12 sweet picks from Barrett-Jackson Northeast
Barrett-Jackson’s third year at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun was a smashing success, with more vehicles offered, more sold, and more money exchanged than at the previous two Northeast auctions. In the end, $26,154,490 changed hands at the June 21–23 event.
In addition to an atmosphere that would make P.T. Barnum proud, Northeast 2018 was notable for its homogenous mix of modestly priced cars. With a median transaction of just $28,600, only 25 lots were bid to six figures and 66 lots sold on hammer bids less than $10,000. In other words, Barrett-Jackson Northeast offered plentiful, tempting opportunities for entry-level collectors—and it also offered something for the well-heeled.
It was hard to choose a dozen from the 105 lots viewed on-site (and now posted in their entirety on rickcarey.com), but we did our best to select some interesting lots, including a presentable Volvo PV544 at $15,000 hammer and $16,500 with commission.
1995 BMW M3 Lightweight Coupe
Final price: $121,000, with reserve ($110,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N WBSBF9321SEH07179; Alpine White/Anthracite cloth; 3.23:1 final drive, aluminum doors, reduced sound insulation, stiffer springs and shocks from the European-spec E36 M3 coupe, M-shock tower brace, forged M double-spoke alloy wheels, M3 GT front spoiler lip extension, standard M3 rear spoiler with integrated third brake light, checkered flag decals in BMW Motorsport colors on the left front and right rear corners of bodywork, “BMW Motorsport International” emblems on exterior door moldings, interior door sill plates and trim panel above the glovebox, BMW sport seats covered in Anthracite Hurricane cloth with red highlights, carbon-fiber-look dashboard and center console trim, Anthracite carpeting from the four-cylinder E36 coupe, air-conditioning delete, radio delete (prewiring for radio and two door speakers included), sound insulation reduction, tool kit delete, and console valet delete.
Notes: Unrestored original, 2 condition. Represented as 5000 miles from new and looks like it. One of 126 built.
Analysis: A “hero car” for BMW enthusiasts with only a few built (the actual number is not clear), it brought the price it should have.
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
Final price: $77,000, no reserve ($70,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N VC56N076341; Engine #F56FB; Onyx Black/Charcoal, Ivory vinyl, Black vinyl top; 265/205-hp FB Powerglide block, dual quads, three-speed, manual steering and brakes, wire wheel covers, whitewalls, remote spotlight-mirror, push-button radio.
Notes: Older restoration, 2- condition. Excellent paint, interior, and chrome except for lightly scuffed windowsill trim. The engine compartment is almost like new, but it is oil misted and dirty down deep. Good enough to show, not too good to drive.
Analysis: What goes around, comes around was never more fitting than with this ’56 Bel Air, which was reported sold at Mecum Indy in 2012 for $72,610, then at Mecum Monterey in 2013 for $85,600, and at B-J WestWorld in 2017 for $63,800. The difference between those results and the Northeast sale is a few bids. While the Bel Air’s engine might not be what it aspires to be, it’s still a sweet Tri-Five Chevrolet convertible at a price that demonstrates the continuing popularity and value of these cars. A Chevy like this is on almost every collector’s short list of desired cars.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
Final price: $99,000, no reserve ($90,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N VC57L162969; Tropical Turquoise/White, Turquoise vinyl, White vinyl top; 283/220 hp, automatic, power brakes, steering, windows and bench seat, 3.42 Positraction, WonderBar radio, spinner wheel covers, whitewalls, dual rear antennas, continental kit, power steering, electric wipers, windshield washers, vacuum ashtray.
Notes: Older restoration, 2+ condition. Winner of 1998 AACA National First Prize and Classic Chevy International Platinum award. Excellent paint, chrome, interior, and top. The engine compartment is like new with only a little dust and age. The lower body is unevenly but lightly filled. Still showable and a quality car with a quality restoration.
Analysis: A vacuum ashtray? Back in the ’50s everyone smoked and the vacuum ashtray sucked the ashes from the driver’s Old Golds or Camels into the intake manifold, adding nothing to performance but keeping the passenger compartment free of noxious tobacco remnants. This impressively restored and equipped ’57 Chevy convertible sold for $108,000 at Mecum Kissimmee in 2016 and $121,000 at the same venue in 2016. By that standard (or any other) this is a superior ’57 Bel Air and a sound value if only for its many options.
1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 2-Door Hardtop
Final price: $43,450, no reserve ($39,500 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N 138177Z158482; Ermine White, Black vinyl roof/Blue vinyl; L34 396/325 hp, four-speed, Rally wheels with trim rings, Silvertown redline tires, Protect-O-Plate, 12-bolt rear end, power steering, Hurst shifter, bench seat, push-button radio.
Notes: Recent restoration, 2 condition. Very good paint, chrome, roof vinyl and interior. Fresh and spotless underneath. Straight body with even gaps. Recently done to like new without being overdone. Represented as the original engine and rear axle.
Analysis: Sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction in 2016 for $45,100 and bought here for a similar, and realistic, price. The L34 won’t win many muscle car showdowns, but it is a very good choice for weekend cruises and road trips.
2018 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coupe
Final price $93,500, no reserve ($85,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N 1G1YT2D63J5500008; Watkins Glen Grey/Black leather, Microfiber inserts; 375 (6.2L) /650-hp supercharged LT4, 7-speed manual, Z07 Package of Brembo ceramic brakes, Pilot Sport Cup tires and Z07 suspension, ground effects, yellow calipers, black wheels, power heated outside mirrors, premium audio, leather instrument panel, performance data recorder, curb-view cameras, heated/ventilated seats.
Notes: Unrestored original, 2 condition. From the GM Heritage Collection, the eighth Corvette built for 2018, used by GM for display and promotion including Bloomington Gold 2017, Corvettes at Carlisle, ZR1 Media Drive and more. Only 785 miles from new and like new, includes two-day owner’s school at Spring Mountain Motor Resort in Pahrump, Nevada.
Analysis: This is for all intents and purposes a small discount from the sticker price for this loaded Corvette. One of six late-model Corvettes sold by GM Heritage at the Northeast event.
1970 Ford Torino Cobra SportsRoof
Final price: $77,000, no reserve ($70,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N 0A38J156317; Red, Matte Black hood/Dark Red vinyl; 429/375-hp Ram Air Cobra Jet, automatic, power steering and brakes, AM-FM, buckets and console, Magnum wheels, Eagle ST tires, shaker hood, Marti report and owner card documented.
Notes: Recent restoration, 2+ condition. Represented as the matching numbers engine and transmission, 31,324 miles from new. Freshly restored and like new everywhere.
Analysis: Impressively restored and essentially flawless without going beyond reason, this is a sweet car, and it is moderately priced for the equipment and condition.
1949 International KB2 Pickup
Final price: $29,700, no reserve ($27,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N KB270357; IH Red/Black leatherette; 214/82-hp six, four-speed, hubcaps and trim rings, heater, turn signals.
Notes: Truck restoration, 2+ condition. Restored almost two decades ago and still impressive. The paint is bright and free of chips or scratches. Even the running boards and bed floor look like they’ve never been touched. The only knock is that the odometer reels weren’t redone and are faded. Better than the vast majority of truck restorations.
Analysis: A better-than-new IH pickup bought for less than a comparable Ford or Chevy, the new owner of this truck will be immensely pleased with its condition and rarity. Comparable transactions are thin but none of them suggest that this is anything less than a superior value for the new owner in a quality, rare, distinctive pickup.
1970 Plymouth GTX 2-Door Hardtop
Final price: $77,000, no reserve ($70,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N RS23V0A137111; Bright Blue, Matte Black hood/Black vinyl; 440/390 hp, six-barrel, automatic, buckets and console, Rallye wheels with trim rings, Radial T/A tires, power brakes, Sure-Grip 3.54, woodgrain steering wheel, AM-FM, KYB shocks, original Broadcast Sheet documented.
Notes: Older restoration, 2- condition. Very good paint and interior but weak bumper and trim chrome. The engine and underbody were restored like new but now show age even if there is little evidence of use. Flat panels and even gaps. Not fresh but very good and represented as the matching numbers engine.
Analysis: This is an appealing GTX, done to high standards in desirable colors and agreeably equipped. Its appeal to the bidders at Mohegan Sun is apparent in this ample but reasonable result.
1972 Pontiac LeMans Convertible
Final price: $48,400, no reserve ($44,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N 2D67X2P133151; Springfield Green Metallic/Parchment vinyl, Black vinyl top; 455/300 hp, automatic, buckets and console, air conditioning, power steering and brakes, pushbutton radio, sport steering wheel, Rally II wheels, Wide Oval tires, Ram Air hood, Endura front bumper, rally gauges, wing, PHS documented.
Notes: Older restoration, 2- condition. Restored like new with very good cosmetics. Clean underhood. An attractive car in very good, nearly new, condition showing only a little use and age although the engine compartment is close to needing an engine-out detailing and freshening.
Analysis: This highly unusual, loaded LeMans is memorable not only for its equipment but also for its exceptionally attractive colors. It was sold at Mecum Indy in 2010 for $60,950, then at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in 2012 for $68,200. It made an appearance at Mecum Kissimmee in January, where it was inexplicably reported bid to only $20,000. The odometer shows only 74 miles more now than it did in 2012 and the car is in comparable condition. Given the 2010 and ’12 results, this is an advantageous purchase that put the new owner in a car that is probably uniquely lavishly equipped, a GTO in LeMans garb.
1988 Porsche 928 S4 Coupe
Final price: $22,000, no reserve ($20,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N WP0JB0922JS861074; Red/Black leather; Automatic, sunroof, silver Porsche alloy wheels, Sumitomo tires, Blaupunkt cassette stereo, air conditioning with climate control, matte black wing.
Notes: Unrestored original, 3+ condition. Represented as 26,648 miles and looks like it. Very good original paint and upholstery. Gauge pod covering is starting to sun rot. Gauges, knobs, and controls are clear and crisp. The underbody looks as expected for the stated mileage. A sound and apparently consistently maintained car.
Analysis: The third of the three red automatic 928 S4s in this auction and arguably the best, with the lowest mileage and the most original. It brought the same price as one of the earlier ones, a little bit more than the other, and was worth waiting for, the best of this S4 litter.
1970 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback
Final price: $99,000, no reserve ($90,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N 0F02R483281; Wimbledon White, Blue stripes/Black vinyl; 428/335 hp, four-speed, 10-spoke Shelby alloy wheels, Polyglas GT tires, 8-track stereo, wood rim steering wheel, 3.91 Traction-Lok, oil cooler, Marti Report, original build sheets and window sticker documented.
Notes: Cosmetic restoration, 3+ condition. Good, unblemished paint, clean underbody. Good interior but the steering wheel rim is badly worn. Good gauges and knobs, but the console trim is badly worn. Lumpy original undercoat in the wheel wells. Both doors close slightly proud. A good but not exceptional GT500.
Analysis: And that is precisely where the Mohegan Sun bidders put its value, an accurate reflection of its quality, restoration, and the restoration’s preservation.
1965 Volvo PV544 2-Door Sedan
Final price: $16,500, no reserve ($15,000 plus commission of 10%).
Specs: S/N 432117; Grey/Light Grey vinyl; Hubcaps, Vredestein tires, vinyl-wrapped steering wheel, pushbutton Volvo radio, bumper overriders.
Notes: Visually maintained, largely original, 3- condition. Sound but dull repaint with light orange peel, scratched windshield trim, thin bumper chrome, and pitted hood trim. Dirty, original, and used engine compartment. Crudely taped headlight wiring. The gas cap leaks but proves that the seller filled it up before bringing it to the auction.
Analysis: Beloved by denizens of the north woods of New England, the PV544 has proven itself on rough roads, ice, and snow for three generations. It helps that it looks like a ’40 Ford Tudor. A sound if occasionally bodged example, it’s going to be a hoot to fling down dirt roads, summer or winter, and is realistically priced here.
