Tag: MG

ON THE BLOCK: The $1,000,000 Fort Lauderdale Challenge

March 26, 2015 / moto+match / 0 Comments

After a successful haul in our $2,000,000 Amelia Island Challenge, we’re heading south to the Auctions America sale in Fort Lauderdale. Our Petrolhead Godmother continues with her generosity; this time with $1,000,000 to play with this weekend. Using Auction America’s HIGH estimate, choose one or choose several cars (no motorbikes or automobilia) that you would like to bring home. We’ll get started:

Lot 108 — 1973 Peugeot 504 Cabriolet
Estimate $30,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $13,500 including premium

Featured in a Pick Of The Day last year, this is an presentable example of a car rarely seen on these shores. While it shows signs of wear and previous body repairs, this Peugeot 504 has had recent paint and is a complete example of a classic Pininfarina styling.

Lot 177 — 1978 Aston Martin V8 Volante
Estimate $150,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $151,250 including premium

Not much information is in the catalog beyond the history of the V8 as a model, but this looks to be a rather tidy example, complete with books and tools. Although it is an automatic, it would still make for some very pleasant open touring.

Lot 226 — 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo (930)
Estimate $85,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $82,250 including premium

Although we aren’t given an odometer reading other than its condition belies the miles, this looks to be an excellent original example of a one-year-only 5-speed 930. Its high estimate would appear to be a bargain relative to other 1989s in like condition (not to mention the 1976 model that runs earlier in the day, estimated at $200,000).

Lot 317 — 1935 Ford Model A “Ratrod’ Pickup
Estimate $40,000
UPDATE: STILL FOR SALE high bid $26,000

This is another one of those lots that we’d chase only when Petrolhead Godmother is footing the bill, but that said, it is dandy. Powered by a 350 V8, its steel body has been chopped, stanced, channeled and dropped. Period wheels and tires cover front disc brakes. A very nicely built blend of bootleg-era looks and contemporary performance.

Lot 356 — 1949 Cadillac Series 61 Club Coupe Sedanette
Estimate $65,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $55,000 including premium

The C-Body Cadillacs of 1948 and 1949 brought together big advances in engineering with the overhead-valve V8 and alluring looks. Here we see the first nubs of Harley Earl’s tailfins punctuating a sleek and graceful body, particularly in the fastback “Sedanette” form. This one form 1949 was a former barn find restored to its current condition with a rebuilt original drivetrain. It’s a positively gorgeous American cruiser that is said to drive quite well.

Lot 472 — 1981 Renault R5 Turbo
Estimate $75,000
UPDATE: SOLD FOR $49,500 including premium

The Renault R5 Turbo is in many ways an answer to a question no-one was asking. It’s a completely insane answer, yet it makes perfect sense at the same time. Take a pedestrian Renault R5 (what we might remember as Le Car) and transform it into a mid-engined beast that eats supercars for breakfast. This example looks to have been restored at some point to what appears to be a high degree, yet appears to have been used as intended which is to drive the merde out of it. What’s not to love?

Lot 486 — 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary
Estimate $425,000
UPDATE: STILL FOR SALE high bid of $320,000

Petrolhead Godmother always says, “if you get thrown from a bull, get right back on.” We missed out on the Lamborghini Countach 5000S Quattrovalvole at Gooding and Company’s Amelia Island sale earlier this month, thus we’re somewhat compelled to try again. This time it’s the ultimate expression of the Countach, the coveted 25th Anniversary model. This one shows beautifully in its classic Italian combination of red on tan. With a recent service and less than 21,000 km, it promises to be appropriately raging.

Lot 622 — 1948 MG TC
Estimate $52,000
UPDATE: STILL FOR SALE high bid $37,500

Few capture the charm of early British motoring the way an MG TC does. Future TDs and TFs were already becoming too modern. This one from 1948 has been used sparingly since undergoing an older high quality restoration. It condition remains show worthy, but this little thing begs to be thrown on the open road, only stopping for a picnic. The Clipper Blue finish is a nice departure as well.

We came to a total of $922,000. Buyer’s premiums will put us slightly over the million dollar mark, but once again we’ll err on the side of excess when spending the Petrolhead Godmother’s money. Let us know what your picks are in comments.

For the complete Auctions America Fort Lauderdale 2015 results click here.

ON THE BLOCK: What to Watch Mecum Kissimmee 2015 – Friday, January 16

January 15, 2015 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Lot J50 – 1970 Honda 600
moto+match estimate: $15,000
UPDATE: Sold for $8,500

Two current trends—Japanese nostalgia and “cute”—converge in this 1970 Honda 600 2-door Coupe. While aftermarket parts such as the roof rack and modern stereo head unit have been added to make it a more enjoyable cars-n-coffee driver, it also appears that a great deal of attention has been paid to preserving the car’s original character. A comparable Beetle, Mini or Fiat 500 would easily approach or eclipse the $25K mark, while the early Honda remains somewhat of a sleeper.

Lot J54 – 1928 Ford Model A Woody Wagon
moto+match estimate: $28,000
UPDATE: High bid of $20,000

This Woody is hovering somewhere between partial restoration and original or older restoration. Nevertheless its rarity warrants completing the job and resisting any modifications. An early run number on the auction’s first day might also make bidding less competitive and could present an opportunity for a relative bargain.

Lot J56 – 1972 MG MGB MK III Roadster
moto+match estimate: $18,000
UPDATE: Sold for $9,500

This is a case of an owner choosing to restore a car to a very high standard, but also to fit their tastes. It features an earlier MK II grille (yet curiously retains the Sabrina bumpers) as well as modified—i.e., better—electrical, carburetion, suspension, and brakes. These are relatively easy things to correct, should instant owner desire a black-letter restoration. It also has the optional aluminum hood, but does not appear to have overdrive. Although British roadsters have been on a slight decline since peaking a year ago, this is a quality B that could still prove to be an excellent long-term investment whilst enjoying sensible everyday improvements.

Lot J116 – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
moto+match estimate: $36,000
UPDATE: Sold for $38,000

One wouldn‘t expect to come across a ‘69 Camaro SS—especially one that appears to be done to a higher standard—on the first day of a 10-day auction, yet here it is. True, it doesn‘t have the cachet of its L89 or L78 siblings, but the L48 350 is a perfectly capable powerplant. Mated to what looks to be a Muncie M-21 4-speed, this has everything anyone wishing to get into American Muscle or HiPony cars could ask for. It‘s modestly optioned with a houndstooth interior, power steering, SS wheels, etc. and presents itself in a very appealing Daytona Yellow/Black color combination, along with its hockey stripe and vinyl roof. Relative to what may come later in the week—not to mention at the Arizona auctions—this could turn out to be a gem.

Lot J138 – 1985 BMW M6
moto+match estimate: $28,000
UPDATE: High bid of $22,500

At first glance it might be easy to pass this one over as a nice-but-nothing-special E24 M6, as it‘s labeled in the catalog. Astute observers, however, will take note that US sales of the M6 didn‘t start until two years later, as a 1987 model. A closer look reveals that this is in fact a European M635CSi. This is significant in that the Euro version is powered by the quasi-exotic M1’s M88, which has an output of nearly 300 hp. The M635CSi also had optional buffalo leather seating (as this car does) whereas we got Nappa leather on US cars. As it was only built for two years, with some trickling into 1989, the M6 has much lower production numbers (1,767 vs. 4,088 of the M635CSi). However, the direct legacy to the M1 and its rarity in the US make the M635CSi a special find. The color-matched Speedline wheels aren’t to everyone’s taste, nor are they correct (unique 390mm BBS shod with Michelin TRX), but they are more practical for everyday use. Mecum does not publish odometer readings (except in outstanding cases), but its appearance is that of a well-cared for example. Its catalog misprint, early showing and that it’s not the typical Mecum fare (although they have been very good lately about adding more to the “Muscle Cars and More” maxim) could present an extraordinary opportunity.

PICK OF THE DAY: Spectacular 1967 MGB GT

April 24, 2014 / moto+match / 0 Comments

Spanning nearly two decades relatively unchanged, the MGB was and remains one of the most popular British sports cars ever made. It is perhaps the essence of the British Sports Car: attractive, lightweight and nimble, yet surprisingly spacious and comfortable. It made the best use of a tractor motor that has its roots in 1947 while providing tossable handling characteristics that make it a favorite of vintage racers to this day. In 1965, three years after the launch of the roadster, the MGB took on a fixed roof, designed by Pininfarina, which opened up the parcel shelf for 2+2 seating as well as a relatively generous cargo area, thanks to its hatchback design that would later serve as inspiration for the Volvo P1800ES, Jensen GT and Ferrari FF, to name a few. With roadster production outnumbering GTs nearly four to one, they were somewhat more exclusive and regal. In fact, Prince William has the 6-cylinder C version which was handed down to him from his father Charles. Today, they are more sought after than the roadsters and it would be hard to find a better example than this one. Though it was completely restored 20 years ago, it appears to have held up extraordinarily well since. It evokes quality in every detail from the excellent paint, brightwork and glass to a fresh looking interior to a spotless motor and undercarriage. It is being offered by only its second owner with just over 36,000 miles on the clock. Its recent service addresses many typical MG concerns. Find it here on Craigslist in Houston TX for $18,500.