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Porsches parade at Werks Reunion, Amelia auction blocks

Larry Edsall
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1
Porsches parade at Werks Reunion, Amelia auction blocks

Editor’s note: The ClassicCars.com Journal is your source for Amelia Island news – from collector car auctions and shows to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Read more of our coverage on our dedicated page.

Friday has become Porsche day during the annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance weekend on Florida’s northeastern coast, where collector car auctions are part of the attraction. 

This year was no different, what with the Werks Reunion, a Porsche Club of America event at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation drawing a seemingly endless stream of 911s, and with Amelia’s proximity to so many Porsche racing victories at Daytona and Sebring, even the factory brings out historic as well as its latest models.

Auction action at Gooding & Company on Friday included the record-setting sale of a 1961 OSCA 1600 GT by Zagato (lower right) | Larry Printz photos

“The auction companies have identified a captive audience on Friday and tune their offerings accordingly,” notes the Hagerty Insider, which tracks each of the auctions and reports daily on the results during the major collector car events in Arizona, Amelia Island and later this summer on the Monterey Peninsula.

Friday, Gooding & Company staged its one-day Amelia Island auction and featured the Porsche collection of WhatsApp founder Jan Koum. The consignment included eight 911s, a 918 Spider and a Cayman GT4. And they were only part of a group of 33 Porsches — 32 cars and a tractor — on the Gooding & Company docket. More than one-third of that docket comprised Porsches.

Of those Gooding Porsches, 82 percent sold, for a total of $10,032,300, an average of $371,567 each (prices reported include buyer’s fee).

Aside from the Porsches, Gooding also posted a big result from a relatively small car — a 1961 OSCA 1600 GT by Zagato brought a record price, $489,000.

2004 Porsche Carrera GT on the block at RM Sotheby’s | Andy Reid photo

RM Sotheby’s continued to do well with its Youngtimer collection, which included a pair of Porsches. A 1988 928 S4 driven barely more than 10,000 miles brought $67,200, 66 percent above its Hagerty Price Guide figure, and a 1995 928 GTS, one of only 77 built for North America, went for $89,600, 11 percent better than the price guide.

Other cars in the Youngtimer group for future classics also did well at RM Sotheby’s, including a record $53,200 for a 1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo with less than 2,800 miles on its odometer, $50,400 for a 1993 Mazda RX-7 twin turbo, and a record $176,300 for a 1994 Toyota Super twin-turbo targa driven only 11,200 miles since new. Yet another record fell when a 1994 BMW 850 CSi brought $184,800.

Russo and Steele concluded its first Amelia Island auction, with only 23 cars crossing the block, including a 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster that sold for $181,500.

RM Sotheby’s concludes its Amelia sale Saturday with a 1937 Bugatti Type t7SC Tourer by Corsica, valued at more than $6 million, and a 1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra (CSX 3006), another multi-million-dollar machine, leading the docket.

Amelia Island auctions 2018

2019 results through Friday

Total sales: $54.4 million

249/370 lots sold, 67 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $218,513

2018 results through Friday

Total sales: $77.2 million

269/351 lots sold, 77 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $286,843

Overall top-10 sales

  1. 1930 Packard Speedster Series 734 boattail roadster, $1,765,000 (Gooding & Co.)
  2. 2015 McLaren P1 coupe, $1,490,000 (RM Sotheby’s)
  3. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach roadster, $1,490,000 (Gooding & Co.)
  4. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spider, $1,325,000 (Gooding & Co.)
  5. 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso coupe, $1,225,000 (Gooding & Co.)
  6. 1930 Cadillac Series 452 Fleetwood roadster, $1,187,500 (Bonhams)
  7. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder roadster, $1,187,500 (RM Sotheby’s)
  8. 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 coupe, $1,132,500 (Gooding & Co.)
  9. 1968 Repco Brabham-Cosworth BT26 BT26A, $1,105,000 (Bonhams)
  10. 1987 Porsche 962C Kremer race car, $1,022,500 (Gooding & Co.)

Results by auction company

Bonhams

2019 results

Total sales: $15.4 million

89/108 lots sold, 82 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $173,468

  1. 1930 Cadillac Series 452 Fleetwood roadster, $1,187,500
  2.  1968 Repco Brabham-Cosworth BT26 BT26A, $1,105,000
  3. 1913 Mercer Type 35J Raceabout roadster, $898,000
  4. 1914 Simplex 50HP Speedcar roadster, $885,000
  5. 1904 Peerless Type 8 Style K JM Quinby Co. Runabout, $698,000
  6. 1998 Ruf 911 Turbo R coupe, $626,500
  7. 1904 Thomas Model 22 3-cylinder tonneau, $489,000
  8. 1929 Bentley 4 1/2-liter sport tourer Vanden Plas roadster, $472,500
  9. 1908 Welch Model 4-L 50HP touring, $456,000
  10. 1907 Tincher Model H 60HP touring, $423,000

2018 results

Total sales: $13.2 million

88/101 lots sold, 87 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $149,919

Gooding & Company

Totals sales: $21.4 million

75/89 lots sold, 85 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $281,801

  1. 1930 Packard Speedster Series 734 boattail roadster, $1,765,000
  2. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach roadster, $1,490,000
  3. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Spider, $1,325,000
  4. 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso coupe, $1,225,000
  5. 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 coupe, $1,132,500
  6. 1987 Porsche 962C Kremer race car, $1,022,500
  7. 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 R&P roadster, $714,500
  8. 1984 Porsche 911 race car, $687,000
  9. 2004 Porsche Carrera GT coupe, $687,000
  10. 2011 Porsche 911 GTS RS 4.0 coupe, $582,500

2018 results

Total sales: $35.8 million

82/96 lots sold, 95 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $436,515

RM Sotheby’s

Totals sales through Friday : $13.9 million

50/59 lots sold, 85 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $277,296

  1. 2015 McLaren P1 coupe, $1,490,000
  2. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder roadster, $1,187,500
  3. 1992 Ferrari F40 coupe, $1,017,000
  4. 2017 Ferrari F12 tdf coupe, $967,500
  5. 2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring coupe, $912,500
  6. 2004 Porsche Carrera GT coupe, $775,000
  7. 2009 Mercedes-Benz  SLR McLaren 722 S convertible, $648,500
  8. 2013 Lotus T125 race car, $417,500
  9. 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Weissach coupe, $379,000
  10. 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione coupe, $324,000

2018 results (one-day sale)

Total sales: $27.6 million

89/108 lots sold, 82 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $173,468

Russo and Steele

Total sales: $3.37 million

34/114 lots sold, 30 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $108,515

  1. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupe, $990,000
  2. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT coupe, $665,500
  3. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, $231,000
  4. 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster, $181,500
  5. 2001 BMW Z8 roadster, $140,250
  6. 2012 Ferrari 458 race car, $134,750
  7. 1997 Porsche 911 Andial coupe, $129,250
  8. 2017 Mercedes-Benz G550, $126,500
  9. 2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT coupe, $115,500
  10. 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C roadster, $104,500

2018 results

None (new event for 2019)

Read more Amelia Island auction coverage:

Still life: ultra-low-miles Mustang convertible in showroom condition

Bob Golfen
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14
Still life: ultra-low-miles Mustang convertible in showroom condition

Here’s another one of those how-could-this-even-happen ultra-low-mileage collector car survivors, a 26-year-old Mustang convertible with just 6,270 miles on its odometer.   That’s crazy and really makes me wonder what kind of person would own a car like this and not drive the hell out of it.

The Pick of the Day, a 1993 Ford Mustang LX convertible, appears to be in immaculate showroom condition, although it would need a serious going through before it’s put back on the road after all those years of sitting around doing nothing.  Think seals, gaskets, fluids, tires, etc.

But after that is done, you’d have a brand-new ’93 Mustang convertible.

Mustang
Even the top appears to be like new

This is a desirable Fox-body Mustang powered by a 5.0-liter V8 with automatic transmission, Traction-Lok rear, dual exhaust with Flowmaster Cat-Back, power rack-and-pinion steering and power brakes, according to the San Ramon, California, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com.

The ad does not disclose how or why this Mustang wound up lazing it through life with such low mileage, but there’s surely some story there.

The triple-white convertible – even the alloy wheels are white – gleams in the photos with the ad, looking very much the time-warp piece that it is.  Even the presumably original convertible top looks great.

Mustang
White leather seats contrast with the black dashboard

Fully equipped with the LX upgrades, the convertible has Arctic White leather bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, full power accessories, upgraded audio with retro cassette player, a power convertible top with glass rear window and a rear spoiler.  Apparently, everything is original factory equipment.

The car comes with its original owner’s manual and window sticker, as well as a clean Carfax report, which should confirm the low mileage.

Mustang
The Mustang is equipped with a 5.0-liter V8

Fox body Mustangs were the third-generation series produced from 1978 to 1993, coming after the disastrous Mustang II, which makes this one the last year they were built.  The Foxes have grown in collector interest in recent years, as they take their place as bona fide future classics.

The asking price for this unusual find is $29,995.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Custom-bodied Volkswagens honored at Amelia Island Concours

Bob Golfen
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0
Custom-bodied Volkswagens honored at Amelia Island Concours

Editor’s note: The ClassicCars.com Journal is your source for Amelia Island news – from collector car auctions and shows to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Read more of our coverage on our dedicated page.

The 70th anniversary of the first Volkswagen Beetle imported to the United States will be celebrated Sunday by the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance with a special class titled Custom Coachwork VW Beetle.

Volkswagen
The 1965 Karmann-Ghia concept

While that might sound like a far-fetched theme for one of the world’s most revered concours, Amelia is known for its imaginative special classes that add so much charm and color to the Florida show, now in its 24th year.

“The Volkswagen with custom coachwork is the flipside of the Bug’s original American mission and message, and thus the perfect fodder for an Amelia Concours special class,” Bill Warner, founder and chairman of the Amelia Island Concours, said in a news release.

The first VW Beetle was imported to the United States in January 1949 as the German automaker sought to establish itself in the market. Just two cars were sold that year, but interest and sales of Volkswagens blossomed after that, so much so that VW created a U.S. sales division in 1955.

Volkswagen
1954 Volkswagen Rometsch Beeskow Coupe

There were certainly many VW customs built by both established coachbuilders and talented individuals as throughout the ’50 and ’60s, the VW platform was found to be an ideal basis for custom bodies.

“We’re delighted that the Amelia Island Concours chose to host a class for the Beetle with custom coachwork,” Klaus Bischoff, head of Volkswagen Design, said in a VW news release. “While everyone knows the humble Beetle, it’s less well-known that the Beetle platform was used by a number of coachbuilders in Europe to produce the amazing, unique vehicles on show this weekend.”

Volkswagen
The 1969 Beetle Wedding Car has a body entirely crafted out of wrought iron

The 12 custom-bodied VWs that make up the class are:

• 1950 Hebmueller Type 14A
• 1951 Rometsch Beeskow Coupe
• 1951 Tempo Matador
• 1953 Rometsch Taxi
• 1953 Dannenhauer & Stauss Cabriolet
• 1954 Dannenhauer & Stauss Coupe
• 1954 Rometsch Beeskow Coupe
• 1956 Beetle by Troutman and Barnes
• 1957 Rometsch Lawrence Convertible
• 1960 Rometsch Lawrence Coupe
• 1965 Karmann-Ghia Type 1 concept
• 1969 Beetle Wedding Car

“This will be the first time that this many custom-coachwork Volkswagen vehicles are assembled in the same place, and the first time that a number of these cars will be seen in public in the U.S.” Volkswagen said in the release. “The 1965 Karmann-Ghia Type 1 concept, which belongs to Volkswagen, and the 1951 Rometsch Beeskow Coupe, which belongs to the Grundmann Collection, have been shipped specially from Germany for the occasion.”

Other special classes for Sunday’s concours at the Ritz-Carlton Resort are the Porsche 962 Dynasty, Revolutionary Innovations of the Indianapolis 500, Cars of the Rock Stars, Mercedes-Benz 500K-540K, Mid-Engine Sports Cars, the Cars of Heads of State and the 60th Anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Coupe.

For more information, visit the Amelia Island Concours website.

Read more Amelia Island auction coverage:

How to choose an electric fan to keep your radiator cool

Carter Nacke
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2
How to choose an electric fan to keep your radiator cool

One of the more-important facets when restoring or upgrading a collector classic car is the cooling system and the role the fan plays in keeping everything running at proper temperatures.

It’s certainly not the sexiest part of the engine, but fans are key to keeping air moving through the radiator and other parts to avoid overheating. Some engines come with belt-driven fans, which move more air at higher rpm but take up more space, sap overall horsepower and can accidentally hit the radiator or shroud in some vehicles, while decreasing the life of the water pump in others. They also don’t move a lot of air at idle.

Although moving less air at higher rpm, electric fans offer a good deal of benefits. They’re slimmer, don’t steal horsepower and can help keep things cooler while the engine idles.

But selecting the correct fan can be problematic as there are numerous options in styles and models.

The first decision is whether you need a pusher fan or a puller fan. The pusher fan mounts on the front of the vehicle and blows air through the radiator core toward the engine. It’s not a bad option, but it can restrict airflow, which is why experts at Holley recommended using a puller fan whenever possible – basically, if you have room under the hood for a puller fan, go that route.

“A puller fan … sits right behind the radiator,” host Ray Frescas says in the video above. “It pulls air through and has less impact on airflow at high speeds than a pusher fan since it sits behind the radiator. Puller fans provide more cooling capacity than pusher fans.”

The second factor when picking an electric fan is the diameter. You want one that covers as much of the radiator core as possible. Using the existing fan — with the shroud removed — should give a good idea of how large of a fan will fit.

Single- and dual electric-fan setups are available. The single should be adequate for most drivers, but those with bigger engines or a good deal of added horsepower, a dual fan should be considered.

There are two blade types: curved and straight. The curved blades don’t move as much air but offer quieter driving. The straight blades move more air but they are louder. If installing one into a high-performance engine, the straight blade is the way to go.

CFM — cubic feet per minute — is the rating given to every fan, signifying how much air a fan moves.  Bigger engines with more horsepower should use fans with the highest CFM rating possible. But aside from engines with extensive modifications, there’s a set of guidelines:

  • • 1,250 CFM for a 4-cylinder
  • • 2,000 CFM for a 6-cyliner
  • • 2,500 CFM for an 8-cylinder

Another factor that can affect the amount of airflow an electric fan is capable of moving is the current it draws. This one is simple: The higher the current draw, the more airflow it has.

When wiring an electric fan, use a relay kit. These include sending units that lets you select the temperature at which the fan should start working.

No matter which fan you go with, use a shroud. Fans are basically useless without them as they direct the airflow through the radiator core.

‘Smokey and the Bandit’ Trans Am to jump at Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals

Carter Nacke
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6
‘Smokey and the Bandit’ Trans Am to jump at Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals

A replica of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am from the Burt Reynolds hit film Smokey and the Bandit will be jumped at the upcoming Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The jump is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. on June 22 at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, the company said in a news release.

“As a tribute to Mr. Reynolds who passed away in September of 2018 as well as a nod to one of the most iconic cars and car movies of all time, a Bandit Trans Am will fly through the air at the Chevrolet National,” the release read.

Carlisle is offering a VIP ticket four-pack to the jump for $69. The pass includes a general parking pass, entry for four people and admission to the VIP jump zone, which will offer the best sight lines of the event.

The stunt will be performed by the Northeast Ohio Dukes, a group that has carried out similar jumps.

One of those jumps was supposed to be held during the recent Detroit Autorama, but grounded the car after expressing concerns over a Confederate battle flag seen on a Georgia license plate in the Smokey and the Bandit film.

Councilman Scott Benson said the car “still proudly flies a Confederate flag, which is a symbol of oppression, slavery, as well as home-bred American terrorism. So this body said we are not going to support that type of symbolism nor the audacity to support that type of activity in the city of Detroit,” reported the Detroit News.

Raymond Kohn, the head of the group, said in a statement on Facebook that the stunt car would not have had the Georgia license plate from the film.

“I never got a phone call from the city of Detroit,” he said. “They never asked me if we were going to put the state of Georgia flag on it. They never emailed me. They just assumed we were going to do this and all they had to do was ask me one simple question: Were we intending to put the flag on the car?

“I was even willing to put in writing that we were not going to put the Georgia plate on the car.”

At the time of the Detroit decision, the Facebook page of Northeast Ohio Dukes did not portray any Confederate imagery, including in photos of the jump vehicle. However, the group changed its profile photo to that of another car it jumped — a replica of the Dukes of Hazzard Dodge Charger — that prominently features a Confederate flag on the roof. The group has also either posted or shared several photos of people holding the Georgia license plate, which features the flag, and is also selling shirts the feature a Trans Am jump car bearing the plate.

In the same statement, Kohn said his group does not support white supremacy or any other negative connotations associated with the Confederate flag.

“We’re just children of the ’70s and ’80s that love the Dukes of Hazzard and love Smokey and the Bandit. All we want to do is pay tribute to a great man, a great actor and a great stuntman, Burt Reynolds.”

Gallery Geneva: Petroleum power not ready to retire just yet

Larry Edsall
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0
Gallery Geneva: Petroleum power not ready to retire just yet

Electric-powered vehicles may have taken the spotlight as the Geneva Motor Show opened its 11-day run this week, but petroleum-produced horsepower wasn’t quite ready to move to the sidelines, as evidenced at several of the stands, most prominently at Bugatti.

The historic French automaker, now part of the Volkswagen Group, unveiled a one-off La Voiture Noire that not only was its most expensive product — already sold for $12.4 million — but also its most powerful — the 8.0-liter, W16 engine pumping out 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque.

Though down a little on horsepower, Swedish supercar producer Koenigsegg unveiled at Geneva its challenger to break the 300 mph barrier, the lightweight but 1,280-horsepower Jesko. Carmaker Christian von Koenigsegg said he named his newest creation after his father, Jesko von Koenigsegg.

However, providing the Bugatti and Koenigsegg with a challenge in the horsepower race was the Pininfarina Battista, an electric hypercar with four electric motors providing 1,900 horsepower and nearly 1,700 pound-feet of torque. While it won’t do 300 mph, it is expected to reach 350 km/h (217 mph) when it rolls onto the roads as a limited-production 2020 model.

And like Koenigsegg’s Jesko, the Battista is named for a family father, Battista “Pinin” Farina, the designer and coachbuilder who founded the company that bears his name.

Like Switzerland itself, Geneva provides a neutral setting for the world’s automakers to display their latest and greatest production and concept cars, as well as some of their most historic. 

Big brass era collection highlights opening day at Amelia auctions

Larry Edsall
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0
Big brass era collection highlights opening day at Amelia auctions

Editor’s note: The ClassicCars.com Journal is your source for Amelia Island news – from collector car auctions and shows to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Read more of our coverage on our dedicated page.

The 2019 Amelia Island auctions kicked off  Thursday with Bonhams in its traditional time slot and with Russo and Steele joining the action for the first time, including several high-dollar lots, the Hagerty Insider reported as it began its daily coverage of the sales being held around the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Although only 58 percent of the lots offered Thursday were hammered sold (compared with 87 percent a year ago), the average sales price was $161,901, a hefty boost from the $149,919 figure in 2018. 

Hagerty said the big story Thursday involved the Don C. Boulton Collection of brass era cars, motorcycles and parts on offer at Bonhams. 

Russo and Steele made its debut Thursday on Amelia Island, though it sold only 27 of 91 lots on offer | Larry Printz photo

“For those into esoteric design and the early days of the automobile, it was an enticing group,” Hagerty Insider reported, adding that a 1914 Simplex 50HP “Speedcar” sold for $885,000, adding that “the mostly strong results for the Bouton cars should dispel the notion that nobody is interested in cars from the brass era. ” Hagerty pointed out that “having such a large selection of vehicles (and hard-to-find parts) from this era attracted enough interested, knowledgeable bidders and collectors to bolster the results.”

Bonhams posted the top two sales of the day, a 1930 Cadillac Series 452 Fleetwood roadster bringing $1,187,500 and a 1968 Repco Brabham-Cosworth BG26 BG26A race car selling for $1,105,000 (prices reported include buyer’s fee).

The top sale at Russo and Steele was for a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing” coupe that sold for $990,000. A 1961 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina coupe brought $665,500.

One of the famed Repack Brabham racing cars of the 1960s sold for more than $1.1 million Thursday at Bonhams | Andy Reid photo

Hagerty Insider noted that “things ramp up on Friday” with Gooding & Company (single-day sale) and also RM Sotheby’s (two-day event) beginning their sales and with Russo and Steele continuing.

Amelia Island auctions 2018

2019 results through Thursday

Total sales: $18.8 million

116/199 lots sold, 58 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $161,901

2018 results through Thursday

Total sales: $13.2 million

88/101 lots sold, 87 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $149,919

Overall top-10 sales

  1. 1930 Cadillac Series 452 Fleetwood roadster, $1,187,500 (Bonhams)
  2. 1968 Repco Brabham-Cosworth BT26 BT26A, $1,105,000 (Bonhams)
  3. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupe, $990,000 (Russo and Steele)
  4. 1913 Mercer Type 35J Raceabout roadster, $898,000 (Bonhams)
  5. 1914 Simplex 50HP Speedcar roadster, $885,000 (Bonhams)
  6. 1904 Peerless Type 8 Style K JM Quinby Co. Runabout, $698,000 (Bonhams)
  7. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT coupe, $665,500 (Russo and Steele)
  8. 1998 Ruf 911 Turbo R coupe, $626,500 (Bonhams)
  9. 1904 Thomas Model 22 3-cylinder tonneau, $489,000 (Bonhams)
  10. 1929 Bentley 4 1/2-liter sport tourer Vanden Plas roadster, $472,500 (Bonhams)

Results by auction company

Bonhams

2019 results

Total sales: $15.4 million

89/108 lots sold, 82 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $173,468

  1. 1930 Cadillac Series 452 Fleetwood roadster, $1,187,500
  2.  1968 Repco Brabham-Cosworth BT26 BT26A, $1,105,000
  3. 1913 Mercer Type 35J Raceabout roadster, $898,000
  4. 1914 Simplex 50HP Speedcar roadster, $885,000
  5. 1904 Peerless Type 8 Style K JM Quinby Co. Runabout, $698,000
  6. 1998 Ruf 911 Turbo R coupe, $626,500
  7. 1904 Thomas Model 22 3-cylinder tonneau, $489,000
  8. 1929 Bentley 4 1/2-liter sport tourer Vanden Plas roadster, $472,500
  9. 1908 Welch Model 4-L 50HP touring, $456,000
  10. 1907 Tincher Model H 60HP touring, $423,000

2018 results

Total sales: $13.2 million

88/101 lots sold, 87 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $149,919

Russo and Steele

Total sales: $3.3 million

27/91 lots sold, 30 percent sell-through rate

Average sale price: $123,774

  1. 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupe, $990,000
  2. 1960 Ferrari 250 GT coupe, $665,500
  3. 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, $231,000
  4. 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster, $181,500
  5. 2012 Ferrari 458 race car, $134,750
  6. 1997 Porsche 911 Andial coupe, $129,250
  7. 2017 Mercede-Benz G550, $126,500
  8. 2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT coupe, $115,500
  9. 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C roadster, $104,500
  10. 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz convertible, $91,300

2018 results

Read more Amelia Island auction coverage:

Resto-mod 1973 Jeep Commando with Chevy V8 and off-road gear

Bob Golfen
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2
Resto-mod 1973 Jeep Commando with Chevy V8 and off-road gear

The Arizona desert is great country for driving off road, with rugged trails, boulders to climbs and steep, rocky grades that test both your 4X4 and yourself.  The thing is, to really get back in isolated country, you need a sturdy machine that won’t poop out or break something in the middle of nowhere.

And, of course, you want to rough it with style.

The Pick of the Day looks like just the thing, a tough 1973 Jeep Commando that has been bestowed with the power and reliability of a Chevy 350cid V8 and Turbo 400 automatic transmission.

Jeep
The Commando comes with a full length hard top

You could refer to this as a resto-mod since it maintains the look of the longer-wheelbase Commando, although with a mild lift and 32-inch Falcon all-terrain tires on US Mag alloy wheels.

And the Jeep’s not so highly finished that you’d worry about getting a few dings or scratches (what Zonies call desert pinstripes) while bounding through the countryside. There are already a few scratches, chips and worn spots. according to the Denver, Colorado, dealer advertising the Jeep on ClassicCars.com.

The repainted Commando is most certainly presentable, though, and the interior looks to be in decent shape.  The truck has 80,000 miles showing on its odometer.

Jeep
The interior has been tastefully upgraded

Other upgrades and recent service include KYN shocks, custom steel bumpers front and rear, Equus gauges, a Rhino-lined floor, a roll bar, redone seats and a custom center console, the seller says.

Mechanically, the truck has a rebuilt Rochester 2-barrel carburetor, an HEI electronic distributor, power steering and, of course, Jeep’s signature 4-wheel-drive system.

The Commando was Jeep’s replacement for the Jeepster and by 1973 had been restyled with a conventional full-width grille, which makes it less-popular among Jeep aficionados who favor the traditional front-end look handed down through the years from the WWII military Jeeps.

Jeep
The Chevy V8 sits in a clean engine compartment

No matter since this solid craft looks built for using, not collecting or investing.  The price tag seems rock bottom as well, at $14,900.

Just don’t tell your friends that you’re “going Commando” since in today’s slang, that means going without underwear.  And that’s nobody’s business but your own.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

What Andy likes best at RM Sotheby’s 2019 Amelia Island auction

Andy Reid
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0
What Andy likes best at RM Sotheby’s 2019 Amelia Island auction

Editor’s note: The ClassicCars.com Journal is your source for Amelia Island news – from collector car auctions and shows to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Read more of our coverage on our dedicated page.

RM Sotheby’s is the anchor tenant as well as the official auction for the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. While focused on sports and racing cars, this auction is also a place where you can find something for everyone whether their interests are in pre-war American cars or even cars for the first-time collector. The one thing in common is that all of the cars tend to be the best examples of that model available.

That is definitely the case again, but this year RM Sotheby’s continues to expand on the young-timer collection idea and has brought a number of seriously hot up-and-coming collector cars. A few of these made my picks and I’m sure you will see as you go through the list of the cars I most want to add to my own collection. 

Like my other picks from Amelia, these are sorted by date, but in this case all are post-war cars:

1949 Maserati A6 1500/3C Berlinetta by Pinin Farina

This stunning early Maserati was likely my favorite car for sale this week at Amelia. This specific car is the first of only 10 examples factory-equipped with triple Weber carburetors, was originally sold to Isabella Quarantotti, famed writer and playwright, and has period competition history. I love the early Pinin Farina styling and would love to have this very drivable piece of Maserati history in my garage.

1956 AC Ace-Bristol

No, this is not a Shelby, it is the car that came before Shel’ created the Cobra. It’s the AC Bristol. I have driven these cars and find them better balanced and much more elegant. This AC is one of only 463 Ace-Bristols produced between 1954 and 1963. This specific car is the most stunningly restored example I have seen in 20 years of attending auctions and judging at concours. This has to be the best example available and I want it.

1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage convertible

Yes, I love Astons and I love the DB5 the best. This is an amazing example of one of seven factory-original DB5 Vantage convertibles. The color combination though not original to this car, looks stunning and I would likely keep this Aston forever.

1965 Porsche 911

I love early Porsche 911 cars and like the other cars at RM Sotheby’s, this early 911 was an example of a car that has been lovingly cared for. Finished in its original Aga Blue over Beige interior and a numbers-matching example with only 78,874 original miles, this is the early 911 I would most want this weekend. I love the details on the earlier of these cars including the wood dash and steering wheel. The buyer is going to love it.

1990 BMW M3

This BMW M3 is an example of an absolute time capsule. A completely original car that has covered only 27,800 miles, it is a true example of a survivor car. This M3 has also benefitted from thousands of dollars of recent service on mechanical parts to insure that this car is as close to a new car as you can get. A true No. 2 plus example of an E30 M3 and likely to sell for serious money. I love these cars for their boy racer look and the purity that the first M3 model offers. This is the E30 M3 I would buy.

1990 AAR-Toyota Eagle HF89

This car ticks many boxes for me. First, it is from an era in which sports car racing was, to me, at it’s pinnacle of design and performance and second, it was created by my friend Dan Gurney at AAR. This is a weapons-grade race car that has a history that includes being driven by Juan Manuel Fangio II to Toyota’s first IMSA GTP victory. This car is eligible for the Monterey Motorsports Reunion and I would love to be behind the wheel of it there after some serious coaching from my friend Tommy Kendall. 

1993 Mazda RX-7

When the final generation of the RX-7 was introduced, I could not believe that Mazda could produce such an amazing looking and performing car. I love Mazda as a brand and this is likely to forever be the pinnacle of its sports car development. This RX-7 has less than 13,600 miles from new and only two owners during that time. Finding an RX-7 this exceptional is difficult to say the least and this car is likely to raise some eyebrows with it’s sale price. Buy it now or pay more later, and that is only if you can locate an example this great that is for sale.

1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

From the Youngtimers collection, this car (see top photo) is a great example of up and—coming collector cars that have yet to reach their peak. This car has less than 2,800 miles from new and only two owners from new. This has to be one of the lowest mileage, all-original examples in the world and would make a great car to buy before it gets to be too expensive.

RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island sale starts at 5 p.m. Friday, March 8, with a second round launching at 11 a.m. March 9.

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Project management: How to plan your car restoration

Jake Mayne
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Project management: How to plan your car restoration

The first goal in a car restoration is to build a project plan that you will use to adjust the main elements of cost and schedule until your plan works for you; what you can afford and the quality you desire are the big drivers here.

Since most of us have more time than money, yet desire safety and quality, schedule takes a back seat. A common saying in project management is “plan your work and work your plan.”

I used to cringe when I heard this after being in the trenches of managing projects for Fortune 500 companies. There are many outside factors that can affect even the best laid-out project plan. Most often, it is the client or owner and their desired changes in project scope that will derail a cost item or an established schedule in a project plan.

A good project manager will build in cost and schedule reserves to mitigate these changes affecting the project. Managing expectations is half the battle. For car hobbyists, let’s just try to manage our own expectations — and maybe the expectations of our spouses.

It is important to know what you want to end up with before you begin a project. It is also important to know what resources and or skills you have.

Resources are things like money, a garage, a shop, a truck, a trailer, tools, and time.

Next, think about what amount of work you want to do? Are you a do-it-yourselfer? Do you enjoy the dirty work of a tear down? Do you have the patience to put in a headliner? Are you comfortable vacuuming up rat and raccoon scat and coming face to face with live snakes? Are you OK with getting stung by a swarm of bees?

The answers to these questions will determine what, if any, of the work on your build is outsourced. Often times, even though you have the skill to do something, it is a better value to outsource. Examples: honing your engine block, porting heads, sandblasting parts, etc. There are service providers who have the tooling and equipment to do the work. Buying the equipment to use once, or even twice, is not prudent.

Another example is a simple as a car trailer. A car trailer can cost $2,000 to $3,000. You many only need to haul your car a handful of times. A tow-truck service, even at $120 per haul, might be a better value. Moreover, storing the trailer may not be an option where you live.

Another example is a welder. Even though you took that welding class in high school and know how, maybe having a professional welder do the work is a better way to go.

Don’t get me wrong, having a car trailer, a small sandblaster, a blasting cabinet and even a small 220 amp welder are fun, effective tools to use as an automotive hobbyist. But understand your budget and skills and resources before you begin.

This is a hobby and learning a skill and understanding the tooling used is fulfilling. Moreover, you can use such skill on future projects. Once you complete your first project plan or estimate of cost and schedule, you may need to come back and re-consider what work you will be doing. We also need to do an exercise what vendors you have access to. Keep that in the back of your head for now.

Now, think about what you want to end up with. First and foremost, it should be something safe if for use on public roads. The level of quality and functionality (performance) also are to be considered. Determine what you want. Find pictures. Build out what you want on paper and lay it all out on your kitchen table. Get what is in your head out in front of you to see.

Maybe the build you want already exists, or a least a close version. Go talk to that owner and go see the car in person, ride in it if you can. Ask what they would do differently. Research.

Costs: To establish a budget on your build, build a spreadsheet. I have a pretty standard template I use for my builds:

Task or item Work done by or vendor Cost Time (Days)
Acquisition cost Wife $15,000 N/A
Tear down Me 20
Engine build AMC Machine $8,000 60
Valve covers Company name ?
Tires Company name $500
Sandblasting L&L Blasting $1,200
Bodywork/paint Itz Custom Cuz Stock Sucks $15000 120
Assembly Me 90
Re-chrome bumpers Keystone $700
Stainless polishing Me 7
Transmission rebuild BJE Transmission $1,200 14
Partial total $41,600

Separate the outsourced work from the work you will be doing. Then, separate out parts from outsourced labor. Group similar items together. Run a total in each category and analyze. Then run a grand total. Build out your spreadsheet so as each cell or value changes the category total and grand total will change.

Do these costs work for you? Can you realistically afford this? Re-adjust items and/or re-source less expensive parts and/or look for a better value.

You are collecting estimates for your project. You are determining how your project will be executed. The more time in planning and researching the more options you will have to decide on how your build will be executed.

Take your time here. Be as accurate as you can. SWAGS (silly wild-a** guesses) should be avoided, they corrupt your data.

I also use the spreadsheets for historic reference, so include web links to vendors and their phone numbers. I track parts received and returned as well, along with order numbers.

A note on outsourcing: In other blog articles I discuss vendor management, finding body shops, machine shops, upholstery shops etc. Remember, join local car clubs, go to swap meets, network and learn who is who in your area. Get more than one source for a given task. Go talk with them in person and see their shop.

Using a buddy’s brother in a back woods pole barn with a dirt floor to assemble your engine is not worth it. Price is one thing, but actually getting quality work done, and on time, is more important.

The schedule: For outsourced work, what are the timeframes? Lay this info out on your spreadsheet or a timeline. Use a day count or a month count if need be. Generate a total.

Compile the plan: Bring it all together. You now have your project plan. Adjust the plan as needed to fit your goals and resources. Analyze, re-shop, rethink and re-research.

Next, in Part 3: Executing your build

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