Remember that crazy 700+ car hoard coming for auction that we reported on a few months back? Well this past weekend was when it all went down, and I was there for a front row seat.
The auction was held as Summit Motorsports Park, in Norwalk, Ohio, where the cars took up multiple acres of space. Lined up in four long rows, the cars literally stretched as far as the eye could see, as you can see from my hero picture at the top of the article. Many of the cars ended up being in better shape than the initial internet photos from my earlier posts would lead you to believe.
The Hackenberger family (assisted by Van Der Brink Auctions) literally spent years prepping for this day, inventorying vehicles, locating keys, and generating fresh titles for each and every vehicle. Cars started moving from the Hackenberger property to the auction site literally as soon as long Ohio winter broke, and have been moving there for many months prior to this event.
The top bid getter of the two-day auction wan’t a car at all, but a motorcycle. Specifically, a 1947 Indian Chief with Indian side car. It was restored in 1998, and unlike many of the other Hackenberger vehicles, was stored indoors. It fetched $36,000.
The top bid getting car was a rough-looking 1969 Series 2 Jaguar XK-E OTS Roadster, sporting a rare removable hardtop. It sold for $30,000, despite having what is described as an “incomplete motor.” Still, one only needs to see what fully restored examples are going for, and the $30,000 sale price doesn’t seem quite so crazy.
The top-selling truck was a very complete and highly restorable 1938 Studebaker Coupe Express, which fetched $30,000.
With over 700 cars, space prohibits covering every one, but lets cover a few CC faves:
This very restorable 1949 Tatra T600 Tatraplan sold for $22,000. Look for an upcoming capsule post with more photos.
A very rough, but fairly complete 1954 Kaiser Darrin, which sold for $20,000.
Could it be that these old “Packabaker” Packards are finally getting some respect? This supercharged 1958 Hawk sold for $19,000.
There were four Corvairs, the biggest draw being this 1963 900 Convertible, which sold for $4,250.
This 21 Window 1956 Mercedes Panoramabus sold for $6,500. Look for a full CC on it coming up in the near future.
There was not one, but two 1977 Leatas, a pickup and a sedan. The pickup sold for $2,000, the sedan $1,400.
Of course, just like me, he even had a Lincoln Mark III. This rust-free southern car sold for $3,250.
Of course, with a car collection this large, Ron picked up his share of automobilia over the years. Take for example this original Studebaker neon sign, which fetched $9,000.
With over 700 vehicles, there was truly something for everyone (full results available here). Suffice it to say, I found enough material for dozens of future articles, so look for more writeups in the future.
That Studebaker Coupe Express is actually a 37, the inaugural year of the 3 year run of what many consider the most beautiful pickup of all time. And in that unique bright yellow color, this one is about as right as they come for an unrestored original. I had no doubt that this one would bring some money.
With all of the slightly scruffy Studes being sold I have no doubt that the interwebs will soon be awash in flips.
“Most Beautiful Pickup” indeed!
Those Leatas are hilarious. The….balls(?) of someone to shrink a Colonnade “coupe” down to Chevette size…it’s crazy. Then, to add a Chevette-sized El Camino to the “portfolio”?
(Sorry about the quotes)
If they didn’t charge admission to this sale, they should have. It would have made a great show as the pre-inspection “stroll” through this collection looks to be nearly priceless, if these pictures are any indication.
Wow ~ I wish I coulda gone but prolly better I didn’t as some old beater surely woulda followed me home .
-Nate
Ditto. The fact that I have nowhere to put said beater(s) is another reason I had to pass. The auction results are impressive. A job well done for such a massive effort. Still, the opportunity to acquire a rare oddball (read: excellent CC mobile) continues to make me think “what if…”
Thanks for the coverage of this event. It has been hours of fun.
I would have probably got into a bidding war over one of the Karmann Ghias. I’m better off staying home!
An auction like that I think would be really rare. Sure you have lots of auctions for restored and pristine cars… Many come to mind…. But this would have been a real treat to attend.
Never having heard of a Leata, I had to google it. Still don’t have a clue……
If you didn’t see it there is a link provided to an earlier C C write-up about Leatas. From the pictures provided with that article the Leata coupe was a set of panels attached to the body of a Chevrolet Chevette.
To me, the effect is vaguely similar to a 4 year old wearing his father’s old suit with the sleeves of the suit jacket chopped off at the elbows and the trousers chopped off at the knees.
Made in Post Falls, Idaho by Steinbaugh Mfg.
My life was better when I had never heard of it. It is like a fake Rolls Royce front clip on a VW, but worse.
I would have to say I’m glad I didn’t hear about this, because I would have been sorely tempted to attend, and then, perhaps cried because I couldn’t bring something home that I liked!
What an amazing auction and collection. Can’t wait to hear the CC write-ups you come up with one some of these!
It’s not often you’ll see a Reliant Robin parked between a DeLorean and a Bricklin.
Agreed, and well spotted! Lots of interesting stuff in the background of the photos.
Some real interesting stuff was sold there. That Jeep FC-150 would just about take the prize. But I saw a couple nice Chrysler 4 door hardtops that went for ludicrous cheap. They needed freshening but as a drive it as is kinda freeway bomber, there were a couple nice choices.
I am surprised that Mark III only went for $3250. Seems they’d be worth a lot more. The ’58 Hawk looks nice and sold for a lot of $$ but I am actually more interested in the Packardbaker beside it.
How much did the early Sunbeam Rapier make?That the Tatra and the Stude coupes are the only things I’d be bidding on.
I originally planned on going but seeing as I’ve been a bit $$$ challenged lately I decided not to go. Had my eye on a certain Checker Marathon…
They had 2 Amphicars that looked like you could make one good one out of.
Are the results posted somewhere?
Good Gravy!!! The yellow ’74 Gremlin X sold for $6700.00!!! Gotta be some kind of record!
Tatra for me!
I’ll fight you for it.
I didn’t care much for the ’63 Monza Convertible, but I’d have looked twice at that ’65 500 next to it – especially if the original build had the 140HP engine in it ~
Did I read the price of that – admittedly beautiful – sign right? 9 grand?
Automobilia like signs and old petrol pumps can go for surprisingly big $$$. People pay hundreds of thousands for a set of registration plates (that can be used here at least).
1960 LarkVI for me. There was always something always immensely appealing to me about old, imperfect but highly original cars, now re-marketed (and re-priced) in the antiques phraseology of “patina.” The nose n’ tail chopped Lark has a Euro jaunty appeal, best appreciated in this very unadorned low line model.
Some of the prices seem quite reasonable–surprised that Mark III went for only $3500, as solid as it looks.
Interesting selection overall. That Mercedes Panorama bus is paraticularly cool. He must have really liked ’62 Chryslers–I think there were five of them? (I like ’em too–especially that NYer wagon.) And a 1600 original mile ’81 Imperial?
In the top photo, that yellow Caravelle caught my eye immediately. Though it took me a moment to figure out exactly what it was…
Thanks for going Tom, I am looking forward to the more detailed look at some of the cars.
Looks like they all found good homes at reasonable prices. The two Studebakers I had my eye on went for $3300 and $1500, so maybe it was just as well I wasn’t there…
That Leata sedan is definitely a Mini Me from the Brougham Epoch.
It looks like a 74 Pontiac Grand Prix, that had too many rounds with the rinse cycle. 🙂