New England Auto Auction
New England Auto Auction The Owls Head Transportation Museum keeps raising the bar WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID LaCHANCE
F
orget the lobster rolls and the wild blueberries—the best reason to visit the Maine coast in August is the Owls Head Transportation Museum’s New England Auto Auction. More than 200 vehicles cross the block during the auction, which is the museum’s premier fundraising event. The 2016 auction, held on August 20, introduced some welcome changes, and also broke the $3 million mark in total sales for just the second time in its 39-year history. The auction was conducted inside the museum’s main gallery, rather than in a separate building as in years past. Exhibits were temporarily relocated to make room for hundreds of chairs, with a beer garden and concessions available throughout the day. Owls Head also added an automobilia auction, held on the day before the cars 86 HEMMINGS SPORTS & EXOTIC CAR
• January 2017
By the Numbers Date: August 20, 2016 Total sales: $3.14 million Sell-through: 163 of 223 lots; 74 percent Average sale: $18,989 Top sale: 1875 Concord Stagecoach, $203,500 Top automotive sale: 1965 Porsche 356 SC Coupe, $88,000
JAGUAR
Year: 1966 Reserve: Undisclosed Model: S600 Selling price: $34,100 Condition: Refurbished/#2- Avg. selling price: $31,300
Year: 1966 Model: E-type FHC Condition: Original/#3
PORSCHE
Described as an all-original car, this Honda had evidently had a respray in its original red at some point, but was still equipped with the interior that was installed at the factory. The respray was of better-thanaverage quality, though it did not extend to the engine bay, which could have benefitted from a detailing. The interior certainly had an original vibe, let down by the somewhat grubby appearance of the wood-rim steering wheel, though the red rubber floor mats appeared to be undamaged. There was much interest in this car at the preview, and it translated into an above-average selling price that also exceeded the high estimate. We’d say that the buyer and seller should both be happy.
If only you had a time machine, and could go back to stop the original owner of this Series 1 E-type from having it repainted in a pebbly, speckled bronze finish. Because, other than that 1970s paint, the condition of this unrestored, 29,621-mile coupe was hugely appealing. The 4.2-liter, DOHC straight-six was reportedly in good health, as was the four-speed gearbox. The interior showed some signs of wear, but had been well cared for. Now, the new owner has a choice: drive it as is; have it repainted again, figuring that the originality went out the window in the 1970s; or subject the car to a full restoration. A Series 1 coupe in concours condition might be worth about $185,000, so a restoration might make sense.
It wasn’t hard to see why this exceptional Porsche was the high automotive sale of the auction. Reportedly a 32,000-mile car, it was a rust-free example that had all of its original sheetmetal, and had been given a concours-quality respray at some point. The interior was described as mostly original, though it looked perfect in every respect. Despite the low miles, the engine had been completely rebuilt, and equipped with higher-compression pistons and cylinder jugs to bump the output to 95 hp. The seller dropped the reserve when the bidding reached $80,000, and that’s where it ended. For a price that was a bit below market, the new owner got a Porsche that can be enjoyed as it appreciates.
MG
FIAT
MG
Bought by the seller at Rétromobile in Paris, France, in 2014, where it was described as a two-owner car, this charming little Fiat had spent all of its life in Italy, where it accumulated a mere 11,000 miles. The car appeared to be in original condition, with its two-tone grey paint either applied at the factory or long ago. The chrome and the caramel-colored interior both were tired, but presentable. The 600cc sidevalve four-cylinder engine was reportedly in good condition. Having had his fun with it, the seller let the car go for roughly the same amount paid in Paris; we later saw it on a dealer’s website, with an slightly-abovemarket asking price of $25,000. A savvy buyer recognized the value, and did well.
This was an outstanding restoration of a highly popular car, done in its original —and flattering—combination of Clipper Blue paint and beige trim. Post-restoration, it was driven only 453 miles, just enough to make certain that everything was working as it should. A U.S.-market car, this example had all of its correct equipment, including bumpers, turn signals, sealed-beam headlamps, high-mount taillamps and horns mounted under the hood. The one deviation from factory spec was the substitution of a modified Datsun steering box for the original. The museum correctly valued this roadster at $44,000 to $55,000; the new owner must have been thrilled when the consignor dropped the reserve at $39,000.
Reserve: None Selling price: $68,200 Avg. selling price: $81,800
Year: 1965 Model: 356 Condition: Restored/#1-
Reserve: Undisclosed Selling price: $88,000 Avg. selling price: $92,400
UPCOMING AUCTIONS To be announced
FOR MORE INFORMATION crossed the block. A week of previews led up to the sale. What hasn’t changed is the auction’s variety, and its focus on the more affordable end of the collector-car spectrum. There are always a good number of imported cars on hand, including the occasional rare and obscure example, such as this year’s TVR Tasmin and first-year-in-theU.S. Volvo PV444. Our Hemmings MGB, the Project Car with a Heart, crossed the block here, generating $13,500 for the non-profit Good News Garage. The top seller wasn’t an automobile at all, but an 1875 Concord Stagecoach, which was hammered at $185,000, plus a 10-percent buyer’s premium, to the surprise and delight of the crowd. “This is one of the largest and highest quality selections of automobiles that the
HONDA
owlshead.org Condition #1=Excellent; #2=Very Good; #3=Average; #4=Poor; #5=Major Project Reserve Minimum price owner will accept Top bid The highest offer made Selling price What the vehicle sold for Avg. selling price Average market value of vehicles in similar condition
museum has seen in the 39-year history of the New England Auto Auction,” said Toby Stinson, the auction coordinator. “The great selection of vehicles combined with the automobilia sale and the improved auction experience is really exciting.” For information about the 2017 auction, watch the museum’s website, owlshead. org. All sale prices below include a buyer’s premium of 10 percent, which supports the museum’s work.
Year: 1937 Model: SA Condition: Restored/#1-
Reserve: Undisclosed Top bid: $68,000 Avg. selling price: N/A
It’s seldom that you’ll see one of these big, elegant, pre-war MGs. The SA was built from 1936 until the outbreak of World War II, and was powered by a 2.3-liter inline-six. Just 2,738 were produced, and only 696 of those had the Tickford drophead coupe body. This example, a Full Classic, had been restored some 20 years ago, and the work must have been top-notch, because it still looked ready for the concours field. The seller reported that it was in excellent mechanical condition, and was a pleasure to drive. It was reported sold at Bonhams’ Greenwich auction two months earlier for $68,000, plus premium, the same amount offered here. The consigner evidently believed there was a higher offer to be found.
Year: 1952 Reserve: Undisclosed Model: Topolino Belvedere Selling price: $11,550 Condition: Original/#3 Avg. selling price: $20,900
Year: 1949 Model: TC Condition: Restored/#1
Hemmings.com
Reserve: Undisclosed Selling price: $42,900 Avg. selling price: $52,000
• HEMMINGS SPORTS & EXOTIC CAR
87
VESPA
VOLVO
DATSUN
Though collectors go wild for Messerschmitts and Isettas, the Frenchbuilt Vespa microcar offers the same kind of fun at a considerably lower price tag. This example was no trophy contender, but a presentable driver, with reasonably good paint and a tired interior. Some shortcuts were taken; the vent window frames were painted body color, the worn weatherstripping was not replaced, and the steering wheel was cracked. The 400-cc air-cooled twin was fairly clean, but not detailed. The cute factor was strong, and a good number of people at the preview expressed surprise that Vespa had produced a car. Examples in this condition seem to change hands for $15,000 to $20,000.
Volvo began selling cars in the U.S. in 1957, and phased out the PV444 one year later, making this U.S.-spec car something of a rare find. It had been repainted in a shade that was slightly bluer than its original color, which could still be seen in the door jambs. The blue-and-white vinyl upholstery appeared to be original, and was largely undamaged. Carpets covered the original rubber mats and a water temperature gauge as well as a cassette deck had been added. The 1,600-cc B16 engine had been replaced by a later B18. The car had spent several years in storage, and though the front brakes had recently been replaced, they still needed bleeding. For the true Volvophile, this was a great find.
Why did the owner go for the blackedout chrome look when this car was restored several years ago? The catalog offered no clue, though it did reveal that $17,000 was spent on the restoration work. The paint was very nicely done, and the interior, though not fresh, was presentable. The custom treatment continued to the engine, which had a cam cover redone in gold hammerfinish paint, and black-painted SUs. We suspect that a bucket of paint remover might not be sufficient to return this car to stock, and that a big pile of expensive new chrome might be needed. Consequently, bidding fell well short of the $10,000 low estimate. As long as the new owner likes the look, this was a pretty good deal.
MERCEDES-BENZ
TVR
CITROËN
Here’s the good news about this onefamily SL: It had the desirable four-speed gearbox and the removable hardtop, and the cylinder head had been rebuilt 5,000 miles ago. The rest of the news, unfortunately, was bad. The repaint was dull, and looked as if it had been polished with an SOS pad. There was cracking and visible rust above the headlamps. The taillamp bezels were pitted. The interior was tired and dirty, and the MB-Tex upholstery had been worn shiny. The engine compartment was dirty. For the buyer’s sake, let’s hope that its mechanical condition was better than its appearance. The selling price was merely the down payment, and we suspect it will turn out to have been no bargain.
The catalog says that this was one of just four Tasmin coupes exported to the U.S. in 1984. It had been subjected to a restoration that included new paint, a new leather interior, and new brakes. The restoration work was done to a remarkably high standard — we doubt you’ll find a nicer Tasmin anywhere. The only negative: The A/C compressor had gone missing. TVR hasn’t sold cars in the U.S. in some time, and doesn’t have much of a following — which is too bad, because these are hugely entertaining cars to drive, with their 160-hp Ford V-6. With the best Tasmin in the world worth about $15,000, this restoration had to have been a labor of love. We can’t blame the consignor for sticking to their guns on the reserve.
Year: 1959 Reserve: Undisclosed Model: 400 Selling price: $18,700 Condition: Refurbished/#3 Avg. selling price: N/A
Year: 1969 Model: 280 SL Condition: Refurbished/#4+
Reserve: Undisclosed Selling price: $29,150 Avg. selling price: $70,000
88 HEMMINGS SPORTS & EXOTIC CAR
• January 2017
Year: 1957 Reserve: None Model: PV444 Selling price: $9,625 Condition: Refurbished/#3 Avg. selling price: $15,500
Year: 1984 Model: Tasmin 280i Condition: Restored/#1
Reserve: Undisclosed Top bid: $8,500 Avg. selling price: $13,400
Year: 1968 Model: 2000 Condition: Restored/#2
Year: 1970 Model: 2CV Truckette Condition: Restored/#2
Reserve: None Selling price: $7,700 Avg. selling price: $30,000
Reserve: None Selling price: $13,200 Avg. selling price: N/A
Rust in the chassis is the 2CV’s archenemy, and so knowledgeable bidders had to be reassured by the presence of a new, galvanized chassis under this Truckette. The car had been given a quality respray that was probably better than the factory paint, and the grey interior upholstery was like new. We noticed a couple of minor dents in the hood, a recent exhaust system, and a set of Nankang tires that had plenty of tread. The price guides don’t include the Truckette, but put the average value of a regular 2CV around $18,000. The high bidder got themselves a nicely done car to show and drive, while the museum realized 100 percent of the purchase price of this donated car. Everyone should be happy with the outcome.
F
orget the lobster rolls and the wild blueberries—the best reason to visit the Maine coast in August is the Owls Head Transportation Museum’s New England Auto Auction. More than 200 vehicles cross the block during the auction, which is the museum’s premier fundraising event. The 2016 auction, held on August 20, introduced some welcome changes, and also broke the $3 million mark in total sales for just the second time in its 39-year history. The auction was conducted inside the museum’s main gallery, rather than in a separate building as in years past. Exhibits were temporarily relocated to make room for hundreds of chairs, with a beer garden and concessions available throughout the day. Owls Head also added an automobilia auction, held on the day before the cars 86 HEMMINGS SPORTS & EXOTIC CAR
• January 2017
By the Numbers Date: August 20, 2016 Total sales: $3.14 million Sell-through: 163 of 223 lots; 74 percent Average sale: $18,989 Top sale: 1875 Concord Stagecoach, $203,500 Top automotive sale: 1965 Porsche 356 SC Coupe, $88,000
JAGUAR
Year: 1966 Reserve: Undisclosed Model: S600 Selling price: $34,100 Condition: Refurbished/#2- Avg. selling price: $31,300
Year: 1966 Model: E-type FHC Condition: Original/#3
PORSCHE
Described as an all-original car, this Honda had evidently had a respray in its original red at some point, but was still equipped with the interior that was installed at the factory. The respray was of better-thanaverage quality, though it did not extend to the engine bay, which could have benefitted from a detailing. The interior certainly had an original vibe, let down by the somewhat grubby appearance of the wood-rim steering wheel, though the red rubber floor mats appeared to be undamaged. There was much interest in this car at the preview, and it translated into an above-average selling price that also exceeded the high estimate. We’d say that the buyer and seller should both be happy.
If only you had a time machine, and could go back to stop the original owner of this Series 1 E-type from having it repainted in a pebbly, speckled bronze finish. Because, other than that 1970s paint, the condition of this unrestored, 29,621-mile coupe was hugely appealing. The 4.2-liter, DOHC straight-six was reportedly in good health, as was the four-speed gearbox. The interior showed some signs of wear, but had been well cared for. Now, the new owner has a choice: drive it as is; have it repainted again, figuring that the originality went out the window in the 1970s; or subject the car to a full restoration. A Series 1 coupe in concours condition might be worth about $185,000, so a restoration might make sense.
It wasn’t hard to see why this exceptional Porsche was the high automotive sale of the auction. Reportedly a 32,000-mile car, it was a rust-free example that had all of its original sheetmetal, and had been given a concours-quality respray at some point. The interior was described as mostly original, though it looked perfect in every respect. Despite the low miles, the engine had been completely rebuilt, and equipped with higher-compression pistons and cylinder jugs to bump the output to 95 hp. The seller dropped the reserve when the bidding reached $80,000, and that’s where it ended. For a price that was a bit below market, the new owner got a Porsche that can be enjoyed as it appreciates.
MG
FIAT
MG
Bought by the seller at Rétromobile in Paris, France, in 2014, where it was described as a two-owner car, this charming little Fiat had spent all of its life in Italy, where it accumulated a mere 11,000 miles. The car appeared to be in original condition, with its two-tone grey paint either applied at the factory or long ago. The chrome and the caramel-colored interior both were tired, but presentable. The 600cc sidevalve four-cylinder engine was reportedly in good condition. Having had his fun with it, the seller let the car go for roughly the same amount paid in Paris; we later saw it on a dealer’s website, with an slightly-abovemarket asking price of $25,000. A savvy buyer recognized the value, and did well.
This was an outstanding restoration of a highly popular car, done in its original —and flattering—combination of Clipper Blue paint and beige trim. Post-restoration, it was driven only 453 miles, just enough to make certain that everything was working as it should. A U.S.-market car, this example had all of its correct equipment, including bumpers, turn signals, sealed-beam headlamps, high-mount taillamps and horns mounted under the hood. The one deviation from factory spec was the substitution of a modified Datsun steering box for the original. The museum correctly valued this roadster at $44,000 to $55,000; the new owner must have been thrilled when the consignor dropped the reserve at $39,000.
Reserve: None Selling price: $68,200 Avg. selling price: $81,800
Year: 1965 Model: 356 Condition: Restored/#1-
Reserve: Undisclosed Selling price: $88,000 Avg. selling price: $92,400
UPCOMING AUCTIONS To be announced
FOR MORE INFORMATION crossed the block. A week of previews led up to the sale. What hasn’t changed is the auction’s variety, and its focus on the more affordable end of the collector-car spectrum. There are always a good number of imported cars on hand, including the occasional rare and obscure example, such as this year’s TVR Tasmin and first-year-in-theU.S. Volvo PV444. Our Hemmings MGB, the Project Car with a Heart, crossed the block here, generating $13,500 for the non-profit Good News Garage. The top seller wasn’t an automobile at all, but an 1875 Concord Stagecoach, which was hammered at $185,000, plus a 10-percent buyer’s premium, to the surprise and delight of the crowd. “This is one of the largest and highest quality selections of automobiles that the
HONDA
owlshead.org Condition #1=Excellent; #2=Very Good; #3=Average; #4=Poor; #5=Major Project Reserve Minimum price owner will accept Top bid The highest offer made Selling price What the vehicle sold for Avg. selling price Average market value of vehicles in similar condition
museum has seen in the 39-year history of the New England Auto Auction,” said Toby Stinson, the auction coordinator. “The great selection of vehicles combined with the automobilia sale and the improved auction experience is really exciting.” For information about the 2017 auction, watch the museum’s website, owlshead. org. All sale prices below include a buyer’s premium of 10 percent, which supports the museum’s work.
Year: 1937 Model: SA Condition: Restored/#1-
Reserve: Undisclosed Top bid: $68,000 Avg. selling price: N/A
It’s seldom that you’ll see one of these big, elegant, pre-war MGs. The SA was built from 1936 until the outbreak of World War II, and was powered by a 2.3-liter inline-six. Just 2,738 were produced, and only 696 of those had the Tickford drophead coupe body. This example, a Full Classic, had been restored some 20 years ago, and the work must have been top-notch, because it still looked ready for the concours field. The seller reported that it was in excellent mechanical condition, and was a pleasure to drive. It was reported sold at Bonhams’ Greenwich auction two months earlier for $68,000, plus premium, the same amount offered here. The consigner evidently believed there was a higher offer to be found.
Year: 1952 Reserve: Undisclosed Model: Topolino Belvedere Selling price: $11,550 Condition: Original/#3 Avg. selling price: $20,900
Year: 1949 Model: TC Condition: Restored/#1
Hemmings.com
Reserve: Undisclosed Selling price: $42,900 Avg. selling price: $52,000
• HEMMINGS SPORTS & EXOTIC CAR
87
VESPA
VOLVO
DATSUN
Though collectors go wild for Messerschmitts and Isettas, the Frenchbuilt Vespa microcar offers the same kind of fun at a considerably lower price tag. This example was no trophy contender, but a presentable driver, with reasonably good paint and a tired interior. Some shortcuts were taken; the vent window frames were painted body color, the worn weatherstripping was not replaced, and the steering wheel was cracked. The 400-cc air-cooled twin was fairly clean, but not detailed. The cute factor was strong, and a good number of people at the preview expressed surprise that Vespa had produced a car. Examples in this condition seem to change hands for $15,000 to $20,000.
Volvo began selling cars in the U.S. in 1957, and phased out the PV444 one year later, making this U.S.-spec car something of a rare find. It had been repainted in a shade that was slightly bluer than its original color, which could still be seen in the door jambs. The blue-and-white vinyl upholstery appeared to be original, and was largely undamaged. Carpets covered the original rubber mats and a water temperature gauge as well as a cassette deck had been added. The 1,600-cc B16 engine had been replaced by a later B18. The car had spent several years in storage, and though the front brakes had recently been replaced, they still needed bleeding. For the true Volvophile, this was a great find.
Why did the owner go for the blackedout chrome look when this car was restored several years ago? The catalog offered no clue, though it did reveal that $17,000 was spent on the restoration work. The paint was very nicely done, and the interior, though not fresh, was presentable. The custom treatment continued to the engine, which had a cam cover redone in gold hammerfinish paint, and black-painted SUs. We suspect that a bucket of paint remover might not be sufficient to return this car to stock, and that a big pile of expensive new chrome might be needed. Consequently, bidding fell well short of the $10,000 low estimate. As long as the new owner likes the look, this was a pretty good deal.
MERCEDES-BENZ
TVR
CITROËN
Here’s the good news about this onefamily SL: It had the desirable four-speed gearbox and the removable hardtop, and the cylinder head had been rebuilt 5,000 miles ago. The rest of the news, unfortunately, was bad. The repaint was dull, and looked as if it had been polished with an SOS pad. There was cracking and visible rust above the headlamps. The taillamp bezels were pitted. The interior was tired and dirty, and the MB-Tex upholstery had been worn shiny. The engine compartment was dirty. For the buyer’s sake, let’s hope that its mechanical condition was better than its appearance. The selling price was merely the down payment, and we suspect it will turn out to have been no bargain.
The catalog says that this was one of just four Tasmin coupes exported to the U.S. in 1984. It had been subjected to a restoration that included new paint, a new leather interior, and new brakes. The restoration work was done to a remarkably high standard — we doubt you’ll find a nicer Tasmin anywhere. The only negative: The A/C compressor had gone missing. TVR hasn’t sold cars in the U.S. in some time, and doesn’t have much of a following — which is too bad, because these are hugely entertaining cars to drive, with their 160-hp Ford V-6. With the best Tasmin in the world worth about $15,000, this restoration had to have been a labor of love. We can’t blame the consignor for sticking to their guns on the reserve.
Year: 1959 Reserve: Undisclosed Model: 400 Selling price: $18,700 Condition: Refurbished/#3 Avg. selling price: N/A
Year: 1969 Model: 280 SL Condition: Refurbished/#4+
Reserve: Undisclosed Selling price: $29,150 Avg. selling price: $70,000
88 HEMMINGS SPORTS & EXOTIC CAR
• January 2017
Year: 1957 Reserve: None Model: PV444 Selling price: $9,625 Condition: Refurbished/#3 Avg. selling price: $15,500
Year: 1984 Model: Tasmin 280i Condition: Restored/#1
Reserve: Undisclosed Top bid: $8,500 Avg. selling price: $13,400
Year: 1968 Model: 2000 Condition: Restored/#2
Year: 1970 Model: 2CV Truckette Condition: Restored/#2
Reserve: None Selling price: $7,700 Avg. selling price: $30,000
Reserve: None Selling price: $13,200 Avg. selling price: N/A
Rust in the chassis is the 2CV’s archenemy, and so knowledgeable bidders had to be reassured by the presence of a new, galvanized chassis under this Truckette. The car had been given a quality respray that was probably better than the factory paint, and the grey interior upholstery was like new. We noticed a couple of minor dents in the hood, a recent exhaust system, and a set of Nankang tires that had plenty of tread. The price guides don’t include the Truckette, but put the average value of a regular 2CV around $18,000. The high bidder got themselves a nicely done car to show and drive, while the museum realized 100 percent of the purchase price of this donated car. Everyone should be happy with the outcome.
