BY MARK J. McCOURT IMAGES COURTESY OF HEMMINGSAUCTIONS.COM HEMMINGS AUCTIONS IS OUR LIVE, ONLINE AUCTION SITE STAFFED BY
customer service professionals ready to help bidders and sellers with any questions. A wide variety of classic and specialty vehicles from all eras are up for bid. Auctions run for two weeks, and qualified bidders place their bids electronically. Once a vehicle is accepted into the auction,
the seller pays only a $99.95 listing fee. The winning bidder is responsible for a 5-percent fee on all completed auctions. The following are examples of auctions that transpired during the month leading up to press time. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, email Director of Auction Operations Terry Shea: terryshea@hemmings.com.
1969 JAGUAR E-TYPE Reserve: $130,000 Selling Price: $140,175*
Recent Market Range: $119,420-$155,320
It’s thought that the 11,723 miles registering on the odometer of this Series 2 Open Two-Seater were genuine. Combined with the car’s recent comprehensive restoration, this Jaguar was as close as you could come to finding a new 53-year-old sports car. The headturning E-type’s Signal Red paint was ceramic coated and wrapped for protection. Its interior was equally attractive, enhanced with original A/C and a working period radio. The numbers-matching 4.2-liter straight-six and four-speed manual were said to be dry, and smooth to operate, while the undercarriage was detailed to a concours level. This Make Offer sale ended up on the high end of the Jaguar’s market range.
1931 FORD MODEL A Reserve: $26,000 Selling Price: $39,375
Recent Market Range: $24,650-$37,200
This final-year Model A pickup blew past its lowered reserve and easily bested its top value benchmark because of its head-turning, multiple-time AACA Senior-award-winning condition. The blueover-black paint scheme was rich and nearly free of damage, save for a few chips noted by the tailgate latch. The interior was as-built, containing a brown vinyl bench seat and door panels, a rubber floor covering, and a crack-free steering wheel. The undercarriage presented very well, and no issues were noted with the running gear or 40-hp, 201-cu.in. four-cylinder/three-speed manual driveline. The seller answered numerous bidder questions, and this Ford sold after an impressive 14 time extensions.
1971 MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SE 3.5 Reserve: $99,000 Selling Price: $105,000
Recent Market Range: $82,800-$115,800
The original purchaser of this flagship, V-8-powered, pillarless hardtop coupe balanced their taste for refined styling, luxury, and premium quality with a desire for sporting performance, as seen by the rare (122 believed so-equipped) four-speed manual transmission it contained. The odometer showed fewer than 83,000 kilometers — equating to roughly 51,500 miles — and the 280 SE’s condition appeared to back that up: its exterior looked virtually flawless in photos, while its red leather seats and matching carpeting exhibited appealingly honest patina. The clean chassis components were said to function properly, as did the drivetrain. This Mercedes-Benz landed in the heart of its value range.
LEGEND
Reserve: Minimum price owner will accept Selling Price*: What the vehicle sold for, inclusive of buyer’s 5-percent fee (*sold as a Make Offer listing following the live auction)
Recent Market Range: The low-to-high value range for the vehicle based on published results of similar vehicles sold at auction over the previous 18 months
