Auction Preview: The Branson Auction Spring 2015
Jim and Kathy Cox’s semi-annual – and aptly named – Branson Auction will be held April 17-18 at the Branson Convention Center in Missouri. The muscle cars, trucks, British sports cars, recreations and late model vehicles add up to 125 lots on offer, and we’ve narrowed it down to five notable vehicles to keep an eye out for.
1954 Allard K3
Hagerty Price Guide: $105,000 – $196,000
Allard is where Shelby got the idea for stuffing a large American V-8 into a lightweight British chassis, and although the spartan J2 is the most well known sports car from this short-lived-but-famous marque, Allard also built a few more luxurious models. One of these was the K3, which was more or less a civilized version of the Allard race cars with full bodywork, roll-up windows and a reasonably sized trunk. Under the hood, power of course came from V-8s, usually 331-cid units from either Cadillac or Chrysler. The example at Branson is a Cadillac-powered car and one of only 63 K3s constructed. It’s hard to get a sense of value with such a rare automobile, but RM sold a Chrysler-powered K3 at Amelia Island last year for $220,000.
1971 Dodge Charger RT
Hagerty Price Guide: $22,000 – $60,400
Dodge rolled out its third-generation Charger in 1971, and this example is an older restoration that’s equipped with a 440 and the optional concealed headlamps, as well as hood pins, console and bucket seats. It originally had the base four-barrel carburetor but is now equipped with the six-pack that was an option when the car came out. With orange paint, rear spoiler and enough power to get into trouble, this Charger has all the look and feel you ever really need from an old muscle car without the hefty asking price of a Hemi.
1958 Austin London Taxi
Hagerty Price Guide: N/A
The old London taxi on offer in Branson has been updated with a theoretically more reliable Pinto engine and automatic gearbox, and looks to have been used as a vintage taxi for hire, driving people to proms, cocktail parties and whatever else people want to show up to in a neat old car. That’s the only real thing you can do with a car like this. It’s a novelty (in the U.S., at least), but novelties are fun and this little thing could be a pretty rewarding vehicle.
1960 International Travelall
Hagerty Price Guide: N/A
The market for vintage trucks is very strong right now, and old Fords and Chevys are achieving surprisingly high prices at auction these days. The Big Three weren’t the only companies building trucks in the ’50s, however, and one of the more obscure pickups is the International Harvester Travelall, which was built from 1953 all the way up until 1975. The one on offer in Branson is a second-generation example equipped with the Black Diamond 240-cid straight-six. It has received a nut-and-bolt restoration, but it can probably be had for a much more tempting price than a Chevy with similar equipment and like condition.
1955 Oldsmobile Series 98 Holiday Coupe
Hagerty Price Guide: $11,600 – $36,100
The top-of-the-line Olds in 1955 was the 98, which was four inches longer than the 88 Series. It was equipped with the 324-cid Rocket V-8 and Hydra-Matic transmission, and it featured standard equipment like power steering, windshield washers, back-up lights, padded dash and electric clock. The two-tone blue-and-white example with matching interior offered in Branson is one of 24 lots with no reserve.
