Hemi Charger, Supra Turbo, Classic Mini + Results!
THIS WEEK’S CARS
– THIS WEEK’S CARS –
Image Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
1969 Dodge Charger R/T Hemi
(RM Sotheby’s Shift Online: North America, Online)
One of the most desirable American muscle cars ever produced, this authentic “J-Code” 1969 Charger R/T Hemi automatic is one of just 225 built for 1969. Featuring its factory 426 cubic inch Hemi V-8 engine and TorqueFlite automatic transmission with matching stampings present, it is presented in factory-correct finishes of Dark Green Metallic (F8) with black vinyl top and transverse stripe over black vinyl trim. Desirable options include Super Trak Pack Dana 60 rear axle with 4.10:1 Sure Grip differential, power front disc brakes, high-capacity radiator, and bucket seats with console.
Estimate: $150,000-$200,000
Prediction: Outside the realm of tuners like Yenko and Shelby there’s probably nothing in the muscle car world that garners stronger feelings of desire than the word hemi. This is just a straight up kick ass piece of American machinery in all the right colors and although prices have come down a little bit, blue chips like this one will always be collectible and worth a look. This one should be no exception. The estimate is reasonable here and I think the reserve is probably somewhere towards the lower end. This is a little bit of a test of the platform, but I bet this car sells for what it’s supposed to.
Image Courtesy of Bring-a-Trailer
37k-Mile 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo 6-Speed
(Bring-a-Trailer, Online)
This 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo was initially delivered to Joseph Airport Toyota in Vandalia, Ohio, and it has 37k miles following registration history in that state through the owner’s purchase in 2017. Finished in Renaissance Red over black leather upholstery, the car is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Features include a limited-slip differential, chrome 17″ five-spoke wheels, a removable roof panel, fog lights, a rear wing, a CD/cassette stereo, cruise control, and automatic climate control. This A80 Supra Turbo is offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner, a licensed retail dealer, with a window sticker, manufacturer’s literature, service records, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Ohio title.
Estimate: Not Provided
Prediction: Although the insane, headline making results may be over for these cars for now (likely due to the increased availability of other JDM heroes of the era), they are still generationally significant, will be mainstays for collectors for a long time to come and nice ones will always pull a premium. However, despite the fact that this car seemingly checks every single box, there’s been kind of a lot of these to hit the market lately. All six-speed, all low mileage, all low owner, all unmodified and many in what would likely be considered to be better colors by a lot of potential buyers and that could cause some difficulty. Early bidding on this car indicates it should probably do pretty well, but I suspect it hits six figures and slows down. I’m thinking $100,000 to $110,000 here. Whether or not that’s enough for the seller, we’ll have to see, but it may be worth it to wait a little bit if the desired number is not reached. These cars will be desirable for a long time to come.
Image Courtesy of Raleigh Classic Car Auctions
1973 Austin Mini
(Raleigh Classic Car Auction, May 30, Youngsville, North Carolina)
This 1973 Mini is a great example of an iconic classic. Its Bright Red exterior is nicely complimented by its white painted top fitted with the Union Jack decal, factory chrome and stainless trim, and period correct Mini-Lite wheels wrapped in new Michelin tires by Coker Tire. The Mini’s factory black, grey and red patterned cloth and vinyl interior is in very good condition for the age. Powering this great Mini is its correct 998CC Inline 4-cylinder engine backed by its 4-speed manual transmission. Both the engine and transmission perform just as they should and deliver that very sporty driving experience that these Mini’s are known for. This Mini is nicely equipped from the factory with options such as power front disc brakes, variable speed wipers, in-dash tachometer, rear defrost and heater/defrost.
Estimate: Not Provided
Prediction: Who doesn’t love a classic Mini? Minis like this seem to hit a sweet spot that nearly every enthusiast can appreciate. There’s not too many cars that do this and the market is starting to take notice. Considering what these things are, they’re actually sort of getting expensive. The ones that everybody seems to want right now however are the ’90s Mark VI cars with the 1,275 CC engine that are imported from Japan (less rust, lower mileage and better options). These early ’70s 998 CC Mark III cars do seem to still be a bit of a bargain though, this one looks like it’s well cared for, in decent condition with most of the stuff that you want to see from one of these things. Whether or not this marketplace is the right one is undetermined, but the reality is, this is probably a $11,000-$13,000 car and sale or no sale, that’s realistically what it probably should bring on the block.
PLAY ALONG WITH US!
Last Week’s Score: 1/3
FEATURED RESULT
– FEATURED RESULT –
Image Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II (RM Sotheby’s, May 22, Milan)
SOLD $1,281,000
(adjusted for exchange rate)
The 170th out of 200 examples built, this 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series II retains its matching-numbers engine, rear axle, and coachwork and is fitted with a correct-type gearbox. Benefitting from a 2013 restoration performed by Toni Auto in Maranello ahead of the Ferrari specialist rebuilding the V-12 in 2019, it is refinished in its factory-correct color combination of Grigio Scuro over Blu Franzi leather as documented by its factory build record. Restoration invoices and photos, plus a history report by marque expert Marcel Massini are included with the sale.
Estimate: $1,125,000 – $1,700,000 (adjusted for exchange rate)
How We Did: This was a beautifully presented car in attractive colors with some interesting features and it did pretty much exactly what it was supposed to do, splitting the uprights pretty effectively. Again, these are really nice cars that have kind of settled where they have settled and there’s unlikely to be too many surprises with these for a while.
