My Favorite Cars - Results From Arizona - Russo & Steele

by Mike - 

Below are results for my favorite cars at the Russo and Steele auction in red text.

1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible

This was the high sale and sold for $1,705,000.

Russo and Steele does not publish an estimated price range, so I will be showing the price range from a condition 2 to a condition 1 car using the latest issue of Hagerty's Cars That Matter Price Guide (the CTM guide range).

1972 DeTomaso Pantera - Offered Without Reserve - CTM guide range - $44,250 - $53,800

Sold for $63,800

Ford power, placed behind the driver, with Italian styling can make for an excellent car. Russo and Steele says "This is a Concours level complete bolt and nut restoration". It also was in a movie. This looks like a great Pantera, see the video below - I love the yellow color.

1965 Maserati 3500 GT - Offered Without Reserve - CTM guide range - $88,500 - $102,000

Sold for $110,000

Styled by Carrozzeria Touring this was an important model in Maserati's history. Russo and Steele says "Finished in the correct factory shade of blue, it was recently professionally refinished, color-sanded and buffed following a comprehensive exterior dis-assembly for a high-quality finish." A Maserati that looked similar to this one won its class at Hillsborough earlier this year - great looking car.

1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 - CTM guide range - $199,000 - $255,000

Not Sold

This seems like a lot of money for a Mustang - but this is not an ordinary Mustang. Boss 429s were not race cars but they did have a race car engine and are very fast, at least in a straight line. And if you have every heard one drive by you cannot forget the great sound. The color is a pale Pastel blue - these cars have real presence.

1965 Shelby GT350R - CTM guide range - $590,000 - $770,000

Not Sold

Wow, another very expensive Mustang - but this is even more special than the Boss 429. This is one of the rare (only 34 were made) Shelby GT350 R models, R stands for race. I have written about Shelby GT350 before and earlier this week I wrote about another GT350 R model for sale at Gooding - what a week this will be when two of these rare cars come up for auction at the same time! This car had a successful race career in South America and will always be welcome at vintage races or car shows.

So, these are some of the cars that I like at the upcoming Russo and Steele auction in Arizona. Make up your own mind - read more and see more pictures at Russo and Steele. 

My original post is here.

Click on the images for a larger view.

Below is a picture from the Russo and Steele auction in Monterey, August 2008.

AC Cobra 289 (Shelby Cobra) - For Sale

by Mike -

The AC Ace is a great sports car that was produced by the British company, AC Cars, using a Bristol six cylinder engine. Carroll Shelby made a deal with AC to drop a Ford V8 into this chassis, with certain modifications specified by Shelby, and the AC Cobra (Shelby Cobra) was born in 1962. Shelby started with a 260 cid engine but quickly moved on to the more powerful 289 cid and eventually the awesome 427 cid.

These were race cars sold for street use. Shelby had considerable success in racing, winning the FIA World GT Manufactures Championship in 1965 with the Daytona Cobra Coupe version. This is the only time an American company has won this championship.

There were 75 Cobra 260s made between 1962 and 1963, 580 Cobra 289 models made between 1963 and 1965 and 343 Cobra 427 versions produced between 1965 and 1967. No one knows how many thousands of replicas have been made because this is the most copied car in history.

The car pictured here is a real AC Cobra 289, chassis number CSX2419, owned by Don Lee, shown below.

This special Cobra 289 has two engines. One is the original that came with the car and the other is a 289 block that has been stroked to 347 cid producing 460 hp on pump gas - this is the engine that is in the car now.

Below is the original 289 cid engine that is in perfect running condition.

This is a rare factory installed hood scoop.

This Cobra has original black California license plates.

This burgundy color looks fantastic.

Yes, that is me in the Cobra!

This outstanding Cobra 289 is for sale now on eBay and Don Lee has a Picasa photo album. If you have a serious interest contact me at michael.gulett@gmail.com and I will connect you with Don.

Click on the images for a larger view.

Monterey Historic Races - Classic Car Pictures

by Mike - 

Here are some pictures taken in the paddock at the Monterey Historic Races. Can anyone identify the year?

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato.

I wonder what the tape is for.

Another Aston Martin.

Cooper.

I cannot remember the marque, let me know if you know.

More Aston Martins.

Porsche and Mustang Boss 302.

Trans Am.

Sunoco Camaro.

Maserati Birdcage.

I love this orange Alfa Romeo TZ.

Abarth Simca.

Ferrari SWB.

Ferrari 250 GTO.

Ferrari 275 GTB.

Click on the images for a larger view. 

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.