I am a member of the Pacific Northwest Region of the Lincoln and Continental Owners Club, so I was particularly interested in the light blue 1975 Lincoln Mark IV. It was owned by one family since new and looked pretty good except for the over-spray from the recent repaint. The owner brought the car to auction with a reserve price of $3,750, but sold it for the high bid of $2,150. It looked to me like a very solid and collectible car for such a small price.

Moving on to some General Motors cars, This 1964 Chevrolet Impala with a $13,000 reserve price sold for $12,600. Rated at condition 2.0, I think that this was a fair price for both the buyer and the seller. The Old Cars Price Guide rates this car at condition 2.0 at $18,900. It was the right color and a beautiful specimen both inside and out. It seems odd to me that a Chevrolet Impala will always outsell a similar condition Pontiac, Oldsmobile or Buick. But there are many more Chevy owners from the past that would like to relive their memories.

Now here is a car that was detailed and prepared for the auction in a manner that would impress anyone. This black 1978 Pontiac Trans Am looked like perfection to me. Rated by Silvers at 1.6 condition, I would have rated it much higher. The owner had a whole collection of trophies he had won at various car shows. It is interesting that the Old Cars Price Guide rates a number 1.0 condition similar car a $14,400 with the options. The car was bid to $14,000 but it was a no sale with the owner holding out for a $15,000 reserve. If I were a big Pontiac buff, I would have gladly paid $15,000 for this beauty.

Next we have a red 1970 Pontiac GTO. Condition rating was 1.7. The bidding stalled at $15,600 but the owner took it back home with his reserve price of $18,500. I think that I would agree with the owner. The Old Cars Price Guide rates a similar condition 2.0 car at $21,700. For these higher dollar cars such as the GTO you really need the right buyer(s) in the room that are looking to buy a car such as this. Apparently, they just were not there that day.

Wow! Here was a beautiful white 1960 Chevrolet Impala two door hard-top. With a condition rating of 1.5 there was not much more that you could ask for here. The bidding stopped at $21,000. The owner had a reserve price of $25,500 that he was looking for. Note that the Old Cars Price Guide rates this car at $22,100 if you split the difference between a condition 1.0 and 2.0. I think that the owner either had unrealistic expectations or that he really didn’t want to sell. Otherwise this little Chevy would have found a new home.

Want a little red Truck? You can’t get sportier that this little red 1972 El Camino Chevrolet. $9,000 bid didn’t meet with the owner’s approval. He was holding out for a little more than that. I know, I know, it’s all opinion, but I would have taken the 9K and felt good about it. But, the whole purpose of the auction is to get buyers and sellers together. Guess it just didn’t work in this case.

WDM