#Pontiac 2+2 428 Hardtop Coupe | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

itsworn · 7 years

Text

There is No Shortage of Cool Muscle Cars. Check Out These Alternative 1960s & 1970s Models

Last month I presented the idea that there is no need to pout and begrudge that investors and the wealthy are ruining the hobby and making your favorite car out of reach. Thanks to the Internet, enthusiasts are able to cast a wider net, yet maintaining an open mind will help you realize there is no shortage of cool cars. The payoff will be the thrill of finding a special-interest vehicle that may not have previously appeared on your radar (plus, less negativity in the hobby). Here are some ideas to get your noggin going.

1968 Cyclone Coupe When Mercury redesigned the Cyclone for 1968, the division discontinued the convertible but added a contemporary fastback. Both Cyclone hardtop and fastback were available as base and GT models, with the fastback heavily overshadowing the coupe. Standard was a tepid 302 two-barrel, but big-blocks up to the 428 CJ were available to snag your attention. Only 1,368 of these obscurities were built (334 of them GTs), so it’s no surprise that the coupe met its demise at the end of the model year.

1970 Coronet Deluxe Tired of overpriced Mopar cartoon cars, even 383s? Then here’s your solution. The Deluxe was the lowest Coronet on the totem pole, and the top engine available was the 330hp 383 four-barrel. This is like taking the “El Cheapo” Road Runner/Super Bee formula and distilling it even more. The 1970 model has unique styling, and if you opted for the four-speed you received a 5hp bump that made the 383 identical to the Super Bee’s. If you have trouble finding one of the 13 built (U.S.-spec), get inspired and build one.

1968-1969 Tempest/LeMans The GTO got all the glory while another Pontiac performance A-Body flew under the radar: the 350 H.O. Rated at 320 horses in 1968 and upped 10 for 1969, this “High Output” engine created what could be considered Pontiac’s junior supercar, although it lacked any image, unlike the GTO. This may explain its obscurity despite 5,801 being built in 1968 and another 4,238 for 1969 (the bulk being LeMans versions). Hi-Performance Cars magazine tested one with the Royal Bobcat package and scored a 14.35 e.t.

1967 American American Motors joined the high-performance fray in 1967 with the 280hp 343 Typhoon engine. The BorgWarner T10 four-speed was the only transmission for the compact American, creating a car that was practically one gene removed from the 390-powered SC/Rambler that appeared two years later. The 343 American was available as a demure 202 two-door sedan up to the snazzy Rogue convertible. Expert Mark Fletcher believes a little more than 100 were built, yet it’s a worthy Q-ship to keep on your radar.

1970 1/2 Falcon The compact Falcon was discontinued at the end of 1969, but a slight economic recession at the dawn of 1970 gave Ford reason to introduce a cut-rate midsizer with a familiar name. The new Falcon offered the only pillared two-door among all Fairlane/Torino models, and then disappeared for 1971. The rare 429 CJ Falcon has received plenty of visibility, but have you seen a Falcon with the 300hp 351 Cleveland (even with a Shaker)? Back then, 373 people (per Marti Auto Works) sought fit to order one to try to fool the unsuspecting.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Chevys always command top dollar, and the 1970 Chevelle is among the most popular. So what’s it doing here? Because the big-block was not restricted to the SS for 1970. The 402 (née 396) was available as RPO LS3 with 330 hp. Sure, you didn’t receive the SS’s domed hood and fancy gauges, but you could opt for D88 skunk stripes and look the part. Despite 9,338 402 Chevelles being built, they can be hard to come by, so consider the more numerous, affordable (and low-compression) 1971-1972s.

1968-1969 Oldsmobile F-85/Cutlass What’s interesting about these cars is that the basic 350 four-barrel (standard on Cutlass Supreme, optional otherwise) put out 310 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, impressive for a pedestrian vehicle. The 1970 Rallye 350 made do with the same equipment but looked the part and is uncommon; these regular models have clean styling and are easy to find. It’s certainly no W-31, but the 350 responds well to mods and actually may be more impressive in terms of horsepower per cubic inch than the 4-4-2’s 455.

Doll Packages An April 1969 Oldsmobile document titled “The Complete Automotive Performance Car Scene” reads: “Recently among younger enthusiasts, a trend has been developing appearance packages aside from power train considerations …” Automakers began to offer candy normally associated with performance cars for regular models: mags, custom steering wheels, racing mirrors, white-letter Wide Ovals, spoilers, monochromatic and blackout themes, and rear slats. The Cutlass shown here could feature GT stripes and Super Stock II wheels with a six; the 1972 Plymouth Satellite coupe could have a 318 with the V24 hood and decklid stripes plus spoilers. You get the idea.

Malaise Muscle Cars I was too young to know the 1970s sucked, but, like music from the era, there is so much that’s cool too. When manufacturers began to pretend that high performance never existed, they touted handling prowess instead. The 1975-1976 Buick “Free Spirit” pace cars, 1973-1977 Pontiac LeMans GTs, and 1974 Mercury Montego hardtop with the “daringly fresh” Montego Sports Appearance Group are unusual, rare, and need boosters to save them from obscurity.

Wes Drager scored this 1968 Cyclone GT coupe for $6,800. Only 125 were built with the 390/auto.

The post There is No Shortage of Cool Muscle Cars. Check Out These Alternative 1960s & 1970s Models appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/no-shortage-cool-muscle-cars-check-alternative-1960s-1970s-models/ via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Hot Rod Network

0 notes

itsworn · 7 years

Text

Mecum’s 30th Annual Spring Classic Auction Makes Big Splash

Value. Demand. Access. The three factors that play into pricing on all collectibles come together in the auction setting. The value part is the possibility of buying low or selling high depending on which side of the auction you’re on. The demand is made real by both singular examples or a variety of cars being offered at the event. The access is the reality that you will get this opportunity, here and now.

For 30 years, Dana Mecum has been doing just that at his Spring Classic, a show that has emerged as one of the largest offerings of muscle on the yearly schedule. Held the weekend before the legendary Indy 500 race, this show fills up most of the larger exhibit buildings on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, located just northeast of the capitol city.

Festooned with banners and signage denoting that 30-year period, five days of the 2017 action saw a landmark sale: More than 1,600 cars crossed the auction block, with some 1,200 selling, for a sales percentage of 73 percent and gross receipts of $55.6 million. There were some surprises, at the high and low end, but for the most part the auction was a solid barometer of current market conditions. With NBC-SN crews filming much of the action during the event’s larger days, the excitement is palatable as the hammer pounds out, “Sold!”

The Shape of Yenko and Corvette Things

Two exotics, a 1996 Porsche 911 and a 1967 Toyota 2000GT, topped the list of the 10 highest sale prices at Indy, followed by seven classic muscle era American cars and a 2006 Ford GT. The top U.S. machine was a one-family, unrestored, 8,500-mile 1967 L71 (427/435hp) Corvette at $675,000, followed by a 1963 Z06 Vette at $410,000. A second 1967 Corvette at $310,000 landed in the eight spot.

Leading the traditional muscle cars was an LS6 SS454 Chevelle convertible, red-on-red from Canada, at $385,000, followed by a Pastel Blue Boss 429 Mustang at $335,000, a 1969 Fathom Blue COPO Yenko Camaro at $330,000, the late-model GT, and an unrestored FY1 Top Banana yellow 1970 Hemi ’Cuda at $295,000 to make the 10th spot.

The $675,000 price was by far the highest recently generated in public for an L71 Corvette, and may have been based on its one-family ownership and accompanying story. That the four blue chip muscle cars were so close together is a telling sign of present value and interest, as all were on the same level in terms of pedigree. The ’Cuda may have been a little soft but was in line with where averages on this model have been for 2017, generating a premium between 75 and 100 percent due to its exceptional originality.

Quality Corvettes appear to be moving upward in general, reclaiming what has traditionally been their pinnacle position in postwar car collecting. Muscle cars are not seeing the types of dramatic increases we have witnessed in past years, and perhaps this was why several COPO Chevrolets did not meet reserve, led off by a ZL1 at $525,000 and a number of Yenko Super Cars. Nonetheless, better examples continue to push to a quarter-million dollars or above regardless of whether the present owners chose to sell them here. Outside the realm of the truly high-end examples, however, it looked like sellers were selling and buyers were buying.

Mopar or No Car

Mopars have been hot recently, but pricing appears to be leveling out a bit. This auction did not see any truly huge-interest cars, such as real Hemi Daytonas, 1971 Hemi ’Cudas, or B-Body convertibles, but did showcase a variety of Hemi Challengers, ’Cudas, Chargers, and Road Runners. The Hemi E-Body models were consistently between $130,000 and $160,000, while the B-Body examples actually were very reasonable, including a 1966 Hemi Charger four-speed that sold for $50,000 and several others under the $100,000 margin. Exceptions were cars in original paint, which did very well, including an FM3 1970 Duster 340 that was won at $46,000, an AAR ’Cuda in FY1 at $110,000, and a Tor-Red 1969 440-6 Road Runner at $120,000. Big block B-Bodies were in abundance, including the largest selection of gen-two Chargers in recent memory, and many of them did sell.

Two Mopar areas that did enjoy increased interest were E-Body 440-four-barrel (1970 only U-code) and pristine unrestored “muscle body” cars. A beautiful 1968 225-inch Slant Six Belvedere coupe (think 1968 Road Runner) took a big $30,000 bid, while a very nice Coronet with 440 body trim (but a 318 underhood) took $18,000. These were solid prices on cars that were probably being looked at as entry-level collector cars. Both had low mileage with excellent factory paint and preservation. In terms of the U-codes, which have never been strong in the face of Six Pack and Hemi brethren, an older restored red-on-red convertible brought $120,000, a one-family 1970 R/T in blue with white interior and power windows took a strong $110,000 bid, and a red-on-red Challenger R/T convertible from Canada garnered $105,000. The latter had power galore and was believed to have once been owned by Bob Hope, with a trunk-load of memorabilia attesting to that fact.

Aero cars were a mixed bag. Two 1969 Hemi Charger 500s, one the former factory show car owned by the Wellborns, were bid to $110,000 and $95,000; both returned home with their owners. The gentleman selling the above-mentioned Bob Hope Challenger, Clarence Arnoldussen, also offered a 1969 Daytona, the only one at this event. Exceptionally redone in white with red wing and interior, the former 440-four speed car had received an OE-appearing Hemi install and sold for a big $225,000. Of the three Superbirds here, one with the U-code 440 four-barrel went home unsold, one with a Six Pack was sold after the fact through Mecum’s The Bid Goes On process at $181,500, and the sole Hemi version on hand, with a documented 9,800 miles, brought a winning bid of $230,000. While $230,000 seems low, especially on such a low-mileage example, the car had a column shift and that may have hurt it. In appearance the car was flawless, and its new owners are probably very happy to have it.

The Last (429 SCJ Mustang) Shall Be First

Ford big-block Mustangs were also strong here, but none more so than the final 1971 429 Mach 1 built. Indeed, this was the final Super Cobra Jet install in the body, the final big-block Mustang built, and the final big-block Mach 1. All that plus originality pushed it to a winning hammer call of $191,000 after a spirited back-and-forth between a floor bidder and a determined phone bidder. This was a huge price for a 1971 Mustang, but again, to a collector desiring to say that he or she has the “final everything” in Mustang big-block history, it was a worthwhile fight. The associated pilot model of this same car finished in more traditional territory at $77,000.

Shelby sales were strong, with G.T. 500KRs selling for the most part around $125,000-$175,000. The ex–Dave Lyall 1968 Cobra Jet changed hands at $140,000, while the Dyno Don Nicholson example was a no-sale here. The Boss 429s found buyers at $220,000 and up, going home below that margin. Surprisingly good was the $125,000 for a 1971 Boss 351 Mach 1 in concours shape, and a very big $180,000 for a 1970 Cougar XR7 convertible in silver with 428CJ power.

If you are looking for a Ford collector car, the midsize Torinos, even with the highly visible Cobra Jet style engines, remain affordable. Cases in point were a 1970 Cobra model with 429 power in red at $26,000 and a beautiful unrestored 1968 R-code 428 fastback with a one-of-one Marti report, MCACN Vintage Legend Certification, and a final bid of just $31,000. Indeed, other than the aforementioned Cougar and a very rare 1964 427 Super Marauder at an even $100,000, you could have gotten into any muscle car Mercury on the property, including convertibles, for under $50,000.

Those Other GMs: B-O-P and a Little More Chevy

GM division brands pushed muscle as much as the Bowtie crew. While nothing was comparable to the Corvette or supercar dealer specials pricewise, money was still being spent. Top of the Buicks was a 1970 Stage 1 convertible that hammered to $170,000 to sell, followed by an award-winning Saturn Yellow GSX of the same vintage at $150,000. Two others did not meet the reserves. Bought right were a 1967 GS400 convertible at $28,000 and a 1964 Riviera, 465 Wildcat–powered, at $23,000. One Olds topped the Buick, a 1970 4-4-2 W-30 convertible in red that went to $187,500. That was followed by a two-tone paint 1966 version with the 1-of-54-built drag equipment (W-30 forced air, L69 tri-power, battery in trunk, radio delete) that brought $92,000. The best deal from Dr. Olds was a 1969 400ci 4-4-2 convertible, numbers-matched in presentable shape, at $27,500.

Pontiac’s GTO is another bellwether vehicle on the marketplace, with no fewer than 32 available here. Like the Hemi Mopars, none of the ultrarare convertibles were offered, and indeed, bidding was below $100,000 on all of them, with the highest The Bid Goes On being a Ram Air IV from 1969 at $70,000. Meanwhile, selling highest were a similar year RA IV Judge at $93,000, a 1970 four-speed RA IV GTO at $80,000, and a second Judge at $71,000. However, none of the vintage Goats fell under $25,000, the best buy being a 1965 four-barrel 389 hardtop at $28,000.

Of the 1,665 cars here, more than 600 came from the Chevrolet division. These ran the gamut from basic drivers to high-end rebuilds. Among the 55 Chevelles, following the $385,000 leader was a one-off 1970 Canadian COPO (special Daytona Yellow paint) LS6/M22 Rock Crusher combo that sold very well at $140,000, followed by another 1970 396/375 L78 at an even $100,000. A Yenko version at $210,000 was the top nonseller in this group. Camaros were also big here. Though $300,000 failed to buy a 1968 SS/RS model 427 Yenko, numerous other first-gens were selling in the $30,000-$60,000 range. One supercar that did sell was a documented 1970 LT1 350/360hp version of the Z28 sold new through the Nickey franchise; it brought $87,500. A standard version of this same model, unrestored with provenance, sold for $100,000. A couple of Pro Touring type Camaros sold at more than $100,000 as well. Camaros remain abundant in many formats, and you can pretty much pick your price range on them, with gen-one models maintaining overall attraction in the F-Body community.

What Time Is It?

We would have to say if you have been considering making a purchase, conditions are good for that. A number of sellers told us they were not getting exactly what they had hoped but were happy to sell within the margin the cars were getting here. As an indirect result, some wholesale muscle car buyers were not able to take much new home with them. Our analysis would therefore be that this auction represented a pretty realistic view of pricing overall right now; cars that brought exceptional money were exceptional, and cars that were solid in terms of paperwork and appearance were also solid in pricing. Reserves are one of things that has benefited sellers at the Mecum events over the years, and we heard “The reserve is off!” over and over during the event. Happy anniversary, Mecum!

For full auction results visit mecum.com.

This LS5 convertible, red on red with spectacular provenance, led the American muscle car brigade with a $385,000 sale. Though a handful of other cars garnered higher bids without being sold, this was the top non-Corvette domestic model vehicle to change hands.

The last big-block Mustang to be built, a 1971 Mach 1 with 429 SCJ power, was the most impressive Ford sale of the weekend, though a couple of Boss 429s garnered more money on the block. At $190,000, this was the highest priced 1971 Mustang known to have changed hands.

The head of the Mopar class was a winning $295,000 bid on this original paint 1970 Hemi ’Cuda, which was unrestored and with its original driveline intact. Based on the $150,000-$175,000 prices seen on these cars recently, this was a reasonable premium on this vehicle.

The only real ZL1 Camaro on hand this year was this example, and the owner kept it after it went to $525,000 on the block. Thanks to Mecum’s process called The Bid Goes On, this car could still be available.

The legendary FM3 Moulin Rouge (Panther Pink) on this Duster 340 was original and impressive, pushing the closing price to a great $46,000.

Pricing on many traditional muscle cars was solid but not outrageous. The owner of this 1970 Ram Air IV Judge took off the reserve and sold this car for $80,000; others brought a little more, but this one, with PHS provenance and a MCACN Gold award, was a lot of car for the money.

Unique in that its Daytona Yellow paint required a COPO code, this Canadian-sold LS6 was another north-of-the-border car coming to the States thanks to the current exchange rate. At $140,000 U.S., we would say the owner chose wisely.

The 1967 Camaro pace car was right at home in Indy and, for $60,000, went to a new home before the event ended.

Meanwhile, this tribute to the 1966 pace car, the Mercury Comet Cyclone GT, featured lettering, an upgraded 427 eight-barrel engine, and a nice $38,000 final winning bid.

The 1970 LT1 Z28 was only built one year with high compression. An unrestored version brought an even $100,000, and this example, with mods and provenance from Chicago-area dealer Nickey Chevrolet, hammered sold at $87,500.

The top selling domestic car was this 1967 L71 Corvette, lovingly bought and cared for by a Vietnam vet who later succumbed to the effects of Agent Orange–related cancer. His family agreed to sell the amazingly unmolested car (it had never been washed with water, just toweled off after short drives). After serious bidding, it took home a record $675,000.

The owner of this Z11 1963 Impala chose not to sell it even when bidding climbed to a serious $305,000. The car, once tuned by Ronnie Sox, was well known in the hobby and was one of a handful of very unique race-oriented cars on hand.

Wow, $30,000 was required to bring home this amazingly original 1968 Belvedere two-door sedan! Under the hood of this never-molested, always-treasured 18,000-mile beauty was the leaning “tower of power,” Chrysler’s ubiquitous 225ci Slant Six.

Reposing on a set of stands, this Cougar XR7 was obviously special. We did, too, when we featured it in Muscle Car Review back in 2003. Complete with one-of-one documentation via a Marti Report and beautifully restored, the car took home a very healthy $180,000 final bid.

One of the best deals made over the course of the event was on this low-mileage Hemi Superbird, which had provenance to back up its appearance. On Friday afternoon somebody took it home for $230,000, considerably below its estimate. Having a column shift did not help matters, but we felt this was probably one of the better high-visibility buys at Indy 2017.

Tired of walking? Hey, take the Dodge Thrill Ride, where professional pilots will show you how to drive it like they stole it. Just wait for an hour after lunch if you have a weak stomach! Seriously, the Indy fairgrounds made it possible to watch these guys in action. The faces of the riders made you smile, at least until you, yourself, were “that guy.”

The post Mecum’s 30th Annual Spring Classic Auction Makes Big Splash appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/mecums-30th-annual-spring-classic-auction-makes-big-splash/ via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Hot Rod Network

0 notes