Notable Hot Rods on the Block
In the Spring 2014 issue of Hagerty Classic Cars magazine, Ken Gross outlines five factors that make a hot rod hot, and that also contribute to the value of a classic hot rod. They are: history; provenance; a racing record and/or a feature in a period hot rod magazine; a famous owner; and timeless style. Period rods that possess all of these characteristics are the cream of the “kustom krop.” But they don’t exactly grow on trees. In fact, only a handful of truly elite hot rods have crossed the block in recent years. Each of the cars presented here ticks all or nearly all of the right boxes, and as a result, they have commanded big bucks.
7. 1932 Ford “Khougaz” Lakes Roadster
Sold at RM’s Los Angeles auction in September 2009 for $214,500, including premium. Learn more at http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=391287
6. 1940 Ford Valley Custom Convertible Coupe
Sold at RM’s Los Angeles auction in September 2009 for $231,000, including premium. Learn more at http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=391359
5. 1936 Ford “Calori” Coupe
Sold at Mecum’s Anaheim, Calif., auction in November 2012 for $318,000, including premium. Learn more at http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=AN1112-139559
4. 1951 Tom Beatty Belly Tanker Lakester
Sold at Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach auction in August 2007 for $440,000, including premium. (Later sold by RM in 2009 for $209,000). Learn more at http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=391298
3. 1929 Ford “Dick Flint” Roadster by Valley Custom
Sold at RM’s New York auction in November 2013 for $577,500, including premium. Learn more at http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1063777
2. 1954 Chrisman Bonneville Coupe
Sold at RM’s Tustin, Calif., auction in June 2008 for $660,000, including premium. Learn more at http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=270439
1. 1932 Ford “McMullen” Roadster
Sold at Mecum’s Anaheim, Calif., auction in November 2012 for $756,000 including premium. Learn more at http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=AN1112-139552
