Presidential results at latest Historics Auctions

Historics Auctions’ latest sale offerings included a selection of classic American cars – one of which was fit for a vice-president.

Performance models like the 1969 Shelby GT350 convertible rubbed shoulders with upmarket Fifties luxury, like the 1956 Continental Mark II that belonged to US Vice-President Rockefeller. But it wasn’t all big-ticket items; a modern Dodge Ram pick-up, as well as a Fifties Chevy truck, a Twenties Studebaker and several other interesting American vehicles went under the hammer at Ascot Racecourse on April 18.

1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 427
This rare NCRS Top Flight 1968 Corvette is presented in Silverstone Silver with a black interior and is powered by its original matching numbers 400 bhp L68, 427 cubic inch engine with correct numbers, fitted with 3×2 Holley carburettors, all of this is mated to a four-speed manual transmission. It boasts air-conditioning, tinted glass, power-steering, power-brakes. It’s understood to have had just three owners, the current owner has had the vehicle for 10 years. It appears to have a genuine 90,000 miles on the odometer, substantiated by the original owner’s personal maintenance notes. It received an NCRS Top Flight award in 2004 and again in 2019.
In September 2018, the vehicle was treated to a refresh in excess of $21,000 which included an overhaul or replacement of all major systems, key components and appearance items; receipts for which are included in the history file. After the 2018 work this example was imported to the UK where in 2019 it gained a fresh NCRS Top Flight award, and in the face of much stricter criteria than in previous years it achieved an impressive overall score of 97.4 %. Estimate: £48-£50,000. SOLD for £52,072

1969 Shelby GT350 Convertible
This matching numbers Shelby GT350 convertible is presented in Acapulco Blue with contrasting black trim and knit vinyl Hi-Back bucket seats with a white power-hood to match the famous Shelby racing stripes. The car boasts both power steering and air conditioning and the 351 V8 motor is mated to the matching GT350 select shift automatic transmission. GT equipment included, power front disc-brakes, deluxe interior, a SelectAire AM/8 track stereo radio, tinted glass, deluxe belts and colour keyed racing mirrors.
This car was owned by a Californian collector for some 30 years and six years ago he decided to embark on a full $200,000 restoration, sadly upon nearing the completion he passed away. The vendor recently completed the restoration upon its arrival in the UK which included a new hood this year and over £10,000 of bills from Speed shop and Mustang Maniac are included. It is believed that only 194 1969 Shelby’s exist and this is one of those few produced before Shelby left Ford. There’s also a Marti Report in the history file. Estimate: £90-£110,000. SOLD for £90,560

1956 Lincoln Continental Mk. II
This particular Mk. II was purchased new by one of the wealthiest people in the US, if not the world, Nelson Rockefeller, who was the 49th Governor to New York and the 41st Vice President. This well documented car received a full nut and bolt restoration. Painted deep red with complementary luxury red and cream interior, this coupé was sold new to Nelson Rockefeller in 1956 and since then it has been with a handful of collectors, more recently it was displayed at the Volo Auto Museum in Lakemoor, Illinois
Under the bonnet is a 285bhp/ 368cu in V8 and these cars cost of nearly $10,000 when new. The Mk. II attracted the same clientele of Rolls-Royce with numerous famous owners including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower. Only 3,005 would be built between 1956 and 1957 and today the Continental Mk II remains one of the most sought after models by collectors across the globe. Estimate: £43-£52,000. SOLD for £73,580

1961 Chevrolet Corvette C1
The 1961 Corvette C1 is the very last version to have contrasting coloured scallop inserts in the body work, often thought to be the defining characteristic of this model. It was initially imported into the UK in 2012 and comes with a scallop-matching coloured hardtop. It’s been stripped and restored by its owner and retains its original colour scheme of white and turquoise. The interior has been retrimmed but still retains much of the original detail items, dials, and switchgear. Estimate: £55-£65,000. SOLD for £55,000

1965 AC Cobra Mk. III 427 SC
COX6136 is one of very few examples originally supplied to the Unites States by Ford/AC Rep, Dave Wagner (The COX prefix denotes export). These examples were delivered without a powertrain and completed on arrival in the US. This example was completed by one of the world’s leading Cobra restorers, Bill Kemper who mimicked the well-known competition Cobra, CSX3018. The power unit fitted was a 1965 C5AE-H side oiler NASCAR engine with steel medium riser heads, coupled to a top loader close ratio four speed transmission.
Also fitted was a 42 gallon S/C fuel tank and a correct 427 S/C interior. Finished in its original Guardsman Blue paintwork with a black roll-bar and black S/C side pipes, COX6136 shows a mere 3,011 miles on the odometer and comes complete with a sizeable history file. The history is recorded by the Shelby American World Registry and it has featured in several books, notably Trevor Legate’s Classic Work on The Cobra. Offered by a prolific collector, the Cobra is reported to be in very good condition throughout. Estimate: £185-£260,000. SOLD for £189,044

1954 Chevrolet 3100 Pick-up
The original paintwork on this 3100 pick-up has a wonderful patina and, we are told, has the original wood work in the bed. It features a column-shift, manual transmission and is believed to have been imported from a dry state. The file with the truck shows that a Nova certificate following the pick-ups importation and a V5C registration document has been applied for. Estimate: £16-£19,000. SOLD for £15,000

2012 Dodge Ram TRX4 Off Road
The TRX4 Off Road model is a four-wheel drive truck which comes with unique 17” alloy wheels, P265 all-terrain tyres, a limited slip differential, skid plates, special red painted shock absorbers, body colour grille surround, tow hooks and fog lamps. This truck was supplied new to its first owner in Canada before being imported to the UK by the current vendor in 2016. This Dodge comes with a 26 gallon fuel tank, electronic stability control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, supplemental air bags, rear under seat storage, six speed automatic gearbox, tinted glass, remote keyless entry and air conditioning. Estimate: £13-£17,000. Sold for £16,520

1937 Ford V8 Model 78
These Ford V8s were built in its overseas factories and the right-hand drive V8 offered here is an example of the 3.6-litre V8 Model 78, of which 4,331 were manufactured in the UK between January 1937 and June 1938.This car once formed part of John Mould’s ‘Paradise Collection’. Some work was carried out by a previous owner some years ago, which included the fitting of a new dynamo, battery, electrical and brake components, plus a small amount of paintwork renovation. The car is reported to start and drive well. Finished in blue with brown interior, it is in good condition, including the dashboard which looks like new and features ‘suicide doors’. Estimate: No reserve. SOLD for £14,560

1922 Studebaker Light Six Tourer
This interesting Studebaker was stripped down to the bare chassis by a father and son and was then fully rebuilt to a good standard using either new or remanufactured parts. At the same time, a Morris Minor 1000 A-series engine was fitted together with an alternator. This modification means this Studebaker is very reliable and fun to drive. It’s been wrapped in blue as the car was required for some film work; underneath the wrapping the colour is white. The blue wrap can easily be removed and the car could be a used for a wedding car company, particularly in view of the engine modification. No reserve. SOLD for £11,200