Pebble Beach - Monterrey Auction Results

[GGR]

such prices for a restored car bring some questions about the value of original unmolested cars like this one:  http://bringatrailer.com/2014/08/19/44-years-owned-original-1969-mercedes-benz-280sl-4-speed/

An unrestored 300SL brought more than a bolts and nuts restoration recently. Cars are original only once!

[DaveB]

Cars are original only once!

exactly! and some guys go sticking V8s in them!!

[GGR]

Go figure!

[Jkalplus1]

On the topic of NLA parts, could we not find another project like you guys did for the firewall? Have a poll on which part is the most wanted by members of this forum and get a batch made? I am (comparatively) young and naive but there is power in numbers and a bunch of guys all wanting the same -relatively- simple part could get it made, given the wonderful technology available to us today, instead of fighting over hopefully recently discovered NOS items at crazy prices...the little plasticky trim things...rubber buffers, knobs, even things like the thermostat housing on early injection pumps. 700 euro for that? Come on.
I was looking at the fan blade and other engine bay poly plastic receptacles for which replacements are not exactly right and called up businesses that make those things. They can do it but it is prohibitive for a single unit. if 20 members want one and you make a batch of 100, the remainder can be entrusted to a member vendor who will add it to his catalog, and costs brought down for the members who started the project.
You did it with the firewall. Can we not doing it again for other stuff?
Again, inexperienced and naive here, but could it not work?
Thanks to all who take the time to provide me with invaluable advice along my journey to make my car right. What a fun hobby!
Jerome

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Jerome,

Soon someone will duplicate all critical parts using a 3D scanner/printer ... I can see it now

I would do it if 30 or 40 years younger, however, I don't want to go back there to that rat race LOL

Just look at this Jay Leno clip ----> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZrJsrTT4EA

as said ... soon someone will only I dont think the price for parts will go down, not by a long shot.

[Jonny B]

I fully agree that the clamps and such can be easily corrected. But my point is really, if they can't get the details right, what about the other stuff??

Or if they really don't care, and just want the bling, then go for (as apparently someone did).

[Brian in NL]

I don't often agree with this writer, but I thought his assessment of last week's prices at Pebble Beach/Monterey were interesting and relate to our discussion here:

http://www.autoextremist.com/

[thelews]

Here's my assessment.  Auction buyers for eye watering prices (at least at Pebble, Scottsdale and Amelia) don't give a rip about originality, correctness, what the factory did, original color, original engine in it, is the clamp right, or any of the other stuff we discuss on this site, for high production sub-$500K cars.  The buyers paying the big bucks care about mostly two things, is it new and is it beautiful.  And, beautiful alllows for wide latitude, non-original interesting color combos, blinged up engine bays, special upholstery details (how about a classy armrest!), you name it.  These are cars to be seen in at parties and country clubs for the money-means-nothing crowd, hence the head shaking prices for what seem like inferior cars to the educated (factory correct) crowd here.  And let's face it, most everybody here would be too cheap to pay the high prices achieved at auctions.  

The exception, Porsches.

[Alan Smithee]

...and kph speedo.

Which has a very obscure typeface.

Nice color combo, and the panel gaps look good, but IMO a fool and $264k of his/her money was parted for this car.


 

[peterm]

People paying that money may have the help of a "Wayne Carini" evaluation-  it will be an educated opinion and advice but unfortunately some classic car experts aren't fanatically aware of all the intimate details of each model. 

[KevinC]

Here's my assessment.  Auction buyers for eye watering prices (at least at Pebble, Scottsdale and Amelia) don't give a rip about originality, correctness, what the factory did, original color, original engine in it, is the clamp right, or any of the other stuff we discuss on this site, for high production sub-$500K cars.  The buyers paying the big bucks care about mostly two things, is it new and is it beautiful.  And, beautiful alllows for wide latitude, non-original interesting color combos, blinged up engine bays, special upholstery details (how about a classy armrest!), you name it.  These are cars to be seen in at parties and country clubs for the money-means-nothing crowd, hence the head shaking prices for what seem like inferior cars to the educated (factory correct) crowd here.  And let's face it, most everybody here would be too cheap to pay the high prices achieved at auctions.  

The exception, Porsches.

John...I have to say that I respectfully disagree...I have been attending various auctions for the past 10 years or so...mainly as an enthusiast. Many of the guys purchasing the higher end cars are buying the cars that are "right", some for fun and some as investments.  The "muscle-car" focused houses tend employ a great deal of hype but Gooding, Bonham's and RM typically offer very respectable examples. Even the higher end American cars at Barrett-Jackson will only sell well if they are correct. I wasn't in Pebble Beach and don't know the story of the near quarter million Bonham's 280SL but a questionable car selling for a great deal of money is more the exception than the rule.

[66andBlue]

.... hence the head shaking prices for what seem like inferior cars to the educated (factory correct) crowd here.  And let's face it, most everybody here would be too cheap to pay the high prices achieved at auctions. 

John,
RM also sold a 1957 190SL for $341K (http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1068223) that was restored by the same company in Germany that cobbled the 280SL together.
Please take a look at these photos and let us know how accurate  it is: http://www.sl-classics.de/fahrzeuge/auktionen-rm/mb-121/
Thanks!

[thelews]

It's not accurate.  You can begin with carpet in the front, weird binding on the carpet, finishes in the engine bay.  Please see my earlier post to see my assessment of the situation.

[66andBlue]

Thanks John.
Since I don't know 190SL cars that well I just wanted to know whether the company does a better job with that model.

[RobSirg]

I like the colour combo of the crazy priced Grey Blue 1968 model also, as it is near identical to my 1969 .....except mine has a darker blue roof and black steering wheel.
Unlike this one, Mine has original firewall padding, original floor mat, correct and original steering wheel and rear view mirror...)
Maybe I should see if the buyer of that one wants to fling me a cool 1/4 mil also?

Question - I notice these cars do not have the "Automatic" badge on the trunk lid (See attached) - even though they are Automatic? Was that just for the UK / Aust cars?

Rob

[Garry]

Rob,

US delivered cars did not have the Automatic badge.

Garry

[RobSirg]

I like it.............yet another nice feature our US cousins miss out on........then again we miss out on those beautiful (cough) bumper overriders   

[thelews]

For me, less is more

[Jkalplus1]

About the automatic badge, I seem to remember reading somewhere that in Europe at the time our cars were marketed it was considered upscale and desirable to have an automatic car whereas in the United States you typically wanted to downplay that characteristic to project a sporty image.
Jerome

[Alan Smithee]

Same could be said today...