Auction Bargains by Cliff Goodall & Fantasy
17 February 2024 4 min read 10 images
Photo credit: Barrett-Jackson, Bonhams, RM Sotheby's
Today, we’ll shuffle the cards by spotlighting not a specific auction but a run-down of the bargains in the first auctions of the year. Let's start with Sedans which is arguably the least exciting category as it is a car that typically no one would dream of collecting or photographing at some gathering. At Barrett-Jackson's a 1971 Citroën DS Super 5, light blue with matching interior. It had the prized European specs but had been converted to LPG. It sold for $12,650, about half that of an equivalent DS21 and about a third less than a D Super 5.
Bonhams offered a 1948 Citroën 2CV that raised eyebrows. The chassis number 9322 was probably too high to be from 1948 - it must have been late 1950 or early 1951 - but the price impressed. A few years ago, a real 1948 example first year of production and reduced to scrap was sold for about €90,000 while this example, to be restored but complete with all its details had an estimate of $20,000-30,000 and sold for $17,920. Magnificent, with a roof that opens fully to the trunk, wavy hood and vertical grille. A piece to show off at any event!
Moving on to a powerful and fun sports car. A Nissan Pulsar GTI-R, 2-liter turbocharged, 240-plus hp, right-hand drive, imported from Japan to the U.S. in 2016, idle for a couple of years, offered by Barrett-Jackson. The price paid? $20,900, an almost brazen bargain.
What about the coupes? Which one would you have chosen? Perhaps this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe version 327/300 (327ci, 300 hp). The least powerful, but in the rare "Split-Window" version produced only that year. Magnificent, Primerose Yellow color with black interior and chrome exhaust pipes running down the sides, an accessory as rare as it was beautiful. Plus it had both electric windows and original air conditioning. A nice addition to usability. Estimated at $80,000-140,000, it sold for $98,560.
Another Corvette was this C2 offered by Bonhams from the year 1967, the last year of C2 production, with a big block expanded to 454ci (7.3 liters) and over 465 hp. The beautiful non-original chrome side exhausts stood out on the Maroon livery. Again with electric windows and air conditioning. Similar estimate of $70,000-100,000 and sold for $95,200.
The third interesting coupe was a Stutz Blackhawk VI, the epitome of 1980s kitsch with unlikely combinations: gray and burgundy leather, burl wood and even 24-carat gold! This specimen had the 350 V8 that was standard across most of the GM range. In 1982, when it was produced it cost $129,500, making it the most expensive car on the American market. Now at Barrett-Jackson, it was seen for much less: $40,700.
And now we move onto the "open versions," the convertibles, the spiders and the roadsters! Let's start with a beautiful 1959 Ford Galaxie Sunliner Convertible, two-tone (black and white) 352ci (5600cc) Police Interceptor V8 engine, automatic transmission, bulky enough to have two rear-view mirrors. A rarity in the 50's but necessary to maneuver this ocean liner. Including fins and chrome, it was sold by Barrett-Jackson for $44,000.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Tesla Roadster Sport offered by RM. Year 2010, not one of the rare Signature Edition or Founders Edition but number 697 of only 2450 produced in four years. With first editions now starting at over $100,000 (and in some cases exceeding $200,000) this black and white one at $50,000-70,000 seemed like a bargain. And a bargain it was: $49,280.
A bargain from RM was the Jaguar S1.5 4.2 Roadster, a series 1½. Even though it is less popular than the series 1 and its red with black interior is not exactly a sought-after combination among collectors, the estimate of $80,000-100,000 was low. Especially, when considering that even the S1 coupés go for at least double. Offered without reserve, the hammer came down at $61,600.
The best choice was the 1989 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Cabriolet. The last year of production, once hardly desired and now the G50 transmission versions are a must in any respectable Porsche collection. Good condition but with the wrong wheels, those of a Turbo 20 years younger. Not for competitions but to be enjoyed in the summer, strictly with the top down. Porsches are known to be hot stuff at auctions but the $50,000-70,000 estimate was great. The $36,960 price was even better.
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