New England Auto Auction 2022

8/25/22

Sam: Here's the cars from the 2022 New England Auto Auction at the Owl's Head Transportation Museum in Maine, as promised. Be prepared, as this is our longest entry to date.  I guess to compensate for the lack of pictures of the Wheels and Wings show, I decided to photograph most of the 200+ cars in the auction.  Since there's so many cars, I'm going to keep the descriptions pretty sparse.  Check out this link for info on all the cars in the auction, as well as what they sold for: https://auction.owlshead.org/.  Enjoy!

Above: Some of the New England Auto Auction Cars

These were the first of the auction cars I saw, which were being stored inside the museum.  I believe they kept the nicest and most valuable cars inside, but they did move a few out to the tent outside while I was there.  

Vintage Three-Wheeler Motorbike in the Auction Lineup

Above: 1972 Fiat 500L and a 1956 BMW Isetta (Pic 1), 1903 Century Tourist and a 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (Pic 2)

Here's a couple of small classic compacts.  The museum actually has an Isetta as part of their collection, although theirs is red and white.  The second photo gives you a good idea of how much automotive technology has progressed in the last century.  What better pairing than two cars that are 117 years apart in age?  

Above: 1967 Chevy Corvette 427 and More Auction Cars (Pic 1), 1936 Ford Woody Wagon and a 1932 Chevrolet BA Confederate Coach (Pic 2)

A couple more of the pristine, restored auction cars inside the museum.  

1969 Chevy Impala SS Convertible w/ 427 CI Engine 

I bet you can already guess I was all over this one since it's an Impala.  This was a fully-loaded Impala SS convertible with a 427.  I believe it sold for somewhere around 46K.  We actually got to take a brief ride in this car as it was being moved to the outdoor tent, and I have to say that the ride, albeit short, was the highlight of my day.  

Above: GM Muscle Cars: 1965 Pontiac GTO (Pic 1) and a 1967 Olds Cutlass 442 Convertible (Pic 2)

Here's a couple performance A-bodies: a GTO and a 442.  The GTO looked like it had a bit of the usual GM window channel rot in the back that had been repaired, as the trim wasn't sitting flat.  Regardless, it was still a great car.  

1966 Triumph TR4A IRS

While GM A-bodies aren't large cars, this TR4A still looked tiny next to them.  It was in very nice shape, although I didn't spend too much time looking at it.  

1969 Chevy Camaro SS and Custom 1953 Hudson Hornet 

And for a little bit of variety, we have ourselves a nice muscle-hotrod combo.  The Hudson had been rodded out in the 2000s, with a lot of modifications being made to the car.  

1938 MG VA

Here's a lonely little MG VA waiting its turn to join the other auction cars outside.  

1954 Chevy 210 Deluxe

Moving outside, we have an original 210 Deluxe.

1956 Dodge Sierra Wagon

This is a rare Dodge Sierra wagon.  You don't see too many of these cars.  It sold for just over 12K.

1964 Rambler American Convertible

This rambler was worn cosmetically, but the auction detail said it had recently received a mechanical overhaul.  The seller was looking for a new owner who would finish the restoration by repainting the car. 

1971 VW Type 14 Karman Ghia and 1985 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible 

And yes, LeBarons are starting to become classics.  This one in the auction went for $2,310.  Ok, maybe they've got a bit to go before they're actually worth something, but depending on how the car market goes, they may be a good investment for the future.  

Above: Row Shots of some of the Auction Cars

All the land yachts, lined in a row.  

1949 Crosley Hotshot

Crosleys are cool, little cars, in my opinion.  While Crosley was primarily a consumer electronics manufacturer, they did dabble in the auto industry for a decade or two.  This was one of three Crosleys in the auction.  As a side-note, I've worked on a number of Crosley radios, so it was cool to see a car by the same manufacturer.  

1981 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

A closeup of the Caprice in "Land Yacht Row".  This car actually went for $5,175, so even these old boxes are starting to appreciate.

1969 Chevy Nova

Sadly, some people still don't like four-doors, as the '69 Nova went for $1,760.  The good news is some enthusiast now has a cheap, reliable project car.

1974 Porsche 914 

1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Above: Classic Chevys Old and New: Original Paint 1969 Chevy Camaro SS 396 and a 1918 Chevrolet 490 Roadster

You've just crossed over into... the Twilight Zone the big tent with all the auction cars in it.  

1981 Mercedes 380 SL (R107)

A fairly-common, but well-loved model of classic.  

1969 Chevy Camaro SS Restomod

Above: Perspective Angles on a 1957 Lincoln Premiere

Look at those fins!  This baby went for 44K!

 1952 MG TD

Above: Two Forgotten American Classics: 1952 Crosley Supersport (Red) and a 1941 Crosley Convertible (Blue)

Here's the other two Crosleys in the auction.  Unsurprisingly, both of them had radios.  

Muscle Trucks Old and New

Front to Back: Two Modded '60s Chevy C-10s (Gray and Red) and a 1993 Ford F150 SVT Lightning (Red, Background)

1967 Chevy C-10 Restomod

1941 Packard One-Sixty

This car was a real beauty.  Not many Packards around these days, and even less of them in this condition.  

1973 MGB (White) and 1993 Cadillac Allante (Black)

In case you couldn't tell the difference, we've color-coded the description for you.  

1959 Chevy Corvette C1 "Vette-Rod"

I don't know exactly what "Vette-rod" was referring to, but that's what they put on the windshield tag.  Maybe they LS swapped it?  

Above: 1969 Plymouth Barracuda

1993 Saab 900 S Convertible

Too bad David wasn't at this auction because he probably would have bought this car.  This was one of at least three other green Saab 900 convertibles I saw while up in Maine, but the other two weren't in the auction or for sale.  

David: Yeah, I probably would have bid on it.

1947 Ford Super Deluxe

More Classics at the Auction

Future Classics

Left to Right: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider, 1990 Mazda MX-5 (NA) Miata, 1999 Chevy Tahoe, and 1995 Buick Roadmaster Estate

1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

Classy T-Bird.  One of a couple in the auction.  

Above: Classic Porsches: A 1983 Porsche 928 (Silver) and a 1976 Porsche 912E (Brown)

Above: Two VW Icons: 1963 Volkswagen Beetle (Black) and a 1973 VW Type 14 Karman Ghia (Green)

Shot of Some More Classics

Right to Left: 1948 Studebaker Champion, 1959 Ford Fairlane w/223 (photographed at 2021 Wheels & Wings), 1938 Studebaker Commander, and 1937 Cadillac Series 70 Fleetwood

Above: More Shots of the Auction Cars

Above and Left: 1961 Chevy Impala Sport Sedan

Of course, I had to take more than just one photo of an Impala, especially since this one's a sport sedan like mine.  Additionally, this car has a bypassed heater core (just like mine!).  I think the black was a repaint because I could see a bit of blue on the cowl.  One of the auction volunteers was nearby when I was checking out the car, and he let me look under the hood.  I believe it had a 283, as well as power steering and brakes.  A nice car, in my opinion.  

1976 MG Midget 1500

1987 Chevy El Camino with 3384 Original Miles!

1964 Ford Falcon Convertible

1953 Mercury Monterey Hardtop

Two Fords and a Citroën

Left to right: 1979 Ford F100 Ranger Lariat (Black), 1969 Ford Bedliner Bronco Half Cab (Red), and a 1972 Citroën 2CV (Black and Red)

1946 Ford Super Deluxe

No, it's not the same car from before.  There were two of them in the auction.  

1985 Chevy K-5 Blazer 

Above: Two Overview Shots of some more Auction Cars

1959 Chevy El Camino

1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe

1964 Volvo PV544 Sport

David: I would've bid on this too!

Assortment of Unique Classics

Right to Left: 1967 MGB (Green), 1952 Chevy Deluxe (Black), 1962 Buick Invicta 'vert (White), and 1989 Dodge Dakota Sport 'vert pickup (Red)

1941 Packard One-Twenty Touring

Another pristine Packard.  I'd say this was in better shape than the other '41 under the tent, but that might be because it was restored more recently.  

1965 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

Runway Shot of Some Auction Cars 

1970 Jeep Commando and a 1982 Toyota FJ-40

Above: GM Classics: 1965 Chevy El Camino (Blue) and a 1970 Pontiac GTO (Green)

1974 Volkswagen Beetle

1957 Ford Thunderbird with two 4bbl Carbs

1970 Dodge D-100

British Sports Car Classics: 1959 Triumph TR3A (Red) and MG Roadster (Green)

More Assorted Classics

Left to Right: '65 Chevy C2 'Vette (Red), '50s Ford Woodie (Brown) , and VW Beetle (Black)

1965 Chevy Corvette C2 Stingray

1956 Chevy Cameo Custom

Above: Ford Classics: 1955 Thunderbird Convertible and a 1940 Deluxe

1995 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Convertible

One of the newer, "classic" cars in the auction.  I'd hesitate to call this one a classic just yet.  

1962 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 Coupe

1964 Porsche 356SC

1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mk. I

1965 Shelby Group II Mustang

Does this look familiar?  That's because it's the same car I documented during my first Maine trip of 2022.  This car can also be seen in the First Rockland Maine Trip '22 Collection.  I think the reserve was north of a million, so as a result the car didn't sell.  

Above: 1969 Chevy Yenko Camaro Tribute w/ 427 Engine

I thought this was a real Yenko until I read the auction info on it.  It's a pretty good-looking clone.  

1972 Chevy Corvette C3 LT-1

Custom 1988 Toyota Supra Mk. III Targa 

1971 Triumph TR-6 Convertible

American Classics

Left to right: 1967 Corvette 427 (Red), 1957 C1 Vette Fuel Injection (Gold), and a 1965 Ford Mustang GT "HiPo" 289 'Vert (Orange)

Cars of Yesteryear

Front to Back: 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Phaeton (Maroon) with a 1921 Stutz Model K Behind it (White w/ black top)

Above: A 1937 Packard 115C Station Wagon (Pic 1) and a 1913 Ford Model T Touring (Pic 2)

And as it happens, we've come to the end of the auto auction, as well as my third and final Maine trip of 2022.  Stay tuned for more cars, as David and I still manage to sneak some spotting in before classes start.