AUCTION ACTION

Among the most iconic fi rst-gen Camaros ever offered were the offi cial factory Indy 500 pace car replicas from 1969, like this 350-cu.in. equipped example. Exhibiting all the right traits, it realized $46,500.

CARLISLE AUCTIONS’ 2022 SPRING SALE

A HOT MARKET TALLIED UP A $6.5 MILLION RESULT IN THE KEYSTONE STATE

BY MATTHEW LITWIN • PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CARLISLE EVENTS

VINTAGE VEHICLE enthusiasts in the Eastern U.S. welcome the start of April with open arms. Not only does it mean that the threat of winter weather has essentially passed, it’s also time for the famed Spring Carlisle Swap meet in southcentral Pennsylvania. Launched in 1977 as a complement to the original September swap meet founded in 1974, the annual Spring automotive swap meet has since evolved signi cantly. It now consumes the entirety of the Carlisle Fairgrounds and includes a collector car auction, the rst of which occurred in 2006 at the then-new Carlisle Expo Center, located across the street from the swap meet’s main gate. After a brief hiatus, the sale was re-established in 2013 at the same facility.

The 2022 edition of the Meet offered something for everyone. By our count, 334 lots were scheduled to cross the block on April 21-22, all welcomed by what was reported to be a packed house of in-person bidders and spectators alike. Though it is smaller than other early-season events in Florida and Arizona, the bidding at Carlisle was no less animated, as evidenced by the $93,000 sale of an exceptional 1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 convertible fresh out of restoration, discussed elsewhere in this report (all listed sale prices exclude an 8 percent buyer’s premium). The Lansing Rocket was followed by a tie for second between a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette coupe and a 1965 Sunbeam Tiger, both of which achieved $80,000. Next in line was a 1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro recreation—also discussed in more detail within this report—that commanded $79,000, which was followed by a 1934 Ford ve-window coupe, boasting a supercharged athead V-8, which brought $77,000.

The rest of the top 10 sales positions were captured by a restored-to-stock 1962 Chevrolet Corvette ($75,000); a lightly modi ed 1966 Pontiac GTO ($71,500); a highly customized 1946 Ford F-100 half-ton ($67,500); a well-kept 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III ($67,500); and a modi ed 1959 Chevrolet Apache ($65,000). Collectively, these, and 233 other lots (or 72.5 percent) sold for a grand total of $6.5 million. For complete results, and a comprehensive list of upcoming sales, visit carlisleauctions.com.

THE NUMBERS

Total Sales: $6.5 million Top Muscle Car Sale: 1971 Oldsmobile 4-4-2; $93,000

UPCOMING AUCTIONS

October 29 – 30: Carlisle, Pennsylvania November 11 – 12: Lakeland, Florida

717-243-7855; carlisleauctions.com

LEGEND

Condition: #1=Excellent; #2=Very Good; #3=Average; #4=Poor; #5=Major Project

Reserve: Minimum price owner will accept

Selling Price: What the vehicle sold for *

Average Market Range: Values coincide with current market trends for vehicles rated from condition #2- to #1, respectively.

*All prices shown include the buyer’s premium on sold lots. Unsold lots include only the highest bid, when available.

1971 OLDSMOBILE

MODEL: 4-4-2 CONDITION: Restored RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $93,000

AVG. MARKET RANGE:

$110,000 - $155,000

Though 1970 is often considered the pinnacle of Detroit performance, many ’71 models still packed a potent punch, such as this Oldsmobile 4-4-2. According to the digital catalog, the Viking blue, white-trimmed Rocket was one of just 183 built during the ’71 season featuring the famed 455 Ram Air V-8 and a four-speed manual in a convertible body style. Little of its post-build history was presented electronically, save for mention of its comprehensive restoration that was completed just prior to the sale. The droptop A-body was also equipped with A/C, power brakes, power windows, power top, AM/FM/8track system, tilt wheel, and power trunk release. It sold well despite falling short of the average.

1967 CHEVROLET

MODEL: Corvette CONDITION: Restored RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $80,000

AVG. MARKET RANGE:

$85,000 - $135,000

Corvettes have been a classic car auction staple for decades, though in recent years the market for nicely restored examples has shown a little slack. This 1967 coupe boasted a body-off restoration with an engine rebuild that—at the time of the sale—had aged just 200 miles. That engine, incidentally, was a 435-hp version of the 427 big-block, which was accompanied by a four-speed manual and Posi differential with unspecified gearset. Other goodies included power steering, power brakes, and side-mounted exhaust. The only notable upgrade was a custom sound system.

1969 CHEVROLET

MODEL: Camaro CONDITION: Restored RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $79,000 AVG. MARKET RANGE: N/A

You’re looking at the fourth-place finishing 1969 Chevy Camaro, presented in pictureperfect COPO livery with appropriate mechanical hardware. Details online were slim: “150 ‘breakin’ miles on a complete nut-n-bolt restoration.” Detailed photos, though, offered that the V-8 under the hood was a 427, backed by a fourspeed manual with a shifter that poked up through the floor, rather than a console. Black vinyl bucket seats, miles-deep orange paint, “bottle caps” on steelies… all for the astounding price of $79,000. Astounding, because a realdeal COPO like this would have commanded well north of $200,000. The build cost likely exceeded the winning bid.

1985 CHEVROLET

MODEL: Corvette CONDITION: Original RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $5,250

AVG. MARKET RANGE:

$7,000 – $15,000

Seeing cars from the ’80s consigned to classic car auctions is no longer unusual. Nor is the growing nostalgia, and subsequent demand, for the more compelling performance type: think pony cars and select GM G-bodies, for example. And like other performance car periods, some of these steeds are reaching prices that squeeze out the enthusiasts with modest budgets. That doesn’t mean bargains don’t exist, as demonstrated by this 1985 Corvette. It was your basic, baseline 5.7-liter/automatic coupe, original through and through, with a little usage wear, still presentable and very drivable. It sold below book, and all the proceeds went to the AACA Museum, Inc. Seriously—what was not to like? Nice buy!

1998 CHEVROLET

MODEL: Camaro Z28 CONDITION: Original RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $7,000

AVG. MARKET RANGE:

$8,000 - $15,500

Looking to what we consider “late model” cars can really turn up some obtainable deals. Case in point: this 1998 Chevy Camaro. Yup, believe it or not, these things are just months away from becoming recognized as full-fledged “antique” cars (as of this writing), thanks to the widely recognized “25-year” rule. For all intents and purposes, this was a muscle car. Maybe not the one of yore—depending upon your point of view—but a performer nonetheless, and one that sold quite well. This one seemed all original, packing a 5.7-liter LS1, backed by an automatic, that had rolled just 70,500 miles. With T-tops no less. And for just $7,000. We can hear it now: “Remember when you used to be able to buy these cheap at auctions?”

1971 PONTIAC

MODEL: T-37 CONDITION: Restored RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $33,000

AVG. MARKET RANGE:

$20,000 – $31,000

Hang around this hobby long enough and you’ll hear about rare combinations of power equipment fitted to baseline cars in order to elude the dreaded insurance underwriter back in the day. Here’s one of those rarities: a 1971 Pontiac T-37. Based on the intermediate line, this bargainbasement A-body received a 455 H.O. V-8 (that’s 335 hp), as well as an automatic transmission and Safe-T-Track differential. It looked to have been restored to near-mint condition inside and out, with “pie pans” one could serve dinner on. It was reportedly also featured in a magazine. Whether this was a real-deal car or not wasn’t made clear. No matter, though—this was a gem that sold accordingly, and at a price that likely beat the restoration fees.

1967 DODGE

MODEL: Coronet 440 CONDITION: Modified RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $23,500 AVG. MARKET RANGE: N/A

“This 1967 Dodge Coronet 440 was born a factory big-block with A/C,” read the digital placard. But that “born-with” engine (likely a 383) had been swapped out for a 485-hp 440, fitted with a high-rise intake and an “850 Brawler carburetor.” An MSD ignition was present, too, along with some other mechanical goodies that racked up what was reported to be a $10,000-plus bill. Part of that may have been the new steering box, fuel pump, and sending unit. The original hood was included with the sale, from a car that was, “believed to be a 34,000-mile” Mopar. We’re betting the sale price barely covered the rest of the expenses associated with its modified renewal.

1969 FORD

MODEL: Cobra CONDITION: Restored RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $55,000

AVG. MARKET RANGE:

$45,000 - $88,000

Let’s set the record straight once again. Nowhere on the 1969 Ford Cobra does the body or cabin display a “Torino” emblem. Furthermore, Ford never called this pure, purpose-built 1969 model a Fairlane Cobra. It was simply “Cobra” (though that changed for ’70). Its name signified the standard engine below the hood: a 428 Cobra Jet —the one that drives the price up as fast as the displacement moved the machine. Also standard: a four-speed manual, as seen in this finely restored example. It was fully documented as a matching-numbers car that, thanks to an electric clock option, was a one-of-one example. How did it not sell for more?

1988 FORD

MODEL: Mustang GT CONDITION: Original RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $17,000

AVG. MARKET RANGE:

$10,000 - $25,000

Here was another performer from the Eighties that seemed to have sold for reasonable money. Let’s look at the particulars first: It was presented with documentation that accounted for both its build and the 46,742 miles of travel; this had the standard 5.0 HO V-8, but with an automatic; it wore its original top (and supposedly paint and interior, too); and it had factory A/C, a fresh service, and clean looks. There was little to complain about. The “reasonable money” aspect, however, was more in terms of price versus value. Most guides offer what we stated, while another was, er, optimistic, suggesting a $25,000$45,000 range. Either way, the hammer price seemed strong for an automatic convertible.

1969 CHEVROLET

MODEL: Camaro CONDITION: Modified RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $39,500 AVG. MARKET RANGE: N/A

What looked like a COPO Camaro but wasn’t a COPO Camaro? This Phantom Green 1969 baseline coupe sporting “350” fender emblems. According to the cowl tag, the F-body was built at GM’s Norwood, Ohio plant, at which time it was equipped with Midnight Green vinyl upholstered bucket seats and a body painted Fathom Green. By the time it arrived in Carlisle for the sale, the Chevy had received a 383-cu.in. V-8, which was backed by a Muncie four-speed manual. Details were otherwise lacking, including when the relatively mild modifications/restoration had been completed. Looking past that, overall, the Camaro looked like a solid, hot cruiser—not too over the top. Plus, it sold for a price that made buyer and seller happy.

1970 FORD

MODEL: Falcon CONDITION: Modified RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $33,000 AVG. MARKET RANGE: N/A

The Falcon nameplate usually conjures images of the earlier compacts, or even the sporting trim variants like the Sprint. But the Falcon’s initial success trailed off after the Mustang debuted, and many today assume it was gone by 1967 or ’68. Nope: It was still around in ’69, and for a very brief period as a mid-year model based on the ’70 Torino family. In fact, a mid-year intermediate Falcon could have been ordered with a 429, creating something truly rare. This wasn’t an original 429, but rather a Falcon in restomod guise packing a guesstimated 600 hp from a 501-cu.in. engine built from a 385-series block. It had fuel injection, disc brakes, and what many would consider a “nice patina.”

1970 FORD

MODEL: Torino GT CONDITION: Modified RESERVE: Undisclosed SELLING PRICE: $37,000 AVG. MARKET RANGE: N/A

Here was another Ford restomod, this time a 1970 Torino GT Sportsroof. The original 351 Cleveland gave way to a “408 stroker” that boasted 575 hp, which was accompanied by a Tremec five-speed that fed power to a 9-inch axle containing 3.91:1 gears. It was outwardly striking with red paint, black hood stripes, and the all-important chin spoiler, and it was clear the sleek GT was altered to go fast while looking stock. Somehow, though, this managed to sell under $40,000, so perhaps a few enthusiasts would consider this result a bargain, too.