Mecum Original Spring Classic 2012 – Auction Report

Lot # W136 1927 Kissel Model 55 Roadster; S/N 5512066; Two tone Beige/Brown leatherette; Rebodied or re-created, 4 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $12,500 -- Red wire wheels, dual sidemounts, Ryan Lite headlights, dual K-D taillights, wood 4-spoke steering wheel. Boattail is later and crude. Paint is terrible, interior isn't much better. Oily, grimy chassis and engine. Needs everything. This could be a wonderful car, but it has to exist in the mind of a Kissel enthusiast who appreciates these cars' superior quality and performance. The body is a disaster, but all the pieces are there to make it something better after spending boxcars on it. The offer here is reasonable for what the car is.

Lot # W163 1960 Triumph TR3A Roadster; S/N TS606857L; Green/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $23,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $24,910 -- New chrome wire wheels, whitewall radial tires, fender mirrors, bows, but no top covering. Dull repaint, good upholstery, thin trim chrome. Chassis and underbody have received scant attention but the engine is tidy. A usable driver that will respond to some attention. Generously priced.

Lot # W164 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 5F08T362847; Red/White vinyl; White vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $11,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $11,660 -- 200/120hp six, automatic, aftermarket stereo, buckets, no console, spinner wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, luggage rack, power top. Quick old repaint over generous filler, poor chrome, sound but unattractive upholstery, poorly fit top and hood. Enough said? This Mustang promises no more than what it is, an economical, enjoyable, inexpensive little convertible that has a few seasons of use before the crummy body work will start to fall apart and require extensive renovation. It brought a healthy price for what it is.

Lot # W167 1969 Triumph TR6 Convertible; S/N CC29101L; Red/Black vinyl; Black leatherette top; Recent restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $20,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $21,730 -- Nardi woodrim steering wheel, no radio, wheel covers, Michelin red line tires, overdrive. Good paint over very flat bodywork with even gaps. Orderly engine compartment. A presentable and sound but not impressive driver. Appropriately priced if only for the taut bodywork and generally professional presentation.

Lot # W202 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Hurst Replica; S/N 336879Z130165; White, Gold stripe/Black vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 4 condition; Hammered Sold at $9,750 plus commission of 5.13%; Final Price $10,250 -- A real, ugly, slug and a superficial replica. Cheap paint, Pep Boys steering wheel, buckets and console, Rally-style wheels with chrome rims. Tired original interior. Trim bits missing. A despicable car that brought a price that is nothing if not generous.

Lot # W203 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible Pace Car; S/N 342670M314941; White, Black graphics/Black vinyl; white vinyl top; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $17,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $18,550 -- Bench seat, column shift automatic, P/S, P/B, heater, no A/C, Sony cassette stereo, Rally wheels with trim rings, Firehawk tires. Superficial repaint over old paint with sloppy masking. Sound interior and top, decent chrome. Well used underbody. A car with (limited) potential. Sold at Fall Auburn in 2010 for $11,000. The seller must be singing hosannas still for getting this much for it.

Lot # W233 1972 Toyota Corona Mark II Station Wagon; S/N RT79015227; Light Blue/Blue vinyl; Unrestored original, 2- condition; Hammered Sold at $13,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $14,310 -- A/C, automatic, pushbutton radio, bucket seats, roof rack, folding rear seat, rear window defroster, P/B. Three owners, 30,172 miles and all original except the new radial tires. Good original paint, chrome and interior. Engine is clean and orderly but would benefit from a quick detailing. Sharp, clean, straight and delicious. Displayed for years by two successive Toyota dealers, this Corona Wagon is not much automobile but is superbly original and a station wagon, both valued attributes these days. Onlookers marveled at its preservation. It's worth what it brought here, if only because there's no more objective measure by which to value it.

Lot # W275 1984 Pontiac Fiero Ferrari Replica; S/N 1G2AF37R3EP311479; Red/Black leather; Facsimile restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $13,250 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $14,045 -- V-8, 5-speed. The best Ferrari replica I've ever seen, and of a 328 at that. The original package was made by Feier, called the Mirage, an appropriate name if there ever was one, then done up over-the-top for an owner who reportedly spent over $30,000 on it. Even the wheels are correct style Cromodoras specially ordered with a GM bolt pattern. It's hard to know what to make of this fake, except as a monument to the talents of its builders and the dedication of the owner who commissioned it. Given what it is, it's impossible to argue with what the Indy bidders paid for it.

Lot # W298 1968 Pontiac Firebird 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N 223378U139080; Bronze, Black vinyl roof/Black vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $23,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $24,910 -- 400/330hp, 3-speed, Saf-T-Track, hood tach (in black housing), folding rear seat, console, Rally II wheels with trim rings and red line radial tires. Documented by PHS and Protect-o-Plate. A rare 3-speed car with a thorough, quality cosmetic restoration. Very attractive paint, chrome and interior. Sometimes cars show up that inspire wonder about what the original purchaser was thinking, like this combination of 400/330hp WZ engine, Saf-T-Track and a 3-speed manual transmission. It almost sounds like a build mistake. 'It says 'manual' and here's a manual transmission, so that's what we'll install.' Laugh if you will, but it happened more than anyone today would like to admit, contributing to those obscure 'one-of-one' claims. That aside, it's a quality car at a reasonable price.

Lot # W312 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Fastback; S/N 0T02G116582; Red, Black stripes/Red vinyl; Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $46,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $48,760 -- Replacement 302, 4-speed, Hurst T-handle shifter, shaker hood, P/B, no P/S, Magnum wheels, Firehawk radial tires, Sparkomatic 8-track, Moto-Lita woodrim steering wheel, rear window slats, wing. Good paint, chrome and interior. Tidy restored engine. Chassis is oily and grimy, underbody is untouched except for cleanup. The colors sound gaudy but work surprisingly well; call them flamboyant. Whether it's the colors or the erratic presentation this Boss 302 attracted a modest price and is a good value for the new owner. Some detailing will go a long way to improving its eye-appeal on the block, but get rid of the Sparkomatic stereo.

Lot # W328 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N JS23U0B168417; Black, White vinyl roof/White vinyl; Older restoration, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $30,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $31,800 -- 440/375hp Magnum, automatic, P/S, P/B, factory A/C, steel wheels with hubcaps and Eagle GTII radial tires, AM-FM, console. Cosmetically restored eight years ago and showing age and miles but still very presentable, even striking, in black and white. Not matching numbers, but original colors. Factory air makes this 440 Challenger R/T highly unusual and it is correctly coded for the 440/375hp engine. Sound, usable and more than presentable, it is an appropriate value at this price.

Lot # W339 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible; S/N 194679S722221; Engine # T0611LM 19S722221; Maroon/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Unrestored original, 4+ condition; Hammered Sold at $21,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $22,260 -- 427/390hp, 4-speed, two tops, side exhaust, AM-FM, Rally wheels with trim rings and Polysteel Radial tires. Very tired, with crazed, peeling paint, sound but aged interior, and a steam-cleaned original engine with the right numbers but no documentation. A worthwhile project. No Reserve. Restored this could be a $70-80,000 car but it will take all of the difference between its price today and its potential value to give it what it needs. Call NCRS today for their history and build records and hope it bears out what's on the car. At this price it's a reasonable risk.

Lot # W341 1966 Ford Mustang Convertible; S/N 6F08T3558261; Red/Black vinyl; Black vinyl top; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $16,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $16,960 -- 200/120hp six, 3-speed, pushbutton radio, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, console. Decent repaint over old paint, sound chrome and interior. Good new top. Small rust blisters in both door bottoms. Clean and engine-out repainted underhood. A good driver... until the doors rust through. The bidders didn't seem to notice the doors' blisters and paid too much for this six cylinder Mustang.

Lot # W343 1966 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible; S/N 384676M356845; Dark Green/Black vinyl; White vinyl top; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $22,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $23,320 -- 425/365hp high compression Super Rocket, automatic, P/S, P/B, power bench seat, front seat armrest, WonderBar radio with reverb, power rear antenna, tilt/telescope steering column, P/W, dual remote spotlight-mirrors, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls. A sweet, honest, original old Olds that has had a benign existence and is in remarkable, clean condition. Straight body, good chrome, good interior. Nose may have been repainted, but if so it was done very well. Oily engine needs a thorough detailing. Odometer shows 46,704 believable miles. This is a good old car with many enjoyable miles left in it. Sold at RM's Boca Raton auction in 2005 for $16,799. Once in a while -- maybe a half dozen times at even a big sale like Mecum Indy -- a car shows up that is just 'honest.' It doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is. It hasn't been gussied up to look good under the auction block lights. It's just what it is, and what it is, is sound, solid and largely original. This is one of those cars. I would have brought it home in a heartbeat, even at $7,000 more than it brought in Boca. The new owner will be very happy with this Olds at this price.

Lot # W354 1954 Chevrolet 5700 COE Wrecker; S/N U54J013437; Red, Black fenders/Brown leatherette, Beige cloth; Truck restoration, 2+ condition; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $33,920 -- Holmes 525 dual boom PTO operated hoist, heater, dual rear wheels. Very thoroughly done with quality paint, chrome and upholstery. 12 volt electrics with alternator, radial tires, Hydrovac power brakes. Built up with a period Holmes hoist, not a restored old wrecker, but who cares? This big (I mean BIG) old Chevy isn't for everyone, but for those it's for it's choice. Any towing company or Chevy dealer would be proud to add it to their fleet, and the body is big enough to hold a whole pack of Cub Scouts in any parade. It's a truck restoration, but the paint and interior are sharp. Just climbing up on the steps to get inside is a testosterone-building experience. Bought right.

Lot # W357 1956 Chrysler Imperial 2-Dr. Hardtop Southampton; S/N C568453; Black, White roof/Ivory, Dark Grey leather; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $23,000 -- 353/280hp, automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, seat belts, chrome wire wheels, whitewall bias ply tires, Town & Country radio. Fair old repaint, roof is original and buffed through in places. Good but mildew smelling upholstery. Chrome is mostly good but erratic with pitted emblems and some trim. Nicely detailed engine and clean underbody with old undercoat. An unusual and sound driver. This is more car than the money bid on it.

Lot # W362 1977 Volkswagen Beetle 2-Dr. Sedan; S/N 1172091286; Silver/Black vinyl; Unrestored original, 2 condition; Hammered Sold at $15,500 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $16,430 -- 2,185 miles, all original, stored from new with occasional use to keep it running and very well preserved. No Reserve. A new VW Beetle? It may not have air bags, but drive it even a few miles and the smiles it will bring, and the heads it will turn with the sound of its pancake four, make it all worthwhile. There are probably more of them like this out there, but for this money, why wait?

Lot # T1 1991 Ferrari 348ts; S/N ZFFRG36A4M0090555; Black/Black leather, suede; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $26,000 -- Stick-on SF shields, cold A/C, keyless entry, Alpine CD. Sound original paint and upholstery, 48,829 miles on the odometer look real and complements the overall wear and use. Said to be 'recently serviced' whatever that means (an oil change, or timing belt, reach your own conclusion.) Sold at Kissimmee earlier this year for $28,090 with 19 fewer miles showing on its odometer, a hammer bid $500 more than it attracted here in Indianapolis. Sometimes it's a crap-shoot, trolling the auction looking for the right combination of bidders that will produce a full retail result. For this consignor it came up snake-eyes.

Lot # T96 1959 Edsel Villager Station Wagon; S/N A9UT718489; Light metallic Green, White roof/Metallic Green, White vinyl; Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $17,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $18,020 -- 223/145hp six, automatic, wheel covers, whitewalls, skirts, three-row seating. Casually repainted and even more casually masked. Fair major chrome and sound interior, scratched glass. The presentation is no better than the driveline deserves. There is probably no stronger endorsement of the current popularity of station wagons than the price this sadly mediocre Edsel six brought. It would not have been a good value at $10,000.

Lot # T100 1949 Hudson Commodore 8 Convertible; S/N 49418012; Maroon; Cosmetic restoration, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $51,000 plus commission of 6.00%; Final Price $54,060 -- 254/128hp inline flathead eight, 3-speed, turn signals, skirts, wide wheel covers, trim rings, whitewalls, windshield sun visor, remote spotlight, pushbutton radio, fog lights, power top, P/W. Cosmetically restored without being disassembled. Fair paint cracked over fender joints, sound interior, good major chrome, scuffed window sills, orderly but not fully restored underhood. Old undercoat on underbody and chassis. Unusual but not particularly reassuring in the treatment it has received. Bid to $37,500 at Mecum's Kansas City auction last December, the seller scored a standup triple by holding it for Indy. This is a superior result for a car that's superior only in its rarity.