Barrett-Jackson Corvettes

[Jeremy Hedges]

Before you say "Corvettes were down this year" let me tell you what I saw there. I looked at every mid-year Corvettes and a lot of the straight axles. Since I am partial to the mid-years I looked at them the closest. I thought that the nice, judged straight axles did well. There were quite a few really good straight axles. As for the mid-years, there we only 2 Top Flight or Bloomington cars there that I saw. Most of the descriptions said NCRS ready or some version of that. There was a black (of course) 396 coupe that was VIN #1,700 or so and I asked him about the car and he said it was a pilot line car. Is it possible that it was a real 396? Doubtfully, that is why it only went for $87K. The pictures on the BJ website show this as a convertible, but it is listed and was a coupe. Also it had side exhaust, which usually is questioned in '65 before February or so if I am not mistaken. It has already be discussed here about the fake L89 with a reproduction trim tag. So you guys like me that either own, restore or sell mid-years, don't be discouraged when someone says that the mid-years were down. I just think that the good restored, judged cars aren't coming to BJ anymore. And I don't blame them. Just my thoughts.

Jeremy Hedges
#31711

[Warren F.]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Corvettes

Jeremy,

I was not there in person, but having watched all 6 days of this on television, I thought all the '58 thru '61's that crossed the auction block received VERY good bids! Those that covet the C1 generation should be tickled with the prices realized.

[Jack H.]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Corvettes

This year seemed to follow past years in that the cars that were top flighted didn't get the bidders interest as much as the eye poppers, even if they didn't have correct paint, etc. Same held true for 55-57 Chevys. Buying interest is going in in cycles, first it was the Vette, then the hemi's, now it Shelby anything.

[Steve B.]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Corvettes

Jeremy,
I could not agree more, in fact I thought that prices were strong considering what those cars were. I was told again that there was not an original motored 435 at BJ. The best cars trade privately or if auctioned off go to Mecum or somewhere else with a reserve JMHO

[Loren L.]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Corvettes

Jeremy:

The 396 '65 that you cited was a "Return to the Scene of The Crime" car from 3 years ago. Then it was fresh, new black paint, new silver leather, new trim tag from "Pancho's House of Tags", new motor from the "Zap Montana Engine Works" and carried a price tag of 125K Plus. Beautifully done and a daily topic amongst the NCRS members in attendance - "Let's go hang around the Fleecemobile and count buyers!".

The followup story - I don't know if it is true - had the car and new owner showing up at Bloomington for judging; one of the miscreants who had been at the "Annual Carnival For Those Who Became A Car Nut/Expert Yesterday"
when it was sold, took the owner aside and told him the story of a car body, engine, and tags and the car was withdrawn.

I have no idea if the same person presented the car this year. If it was, the 50K loss will immediately drop his blood pressure 50 points on both sides and he will no longer growl aloud at the mention of anything "Chevrolet"; probably end up as a Bricklin collector.

[Jack W.]

Re: Barrett-Jackson Corvettes

While I would agree that prices paid at BJ don't always align with values, I also find it quite oftent the case that the room knows the truth about the cars. Many times there are two Corvettes that go over the block that are rather similar in appearance, and yet the prices they go for are quite different. Almost always (unless tow bidders got into an ego battle) this is explained by "there was something not quite right" with the car that went for less, something that the room was alert to.

That was the case with the 65 "396" Loren is referring to. I saw it in AZ (just got home) and remembered it from the last "discussion" - faked cars being an interest of mine

[Barbara S.]

Well said Loren! *NM*

[Ray G.]

Re:Why sell Top Flights Corvettes"No Reserve" ?

Hello;
Spent considerable time the last five years at Phoenix auctions. Seems the only thing down is the number of real Corvettes (Trim Tags, Engines, etc).at these auctions.
Many description sheets trying to say they are somehow NCRS Flight judged.
One I can remember was actually '07 "Top Flight", and misteriously had more paperwork then it did two years ago.
The big dealers are buying the real cars and passing on the rest.
Russo & Steele will be 100% reserve cars next year.
Not saying that's right for everyone, just a comment.
Hope that helps.
Ray

[Clem Z.]

Re:Why sell Top Flights Corvettes"No Reserve" ?

B/J will not give up the "no reserve" because they are guaranteed to make a commission on both ends,seller and buyer

[Dick W.]

Re:Why sell Top Flights Corvettes"No Reserve" ?

The "No Reserve" is a double edged sword. If you do a "with Reserve" auction, you stand the chance of losing at least 10%, or possibly more, of your potential buyers. With no reserve many more buyers will attend and possibly bid. Then the hope is that the competitive nature will cause the selling price to be higher.

[Mike M.]

Re:Why sell Top Flights Corvettes"No Reserve" ?

Your taking a big chance. You need at least 2 people willing go the distance and get the bid to where your happy. If you sell the car with a reserve or just place a add in drive line you only need 1 person who is willing to pay your price. It may not make the reserve but at least you have the car and can still try and sell or lower your reserve if its close. I don't think I would ever sell in a auction with no reserve.

[Don S.]

Wait a minute Loren

I have a 75 bricklin with 300 miles on it. It is a neat looking car and had corvette worried at one time.

[Loren L.]

Worried about what?? *NM*