2005 Barrett-Jackson results
Brian Peter's analysis of relevant Mercedes, Porsche and
Abarth models at this years event. Covered are 280SL, 300SL, 356A,
356C, 911 RS & Record Monza.
This site has no affiliation with the Barrett-Jackson Auction
Company.
The views expressed on these pages are solely those of the author.
Lot
# 785 '68 280SL
This car was
described as having 37,000 actual miles. I will try to be polite and
diplomatic by saying that judging from the worn appearance this is highly
unlikely. The tired seat upholstery appears to be original with the pleats
re-stitched and foam padding inserted below it. All of the heater levers
have broken off. Both of the front fenders have been replaced but not very
well. No notches near the headlight doors. Fit issues with the
headlight doors. Hood fit is off but has a matching body stamp.
Paint overspray on various rubber weather seals. Some pitting and
scratches on hardtop chrome. Hideous, incorrect bumper over riders on the
front bumper. I would say this car sold pretty much on the
money. Let's call it a #3- condition wise. Reported sold for $20,520.
Lot
# 987 '57 300SL roadster(drum brakes).
I didn't get to take a really good look at this one since it was behind a
barrier. Had pits in the front bumper, left headlight door has a fit issue
and the trunk gap appeared to be off. A driver. Two years ago this
would have been a $200-$225k car. Reported sold for $324,000.
Lot
# 728 Gullwing replica
The information sheet called this a "recreation". I call it a
replica since Mercedes did not build the real ones with fiberglass bodies or
automatic transmissions. Looks to be very well built. I have heard
of these selling for as much as $70,000 so was totally shocked when I learned
that it was Reported sold for $264,600! If it really
did sell, did someone think they were getting the real thing?
Lot
# 478 '73 450SL
Listed as 62,051 actual miles. The small bumper cars(U.S. models '72 &
'73) are becoming somewhat interesting to collectors. This car was locked
up when I got to it but looked very nice and refreshingly correct(stock).
Had only minor paint flaws. The headrests didn't look quite right but that
is a minor issue. A long time ago when I was dealing in contemporary cars
this color was especially difficult to sell. I think it is called Maple
Yellow. Add a Bamboo(tan) interior and a car this color was just about
"sale proof". I'd like to think a #3+ condition low mileage car
would be worth more but in this color combination the result is about all we can
expect. Reported sold for $12,960.
Lot
# 984 '73 Porsche 911 RS vin: 9113600507
Beautiful paint, decent interior. Average driver engine bay cosmetics. The auction description lists the 23,000 km as actual.
Crack starting on the dash. Tiny rust bubbles at bottom of passenger door
and top of front fender. Fresh undercoat to undercarriage. The paint
code of 908 matches the Grand Prix White but on the edge of the driver's door
where the paint is chipped off is Chartreuse green. To quote the auction
card; "this has to be the most original RS Carrera for sale!"
They might have left out some additional information. Reported sold for
$97,200. If this car had original paint and records to prove the
mileage I think we would have seen at least $150,000. Early 911's are incredibly
hot right now and the RS is arguably the most collectible production
911.
Lot
# 786 Porsche '56 356A Cabriolet 1600 normal
The Aquamarine Blue metallic has sanding marks visible below the paint and some
air pockets if you look close. Dash paint is a lighter shade. The
owner was on hand to answer questions and indicated that one of the
longitudinals had been replaced. Decent body panel gaps. Mostly
restored but interestingly the carpet was left original; and pretty
tattered. But considering that his car is nearly 50 years old it is
remarkable that there is any carpet left. Condition #3, this car was reported
sold for $45,360.
Lot
# 1211 '65 Porsche 356C Cabriolet, vin: 160812
A lot of money spent on the restoration and it shows; except the thing that
jumps out at you is the terrible hood gap. Fresh undercoat on the
pan. This car could be a #2 except for the hood gap and a question about
the pan, so we must call it a driver level #3. The card on the windshield
said, " 99% original, only the leather changed", yet the auction went
to great lengths to tell about the "complete restoration". I am
a stickler for terms. I think what the vendor meant to say on the card was
"99% correct or 99% stock". A car cannot be 99% original and
also a complete restoration. This is important as there are cars
out there that really are close to 99% original. They are
incredibly rare and bring gigantic money when offered for
sale. This car was reported sold for $47,520.
Lot
# 646 '61 Abarth Record Monza 850ss coupe
Paint and body not perfect but quite nice for a race car. No rust,
nice floor pan, no door window glass. I was surprised at the low sales
result for this car. While many Record Monza's had a push rod engine, I
believe an 850ss model would originally have had a "bialbero" or twin
cam engine. This car clearly has the less desirable engine. While
"matching number" engines are extremely rare on Abarths(most exploded
on the race track), a correct engine type in place certainly enhances
value. Also, this car was listed as a Fiat rather than as an Abarth in the
pre-auction advertisements. Even though the roots are Fiat the
manufacturer was Abarth. I wonder if many potential buyers missed this car
for this reason. Also, this might not have been the best venue for a race
car. Here, the end result might have been much different if this were a
totally correct and stock car as it left the factory(steering wheel, side
windows etc). This car was reported sold for $34,560. Had I
been in the bidding arena I would have had my hand in the air. It will be
interesting to see where this car goes next; back on the market or back on the
race track.
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