Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

It wasn't really a ZL1. It was a vin tag off of a ZL1 that someone built a car around. All the details are here and on Camaros.net.

Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

The market has definitely softened with the current state of the economy. I attended both Arizona auctions and I must say the quality of cars was abysmal as well. The collectors with the finest examples clearly are not going to risk losing their automobiles in a no-reserve auction such as Barrett-Jackson. I think the cars that went through the Russo-Steele auction house represent a better window as to the current state of the market. The hemi cars still did quite well. The W-30 ragtop with a questionable past and in need of restoration did fairly well also. As Rich stated high quality pedigreed cars will always be in demand. I think we have seen a softening of the standard cars such as GTOs, Firebirds, 442s, Chevelles etc and especially replicas. But the market will always remain strong for the top flight elite cars such as hemi cars, ZL-1, LS-6, Stage –1, W-30, 68-9 HOs or Yenkos. These cars will always be deemed the most desirable with the serious collectors and demand will always surpass supply. This always is reflected in their high valuations. RM

Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

Well, that's just the opposite of what all the indicators show. The high end cars have fallen dramatically. The base level cars have been stronger. Several standard GTO's went across the block at B-J for over $50K, as well a few low mileage late 70's Trans Am's that pulled over $50K, some SS396 Chevelles did very well. The Hemi cars tanked, the Shelbys tanked, the COPO's tanked.

As for quality, I think every year people complain about the quality of the cars at auctions. The difference now is that in previous years, we were always stunned how much people paid for those cars. This year, people are using the "low quality, little documentation" excuse as to why they're selling lower. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif

Excellent article in the recent Muscle Car Review as to the state of the collector car market, and they also state that high end cars have fallen, and the $50K "base model" cars are up.

I'm also curious anbout the "W-30 convertible in need of a restoration". Wasn't this the dark blue/white top car that just went through a $100,000 total restoration? The photos on the website show an immaculate undercarriage, and states that restoration was performed under the scrutiny of OCA officials.

Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

[ QUOTE ]
As for quality, I think every year people complain about the quality of the cars at auctions. The difference now is that in previous years, we were always stunned how much people paid for those cars. This year, people are using the "low quality, little documentation" excuse as to why they're selling lower. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif



[/ QUOTE ]

Not trying to be combative but.............UH no! I have been to every BJ in the last decade. I have been to every AZ Russo ever. And to every Mecum, spring and fall for the last decade.
BJ's car quality, certainly for American Muscle, was HORRIBLE. That is not to say there were not a few nice cars,(most of them going to Blackhawk) but NOTHING like years previous where there were alot of quality cars with history and legitimate paperwork. As I stated before, and Rich concurred, I used to struggle to find time to pee, cause I did not want to miss what was next.
I was there.

John https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

PS. Were you out there this year or in any years past? Just curious https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

I have to agree with John. I have been to BJ 6 out of the last 9 years and all of the Mecum, Kruse and Russo auctions for the last 6 years. You cannot judge a car based on 4 or 5 pictures in the auction catalog or website. You have to see them especially the paperwork. Take a look at the $85,000 Nickey Nova with the fake window sticker on another thread here. To say someone paid $85K for that car, $66K for a 1990 ZR1, etc. and then say the market is down and tanking based on auction totals year to year is unrealistic. Good Cars bring Good Money. Great Cars bring Great Money. Clones, Fakes and Bastard Cats bring whatever they can get. Just my $.02 Ed

Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

I call it !! EYE CANDY !!! Lots of eye candy for the TV viewers and the guy sitting in his seat bidding..

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Hemi Cuda didnt tank !
Yellow auto column not the original drivetrain $120K
Blue terd with panels not matching in colors $190K
These cars did what they should have done in my mind,little high for the blue car considering..

Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

I was just referring to all the articles over the past 4 months from Hemmings Muscle Machines, Muscle Car Review, Musclecar Enthusiast, internet auto blogs, etc. where the writers have all said the market was down on high end cars.

If quality was down B-J, wasn't it because people didn't want to take a fully restored 6-figure car to a no-reserve auction, and risk selling too low? So doesn't that mean that sellers knew the market was soft, so they avoided no-reserve auctions? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

I looked at the 2007 auction results from Mecum and Barrett-Jackson, and many Hemi cars and Shelbys were $200K+. Not sure if very many sold for more than $200K this past month. Seems like lots of Hemi cars were under $100K this year, where in 2007, guys were selling 70 Barracuda 318's, converted to 'Cudas, with a crate 426, for $100K. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif

Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

Stealth Bird…I think it might be time to come back down to earth. If you actually believe base model cars with high production volume are more valuable than elite Muscle cars with very limited production numbers…I believe its time for a reality check. The cars with lowest production numbers, most visual appeal and highest horsepower figures have & always will be the most sought after with collectors. Those are just the facts my friend.

As far as the sale figures the Yenko Camaro at B-J was right on course with past sales. The hemi cars at Russo Steel pulled 300-400K. So I don’t know what numbers you are looking at. Elliot Jaffe’s W-30 ragtop was painted in the late eighties by the original owner, featured a broadcast card with no mention of W-30. I don’t understand where you are coming up with a hundred thousand-dollar restoration on this car. I am very familiar with Elliot’s car and believe it brought strong money for condition and lack of definitive proof. Other well-documented W-30 ragtops routinely bring over 300K. Did you actually attend the auctions of which you speak? RM

Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

[ QUOTE ]
Stealth Bird…I think it might be time to come back down to earth. If you actually believe base model cars with high production volume are more valuable than elite Muscle cars with very limited production numbers…I believe its time for a reality check. The cars with lowest production numbers, most visual appeal and highest horsepower figures have & always will be the most sought after with collectors. Those just the facts my friend.

[/ QUOTE ]
So the 1980 Trans Am Special Edition that sold for $72,000 was which one, high horsepower or low production? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

And I apologize in advance if this is not Elliot's car, I thought it was. http://www.russoandsteele.com/collec..._w30/6454.html

I guess it depends on your perspective, and your vested interests. If you talk to a realtor, there's nothing wrong with the housing market right now, so it's a good time to list your house with them. And according to my investment banker, our 401K is doing very well. And the Applebee's restaurant down the street from us said they haven't been impacted by the economy at all, business was great! We went back the next week, and the windows were boarded up. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Barrett-Jackson Records Strong Sales
 

Mike:

The main point is, I think that you need to see the car before you can assess a real value. Not look at pictures. Ed