum’s Kissimmee sale. The top seller was our featured 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible for $2,675,000. The next top seller was a 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible. For a one model year newer car you’re gonna pay $2,300,000.

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

A 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger Convertible we featured also broke the big money barrier, coming in at $1,650,000. And the Corphibian Prototype brought a relatively reasonable $70,000. Click here for full results.

With this post, we are getting into the Scottsdale sales, starting with Bonhams where our featured McLaren P1 was the top sale at $2,090,000. A previously-featured Buckmobile sold for $44,000. Interesting sales included this 1993 Porsche 911 Strosek Mega Speedster for $134,200.

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

The 1928 Mercedes-Benz La Baule brought $973,500 and the Fiat 8V failed to sell. More results can be found on Bonhams’ website.

December 2015 Auction Highlights

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This month, we’ll start with a brand new auction, the inaugural sale by the Keno Brothers held in New York. The top sale was a 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 Strada for $1,010,800.

Photo - Keno Brothers

Photo – Keno Brothers

The “cars as art” thing isn’t anything new, but this sale really pushed it hard. Hopefully all of the new owners realize they can still use these beautiful machines. Full results can be found here.

Next up, Bonhams’ December sale. We featured one car here, a 4¼-Litre Bentley that brought $144,019. The top sale was another Bentley, a 1926 3-Litre Light Tourer by Vanden Plas for $419,251. Complete results are here.

Photo - Bonhams

Photo – Bonhams

Auctionata’s Mercedes-Benz-only sale saw a few sellers, with this 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupe topping them all at $91,775. Click here for more.

Photo - Auctionata

Photo – Auctionata

RM Sotheby’s “Driven by Disruption” sale was a headline-grabber with our featured ex-Fangio 290 MM selling for $28,050,000. The other mega-dollar car was the Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato that went for $14,300,000. But among all of the million dollar cars were a parade of no-sales, including: the Lambo Concept S, the 300SL Race Car, the 500 Mondial, and the Ferrari 212 Inter. Interesting sales included an ever-increasing-in-value Countach – a 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S for a crazy $962,500.

Photo - RM Sotheby's

Photo – RM Sotheby’s

The Siata 208S sold for $1,650,000 and the Delage $1,430,000. The Pegaso was a relative bargain at $742,500. And a previously-featured Ferrari 250 Europa sold for $3,300,000. Check out full results here.

And finally, Mecum’s Austin sale. The top sale was a 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition with 573 miles on the clock for $440,000.

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

Our featured Aston Martin Virage sold for $97,500. Click here for full results.

Hemi Challenger Convertible

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1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi Convertible

Offered by Mecum | Kissimmee, Florida | January 15-24, 2016

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

Rare Hemi week continues with this, Dodge’s bad-boy muscle car from 1970. The original Challenger model was produced between the 1970 and 1974 model years only. The 1970 model is the most collectible, followed by the ’71s.

What 1970 had and the other years didn’t was a Convertible. The R/T performance package was also available (it included beefy brakes, etc.). Only 1,070 R/T Convertibles were sold in 1970. Guess what, the Hemi makes it even rarer. Long the Holy Grail of muscle cars, the 1970 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible had 14 built. Only nine Hemi Challenger Convertibles were ever made. Of those nine, this is one of four cars equipped with an automatic transmission.

The 425 horsepower, 7.0-liter “426 Hemi” V-8 is a numbers matching example on this low-mileage, restored car. In fact, it has covered less than 1,500 miles since the restoration was completed. It’s must-have muscle if you’re in that game. Click here for more info and here for more from Mecum.

Update: Sold $1,650,000.

’70 Hemi Cuda Convertible

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1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible

Offered by Mecum | Kissimmee, Florida | January 15-24, 2016

Photo - Mecum

Photo – Mecum

The 1970-1971 Plymouth ‘Cudas are the best muscle cars. Yeah, that’s sort of a sweeping statement (and entirely opinion)… but it’s true. We’ve featured a 1970 Hemi ‘Cuda and a ’71 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible (and a ’70 ‘Cuda Convertible that is supposed to look like a Hemi), but never a ’70 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible. Which is what this car is.

Hemi ‘Cuda Convertibles are among the rarest of muscle cars: only 11 were built in 1971 and only 14 were built in 1970. That Hemi is a 7.0-liter V-8 rated at 425 horsepower. This car is one of five (of the 14) equipped with a four-speed manual transmission. On top of that, this car is loaded with options and was sold new in British Columbia.

It came back to the U.S. in 1999 and was restored. It’s covered a little over 27,000 miles in its life. Offered in factory-correct Lemon Twist paint, this car will easily break the million dollar mark. Click here for more info and here for more from Mecum in Florida.

Update: Sold $2,675,000.