Author: David LaChance

Car or Automobile

1957 Corvette Fuelie Leads New England Auto Auction Results



In some ways, the New England Auto Auction isn't your typical collector-car auction. For one thing, it's produced entirely by the staff and volunteers of the Owls Head Transportation Museum in MidCoast Maine, with proceeds supporting the museum's operations and initiatives. As a once-a-year event, it takes on a festival atmosphere, with the same buyers returning year after year to socialize and - maybe - buy a car.

But in other ways, it's entirely like virtually any other auction you might attend. The house works hard to get top dollar for every lot, aided in the past few years by their association with Proxibid, which lets anyone with internet access take part in the bidding in real time. About 200 cars cross the block each year, and there's generally as much variety as you'd find at one of the higher-volume auctions.

Total sales during the August 25-26 event added up to $4.36 million, including memorabilia and several no-reserve vehicles sold Friday night. That's off from last year's total of $5.7 million, when the auction featured a run of 26 exotic cars from an estate sale. "Prices were very good overall, especially at the higher-dollar end," development director Toby Stinson, who heads up the auction, tells us, though he notes some tighter bidding on lots in the $35,000-and-under range than in 2022. The top seller was a fuel-injected 1957 Chevrolet Corvette in #1 condition, Lot #102, which brought $159,500, above the high estimate and without reserve.

Revenue from the auction is used to support the museum's operations, including a K-8 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education program that reached more than 6,500 Maine youth in the past year. In addition, several vehicles in the auction had been donated to the museum, with the proceeds to benefit the education program and a building expansion project that includes a new 10,000-square-foot storage annex and 13,000 additional square feet of automotive and aviation restoration workshops.

Dates for the 2024 auction have not yet been set, but the event traditionally takes place in late August. Follow www.owlshead.org for more information.

By The Numbers


Total Sales: $4.36 million (not including post-auction sales)

Sell-Through: 79.9 percent

Top Sale and Top Muscle Car Sale: 1957 Chevrolet Corvette, $150,120

Average Sale: $26,116

Upcoming Auctions


The dates of the 2024 New England Auction have not been announced as of this writing. The auction traditionally takes place in late August.

207-594-4418 • auction.owlshead.org

Legend


Condition: #1=Excellent; #2=Very Good; #3=Average; #4=Poor; #5=Major Project

Reserve: Minimum price owner will accept

High Bid: The highest offer made (but vehicle did not sell) *

Selling Price: What the vehicle sold for *

Average Market Range: Values based on current market trends for vehicles in #2- to #1 condition, respectively.

* All prices shown include the buyer's premium of 10 percent for in-person bids and 15 percent for online bids and sold lots. Unsold lots include only the highest bid.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1970 Pontiac GTO

1970 Pontiac GTO

  • Condition: Refurbished/#3
  • Reserve: Undisclosed
  • Selling Price: $41,580
  • Average Selling Price: $45,625
This handsome, PHS-documented GTO was equipped with a rebuilt 455-cu.in. V-8 and four-speed transmission, though not the ones installed at the factory. There was no mention of where the replacement 455 had come from, or whether it had been rebuilt to 1970 specs. The Pepper Green finish, which we believe was a respray, was in good shape, while the interior, which might have been the original, was undamaged and presentable, if a little tired. The 14-inch Rally wheels wore BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. This was one of two GTOs offered at Owls Head; the other, an aqua-over-white 1968 convertible with a 400 and four-speed, sold for $49,500.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1957 Chevrolet Corvette

1957 Chevrolet Corvette

  • Condition: Restored/#1
  • Reserve: None
  • Selling Price: $159,500
  • Average Selling Price: $94,200
We were surprised to learn this fuel-injected Corvette had been restored 15 years ago—it still looked fresh enough to have rolled out of the shop last week. According to the consignor, it was believed that this example was one of the 1,040 built that year with fuel injection. The 10.5:1-compression 283, bearing the correct block stamping, had been rebuilt, and the Rochester fuel-injection system had been redone. The rebuilt Borg Warner T10 four-speed was from a 1961 Corvette. While first-generation Corvettes are difficult to document, NCRS Top Flight Award certification offered reassurance of the car's authenticity. This car checked all the boxes and earned its strong result.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle

  • Condition: Restored/#3
  • Reserve: Undisclosed
  • Selling Price: $35,200
  • Average Selling Price: $28,700

The seller said they believed this Chevelle was a genuine SS but didn't have the documentation to back up the badging. That said, this coupe had a lot to offer, beginning with a 350-cu.in. V-8 equipped with Holley Sniper fuel injection, MSD ignition, an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, a serpentine belt setup, paired with a Muncie four-speed transmission. The repaint was of high quality, and the interior was either the original or an older replacement. Minor flaws included some pitting of the rear bumper and uneven door gaps. Staggered Magnum 500 wheels wore fresh BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. Condition and useful upgrades led to an above-market result for this sharp coupe.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP NASCAR Pace Car

2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

  • Condition: Original/#3
  • Reserve: Undisclosed
  • High Bid: $10,000 (not sold)
  • Average Selling Price: $2,700
One of 26 pace cars built by Pontiac for the NASCAR Winston Cup series, this 12,096-mile GTP led the field at the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway and the K-Mart 400 at Michigan International Speedway. It was equipped with chrome wheels, leather upholstery, a head-up display, power options, and a supercharged 3.8-liter V-6. The colorful graphics on the hood had faded, though everything else appeared as new—the engine bay, the interior, the white paintwork, and the Whelen yellow light housing, now non-functional to enable the car to pass inspection. The average selling price we quote is for a stock GTP coupe; we later saw this example advertised online with an asking price of $15,995.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1968 Shelby G.T. 500

1968 Shelby G.T. 500

  • Condition: Original/#2
  • Reserve: Undisclosed
  • Selling Price: $150,700
  • Average Selling Price: $166,700
Highly documented, and presented as all-original, this well-preserved Shelby generated a lot of interest, both during the preview and after the bidding began. The seller, described as a longtime collector of vintage Shelby Mustangs, was the car's fourth owner, and had held onto it for 35 years. The original Police Interceptor 428 and four-speed manual were present; there was no mention of a rebuild, and, with just 39,600 miles, one may not have been needed. Original paint markings could still be seen in some places, while the sun visors still wore their factory stickers. Cars like this seldom come up for sale — in fact, this was the first time this one had appeared at auction.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

  • Condition: Original/#2-
  • Reserve: Undisclosed
  • High Bid: $11,000 (not sold)
  • Average Selling Price: $13,255
This 103,513-mile IROC-Z gave every impression of being a clean, original, well-kept car. The paintwork and graphics were well preserved, as was the optional gray cloth interior. Other options included the Tuned Port Injection 305-cu.in. V-8, four-speed automatic, T-tops, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, rear disc brakes, and an AM/FM cassette player. The original, 16-inch IROC-specific wheels were present at all four corners. An '80s icon, the IROC-Z still offers respectable performance, and can pull a crowd at any Coffee & Whatnot event. We think condition should have earned this one a bid closer to the top of the range.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

  • Condition: Refurbished/#3
  • Reserve: Undisclosed
  • Selling Price: $16,747.50
  • Average Selling Price: $21,600
Though this hardtop coupe wore 4-4-2 graphics and W-30 badges, the seller made no claim that it was anything more than a Cutlass Supreme dressed up with a louvered hood, stripes, and a spoiler on the trunk lid. The specifications of the V-8 in the engine bay weren't discussed in the seller's description—nor was much of anything else. Overall, the presentation wasn't inspiring, with pits in some of the chrome, budget tires, and one wheel missing a center cap. The interior featured a floor shifter for the automatic, a front bench seat covered in what looked like original vinyl upholstery, and a trio of aftermarket gauges mounted under the dash. The winning bid seemed fair enough.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1978 Dodge D100

1978 Dodge Li'l Red Truck

  • Condition: Original/#2
  • Reserve: None
  • Selling Price: $30,800
  • Average Selling Price: $47,000
The Li'l Red (Express) Truck was the fastest passenger vehicle for sale in the U.S. in 1978, propelled by a 225-hp, 360-cu.in. V-8 that, because it was powering a truck with a GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) above 6,000 lb, was not required to run catalytic converters. This lovingly preserved, 88,000-mile truck was presented by the heirs of its original owner and was offered with stacks of original papers and other documentation. The engine and 727 LoadFlite transmission were the originals, while the custom running boards and aluminum mudguards were added. Recent work included new paintwork and correct decals. Of a total production of 2,788 in 1978, this was one of 470 built with a red bench seat interior. A good buy by a smart bidder.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS

1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS

  • Condition: Restored/#1-
  • Reserve: Undisclosed
  • High Bid: $60,000 (not sold)
  • Average Selling Price: $59,130
This fully documented, unmodified Nova SS packed the highly desirable L79 option, featuring the 350-hp, 327-cu.in. V-8; a Muncie four-speed; and a 12-bolt rear axle with 3.73 gears. The engine had been rebuilt with new pistons, connecting rods, and valves, and the original crankshaft. The basecoat/clearcoat respray in its original Marina Blue was appealing, as was the new vinyl upholstery. The mag wheels and redline tires were recent additions. Photos of all pertinent tags, stampings and castings were on display to back up the coupe's authenticity. Despite what the price guides say, the money offered here was probably a little light, considering this car's condition.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1983 Dodge Shelby Charger

1983 Dodge Shelby Charger

  • Condition: Original/#3-
  • Reserve: None
  • Selling Price: $5,121
  • Average Selling Price: N/A
Look past the badly weathered paint, the dings, and the dents, and what you'll see is a Shelby Charger that appeared to be both complete and highly original. Both the interior and the engine bay were in much better condition than you might expect, given the state of the exterior, and the odometer showed just 33,200 miles. On the downside, the doors had been cut for speakers, and the spare wheel was missing. Part of Chrysler's '80s performance renaissance, the Shelby Charger had just a 13-horsepower bump to go with its close-ratio five-speed, stiffer springs, and quicker steering. Was this a deal? Let's put it this way: Good luck finding another $5,000 car with Shelby's stamp on it.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 1968 Chevrolet Camaro

1968 Chevrolet Camaro

  • Condition: Modified/#2-
  • Reserve: Undisclosed
  • Selling Price: $38,115
  • Average Selling Price: $32,400
Born a six-cylinder car, according to its VIN, this Camaro now packed a 454 of undetermined origin under its hood, coupled with a three-speed automatic. Sympathetic upgrades included four-wheel power disc brakes with slotted rotors, an aluminum radiator, and 17-inch, one-piece Rally-style wheels wearing Nitto rubber. The seller said the coupe had been restored with all new panels, including floors. The cosmetics were good—the interior was new, from the carpet to the headliner, and the Tuxedo Black repaint showed just a bit of orange peel. By the way, classic.com places a value of $72,564 on first-gen Camaros of all types, and $91,153 on modified cars like this one.


New England Auto Auction 2023 - 2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500

2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500

  • Condition: Original/#2
  • Reserve: Undisclosed
  • Selling Price: $33,000
  • Average Selling Price: $42,360
A high-performance revival launched in 2007, the 2011 GT500 featured a number of improvements, primarily its all-aluminum DOHC 5.4-liter V-8 topped by a Roots-type supercharger and rated at 500 horsepower. The change from the previous cast-iron block removed more than 100 pounds from the nose. This example was nearly in as-delivered condition, with only some wear on the outer bolster of the driver's seat to show for its 49,923 miles. Alterations included a Kenne Bell Mammoth supercharger in place of the original Eaton, 72-pound fuel injectors, and a fuel pump booster. Ford built 5,100 of these in 2011, and they've been coveted since the day they were new.
David LaChance