McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

[Keith S.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

Looking for some engine pics and info on the Top Flight certificate for the Monocco Orange 427/435. Contacted Mecum and they indicated whatever is on the website is all they have. Any info is greatly appreciated.

[Scott S.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

Contacted Mecum and they indicated whatever is on the website is all they have. Any info is greatly appreciated.

I would be contacting Bob McDorman directly, and the Supervisor of whomever you spoke with at Mecum.

[Keith S.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

Thanks Scott, you've been very helpful. I'll give it a shot.

[Keith S.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

I'm not a professional by any means but I'd have to think the '69 went at high retail. $67K + $6.7K commission + taxes + transport. Isn't that L-89 money? Is it due to the color and 435 VIN?

Body seemed mostly straight except for driver side front fender near door, rear bumpers were pushed in a little and fiberglass cracked, small patch in rear quarter near bumper, replacement parts in engine compartment, interior didn't seem tight, tear in driver seat, couldn't open the interior compartments, fiber optics didn't work, gas on the manifold, bc/cc paint, (strong) possibility not a real side pipe car, replaced gas tank, and NO documentation except for the fact the car had received (and advertised as) a Top Flight Regional at some point but no paper work.

Overall a nice car, but since it had no documetation and needed a few thousand to freshen up not including the paint I'd say tops $50K total including commissions. I'd love to know what you guys think especially if I'm way off.

All that being said, the car still looked incredible as the new owner drove it away.

[John S.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

the new owner of the 69 427 looked relieved after finally taking off! the car was parked just to the right side of the auction exit door. after owner completed his paperwork he struggled to get the car started to point were the battery almost went dead. most people near the car pretented not to notice to not embarrass the guy. two cars away a couple of us were pushing the 63 red convertible fuelie. when the new owner attempted to start this car it sounded as if he had a bad spot on the flywheel. after about 10 minutes the starter caught a good spot and the car was driven onto the owner's trailer.

[Keith S.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

I actually started the car and the Mecum representative said it was the starter bendix. It took me around ten times to get it started but when it did the car idled nicely. The headlights, wipers and radio worked. Forgot to try the heater. One of the bottom fiber optics were working and I got the clock to tick a few seconds.

[Michael F.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

Here are pictures of another 1969 at this year's McDorman show, this one is supposed to be Monza Red (see 3rd picture, written on paper laying on the seat). The color looks very orange-ish red, same as my old 1969 Corvette (L46) with Monza Red paint (see picture #4). In bright sunlight, my car looked almost completely orange, like serial #00435 above. At dusk or on a cloudy day, my car looked red.

Does anyone have a picture of a 1969 Monaco Orange car next to a 1969 Monza Red car for a color comparison?

Monza Red is similar to Porsches Guards Red. They look orange under certain lighting.

[Scott S.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

Monza Red is similar to Porsches Guards Red. They look orange under certain lighting.

Thanks for the reply Michael, it would be interesting to see a side by side comparison of a known original Monza Red car and a Monaco Orange car. When I bought mine in 1996, I intended to repaint it the color red that I thought it was supposed to be (red like the midyear Corvettes), but that orange-red color really grew on me. I'd like to get another '69 someday. If I do, I'll be looking for a Monza orange-red, L46 (350/350) four-speed like my old one

[Steven C.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

Keith, were you a bidder on the car?

[Keith S.]

Re: McDorman-Mecum Auction Orange '69 427/435

Keith, were you a bidder on the car?

After making it to the auction, reviewing the car with a professional and finding out there were no signs of documentation along with some other issues I was hesitant to spend more than $50K total which the auction just blasted by.

I have been searching for a '68/69 L-71 online for a few months so I was aware of what owners are looking for and the amount that was being bid at auction. Also, I used some cars at proteam to determine base pricing as they had a '68 L-89 Green Convertible with documentation up for $72K and had another '68 Green Convertible L-71 for $50K with documentation this summer.

Yet, there is still hope. After seeing the prices on the LT-1s at that auction I may just restore mine and ask McDorman to put it in his next auction because I'm not sure where else I could sell it at those prices.