An OG California Special, A Red Rally Car, Bidder’s Choice is Back + Results!
THIS WEEK’S CARS
– THIS WEEK’S CARS –
Image Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
1968 Ford Mustang California Special
(Mecum Auctions, Harrisburg)
Showing in like-original condition, this 1968 Ford Mustang California Special is just 1 of 317 built with this paint and trim combination of Meadowlark Yellow over a Black interior. Powered by a 390 CI V-8 engine with C6 automatic transmission, it features power front disc brakes, power steering, Shelby-style taillights and rear quarter/trunk extensions, Magnum 500 wheels with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires, and amber fog lights in the grille. The odometer reads 49,064 miles and sale includes a Marti Report. Partial ownership history is listed in the online California Special registry.
Estimate: Not Provided
Prediction: If you have followed me on Instagram for any given amount of time, you’ve probably seen me openly gush about how much I like these limited edition, regional “Special” type Mustangs. These are always very low production, incredibly well optioned cars, often equipped with good engines and tons of Shelby goodies and in my opinion remain one of the absolute greatest bargains available in any segment of the collector car market today. If you like rare, American mid-century automobiles of any kind, you kind of have to appreciate all that these examples have to offer and how many boxes they actually check when you start digging a little deeper. For some, there’s going to be some additional appeal with this example due to its originality. For others, that may be an issue and it may somewhat hold it back. More often than not, I tend to lean more towards the former than the latter, but on this one in particular I think I’m kind of going the other direction. I think if this car lands in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, it probably changes hands and everyone goes home happy. Either way though, it’s hard to deny how much car this actually is for what they tend to sell for.
Image Courtesy of Bring-a-Trailer
1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale
(Bring-a-Trailer, Online)
This 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale is one of 492 examples built between 1973 and 1975 to homologate the model for World Rally Championship Group 4 competition. Chassis 001515 spent time in Japan before being imported to the US, where it was purchased by its current owner in 2015. The car is said to have spent the ensuing years in storage before undergoing a refresh by the selling dealer between 2022 and 2024 that included a reseal of the Ferrari-built 2.4-liter V6, an interior refresh, and a rebuild of the four-wheel independent suspension. Featuring fiberglass bodywork finished in red, the car is also equipped with triple Weber carburetors, a five-speed manual transaxle, ventilated disc brakes, gold-finished 14” Campagnolo magnesium wheels, and tan Alcantara upholstery over a pair of bucket seats. This Tipo 829 is now offered on dealer consignment in Washington with a Lancia Classiche Certificazione di Autenticita portfolio, Lancia Classiche and Centro Storico Fiat certificates, invoices from the 2022-2024 refresh totaling over $290k, an owner’s manual, a brochure, a tool kit, and a clean Arizona title.
Estimate: Not Provided
Prediction: It’s rare to see these in the marketplace and according to Bring-a-Trailer this is only the second example that’s ever appeared on their platform. It’s also rare to see these at public auction with less than a handful coming up in the last couple of years, most not changing hands. Still though, these are incredibly interesting, aggressive and spunky little cars. Every time I see one I really want to get in and rip. Unfortunately, these are one of the few cars on my list that I’ve never driven (and most assuredly never will). They are very small and at 6’3″ and 215 lbs, I just don’t fit safely (and on a half-million dollar car, I’m not even going to chance it). They definitely sound great from the sidelines though and this looks like a pretty good example with a ton of recent work performed, coming from a solid, well-known seller and if nothing else, due to how infrequently these appear, there should be sufficient interest. I suspect this will find a new home between $600,000 and $625,000 (and I’ll be jealous of the new owner for sure!)
Image Courtesy of GAA Auctions
Ford GT Bidder’s Choice
(GAA Auctions, Summer Sale)
Bidder’s Choice is back! Three Ford GTs are crossing the block at GAA’s summer auction in Greensboro, North Carolina and the winner gets to choose which one to take home! Available Ford GTs include a 13-mile, Canadian spec, Wimbledon White example from 2006, a 2006 Mark IV Red car with 1,200 miles and a 2005 Midnight Blue car with 3,600 miles..
Estimate: Not Provided
Prediction: We covered this situation the last time that GAA attempted it back in February, in our Sunday Newsletter. I thought this was a cool idea then and I still think it’s a cool idea. Clearly, we’ve got some repeat performers this time around and I suspect there will probably continue to be more of these as cars get sold out and they continue to replace the outgoing cars with new ones. I like the way they set this up this time and the degree of variety they have. They have the rare, low production, low mileage example with two more driver type cars and I think there’s real appeal there for Ford GTs like that (as we all know, there are so, so many in and out of the marketplace with essentially zero miles). Last time, the winning bidder was more or less right around the normal market price that these usually sell for at auction and I think the same thing probably happens this time ($500k range). If I was the winning bidder (just like I said last time), I’m taking the Canadian spec, Wimbledon White car. I bet this works again and it’ll be fun to see which car this round’s winner chooses.
PLAY ALONG WITH US!
Our Score Last Week: 1/3
FEATURED RESULT
– FEATURED RESULT –
Image Courtesy of Bring-a-Trailer
1995 Ferrari 348 Spider
(Bring-a-Trailer, Online)
SOLD at $110,500
Description: This 1995 Ferrari 348 Spider has 24k miles following a registration history in Louisiana, Florida, California, and Montana. It was specified in Verde Scuro over beige Connolly leather and powered by a 3.4-liter DOHC V8 linked with a dogleg five-speed manual transaxle and a limited-slip differential. Features include a black convertible soft top, 18″ five-spoke alloy wheels, a gated shifter, air conditioning, an Alpine CD stereo, and power windows. A timing belt service was said to have been performed in preparation for the sale, and additional maintenance included a fluids service and replacing the tires, battery, and air filters. This 348 was purchased by the seller in November 2023, and it is now offered in California with the owner’s manual, service records dating from 2009, a car cover, a tool kit, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Montana title in the seller’s name.
Estimate: Not Provided
How We Did: We stated our thorough admiration for this car last week and we clearly weren’t the only ones that felt that way. There was a lot of interest in this car and the results showed it. We’re hearing a lot of chatter around the interwebs lately (and for the last several years) about the collector car market being down and out. The reality is, collectors are becoming more sophisticated and more demanding all the time and their purchasing decisions repeatedly demonstrate this. Desirable cars in target age ranges, that are well prepped and well optioned are going to do really well and this car is a shining example of this. A really good car with all the right things done in preparation and then properly presented by the seller. This is one of those situations where everybody did everything right and the outcome speaks for itself. Everybody wins here.
