Well,
It was nuts as usual. My second time out. As far as the princely sum for the fastback...who cares!?!? Its the fn' founder of Gateway computers. He could have bought the whole damn auction. Semko-my understanding of Eurospec'd Porsche's is small but from what I've gleaned from SCM, they don't sell much better than the U.S. counterparts.
Thoughts on the auction. Saturday night is about cash and flash. Its not a night or time for pretenders or those without extraordinary means to blow a wad. Obviously the 400k Zephyr was an ego thing. Such is the thing of auctions. Saturday night was a blast and the run-up to the evening was set by some crazy purchases in the early afternoon. One of the cars that inflated prices early was the COPO camaro.
But hey, a GTO with a nice paint job and non-factory options the night before went for a staggering 71k. Emotions run high and ppl. decide they HAVE to have it.
Case in point regarding my experience with a bidder...
I ran into a young guy in the airport that bought a Gullwing and a Maserati racecar from RM and then the blue Shelby continuation (which he overpaid) for his 'family's collection'
The standard obnoxious 'I paid xxxx and it was SUCH a deal!' He bid 135 on a continuation 4000 series with an engine that was not provided by SAI., there was no CSX no. (I assume because it wasn't turn key) which nets for 145.8 after commission and around another grand for transport. Obviously if you're a saavy buyer and know what you want, you can get it from other means. I figured I'd write my little piece b/c true to form, many here were bound to whine about the prices paid.
I understand the frustration...hell, I don't even own a Cobra but it is what it is. Saturday night got so out of whack people even quit making noise about 200k bids. It just became a number on the screen. I'm just glad I had a good seat
I just wish the weather would have cooperated.
A gold 68 Shelby, factory air, auto, convertible went for a princely sum (I think 80 something) and it needed A LOT of work. Seller 'claimed' restored but what a load of crock. buyer beware. the engine bay was a mess and had not even been detailed. dirt and grime was all over the place but it sold because of the old man and he was at the auction.
I went by SAI and they were very pleasant but when I asked about coil overs in the 289 I received the standard, "We're not replicas, we keep to what was historically correct' or some such thing. Overall, they were nice and provided answers. I think their lead time quotes were a little misleading but I don't have to worry as I'm not in the 'pre-ordering' position
They did have out the polished car for photo ops and really let the car rip quite a bit. I was told it took 480 hours to polish---one more reason not to have a polished body, IMHO. The Eleanor car was and continues to rival the Cobra for me. It just speaks to me. The 289 looked killer with the white (rookie?) stripe. They quoted me 85k for it (i suppose with a glass body) and a new 302.
Anyway, BJackson didn't disappoint in terms of sheer audacity and excitement and I hate to say it but if you have a nice Bel Air, Yenko, 427/435 vette (all GM, I know
) or some sort of documented Hemi then you're in better shape then ever. I'm anxious to see the remaining numbers on some Shelby's that were to be auctioned late tonight. A blue 67? KR I believe and a white 68 could be had for a good price as both needed a good bit of work. A perfect car for someone wanting a project in my mind.
I was impressed with the SoCal speed shop's little deuce and was sent reeling when told that their rods start at 125. I need a new career before I can begin my high octane dreams anyway. For now, I'll just continue to lurk here and live vicariously.
cheers